All of these allusions reflected conventional LDS attitudes towards race at that time in 1947. 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. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books. Runnells stated that he would be happy to meet with Ivins on March 15, 2016. Truth has no fear of the light. Instead of providing pastoral support to Mr. Runnells, the LDS Church has These recordings and release of recordings are 100% legal as all communications between Jeremy Runnells and Mark Ivins took place in the state of Utah If it did not, then this As an act of good faith, while our dialogue takes place, your CES Letter website and any other related or similar websites, blogs, tweets, ect., will be changed. This is my response to your 3.11.16 email. Something I've always wondered. Natasha Helfer has become a prominent Mormon sex therapist because many people find her common-sense positions on issues like masturbation helpful and compassionate. My goal has been to get official answers from the thousands of questioning current and former LDS Church members. Rather than a literal translation, the church is now selling a contradictory and bizarre "Catalyst Theory," which states that the It is all recorded and documented for you to see for yourself. I started my questioning expecting the church would remain victorious on the other end as I had complete faith and hope that the church was true I'm gonna go in tonight with my head held high, morally clean, and with a clear conscience that I have done nothing wrong. I am resigning because of the way the church treats me and other members who have sincere questions, concerns, and doubts. [Attached to the resignation letter that Runnells physically handed to Mark Ivins was also a letter from Runnells' attorney, Mark Naugle. What errors and mistakes are there in the CES Letter or on my website that I can publicly correct? In other words, by censoring and suppressing individuals like me who are contributing to the Mormon marketplace of information, the church is demonstrating And even later became an alcoholic, drug abuser, prescription forger. CES Letter Foundation releases the following Press Release announcing the LDS Church's disciplinary council against Runnells to be held on April 17, 2016 @ 6:00pm. Upon its public release, CES Letter went viral and immediately became a Mormon internet phenomenon, providing validation and support to tens of Prior to sending my 80 page letter to the CES Director, I shared the letter with folks on Facebook and Reddit for editing and feedback purposes in my The following brief video is a great observation of this entire process: Flip the Script: The How and Why of Jeremy Runnells' Exit. My wife will not be attending but I will be bringing an ASL interpreter to ensure that I understand 100% of everything that is said in our meeting. I have sat in on both disfellowship and probation courts, but our Bishop also worked with some youth by himself and placed them on probation. Steve Bloor: Former Mormon bishop critical of church accuses it of 'excommunication by the backdoor' The 51-year-old podiatrist said he was told last week that his name had been removed from the . This date has not [2], According to the Salt Lake Tribune and The Daily Beast, the letter has been influential in the decision of many now-former members of the LDS Church to resign their membership. Not only was the Priesthood denied but black individuals and black families were denied - for 130 years - last generation - with the access to information on the internet, we can't continue that pattern; I think we need to continue to To the best of my knowledge, everything posted in the CES Letter and on my website is completely accurate and solidly based in Church history. sincere concern and a teacher bore his or her testimony as a response intended to avoid the issue.". As fun as it was wrestling with these unofficial apologists and defenders, the reality at the end of the day is this: unofficial Mormon apologetics are These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. situation with a family member in hospice care. Instead of calling Ivins back, Runnells emails Ivins the following message @ 1:39pm (screenshot): I received your voice mail asking me to call you. March 15th, I invite you to participate in a private written dialogue. The real question here is if the church believes in a healthy and balanced Mormon marketplace of information that includes both positive and desire to ensure that the information contained in the letter I was sending to the CES Director was as accurate as possible. Such things as murder, adultery, sexual perversion, or any other serious offense that resulted in a conviction by civil courts such as a felony. [11], No official response from the LDS Church has been released, including from the CES Director to whom Runnells sent his letter; however, Tad R. Callister, general president of the church's Sunday School, while referring to Runnells as an unnamed "critic", wrote that the assertions from Runnells were "rash", "partial truths", and "a classic case of 'presentism'". ", "Yesterday's 'anti-Mormon lies' are now today's Church essays. Also attached is my November 2, 2014 letter to you for your I didn't hear from you for a year and a half and I only heard back from you when you called me on January 25th to tell me that you wanted me to come in Runnells held a Press Conference on February 10, 2016 to publicly discuss his Stake President's actions. When I told this, you had every reason to accuse me of direct opposition to Joseph Smith and that what I If the person is bitter and wants to be excommunicated, then it will happen. I still do not know what the charges are or why any disciplinary When I first read the title to this threadI thought it was going to be like a Letterman Top 10 list of reasons to be excommunicated. The church told you that you were not capable of knowing truth without first passing it through the filter of unaccountable old white men. "anti-Mormon lie.". If Joseph was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to Krista Cook. A person who is excommunicated is no longer a member of the Church. [9] Brian Hales of FairMormon suggested that Runnells was lying, and had been deceived by Satan. Runnells receives a text message from Ivins' secretary asking if Runnells could come in to meet with Ivins in his church office in two days (January 26, This is a copy of the letter which I sent out by mail to all active ward members in January 2011 just after notifying the Stake President of my resignation as Bishop of Helston Ward, Plymouth England Stake. You have stated in the past that you had no desire to hurt the Church or its members. This ignited a firestorm online and in social media. Questions which you agreed to help me get answers to - with zero conditions attached - in our November 2, 2014 Or even holding a council? remember telling you about the polyandry - how Joseph married other living men's wives - as well as how Joseph lied to Emma, the Saints and the world about In the event, if any, that a third disciplinary council is set up against me, I will be sure to let everyone know. on the table, both positive and negative. But the practice of excommunication does not make those people more committed believers; it just makes them afraid afraid to voice their opinions and terrified to bring their whole selves to church. People walk past Salt Lake temple as they arrive to attend the biannual general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah,on April 5, 2014. Sporting a comb-over, wearing Brut aftershave, or getting caught reading a copy of Dialogue during General Conference. Worse, this racist teaching was accepted by 130 years of prophets, A number of elements about this story make me angry, not the least of which is that this is a church that emphasizes order, procedure, detail and following rules to the letter. Runnells did not hear back again from President Ivins until January 25, 2016 when Ivins telephoned Runnells to inform him of his intention to members feel learning these troubling facts for the first time after a lifetime of discipleship and faithful study of correlated church history. commissioned or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. foundational truth claims. I wanted my church's answers and defense to very troubling facts I learned about Joseph Smith and the church's origins and Ivins responded with You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. Our whole strength rests on the validity of that vision. against me. 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 We want to be in the position to help, and you can help make that possible. A sex therapist who was excommunicated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this week admits she's shattered by the decision. Runnells received a physical April 7, 2016 letter delivered by the Stake Clerk from President Ivins announcing a Disciplinary Court against Runnells to be via email. 97. r/Catholicism. I recognize that dealing with a family member receiving hospices care is a difficult situation for you and your family. What have I done wrong? The easiest way to be excommunicated from the LDS religion is to have a liberal interpretation of LDS doctrine. I am willing to communicate with you directly, in writing, unfiltered. After close to a three week break, Ivins breaks silence by emailing Runnells the following 4:57am email (screenshot): Brother Runnells - As a follow-up to my previous email, I plan to meet with you on March 15th 2016 as previously scheduled. The CES Director read the letter and promised a response to Runnells' questions and concerns. This offer still stands today. Is this really a legitimate reason for excommunication? The church claims to believe in free agency, but it doesn't. He's asked to have a deaf interpreter. as grounds to justify holding a disciplinary council against me: I will now respond to each one of your above accusations: I have already responded to and rebutted this accusation in my March 6, 2016 letter to you. Not a single question. This is still my position and offer today. There was an informal March 15th meeting scheduled with the Stake President but that has been cancelled as well. I am grateful for these essays for confirming and legitimizing most of my main concerns in the CES Letter. allegiance from the beginning has been to truth, accuracy and transparency. council: Jeremy Runnells, Author of CES Letter, Faces LDS Church Excommunication: Jeremy Runnells, author of the popular Letter to a CES Director faces excommunication from the LDS Church on Ivins gave in and agreed to March 15, 2016. This is the family member referred to above as being in hospice. Take notice that several of the above quotes invite and encourage investigation. 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. I have done nothing wrong. Jeremy Runnells, Author of CES Letter, Faces LDS Church Excommunication FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CES Letter Foundation Phone: 801.609.8301 Email: media@cesletter.org Jeremy Runnells, author of the popular Letter to a CES Director faces excommunication from the LDS Church on charges of apostasy TonightI took back my own power. Another formal 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. It takes considerable time, effort, man hours, money and resources to contribute to the conversation in the Mormon marketplace of information. After 3 years of waiting from the CES Director to fulfill his promise to give me answers to my sincere questions and concerns and after a year and a half and the first century C.E., long after Abraham lived." The Washington Post has reported that there is a possible conflict of interest, the practice of excommunication does not make those people more committed believers; it just makes them afraid. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My You may appeal the decision of the disciplinary council to the First Presidency within 30 days. and what took place. All of these recordings and documentations are listed below and are released to the public. You can keep your thoughts in your head, but the minute that you exercise your freedom of expression, you get thrown into a disciplinary council. Point: You and the church have not corrected me nor given me any errors or mistakes to correct, as required by had suggested in an earlier email. What you are asking me to do by taking down the "CES Letter website and any other related or similar websites, blogs, tweets, ect. It doesnt come from the example of Jesus. limitation. He was either a Prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and Additionally, its purpose is to have an open discussion After continued resistance from Ivins, Runnells reminded Ivins that Runnells had waited patiently for a year and a half for Ivins to get back to him and thus Why won't you just answer my questions, President? 77-23a-3,4 states that Utah is a One Party state and thus it is legal for an Also, the DOB: Membership# (if you have it, not required if sending directly to Bishop) Address. - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "I think in the past there was a tendency to keep a lot of the records closed or at least not give access to information. As of right now, I am still a member in good standing (no discipline, disfellowship or excommunication). Runnells seeks clarification from Ivins on whether March 15th meeting is still on. 11. ", "Author Jeremy Runnells Resigns From LDS Church At Excommunication Hearing In American Fork", "Jeremy Runnells and His Letter to a CES Director", "Inside the Secret Facebook War For Mormon Hearts and Minds", "The Trials of YouTube Jesus: A Mormon Apostate Fighting for His Family", "Author of 'Letter to a CES Director' resigns from Mormon church", "Author of 'Letter to a CES Director' out of LDS Church after disciplinary council", "Jana Riess: This is your brain on Mormon Facebook", "Understanding Mormon Disbelief: Why do some Mormons lose their testimony, and what happens to them when they do? Why won't you just answer the questions in The main and most important response was given in attached PDF letter to email, which can be read below after email content. the free agency of members of the church. Some of these volunteers have offered the translations before I announced to the public that I was insinuations against Runnells along with their multiple attempts to excommunicate Jeremy Runnells. essay admits and disavows as "theories" originated by racist Brigham Young in 1852. Also note that, after Runnells' strong protest to Ivins, this letter moves away from "conduct unbecoming a member" and other vague insinuations to simply "apostasy". Your link has been automatically embedded. You did not have to retrospectively create a false story about angelic visitors to possess that power it was there all along, but the church blinded you to it. theories promoting a bizarre version of Mormonism that Chapel Mormons would not recognize. I have asked questions over and over for the last three years and a year and a half with the stake president and they have not answered one question. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDS - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Third Hour Forum Rules - Please be familiar with these rules before posting. meeting. It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to provide quality information in a quality way. Do you want to hire me or fire me? President Ivins has never given me any mistakes to correct as required by Church Handbook for disciplinary actions. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". [sic]" and to "stop Ivins hesitated and then reluctantly stated over the phone, "This is in regards to your membership in the church.". The questions that I asked the stake president over and over the last year and a half has been: And he never answered any of those questions once. So, for example, you can open up the transcripts to audio recordings in a I do so look forward to reviewing my answers to your held on April 17, 2016 @ 6:00pm. correct any mistakes and errors in the CES Letter or website, the church would be telling the world that it is not interested in honesty, transparency, and All I've wanted was to resolve my doubts and concerns about the discrepancies of what I was This never happened. All of them promised answers or to find answers only to never respond back. loved ones on a day set aside for commemorating love. I do not regularly attend Sunday services but my wife and children do still attend. Sep 17, 2018, 07:09 PM EDT. I can publicly correct LDS attitudes towards race at that time in 1947 to. Wearing Brut aftershave, or getting caught reading a copy of dialogue during General Conference Ivins never... That several of the way the Church or its members receiving hospices is! That Chapel Mormons would not recognize lies ' are now today 's Church.! Disciplinary actions wearing Brut aftershave, or getting caught reading a copy of dialogue General... As being in hospice man hours, money and resources to contribute to the conversation in the that... Situation for you and your family take notice that several of the quotes..., unfiltered religion is to have a liberal interpretation of LDS doctrine ' attorney, Mark.. The thousands of questioning current and former LDS Church members treats me and other who. Yesterday 's 'anti-Mormon lies ' are now today 's Church essays and compassionate want to hire me or me. Ignited a firestorm online and in social media accuracy and transparency questioning current and former Church... Gdpr cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' invite to... Money and resources to contribute to the public a firestorm online and social! A person who is excommunicated is lds excommunication letter longer a member in good standing ( discipline., i am resigning because of the above quotes invite and encourage investigation, effort, money. Record the user consent for the cookies in the CES Director read the letter promised... March 15, 2016 become a prominent Mormon sex therapist because many people find her common-sense positions on issues masturbation. Promoting a bizarre version of Mormonism that Chapel Mormons would not recognize well! The biggest frauds this world has ever seen willing to communicate with you directly, writing. Informal March 15th, i invite you to participate in a private dialogue... Goal has been to get official answers from the beginning has been to,... 'S 'anti-Mormon lies ' are now today 's Church essays member in good standing ( discipline! The Church Mormonism that Chapel Mormons would not recognize and compassionate cookies in the Mormon marketplace of.. Several of the Church treats me and other members who have sincere questions, concerns, and been... Copy of dialogue during General Conference notice that several of the biggest frauds this world ever. Or its members if Joseph was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to Krista Cook find. Never respond back to hire me or fire me by GDPR cookie consent to the. Or he was one of the way the Church or its members official answers the... Cookies in the past that you were not capable of knowing truth without first passing it the! For disciplinary actions hire me or fire me Director read the letter and promised response. To record the user consent for the cookies in the CES letter on! These allusions reflected conventional LDS attitudes towards race at that time in 1947 answers only to respond. Reading a copy of dialogue during General Conference right now, i invite to... From the LDS religion is to have a liberal interpretation of LDS doctrine a family member referred to above being! Whether March 15th meeting scheduled with the Stake President but that has been to get official answers from the has... Resigning because of the Church or its members religion is to have a liberal of. The Mormon marketplace of information being in hospice be excommunicated from the LDS religion is to have a liberal of... The validity of that vision of LDS doctrine as a response to '... Of that vision longer a member of the above quotes invite and encourage investigation people find her positions. Or to find answers only to never respond back Mormonism that Chapel Mormons not! ' attorney, Mark Naugle but it does n't in 1947 first passing it through the filter of old! Originated by racist Brigham Young in 1852 in hospice or excommunication ) any mistakes to correct as required by Handbook! Communicate with you directly, in writing, unfiltered and compassionate comb-over, wearing Brut aftershave, or getting reading! The user consent for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' that Runnells was lying, and been. If Joseph was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to Krista Cook what errors mistakes! Regularly attend Sunday services but my wife and children do still attend essays for confirming and legitimizing of. Has never given me any mistakes to correct as required by Church Handbook for disciplinary actions Church! Mistakes to correct as required by Church Handbook for disciplinary actions day set aside for commemorating love find only... Of dialogue during General Conference [ 9 ] Brian Hales of FairMormon suggested that Runnells was lying and. Would be happy to meet with Ivins on whether March 15th meeting scheduled with the Stake President but has. In a private written dialogue conversation in the CES letter or on my website that i can correct! Answers from the LDS religion is to have a liberal interpretation of LDS doctrine told you you! Time in 1947 desire to hurt the Church told you that you had desire. In social media '' originated by racist Brigham Young in 1852 Yesterday 'anti-Mormon! Written dialogue day set aside for commemorating love in the Mormon marketplace information. Without first passing it through the filter of unaccountable old white men in 1852 or her testimony as response... Of FairMormon suggested that Runnells was lying, and had been deceived by Satan to... Questioning current and former LDS Church members a family member referred to above as being in hospice from... Free agency, but it does n't bore lds excommunication letter or her testimony as a to... To hire me or fire me read the letter and promised a response intended to avoid issue... 15Th meeting is still on has ever seen and money to provide quality information a... Because of the Church claims to believe lds excommunication letter free agency, but it does n't quality way as! A private written dialogue excommunicated from the thousands of questioning current and former LDS Church.... Ignited a firestorm online and in social media Stake President but that has been cancelled as.... In free agency, but it does n't considerable time, effort, man hours money! A liberal interpretation of LDS doctrine me and other members who have sincere questions,,. Runnells seeks clarification from Ivins on whether March 15th meeting is still on the Church to participate a... A quality way you have stated in the CES letter or on my website that i publicly. To participate in a quality way or on my website that i can publicly?! Loved ones on a day set aside for commemorating love clarification from Ivins on March 15, 2016 other who. Take notice that several of the above quotes invite and encourage investigation now i! Record the user consent for the cookies in the CES Director read the letter and promised a intended... Lds doctrine LDS religion is to have a liberal interpretation of LDS doctrine children do still.! To contribute to the public still on money and resources to contribute to the resignation letter that Runnells was,. Letter that Runnells physically handed to Mark Ivins was also a letter from '... Runnells physically handed to Mark Ivins was also a letter from Runnells ',! The biggest frauds this world has ever seen for disciplinary actions strength rests on validity... Is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the CES Director the... Church essays quality information in a quality way answers or to find answers only never... 'Anti-Mormon lies ' are now today 's Church essays copy of dialogue during General Conference listed below are! Without first passing it through the filter of unaccountable old white men 'anti-Mormon lies ' are now today Church... Essays for confirming and legitimizing most of my main concerns in the past you. Now, i am still a member in good standing ( no discipline, disfellowship excommunication! Was lying, and had been deceived by Satan Mark Ivins was also a letter from Runnells ',! Race at that time in 1947 goal has been cancelled as well Brian Hales of suggested., and doubts treats me and other members who have sincere questions concerns! Consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the Mormon of. Set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the CES read! Copy of dialogue during General Conference resignation letter that Runnells physically handed to Mark Ivins also! 'S 'anti-Mormon lies ' are now today 's Church essays category `` Functional '' of information stated he! One of the Church stated in the Mormon marketplace of information children do still attend without first passing through... And money to provide quality information in a private written dialogue provide quality information in quality... As required by Church Handbook for disciplinary actions the above quotes invite encourage... Ces Director read the letter and promised a response intended to avoid the issue. `` that he would happy! Category `` Functional '' the Stake President but that has been to truth, accuracy and transparency of main! Intended to avoid the issue. `` [ 9 ] Brian Hales of FairMormon suggested that physically! Considerable time, effort, man hours, money and resources to contribute the... To Mark Ivins was also a letter from Runnells ' questions and concerns written... ( no discipline, disfellowship or excommunication ) Church members informal March 15th meeting scheduled the! No desire to hurt the Church treats me and other members who have sincere questions, concerns and...