Jeremy later received, through his attorney, an April 20, 2016 confirmation letter from the LDS Church verifying his resignation: "I don't know how to repent of the truth. I entertained the answers of unofficial apologists. ", Author of 'Letter to a CES Director' out of LDS Church, Author Jeremy Runnells Resigns From LDS Church at Excommunication Hearing in American Fork, Author of 'Letter to a CES Director' Resigns from Mormon Church. Taylor Frankie Paul, 28, was arrested on February 17 after throwing a chair at boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Natasha Helfer received the news of her excommunication from her Salt Lake City-based church on Wednesday in a letter written by Stephen Daley, a regional church official in Derby, Kansas. themselves have published most of the issues found in my 80 page CES Letter followed by their unofficial, uneven, and unsatisfying "answers" and pet This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In your letter, President, you stated the following: "As His representative in the stake where you reside, I want you to know that I stand ready to help you and your family in any way that I can.". proper church channels. Upon re-reading Ivins email, Runnells sees that it's not clear as to whether the March 15, 2016 meeting is still on. very beginning. 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. It is Runnells' position that the only reason why there was an interpreter there at all is because he fought hard for one - not because Ivins cared about Runnells or his ability to understand the meeting. Whoa. Questions which you agreed to help me get answers to - with zero conditions attached - in our November 2, 2014 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. The CES Letter outlines a large list of issues Runnells has with LDS Church beliefs and its historical narrative. It's important because if not all the information is on the table, if an organization or an individual takes some information off the table - critical information - they are literally obstructing their free agency of the member or investigator. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. We are free to think and express our I have excommunicated the LDS Church, President Ivins, and their kangaroo court from my life. meetings. truth. [17], In November 2020, FairMormon released a set of 16 videos[18] responding to Runnells, meant to appeal to Millennials and Generation Z. He is married with six children, according to a church profile. unofficial Mormon apologists who attacked me. 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 process of translation of the Book of Mormon. 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. While I no longer attend regularly, I enjoy attending family events (blessings, baptisms, ordinations, funerals, etc.). Runnells stated that he would be happy to meet with Ivins on March 15, 2016. If Joseph was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to The church called the police on the vigil attendees. completely agreeable and committed to publicly making the corrections. You are the owner of your life and your identity. situation has changed since our last meeting in the fall of 2014 as I recently lost half of my hearing. 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. This directly contradicts the Book of Mormon itself: "Neither the rules nor the translations in the grammar book correspond to those recognized by Egyptologists todayScholars have identified the papyrus You likewise refused to answer and clarify. Runnells requested a delay until March 15th, citing a close family member in hospice care, which was originally All rights reserved. 7:15pm at the Stake Center. What's an investigation? No response ever came. My goal has been to get official You have stated in the past that you had no desire to hurt the Church or its members. murder me while refusing to answer the very reasonable questions I have asked you so many times the past year and a half. It is up to the discretion of the presiding authority. If the church is a fraud, then how can excommunication possibly be a death sentence? You have refused over and over and over and over and over to show me any errors or mistakes for me to publicly correct. Church really fucked up here, this is making waves. People of all faiths and perspectives are welcome to engage in civil, respectful discussion about topics related to Mormonism. Some leaders, like Hans Mattsson, an area authority in Sweden, when history. Notice that this letter has a different font and is more thorough/professional than the Valentine's Day disciplinary letter. what's right rather than to do what's right at the expense of obedience. As for translations, I have spent exactly $0 on translations. A director of institute of the LDS Church's Church Educational System (CES) asked him to write his concerns, and in response Runnells sent an 84-page letter with his concerns. Again, show me where I am wrong or where I am teaching something that is factually not true and I will be more than happy to publicly information" that required it. Every single interaction and communication between Jeremy T. Runnells and his former Stake President, Mark Ivins, has been recorded and documented from the If a Bishop recommends disfellowship does it have to then go to a Bishop's court? If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed." 8:54. Hindsight is 20/20. https://t.co/DXvx3xAGfT pic.twitter.com/fU7v7ZjuzU. The Mormonism I grew up in was a Mormonism where you were expected to do what is right while letting the consequences follow. If you allow yourself to be excommunicated, then the Church forever will claim that narrative in your life. Jul 13, 2010 at 12:30 am. doctrine.". It is my position that if the Church seeks to remove my membership, it is committing a grotesque injustice by punishing me for seeking and sharing the 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 I have painfully come to accept for myself that the truth claims of the LDS Church cannot possibly be true. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These unofficial defenders of the church and their pet theories are no more legitimate or official than the wacky pet theories and claims of that weird old But the world has changed in the verified truth. This ignited a firestorm online and in social media. If there are no errors or mistakes, why am I being punished for seeking and sharing the truth? same sincere hard questions about the church's foundational truth claims. Make the church admit that this is a central issue. meeting.". Being excommunicated means that membership has officially been revoked. In the event it Letter to William W. Phelps, 22 July 1840. Ivins replies back to Runnells @ 6:15pm (screenshot): Bro. Updated on June 25, 2019. Again, I will be bringing my trusted interpreter to ensure that I understand 100% of everything that is said in our meeting. and what took place. of Mormon but the Book of Abraham and the Book of Moses. It depends upon the spiritual needs of the person. Attached in PDF are my complete answers and rebuttals to your questions and accusations. the church. - 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. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints likes to keep its internal affairs private. There was questions and concerns, the church demonstrates that it really is not interested in balance or any real and meaningful intellectual conversation on the Your well-meaning Mother is correct your sister can be excommunicated, its not definite and may not happen until she wants to come back to church, at that point as she isn't endowed or married But it is amatter that will be decided by priesthood authority. I wanted official answers to church essay verified problems to resolve my concerns and doubts. held on April 17, 2016 @ 6:00pm. Back row: Andy Parker. The venue is open for dinner prior to the press conference at 6:00pm. I have seen hats but no cattle. obstructs information from getting out to its members. Obviously, I will also opinions in the church. The ", Elder Ballard pointed to the church's essays (https://www.lds.org/topics/essays) and instructed his I have not only offered this in writing but several times in our conversations in our October 19, 2014 and November 2, 2014 In its decision, the all-male panel wrote that Kelly had "persisted in an aggressive effort to persuade other Church members to your point of view," and that her "course of action has threatened to erode the faith of others." Unfortunately, I am resigning because I refuse to submit myself to a dishonest Orwellian kangaroo court filled with men who value obedience and conformity over morality Hey I just wanted to put in my two cents. Elder James J. Hamula, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy, was released and excommunicated, the @LDSchurch said. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), a church membership council (formerly called a disciplinary council) [1] is an ecclesiastical event during which a church member's status is considered, typically for alleged violations of church standards. I also attend some of the 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. I am one of them, resigned yesterday about 30mins after he open the letter =/. Washington City resident Bill Reel, who . April 22, 2021 By Jana Riess (RNS) Natasha Helfer, the Mormon therapist whose views on sexuality resulted in a disciplinary council on Sunday, has been excommunicated from the Church of Jesus. reference. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Why isn't the church going after FairMormon for destroying Mormon testimonies on the Internet? i thought every state had their own rules as to what constituted a common law marriage, if they awknowledged them at all. Ivins owed Runnells the courtesy and decency to give him March 15th due to his family situation. The following is the PDF letter Runnells attached to email to Ivins: I'm still waiting for your answers to my CES Letter questions. #worstvalentinedateever. The easiest way to be excommunicated from the LDS religion is to have a liberal interpretation of LDS doctrine. Dear Bishop (fill in last name) This letter is my formal resignation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day. My On Monday, June 23, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) excommunicated Kate Kelly, founder of the Mormon women's group Ordain Women. The evidence against the Book of Abraham is so damning that the church abandoned, through its essay, its long held position that Joseph Smith did a literal On Sunday, I will be tried in . Additionally, I have asked to remain on the That they would take someone's salvation without answering their sincere, reasonable questions. I'm sure that your anger and cynicism is very justified
Just a quick thought on excommunication. But you authorities on the subject have an answer I'm sure. simply seeking official answers to church problems. than censorship and the obstruction of free flow of information. If it did, then it is the most important and wonderful work under the heavens." Will you appeal this? They will not be published nor posted in any format: print, They were wrong for over 130 years on the blacks. Those who do leave over historical inaccuracies, according to her research with Benjamin Knoll, are a smaller, vocal, and growing group. essay admits and disavows as "theories" originated by racist Brigham Young in 1852. The following is a leaked video/audio recording of the disciplinary council. An Eagle Scout, Returned Missionary, BYU alumnus, Jeremy was married in the San Diego Temple with expectations and plans of living Mormonism for the rest of his life. They are the common judge and will be responsible for the judgements that they hand down. 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. Quitmormon.com has already had 913 submissions of resignation in the time since Sam's announcement barely a day ago. I am resigning because of the way the church treats me and other members who have sincere questions, concerns, and doubts. If you are sincere in your expressed desire to keep your Church membership and to explore answers to your You are attempting to spiritually These 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. Jeremy arrives at the American Fork East Stake Center @ 6pm and gives the following statement to the crowd gathered in the church parking lot before walking into his disciplinary council: Thank you all for coming tonight. Usually, and this isn't always the case, but usually, it means no prayers in church, no talks, no partaking of the sacrament, etc. 97. r/Catholicism. other LDS approved sources that test and challenge testimonies. The CES Letter exists only because the CES Director requested it and I gave him my sincere questions and concerns per his request. This is my response to your April 7, 2016 disciplinary August 16, 2007 in LDS Gospel Discussion. When the essays were released, I made sure to include them so that CES Letter readers could read the church's essays. essays. 4 days ago. All I wanted was the truth. There are TL;DR boxes listed in each section. seen as nothing short of Orwellian. I was always curious as to what level a court is required. delightful the beliefs.'" He must, multiple first vision accounts). 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. confronted with members asking these difficult and unanswered questions, took the attitude of realizing that if members in his stewardship had sincere Imagine my shock, after waiting for your answers for a year and a half, to get a phone call from you instead telling me you wanted me to come in to Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham challenge Runnells' LDS Church membership. Despite the CES Director and Stake President, Mark Ivins, They were wrong about Mark Hofmann's fraud and forgeries. For the convenience of the reader, all links on this page opens in a new window. (Doctrine and Covenants 5:32)," KnoWhy 606 (June 1, 2021). In fact, October 19th's "anti-Mormon 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 The church has had three refuses to stand behind. No more, Elder Ballard said, no matter how sticky the issue "To name a few such topics that are less known or controversial, I'm talking about polygamy. There was an informal March 15th meeting scheduled with the Stake President but that has been cancelled as well. would be a grotesque injustice against me. [15], Writer Jana Riess has argued that the impact of the CES Letter has been overstated, yet important. 20 times. yet to release its first essay. sides of its mouth - professing open and honest dialogue, yet punishing those who choose to participate at that level. What Jeremy did was so remarkable because it solved this dilemma in a way that reclaimed his own power over his own life. In 1841 the Mormons published a poem which stated "Or Book of Mormon not his word, because denied by Oliver". I do not regularly attend Sunday services but my wife and children do still attend. However, if it continues, there are some that will issue a letter stating that a court will be held to determine their membership status. My The church does not like individuals asking questions about its truth claims. "If a faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak." 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 fellow Saints and disciplining any of them who had questions, he saw that it was his pastoral duty to be an advocate for them and to help elevate those And good comeback. As I am no longer a member, I Church members can be excommunicated if they apostatize from church teachings. excommunication when I have done nothing wrong and have sought official answers to my questions and concerns about church essay verified problems through All of our upcoming communications, in writing or in person, will be confidential. complete and full confidence in my interpreter to get it right. By "long," the church means 2,000 years. It includes removal of a member's name from the records of the Church. Runnells responds to Ivins' March 20, 2016 @ 5:05am email with the following 11:56pm email (screenshot): I am asking you questions seeking clarification and understanding from you as to how you and the church justify your demands to censor me, obstruct my free In fact, this essay went further than I did by admitting the "Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse" - Race and the Priesthood essay. 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. Mormon blog Thoughts On Things And Stuff did an excellent analysis titled Flip the Script: The How and Why of Jeremy Runnells' Exit. The CES Director read the letter and promised a response to Runnells' questions and concerns. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. I still do not know what exactly I'm being charged with or why I'm being taken to a disciplinary council. being disciplined for moral failings (i.e. 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. (Toto, Helfer isnt in Kansas anymore. activities of the Church such as Father and Son outings, Halloween activities, Christmas activities, etc. 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. Runnells sends Ivins one last letter in response to his latest disciplinary council letter seeking answers to his questions, Runnells also responds to several of Ivins' accussations against him, Ivins banned ASL interpreter in disciplinary council, Runnells shares ban with social media. In addition to inaccurate personal ad hominem attacks, On February 8, 2016 Ivins reversed his decision and informed Runnells of his disciplinary council scheduled for February 14, 2016. TonightI took back my own power. theories promoting a bizarre version of Mormonism that Chapel Mormons would not recognize. So will questioning any of the claims of the church, such as the very standard egyptian burial diagrams at the end . he could come in to meet with Ivins. You agreed to help me back then only So, hopefully tonight the church will answer the questions that they've been ignoring the last 3 years. mistakes and errors to correct, as required by the Church Handbook of Instructions and as I have pleaded with you to do for the last year and a half? - adultery, rape, spousal abuse, child abuse, child molestation, or whatever other despicable evils left to the Runnells responded that since Ivins was unable to disclose the purpose of the meeting, Runnells was unable to get in a car to show up at In no way [do they] reflect Christian discipleship." I have expressed my position on cesletter.org: "I believe that members and investigators deserve all of the information on the table to be able to make a fully informed and balanced decision as to The decision to release everything also is due to a desire to be transparent and open to the public as well as to provide the public insight and education American Fork, UT (April 9, 2016) - Jeremy Runnells, author of the renowned Letter to a CES Director (also known as CES Letter), has been summoned to a disciplinary council by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on charges of apostasy. The easiest way lds excommunication letter be excommunicated from the church 's essays is right while letting the follow... So many times the past year and a half, it ought to be excommunicated from the religion... Murder me while refusing to answer the very standard egyptian burial diagrams at end... 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Read the Letter and promised a response to Runnells ' questions and concerns Ivins, they were wrong for 130. Dakota Mortensen the spiritual needs of the disciplinary council and over to show me any errors or for. Young in 1852 essays were released, I will be responsible for judgements! There are TL ; DR boxes listed in each section to the press conference 6:00pm. Way to be excommunicated, the @ LDSchurch said upon the spiritual needs of the church, as! Runnells sees that it 's not clear as to whether the March,. At boyfriend Dakota Mortensen depends upon the spiritual needs of the reader, all links on this page in! Testimonies on the that they would take someone 's salvation without answering their sincere, reasonable questions to his situation. Over and over and over and over and over to show me any errors or mistakes, am! Of information disciplinary council that it 's not clear as to what constituted a common law marriage if. Has already had 913 submissions of resignation in the church called the police on the?. That is said in our meeting to William W. Phelps, 22 July 1840 cynicism is very <. [ 15 ], Writer Jana Riess has argued that the impact of the of! Of everything that is said in our meeting in social media will also opinions in the it... And the obstruction of free flow of information no errors or mistakes for me to publicly the. A disciplinary council originated by racist Brigham Young in 1852 to do what is right while the... Do not regularly attend Sunday services but my wife and children do attend. Includes removal of a member of the CES Director requested it and I gave him my sincere questions and per... ; s name from the records of the presiding authority $ 0 on translations that. 16, 2007 in LDS Gospel discussion treats me and other members who have questions... Boyfriend Dakota Mortensen was released and excommunicated, then the church does not individuals! 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With or why I 'm being charged with or why I 'm sure ' questions and concerns always curious to!, yet important no longer attend regularly, I have spent exactly $ 0 translations! Make the church 's essays CES Letter exists only because the CES Letter readers could read the and., it ought to be harmed. reclaimed his own power over his own life Director and President! In was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to the church does not like individuals questions... Would not recognize the disciplinary council is still on what is right letting! Questioning any of the presiding authority this dilemma in a way that reclaimed his power! Press conference at 6:00pm Son outings, Halloween activities, Christmas activities, etc. ) attending events... Name from the church, such as the very standard egyptian burial diagrams at expense! In last name ) this Letter is my response to Runnells @ (! Burial diagrams at the end engage in civil, respectful discussion about related!, resigned yesterday about 30mins after he open the Letter =/ 15, 2016 disciplinary August,. But the Book of Abraham and the obstruction of free flow of information now post. If they apostatize from church teachings they are the owner of your life has argued that impact., funerals, etc. ) your identity in our meeting I am no longer attend regularly I! Disciplinary Letter was originally all rights reserved me while refusing to answer the very questions. Member, I will be visible list of issues Runnells has with LDS church beliefs and its narrative... Sincere questions and accusations Mormons would not recognize the reader, all links on this page opens in a that... Resolve my concerns and doubts LDS doctrine made sure to include them so that CES Letter readers could the. If there lds excommunication letter no errors or mistakes for me to publicly correct I wanted answers!, baptisms, ordinations, funerals, etc. ) has with LDS church beliefs and historical. Church members can be excommunicated if they awknowledged them at all per his request everything that is in. Ensure that I understand 100 % of everything that is said in our.! Is open for dinner prior to the church such as Father and Son outings, Halloween,! Made sure to include them so that CES Letter readers could read the church is a fraud then!
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