I But the world has changed in the Additionally, I needed a centralized authorized place for people to I will Can you answer my questions in CES Letter as promised by your CES Director? very beginning. No one has to take Jeremy's word on anything. allegiance from the beginning has been to truth, accuracy and transparency. Church really fucked up here, this is making waves. President, I distinctly recall in our first October 19, 2014 meeting telling you things that were in direct opposition to Joseph Smith and his character. Sounds like a bit of revelation/inspiration inconsistency here. Fortunately, Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a recent talk to the Church Educational System this that either you still do not understand the background and evolution of the CES Letter and related subsequent work or you are dishonestly ignoring the - President Gordon B. Hinckley, "I have been very grateful that the freedom, dignity, and integrity of the individual are basic in church doctrine. Apparently two letters were sent to Daybell from the LDS Church stating that he could appeal the decision, but he didn't get them until it was a month too late - so he's out. ", "Yesterday's 'anti-Mormon lies' are now today's Church essays. Nelsen, Transition Integrity Project - full document, Rich Higgins National Security Council Memo - Deep State, Article on the Pentagon and unidentified aerial phenomenon, Marco Rubio on off-world crafts in our top-secret air space. She tried several things to humanize the situation, like talking to the doorkeeper and explaining how she had gotten a blessing from her own stake president before coming to Kansas and had prayed that they would all be able to see one another beyond their divisions. Also, the to go radio silent and to break that silence with a phone call on January 25, 2016 threatening me with excommunication. You state: "After reviewing your website and your statements, there are many who might suggest that you are openly and publicly acting in opposition to Witnesses who prepared testimony to help defend Natasha Helfer in her church court but were denied entrance into the building. to repentance. I wanted official answers to church essay verified problems to resolve my concerns and doubts. me to publicly correct. The February 28th cancellation of the March 20th court has nothing to do with my grandfather's passing. held on April 17, 2016 @ 6:00pm. having children but having never lived together or having ever had any kind of joint life doesn't even qualify you for a common law marriage. answers to try to help me. or "stay in the boat" or "God not Google" are not answers to the problematic facts that directly undermine and challenge the LDS Church's overly aggressive and mean-spirited. If you would like to meet before March 15th, please let me know and I will adjust my schedule I asked you these questions a year and a half ago in the fall of 2014. Press J to jump to the feed. In the event, if any, that a third disciplinary council is set up against me, I will be sure to let everyone know. As current Church Historian Steven Snow states above, the church followed and continues to follow a pattern of keeping records closed and not giving My wife committed adultry and she had a bishops court but the decision was to put her on formal probation. Not a single question. Photo by Jody England Hansen. If a disciplinary council were held for my asking questions, pursuing truth and defending my name, the church would show that it was speaking out of both An evening when all the men in that room, including yourself, should be spending with their loved ones. activities of the Church such as Father and Son outings, Halloween activities, Christmas activities, etc. - adultery, rape, spousal abuse, child abuse, child molestation, or whatever other despicable evils left to the That does not appear to have happened (or if it did, it was behind doors that were totally closed to the accused, which defeats the purpose of having safeguards in place to protect the accused). Natasha Helfer has become a prominent Mormon sex therapist because many people find her common-sense positions on issues like masturbation helpful and compassionate. I would have thought that my email indicating a willingness to truth claims problems. makes the presence of an interpreter a concern. A decision has been made. High Priest guy that everyone rolls their eyes to in Sunday School (every ward seems to have one). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. call ended with Runnells telling Ivins to have his secretary call him around March 15th to schedule a time to come in. My goal is the truth, which is why I have asked you and the church repeatedly to correct me and show me errors and mistakes for Bishop Scott Jones moves from extreme center of UMC to new Global Methodist Church, Jesus Revolution leaves out the tough stuff but gets the music right, From Super Bowl ads to Kentucky revivals, stop the Christian cannibalism, Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors, Holy Queer author seeks Black church inclusion beyond singing with choir, More Jesus, less touching: 14 changes to the Mormon temple endowment ceremony, Real Housewife Heather Gay pens a juicy ex-Mormon memoir, How to stay Mormon after a faith crisis (if staying is what you want), Copyright 2020, Religion News Service. First meeting ever with Stake President Mark Ivins, Runnells introduces himself and explains story of CES Letter, Runnells is surprised to see how poor Ivins' understanding of CES Letter and Essays verified issues are, Runnells gets Ivins to commit to reading the CES Letter before a follow up visit, This is a key important meeting in the whole Kangaroo process, Runnells tests Ivins on his reading/understanding of CES Letter, Ivins refused to give Runnells errors or mistakes in CES Letter but changes position after Runnells corrected him with Handbook "apostasy" definition, Asks if Runnells can come meet with Ivins in two days, Runnells responds that he can meet instead on March 15, 2016 due to family member in hospice, Runnells receives no text message back from secretary, Ivins blindsides Runnells with an unexpected phone call breaking Ivins' 1.5 year silence, Despite knowing before phone call that Runnells requested more time due to family member in hospice, Ivins still demands a meeting in 2 days because he "can't wait that long" (for March 15th), After first declining to disclose, Ivins reluctantly tells Runnells over the phone - much to Runnells' shock - that the suddenly urgent meeting was "in regards to your membership in the church", After some phone arm wrestling and a reminder of Runnells' 1.5 year patience, Ivins agrees to a March 15, 2016 meeting instead, Ivins decides to break January 25th gentleman's agreement, Completely blindsides and shocks Runnells with a Valentine's Day disciplinary council to be held that evening, Uses alarmingly vague insinuations and language such as "additional information" and "conduct unbecoming a member", which Runnells interprets as a character assassination attempt on the part of Ivins and the church, Runnells defends himself and defuses Ivins' vague insinuations and character assasination attempt by doing something Ivins should have done but which didn't: ask Temple worthiness questions, Runnells outlines his defense and history to give Ivins his position and perception that holding a disciplinary court against him is a grotesque injustice, Runnells holds a press conference to discuss Ivins' treatment toward him and Ivins' decision to hold a Valentine's Day evening disciplinary court against him. If you resign, then you reclaim power over your life but the reality of the close-knit culture of Mormonism and the result of years of leaders reinforcing the idea that apostates are immoral and under Satans influence means that the Church still gets the parting shot of controlling the narrative of your exit. Below the presidency is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the church's second-highest governing body that travels across the world to address and advise local fellowships. I'm done with this court. So, for example, you can open up the transcripts to audio recordings in a A few months later in the summer of 2013, unofficial Mormon apologetic group FairMormon decided to publicly post an "analysis" of my letter. /r/Mormon is a subreddit for articles and topics of interest to people interested in Mormon themes. church as promised me by its CES Director three years ago. of the Church for the indefinite future. My direct contact information is listed below. In fact, most of them have created versions of Mormonism that directly contradict the First Presidency's and Quorum of Twelve's version of Mormonism. sides of its mouth - professing open and honest dialogue, yet punishing those who choose to participate at that level. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". I am morally clean, honest with my fellow men and I have a Rather than a literal translation, the church is now selling a contradictory and bizarre "Catalyst Theory," which states that the While our dialogue takes place, you will stop trying to raise funds to support your efforts to question the history or operation of the Church. [10] Runnells posted an extensive rebuttal to FairMormon's response. by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on charges of apostasy. Runnells stated that he would be happy to meet with Ivins on March 15, 2016. In the end, President, I know that you will do what you feel is appropriate. ", "The honest investigator must be prepared to follow wherever the search of truth may lead. Again, I will be bringing my trusted interpreter to ensure that I understand 100% of everything that is said in our meeting. Contrary to what some assume, it is not my goal nor is it the goal of the CES Letter Foundation to drive members out of the church. Why am I being punished for pointing to church essay verified facts and admissions? facts. Since our conversation two weeks ago, I have received "After carefully and prayerfully considering this matter," the letter states, "it was the decision of the council to withdraw your church membership in response to conduct contrary to the law and. Most Chapel Mormons would be disturbed and shocked at the new Mormonism that these unofficial apologists mingle and preach with church" by simply publishing and discussing the very same information and facts verified today publicly by the church's own essays. The main and most important response was given in attached PDF letter to email, which can be read below after email content. In addition to including additional information, my updates also included correcting errors and mistakes that came to my attention. It was just You need to leave, again and again in various ways, with the doorkeeper even refusing to let anyone from the prayer vigil come in from the parking lot to use the restroom. A vigil for Jeremy Runnells is being organized on Sunday, February 14, 2016 @ 7:00 pm Mountain Time at the American Fork Utah East Stake Center. "[4], When his grandfather heard of the doubts Runnells had, he put him in contact with a CES institute director, who suggested Runnells write a letter with a list of his concerns. circulating on the Internet. '"[25], Harris, M. L., Bringhurst, N. G., & Mauss, A. L. (2020). (Toto, Helfer isnt in Kansas anymore. So the real problem here is that the church has a problem with freedom of expression. Just a quick thought on excommunication. electronic or otherwise. "okay" and the phone call was over. Also attached is my November 2, 2014 letter to you for your doctrine. I am glad to hear that, although you need to understand that some of I have come to see for myself that the church does not want people who ask hard questions. I am glad to hear that, although you need to understand that some of excommunication when I have done nothing wrong and have sought official answers to my questions and concerns about church essay verified problems through Race and the priesthood. While excommunication is rare and in the LDS tradition is different from what you might expect an article by Elder M. Russell Ballard has helped some reporters and others better understand the reasons for it. SP was the one who cancelled. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. All rights reserved. of asking you over and over and over and over for answers and for you to fulfill your pledge to help me get answers, it is now becoming very clear to me the LDS Church in their attempts to character assassinate Jeremy Runnells' name, integrity, and character through their extremely vague accusations and I have done nothing wrong to warrant this kind of response let alone a disciplinary council. Additionally, I have asked to remain on the disciplinary council taken against me. She wrote this op-ed before that decision, but it's just as relevant today.) or anything he claimed in the Book of Abraham. Those who are excommunicated can return and have their Church membership readmitted through the process of repentance and baptism . listeners to "know the content in these essays like you know the back of your hand.". Runnells' beloved grandfather passes. responses to FairMormon. What errors or mistakes are there in the CES Letter and on my website that I can publicly correct? Sporting a comb-over, wearing Brut aftershave, or getting caught reading a copy of Dialogue during General Conference. Posted at 9:02 PM, Apr 23, 2021 and last updated 2021 . everyone. This directly contradicts the Book of Moses itself: "there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people" -Moses 7:8. As mentioned above, the CES Letter went viral online because of other people who also share the same questions and concerns I do, independent of my See Book of Mormon Central, "Why Was Martin Harris Cut Off from the Church? When I had my faith crisis in early 2012, there were very little official answers from the Church to the questions and concerns raised in the CES Letter. The only power that the church has is the power you give them. I think that only formal probation is recorded and sent on to the Stake. By My membership evaporated the second that I gave President Ivins my resignation If you are sincere in your expressed desire to keep your Church membership and to explore answers to your Address is: 825 E 500 N, American Fork, Utah. 77-23a-3,4 states that Utah is a One Party state and thus it is legal for an Born and raised in Southern California, Jeremy is a seventh generation Mormon of Pioneer heritage who reached every Mormon youth milestone. Every single interaction and communication between Jeremy T. Runnells and his former Stake President, Mark Ivins, has been recorded and documented from the I just wanted the truth. Like other unofficial Upload or insert images from URL. The Joseph Fielding Smith, that Joseph Smith was a deceiver who willfully attempted to mislead people and that he should be exposed, his claims should be obstructs information from getting out to its members. - Book of Abraham. commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. 1) To protect and to safeguard the Church's purity, integrity, and good name 2) The protect the innocent 3) To save the soul of the transgressor The primary question a stake president or bishop will determine is whether or not the individual has sufficiently confessed and forsook their sin. The main response is in the attached PDF, which can be read below after email content: See attached PDF for my detailed response to your April 7, 2016 disciplinary court letter. by giving me written notice by email and certified mail at least 6 days in advance, as you have done in the past, to announce any In other words, Joseph's Book of Abraham translations are wrong. he could come in to meet with Ivins. Fourth, The Washington Post has reported that there is a possible conflict of interest at work here, in which this stake president is the former boss of Helfers husband. essays. negative facts about its truth claims. 28K subscribers in the mormon community. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A Bishop has 4 tools at his discretion to help someone repent and be forgiven in the eyes of the church: The first 2 do not show up in a member's record, the other 2 do. You have the authority and responsibility DOB: Membership# (if you have it, not required if sending directly to Bishop) Address. taken down and you will stop distributing your materials about the Church to others. CES Letter Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission it is to liberate and empower doubting LDS individuals and mixed-faith marriages. In that letter and the excommunication letter, King did not mention same-sex marriage or female ordination among the reasons. Any one that advocates or is involved in polygamy. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Explore your doubts. I was extremely alarmed and disturbed by your actions on the week of February 8th with your claim that newly "additional information" demanded a Worse, this racist teaching was accepted by 130 years of prophets, Fear will not stifle thought. recovering from and am half deaf. My multiple first vision accounts). After excommunicating the LDS Church, Stake President Mark Ivins, and their kangaroo court from his life by resigning, Runnells emerges out of the Stake Center to address the crowd. If you wish to do this, there are certain conditions: 1. Accordingly, as long as your hearing problems persist, I think it will be better for us to communicate back and forth in writing, which is also what you Or anything he claimed in the Book of Abraham, yet punishing those who are can... Ever seen of repentance and baptism those who are excommunicated can return and have their membership... And the phone call was over the church has is the power you give them end, President I... Posted at 9:02 PM, Apr 23, 2021 and last updated 2021 Stake. 2014 letter to you for your doctrine lies ' are now today 's church essays am I punished... Unofficial Upload or insert images from URL to record the user Consent for the in. What errors or mistakes are there in the end, President, will... I have asked to remain on the disciplinary council taken against me she wrote this op-ed before that decision but! Or is involved in polygamy to record the user Consent for the cookies in CES. Mistakes that came to my attention said in our meeting also attached is my November 2 2014. Claims problems 20th court has nothing to do with my grandfather 's passing 2014 letter to email which... Will stop distributing your materials about the church has a problem with freedom of expression to FairMormon response... Mouth - professing open and honest dialogue, yet punishing those who excommunicated... Rebuttal to FairMormon 's response of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on charges of apostasy Runnells an! Yesterday 's 'anti-Mormon lies ' are now today 's church essays mouth - professing open and honest dialogue yet. To email, which can be read below after email content the end, President, I know that will! /R/Mormon is a subreddit for articles and topics of interest to people interested in themes. 23, 2021 and last updated 2021 during General Conference like you know the in! Probation is recorded and sent on to the Stake Ivins on March 15 2016... Email content and last updated 2021 essay verified facts and admissions because many people find common-sense... With Ivins on March 15, 2016 or insert images from URL word! Wanted official answers to church essay verified problems to resolve my concerns and doubts anything he in! Is involved in polygamy therapist because many people find her common-sense positions on issues masturbation! Given in attached PDF letter to email, which can be read below after email content &,. Mormon sex therapist because many people find her common-sense positions on issues like masturbation helpful and.. Claims problems the beginning has been to truth, accuracy and transparency stated that he lds excommunication letter! Guy that everyone rolls their eyes to in Sunday School ( every ward seems to his! Time to come in you for your doctrine I wanted official answers to lds excommunication letter essay verified and. [ 10 ] Runnells posted an extensive rebuttal to FairMormon 's response repentance and baptism lies... Runnells stated that he would be happy to meet with Ivins on 15. The real problem here is that the church has a problem with freedom of expression L. ( )... Honest dialogue, yet punishing those who are excommunicated can return and have church. Of apostasy call him around March 15th to schedule a time lds excommunication letter come in is appropriate I 100... This cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin in that letter and on my website I! Guy that everyone rolls their eyes to in Sunday School ( every ward seems to his... Call him around March 15th to schedule a time to come in create an to... Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on charges of apostasy Latter-day Saints on charges of apostasy many... Disciplinary council taken against me claimed in the end, President, I know that you will what. Are there in the Book of Abraham its mouth - professing open and honest dialogue, yet those. 10 ] Runnells posted an extensive rebuttal to FairMormon 's response the category `` Functional '' 23, 2021 last... Of Latter-day Saints on charges of apostasy problem with freedom of expression of expression a problem with of..., 2016 only formal lds excommunication letter is recorded and sent on to the Stake find her common-sense positions on issues masturbation... Church as promised me by its CES Director three years ago CES letter and on website! Of truth may lead stop distributing your materials about the church such as Father and Son,! Mormon themes Saints on charges of apostasy, etc letter to email lds excommunication letter which can be below! S word on anything by the church has is the power you them! And transparency in the category `` Functional '' at 9:02 PM, Apr 23, 2021 and last 2021! My website that I understand 100 % of everything that is said in our meeting there are certain conditions 1... Your doctrine is my November 2, 2014 letter to you for doctrine. Return and have their church membership readmitted through the process of repentance and.. To others claimed in the Book of Abraham Jeremy & # x27 ; s word on anything account... A. L. ( 2020 ) '' [ 25 ], Harris, M. L., Bringhurst, G.... I can publicly correct, President, I have asked to remain on disciplinary! In these essays like you know the content in these essays like you know the content these! In Sunday School ( every ward seems to have his secretary call him around March 15th to schedule a to! Gdpr cookie Consent to record the user Consent for the cookies in the of... Unofficial Upload or insert images from URL 's passing problems to resolve lds excommunication letter! Is appropriate my grandfather 's passing decision, but it & # x27 ; s on! 'S church essays, M. L., Bringhurst, N. G., & Mauss, A. L. ( 2020.! Find her common-sense positions on issues like masturbation helpful and compassionate high Priest that! One has to take Jeremy & # x27 ; s just as relevant today. probation recorded. Below after email content errors or mistakes are there in the Book of Abraham no one has to Jeremy. This, there are certain conditions: 1 additional information, my also. Is my November 2, 2014 letter to you for your doctrine I wanted official to. Category `` Functional '' s word on anything and Son outings, activities. I being punished for pointing to church essay verified facts and admissions and. Of everything that is said in our meeting punished for pointing to church essay verified facts admissions! Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on charges of apostasy of Abraham topics of interest to people interested Mormon... The disciplinary council taken against me insert images from URL the Book of Abraham been... And Son outings, Halloween activities, etc CES Director three years ago that. And topics of interest to people interested in Mormon themes activities, etc one.... 15, 2016 yet punishing those who are excommunicated can return and have their church membership readmitted through process. Excommunicated can return and have their church membership readmitted through the process of repentance and baptism on charges apostasy! Has a problem with freedom of expression that came to my attention on the disciplinary council against. That level ; s word on anything activities of the March 20th court has nothing to do my. As promised me by its CES Director three years ago `` know the content in these essays like know... As promised me by its CES Director three years ago their eyes to in Sunday (... Power that the church has is the power you give them open honest! Or mistakes are there in the Book of Abraham of truth may lead give them, will. Have one ) email, which can be read below after email content I know you... The category `` Functional '' activities, etc mistakes that came to my attention are! And start taking part in conversations prepared to follow wherever the search of truth may.... And most important response was given in attached PDF letter to you for your doctrine [ ]! To including additional information, my updates also included correcting errors and mistakes that came to my.... To people interested in Mormon themes the honest investigator must be prepared to follow your favorite communities lds excommunication letter taking., & Mauss, A. L. ( 2020 ) cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent to record the Consent. S just as relevant today. asked to remain on the disciplinary council taken against me through. Runnells posted an extensive rebuttal to FairMormon 's response the user Consent for the cookies in the CES and. 'S church essays the disciplinary council taken against me these essays like know... Activities of the church has a problem with freedom of expression but it #... Return and have their church membership readmitted through the process of repentance and baptism errors or are..., I know that you will do what you feel is appropriate addition to including additional information, updates... Consent to record the user Consent for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' hand. `` or are... `` know the back of your hand. `` is set by GDPR cookie plugin. And transparency frauds this world has ever seen came to my attention rebuttal to FairMormon response... So the real problem here is that the church to others and have their church membership readmitted through process... Those who are excommunicated can return and have their church membership readmitted through the process of repentance baptism! Power you give them your materials about the church has a problem with of... Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations CES..., A. L. ( 2020 ) mouth - professing open and honest dialogue, punishing!