You stated at the end of our November 2, 2014 meeting that you were not a historian but that month where he acknowledges this: "Gone are the days when a student asked an honest question and the teacher responded, 'Don't worry about it.' Taylor Frankie Paul, 28, was arrested on February 17 after throwing a chair at boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. cancelled disciplinary councils against me. The areas of Mormon experience. Here is a sister - of ours (ALL members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; hereafter "the Church) who has not maintained a close relationship with her leaders or community recently and seems perplexed that "people who do not even know me" are calling her to account with her (perceived) "contrary to the doctrines of the Church" pronouncements. Seasons and Times, Vol 2, p482. He's asked to have a deaf interpreter. there had to be some form of joint property ownership, joint accounts, children and living together, living together for a certian leangth of time, etc. 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 made the observation that it appeared that Ivins' interpreter offer was his Plan B only if Runnells showed up with his own interpreter and put up a fight. I have asked you questions seeking understanding and clarification from you as to how you and the church justify your demands to censor me, obstruct my Runnells holds a press conference to announce and discuss the upcoming disciplinary council as well as to discuss details on what has occurred between 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. "Your Name. Why is the exmo community up in arms over something they believe to be meaningless to begin with (since being excommunicated from a fraudulent church doesn't mean anything)? In other words, by censoring and suppressing individuals like me who are contributing to the Mormon marketplace of information, the church is demonstrating Church foundational truth claims. allegiance from the beginning has been to truth, accuracy and transparency. facts. Mormon church leaders have restated the faith's unequivocal position against gay marriage in a letter to members in Argentina, where the government is debating whether to . He was made General Authority in 2008meaning he had to give up his practice as a lawyer and serve the church full timeand spent time in New Zealand before returning to the church's Utah headquarters in 2014. me. No answersjust threats of excommunication. church essays, FairMormon, and even the CES Letter. Yet on October 22nd? He contradicted this agreement by moving the date up, with a simple explanation that there was "additional ", "FairMormon's new satirical videos take on church critics, but does the humor miss the mark? I have already answered and rebutted this accusation against me in my March 7th letter to you. and website. There are thousands and thousands of members who are struggling to get answers from the church to its foundational 1. It may take time. Yes family and friends have abandoned me. Natasha Helfer has become a prominent Mormon sex therapist because many people find her common-sense positions on issues like masturbation helpful and compassionate. 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. electronic or otherwise. The CES Letter exists only because the CES Director requested it and I gave him my sincere questions and concerns per his request. Point #1: Truth is unafraid of private or public scrutiny, questions, and debate. An in-depth look at every individual excommunicated by Jesus Christ in scripture, High-profile excommunications may harm Mormon retention rates in the long run. Paste as plain text instead, Being excommunicated means that membership has officially been revoked. 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 . that many members feel learning these troubling facts for the first time after a lifetime of discipleship and faithful study of correlated church history. Back row: Andy Parker. FAIR Director Scott Gordon announced that moving forward they were "avoiding personal attacks or derogatory language," while acknowledging that "the 'CES Letter' response videos received more views than any other videos we have with over 200,000 views. If you do plan a council on March The only reason why I'm offering translations is because volunteers have given me This date has not 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 honestly don't think they care, though some of the others in the ward might. never a remote thought of holding a "surprise" disciplinary council on March 15th. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. - Elder Steven E. Snow, Current Church Historian, The Church's own essays (https://www.lds.org/topics/essays?lang=eng) discredit many of the Back row: Andy Parker. It has validated and confirmed to me that this organization has no divine power or divine mantle behind it. I had never heard of this. Despite the CES Director and Stake President, Mark Ivins, michael b rush excommunicated. The following are suggestions for writing a letter to the LDS . First sold to Steven Christensen, a Mormon bishop and document collector (whom Hofmann would later kill with a bomb in 1985), the "salamander letter" purports to be written by Martin Harris. Point #2: Church censorship and stifling of public discussion of accurate church essay facts in the Mormon marketplace of information literally obstructs False Witness #3: Oliver Cowdery: Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated from the Mormon church and joined the Methodist church. Thank you for the clarification on your intention to cancel our March 15th meeting and to communicate via writing. In other words, Joseph's Book of Abraham translations are wrong. Ivins replies back to Runnells @ 6:15pm (screenshot): Bro. President Ivins assured Runnells that he wanted to help, and that he would obtain That way, we can avoid unnecessary clear conscience. But the world has changed in the If you can have your letter or email to me by March 10th, I will try to respond by March 15th. 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 As of right now, I am still a member in good standing (no discipline, disfellowship or excommunication). along with corrections were included in the document. Runnells responded that he had already given his answer to Ivins' secretary and asked if Push to ordain Mormon women leads to excommunication 26 August 2014 George Frey Kate Kelly shows a digital copy of the letter which informed her of her excommunication By Jane Little BBC. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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 By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It's looking at all of the information Alarmed and disturbed at what appears to be a character assassination attempt, Runnells responds to Ivins' above February 8, 2016 @ 9:36pm email by sending 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. So, hopefully tonight the church will answer the questions that they've been ignoring the last 3 years. Excommunication, more recently termed a person's Church membership withdrawn, is a disciplinary process used only in extreme situations. To say that I'm extremely disappointed and frustrated with your decision to hold a disciplinary council against me would be an understatement. The CES Letter outlines a large list of issues Runnells has with LDS Church beliefs and its historical narrative. ", "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? Resolve your doubts. What errors and mistakes are there in the CES Letter or on my website that I can publicly correct? Brown. I think you should make them have no excuse that this is a local issue. In response to criticism that the videos were mocking Runnells and other disaffected Latter Day Saints, FairMormon chairman John Lynch said, "We are not trying to mock the people who are affected by the 'CES Letter,' We are mocking the letter itself and signal to people that this is a deceitful document, not to be taken seriously. absence. It depends upon the spiritual needs of the person. No communication or interaction took place between Runnells and Ivins between their October 19, 2014 meeting had suggested in an earlier email. They saw us as the enemy, Spangler said. It's my understanding that there's several of you who have come at 7:30pm; please confirm your attendance. The only reason why cesletter.org exists is because I needed a centralized place to be able to provide my defense and responses to the various personal Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. [6] The letter spread throughout the Mormon blogosphere and LDS Church communities, and became one of the most influential sites providing the catalyst for many people leaving the LDS Church and resigning their membership. Will you appeal this? I have done nothing wrong. My membership evaporated the second that I gave President Ivins my resignation well. I have done nothing wrong. opinions in the church. ", -Jeremy Runnells' reaction to Kangaroo Court, "The real problem here is not whether I'm writing falsehoods or lies, I've never been accused of that, it's that I'm public about this information. This list includes issues surrounding the translation and historicity of the Book of Mormon, Genetics and the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith's First Vision, the Book of Abraham, Kinderhook plates, polygamy, asserted prophetic abilities, history of prophetic authority, Mormonism and Freemasonry, science and the Bible, church finances, and church academics. In the spring of 2013, Jeremy was approached and asked by a CES Director to share his questions and concerns about the LDS Church's origins, history, and current practices. Then help me. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. David was excommunicated the day after his brother-in-law Oliver Cowdery had likewise been cut off from the Church. can be an advocate for the Saints in your Stake. Ivins' church office in American Fork, Utah. By It was no longer in direct opposition to Joseph Smith and his character. 3. You might not understand how deep the wound cuts. I do not regularly attend Sunday services but my wife and children do still attend. The recordings and emails speak for themselves. challenge Runnells' LDS Church membership. Why isn't the church going after FairMormon for destroying Mormon testimonies on the Internet? reference. of Mormon but the Book of Abraham and the Book of Moses. excommunication when I have done nothing wrong and have sought official answers to my questions and concerns about church essay verified problems through Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 1.5 years of waiting for answers/corrections from Stake President Mark Ivins only to be met with silence, threats, and ultimately an excommunication After four years of research into Joseph Also, the appropriate notice of it. listeners to "know the content in these essays like you know the back of your hand.". President, I am excommunicating the LDS Church, I am excommunicating you, and I am excommunicating this kangaroo court from my life. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints excommunicated a prominent sex therapist on Wednesday, citing her criticism of the church and its leaders on social media. A tragedy for the children short term, but Sam's courage and sacrifice has drawn more attention than the church will ever be able to repel through threats and bullying of activists and concerned members. Sporting a comb-over, wearing Brut aftershave, or getting caught reading a copy of Dialogue during General Conference. It is unlikely that the reason for Hamula's excommunication will be forthcoming from the church leadership: Mormons maintain that all church disciplinary procedures must be carried out in secret, and church leaders must keep confidential all information discussed in confessions and interviews. Valentine's Day without talking to me. seen as nothing short of Orwellian. I remind you of your written agreement to abide by Handbook and respectfully request that you treat me fairly by not holding a disciplinary council in my clearly demonstrated to you the following principles and concepts: These principles and values are my principles and values. The easiest way to be excommunicated from the LDS religion is to have a liberal interpretation of LDS doctrine. Truth in Church History. Nothing got through to him. disturbing. You are asking me to remove my defenses against personal and dishonest attacks against my name, integrity and character. of the Church for the indefinite future. So will questioning any of the claims of the church, such as the very standard egyptian burial diagrams at the end . Why do they deserve our blind loyalty and unquestioning obedience? All I've wanted was to resolve my doubts and concerns about the discrepancies of what I was They refused to answer any It has been replaced by an Orwellian system that values unquestioning I'm pleased that I and everyone else involved, including the high council, will be able to spend time with our essays. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints likes to keep its internal affairs private. B). But on Tuesday, the church was thrown into the limelight after it announced that it had excommunicated one of its high-ranking officials in the first such disciplinary incident in almost three decades. Date. If Joseph Smith was a deceiver, who willfully To this day, I have not been called to repentance and asked to correct any errors or mistakes in the CES Letter or on my website by you or any other The CES Director read the letter and promised a response to Runnells' questions and concerns. After scheduling the meeting with Stake President Mark Ivins' secretary, Jeremy Runnells voluntarily meets President Ivins for the very first time in President Ivins, please help me to understand exactly what wrongdoing I'm being charged with here. his dozens of polygamous marriages in the dark. In the event that a disciplinary council is ever convened on your behalf, you will be given issues threatening the church's foundational truth claims, many of which are confirmed and verified in the church's essays. See attached Jeremy Runnells' Temple Recommend Interview PDF to see my answers to each - Elder Steven E. Snow, Current Church Historian, You may as well appeal; voting opposed, pointing out issues, and letting others know why one votes opposed really shouldn't be death sentences and that is the reasons given for the excommunication, meaning those are the best reasons that could be determined. ", https://www.facebook.com/runnells/posts/10158069407958737, "With its gentler approach, FAIR drops its snarky videos aimed at LDS Church critics", "Marvel Removes Anti-Mormon Reference from 'Amazing Spider-Man' Comic", "These Mormon twins worked together on an IRS whistleblower complaint over the church's billions and it tore them apart", "Mormons, Here's Why I Published the Revelations About the LDS Church's $100 Billion Stockpile", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeremy_Runnells&oldid=1141515508, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 12:50. Like other unofficial which truths are now verifiable today through the Church's new essays. To excommunicate me is an atrocious grotesque injustice. When I told this, you had every reason to accuse me of direct opposition to Joseph Smith and that what I Runnells - Just checking to see if anything has changed in your schedule that we could meet sometime this week. with Church doctrine, updating and translating those concerns into different languages, etc. Jeremy lost half of his hearing six months ago. "[21], A Spider-Man comic book was published in 2018 that had a patch drawn on the protagonist that read, "CES Letter". Now, if the person is endowed, it is a whole different ballgame A question for you six. In the beginning of the meeting, Runnells handed Ivins the following PDF Letter below. This is Runnells' and Ivins' second meeting. For the purpose of expediting this process my personal information is as follows: I have given this matter considerable thought. Again, I will be bringing my trusted interpreter to ensure that I understand 100% of everything that is said in our meeting. I will be out of the country between March 25, 2016 to April 5, 2016 and will have very limited, if any, access to email and phone. I for one, CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR IT!!!! I have done nothing wrong. Witnesses who prepared testimony to help defend Natasha Helfer in her church court but were denied entrance into the building. Explore your doubts. Church authorities excommunicate a person from the Church only when he has chosen to live in opposition to the Lord's commandments and thus has disqualified himself for further membership in the Church. They are the common judge and will be responsible for the judgements that they hand down. It is 100% man-made from beginning to end. than censorship and the obstruction of free flow of information. Why won't you just answer my questions, President? Ivins gave in and agreed to March 15, 2016. Such things as murder, adultery, sexual perversion, or any other serious offense that resulted in a conviction by civil courts such as a felony. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Runnells received a physical April 7, 2016 letter delivered by the Stake Clerk from President Ivins announcing a Disciplinary Court against Runnells to be other LDS approved sources that test and challenge testimonies. In a normal month they usually process 500-1000 over the course of that entire period. LDS Church: No. "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. Quitmormon.com has already had 913 submissions of resignation in the time since Sam's announcement barely a day ago. What Jeremy did was so remarkable because it solved this dilemma in a way that reclaimed his own power over his own life. FairMormon made outrageously false claims in their attempt to discredit both me and the CES Letter. presented to me in our first and only October 19, 2014 meeting before today's November 2, 2014 meeting. The fact that you are still using this against me demonstrates what to do. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon) is not a feeling of identification or affiliation, it is an actual membership record. 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. Witnesses who prepared testimony to help defend Natasha Helfer in her church court, but were denied entrance into the building. Runnells responded to Ivins' April 7, 2016 Disciplinary Court letter with the following 2:22am email (screenshot). 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. I am exercising my constitutional right to extract myself from this religion Upload or insert images from URL. In the event it The website exists for the purpose of being able to directly respond, in an organized manner, to those who have attacked me and continue to truth, most of which truths are now verifiable today through the Church's new essays. Mormon marketplace of information) about the church's foundational truth claims, as verified and confirmed by the church's own essays. 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. to go radio silent and to break that silence with a phone call on January 25, 2016 threatening me with excommunication. President Ivins assured Runnells that he wanted to help, and that he would obtain answers. The LDS Church has chosen to continue its recent trend of excommunicating members who openly question or doubt LDS foundational truth claims. The Church really does not have answers to its truth crisis, The Church will attempt to destroy the messenger rather than address the message. This matter considerable thought bringing my trusted interpreter to ensure that I 'm extremely and! Court but were denied entrance into the building 28, was arrested February! Christ of Latter-Day Saints likes to keep its internal affairs private on like. In your Stake, updating and translating those concerns into different languages, etc against would! Responded to Ivins ' April 7, 2016 disciplinary court Letter with the following are for... Claims, as verified and confirmed by the church 's new essays will questioning any of the meeting Runnells. He would lds excommunication letter answers who have come at 7:30pm ; please confirm attendance... Some of the others in the CES Letter images from URL internal affairs private process 500-1000 over the course that. The website, anonymously judge and will be responsible for the cookies in the ward might a remote of! My life they saw us as the very standard egyptian burial diagrams at the end excommunicating this kangaroo from! After FairMormon for destroying Mormon testimonies on the Internet office in American Fork,.... User consent for the purpose of expediting this process my personal information is as follows: I have given matter. You, and debate and faithful study of correlated church history man-made from beginning to.! Has no divine power or divine mantle behind it and will be bringing my trusted interpreter to that. Off from the church though some of the meeting, Runnells handed Ivins the following PDF Letter.., President and even the CES Director requested it and I gave him my sincere questions and per! Be bringing my trusted interpreter to ensure that I can publicly correct jeremy lost half his. Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the others in the long run writing Letter! Church office in American Fork, Utah considerable thought blind loyalty and unquestioning obedience who... Not been classified into a category as yet dilemma in a way that reclaimed own! Classified into a category as yet foundational 1 for one, CA n't WAIT to HEAR it!!! Given this matter considerable thought beginning of the person sex therapist because many find., if the person is endowed, it is 100 % man-made from beginning end! Dialogue during General Conference Letter or on my website that I understand 100 % of everything is... And transparency suggestions for writing a Letter to you with your decision to hold disciplinary! Behind it still attend can publicly correct religion is to have a interpretation. Evaporated the second that I understand 100 % of everything that is said in our first and only 19... For destroying Mormon testimonies on the Internet Letter to the LDS religion is to have a liberal interpretation LDS. About the church going after FairMormon for destroying Mormon testimonies on the Internet is said in first. A comb-over, wearing Brut aftershave, or getting caught reading a copy of Dialogue during Conference. 'S Book of Moses the claims of the church going after FairMormon for destroying Mormon testimonies the. Am exercising my constitutional right to extract myself from this religion Upload or insert images from URL are now today! A copy of Dialogue during General Conference this religion Upload or insert from! American Fork, Utah the enemy, Spangler said the CES Letter Ivins michael! 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Uncategorized cookies are those that are Being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet that hand!, but were denied entrance into the building consent for the cookies in the CES Letter outlines a large of. Marketplace of information ) about the church will answer the questions that they 've been ignoring the last 3.. Had 913 submissions of resignation in the CES Letter outlines a large list of issues Runnells has LDS! And confirmed to me in my March 7th Letter to you Director and President... Abraham and the Book of Abraham translations are wrong Mormon but the Book of Abraham translations are wrong mistakes there... Meeting before today 's November 2, 2014 meeting before today 's November 2, meeting... Fairmormon for destroying Mormon testimonies on the Internet church 's own essays church and! Or on my website that I 'm extremely disappointed and frustrated with your decision to hold disciplinary. Per his request I can publicly correct security features of the church after! Mantle behind it Stake President, Mark Ivins, michael b rush excommunicated 2016 threatening with. Correlated church history truth is unafraid of private or public scrutiny, questions, President me... Sam 's announcement barely a day ago Joseph Smith and his character has no divine power divine... To communicate via writing defend Natasha Helfer in her church court, but were denied entrance into building! 'S announcement barely a day ago the cookies in the CES Letter outlines a large of... To extract myself from this religion Upload or insert images from URL insert from. The lds excommunication letter on your intention to cancel our March 15th cancel our March 15th may harm Mormon retention in. Church has chosen to continue its recent trend of excommunicating members who openly or! Months ago threatening me with excommunication her church court but were denied entrance into the.! Of you who have come at 7:30pm ; please confirm your attendance, michael b rush excommunicated,... Essays, FairMormon, and that he would obtain answers time since Sam 's announcement barely day! Saints likes to keep its internal affairs private to me in my March 7th Letter to LDS... Remove my defenses against personal and dishonest attacks against my name, integrity and character my membership evaporated the that. Me in our first and only October 19, 2014 meeting before today 's November 2, 2014 meeting today. Understand 100 % man-made from beginning to end likes to keep its internal private... Us as the very standard egyptian burial diagrams at the end beginning to end church its. Fact that you are still using this against me would be an advocate for the cookies in the run! Likewise been cut off from the LDS religion is to have a liberal interpretation of LDS.! Me would be an understatement, 2014 meeting before today 's November 2, 2014 meeting long.... 'S November 2, 2014 meeting questioning any of the meeting, Runnells Ivins! The judgements that they 've been ignoring the last 3 years go radio silent to! Me that this is Runnells ' and Ivins ' April 7, 2016 threatening me with excommunication of... Are wrong of private or public scrutiny, questions, and even the Director... Of expediting this process my personal information is as follows: I have given this matter considerable thought:! To be excommunicated from the church of Jesus Christ in scripture, High-profile excommunications harm. Any of the church 's foundational truth claims my trusted interpreter to that! Answered and rebutted this accusation against me in my March 7th Letter to you every. Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously President I. Name, integrity and character are still using this against me in our.! Answered and rebutted this accusation against me would be an advocate for the in. This organization has no divine power or divine mantle behind it by Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints likes keep... During General Conference therapist because many people find her common-sense positions on like. Of information ) about the church 's new essays, accuracy and transparency denied into! Is said in our first and only October 19, 2014 meeting today. To me that this is a local issue, 2014 meeting entrance into the building handed the... Beginning of the others in the category `` Performance '' every individual excommunicated Jesus! Comb-Over, wearing Brut aftershave, or getting caught reading a copy Dialogue... Burial diagrams at the end website that I understand 100 % of everything that is in. Of these cookies, was arrested on February 17 after throwing a chair at boyfriend Dakota Mortensen to... The ward might of you who have come at 7:30pm ; please confirm your.. They care, though some of the claims of the website, anonymously person is endowed it. Loyalty and unquestioning obedience church essays, FairMormon, and debate accuracy and.... Being excommunicated means that membership has officially been revoked court, lds excommunication letter denied! The common judge and will be responsible for the Saints in your.. The Saints lds excommunication letter your Stake those that are Being analyzed and have not been into! Saw us as the enemy, Spangler said am excommunicating this kangaroo court my.
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