CES Letter

The CES Letter outlines a large list of issues that Jeremy Runnells had with LDS Church beliefs and its historical narrative. He addressed it to a CES (Church Education System) Director and never received an answer. The letter mostly deals with historical issues surrounding the time of the founding of the LDS Church in the 1820s and 1830s, although it does talk about more modern issues as well. 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. A main theme of the letter is the belief of Runnells that the church knew unflattering aspects about its history but deliberately hid or misrepresented them. Many who read the letter are surprised by the number of issues listed and the academic presentation assists them to see the vast evidence there is against the church and how much the church has done to hide it. The letter is a pivotal piece in the story of many who have chosen to leave the church.

Profiles with CES Letter on their "shelf":