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":
Noal DavisBorn & raised in Norther Utah, I quickly learned that my personal value was only connected to my obedience to the Mormon faith. I was, but am no longer, a Mormon
AmethystI love books, hairstyling and the forest. I'm a lesbian. I'm an artist, poet and writer. I'm an over opinionated, cussing, sarcastic teenager with a load of anxiety and terrible mental health. I was a Mormon.
Grace18I was in an LDS splinter group from birth until middle age.
ChelseaI am a lover of coffee, dogs, and life. I was a Mormon.
truthfinder23I am a writer, jazz pianist and fraud investigator.
DougI'm a physicist, engineer, educator, nature worshiper, father, grandfather, and I was a Mormon.
elneneI was a mormon. Enjoy traveling, beach sports.
ByrdI'm transmasculine, genderqueer, generally queer, and a refugee of Trump's America. I was a mormon.
Connor Ross AldridgeI enjoy philosophical discussions, to inquire reasonable explanations of phenomena's. I'd seek educational institutions to help the public to better understand anthropology as a scientific theory for acknowledging human origins. I was a mormon.
windriver32I'm a dad, outdoorsman, conservationist, and and economist. I was a mormon.
Spencer WarnerI enjoy skiing, technology, and skepticism. I was a mormon.
Frey HigleyI enjoy the culinary arts, theatre, and sewing. I was a mormon.
Andy WilsonI enjoy photography, meditation, cycling, walking and travel. I am a truth-seeker. I was a mormon.
jacobI'm a lover of geography, tokusatsu, Deadpool, and music (basically every genre). I'm 19, I love traveling and learning about other cultures, and I was a Mormon
b.yousefI was a mormon.
ashmonster2000I’m a husband, father, Soldier, and secular humanist working on the best version of myself. I was a mormon.
SearI'm a Software Developer, Father of 4, love sports and I was a mormon.
midlifeexmomommaI'm a mom, dog mom, divorcee, former teacher, barbershopper, future author, and public speaker. I was a mormon.
Spencer OswaldI am an amateur filmmaker/songwriter. I enjoy being in nature and watching soccer. I was a mormon.
Jim AdlhochI enjoy food, art, glass-blowing, friends, meditation, and enjoy partaking of what the Earth has to offer in herbs and drink. I'm a clinician, voice-over actor, artist, philosopher, teacher, and counselor. My spiritual path is now Druidic in a neopagan tradition, and love what the outdoors and the universe can teach me. I was a Mormon.
Ian HarwardI am a musician and a friend to many, and I am a Soldier. I am the atheist in the foxhole they claim doesn’t exist. I was a Mormon.
alissa.swensonI am a wife and mom of 1 baby boy and 2 fur babies. I am a therapist, love the lake and boating, I was a mormon.
sallygirl75I was a mormon for 43 years. Now I'm not. Now I live my values with integrity. Stoic philosophy reminds me to have balance and fortitude. The courage to admit when I'm wrong. And it's ok to not have all the answers.
jaradAnd I was a mormon. Born and raised in the church and culture in the Utah bubble.
Jeremy RunnellsI love life. I love exploring and experiencing this vast and amazing Universe we find ourselves in. I was a Mormon.
freidomI am finally free to be happy!
fuchiboca67I was a mormon.
kf7hehI'm currently living in west Tennessee, living my best life and I was a mormon.
rlboston92I enjoy camping, art, and amazing food. I am a very curious person and I enjoy learning about other people. I was a mormon.
supitsbreezyI'm into art, music, modeling, gaming, and more! You can find me on all social platforms @SupItsBreezy!
ktsheetsI'm a reader. A solo mom. A chaos coordinator. A parade director. A caffeine drinker. A roadtrip lover. A terrible friend. and I'll forever be was a mormon.
Debbie KnudsenI'm a crafter and an educator. I am a seeker of truth! I was a mormon.Create an account to share your own story.