lds excommunication letter

me to publicly correct. began as a letter Mr. Runnells wrote to an LDS religious instructor (CES Director) outlining his questions, concerns, and doubts about LDS Church His SP forgave him of them (has he that authority) and installed him in that position. I have approached other Church leaders for official answers. They were wrong about Mark Hofmann's fraud and forgeries. In the event it In the mid-20th century the church began to forcefully discipline Mormon intellectuals who challenged the orthodox view of history. The Mormon church accused Oliver Cowdery of Adultery and claimed he had joined . That does not appear to have happened (or if it did, it was behind doors that were totally closed to the accused, which defeats the purpose of having safeguards in place to protect the accused). Lee claimed that he was thrown out due to an argument about the role of Native Americans in the church, but in 1994, he was convicted of attempted sexual abuse of a child, which reportedly took place in 1989. This letter can be viewed either in PDF or the two images below. I'm going to begin by bringing up two very important fundamental points that I believe is the foundation and heart of all of this. All of these allusions reflected conventional LDS attitudes towards race at that time in 1947. Pasted as rich text. Why is it wrong for me to publish issues but not for them? A former bishop from Southern Utah who produces a podcast about LDS Church history announced Monday that he has been formally excommunicated. freedom of the individual and free agency as one of its most cherished principles. I If you wish to do this, there are certain conditions: 1. Paste as plain text instead, What errors or mistakes are there in the 'CES Letter' or on my website that I can publicly correct? Adulterers who do not repent shall be cast out, D&C 42:24. The other two require a court, because it does become part of the record. thousands of questioning current and former LDS Church members. Runnells decides to redirect the conversation from verbally via the phone to writing By Runnells decides to email Ivins to I have not only offered this in writing but several times in our conversations in our October 19, 2014 and November 2, 2014 Checkerboy was right. Runnells responded back via text that now was not a good time for him due to a family member in hospice care along with other obligations and commitments. Why all of this 1984 nonsense and secrecy? Notice that this letter has a different font and is more thorough/professional than the Valentine's Day disciplinary letter. as they sought to obstruct and destroy the free agency of myself and others, to obstruct the free flow of information, and to imbalance the Mormon I don't want you to go to the trouble or expense of obtaining an ASL interpreter. All of our upcoming communications, in writing or in person, will be confidential. imagination of members who hear excommunication because of "conduct unbecoming a member" and "additional information"). Here&39;s a LDS Youtuber and author I enjoy. goal has been to get official answers from the church as promised me by its CES Director three years ago. There are thousands and thousands of members who are struggling to get answers from the church to its foundational As my interpreter is a professional interpreter, he is bound by confidentiality so I have zero concerns. So, two disciplinary councils were set up and cancelled. They refused to answer any Ivins replies back to Runnells' March 10, 2016 @ 3:04pm email with the following 5:02am email (screenshot): I appreciate your response to my email. I have also recently had ear surgery that I am still Regardless, I'm happy to provide you answers to your questions in your email sent to me on March 6, 2016. If I were to be excommunicated and kicked out of the church for asking questions and for sharing truth despite my verbal and written offers to publicly My goal has been to get official answers from the 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. TL;DR literally stands for "Too Long; Didn't Read". abilities and willingness to write your thoughts. It has validated and confirmed to me that this is an organization that prizes, above all, obedience and conformity over morality and integrity. disciplinary court on me: conduct a Temple Recommend interview. 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. Runnells reports that he met twice with his LDS Stake President, Mark Ivins, in the fall of 2014. This was why I sought the help of the CES Director. Born and raised in Southern California, Jeremy is a seventh generation Mormon of Pioneer heritage who reached every Mormon youth milestone. refused to not only point out any errors or mistakes but you have never called me to repentance before attempting to hold not one but two now absence. - Elder Steven E. Snow, Current Church Historian, overly aggressive and mean-spirited. For the convenience of the reader, all links on this page opens in a new window. [20] In March 2021, FairMormon changed its name to FAIR, and removed the YouTube videos directed at Runnells and the CES Letter. Marriages are at stake. President, I wrote the following in my November 2, 2014 letter to you: "It is my position that if the Church seeks to remove my membership, it is committing a grotesque injustice by punishing me for sharing the truth, most of Here is Fox 13's coverage of Jeremy Runnells and the press conference: LDS author says he faces excommunication after writing 'Letter to a CES Director'. situation with a family member in hospice care. It just feels Church Handbook says that my resignation "cancels the effects of baptism and confirmation, withdraws the priesthood held by a male member, and revokes Runnells with answers as he had pledged to Runnells in their November 2, 2014 meeting. You have consistently verifying that what I told you in our meeting just three days earlier was true and factual. rebuttals and defenses against their attacks on my personal name and integrity as well as their false claims. This directly contradicts the Book of Moses itself: "there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people" -Moses 7:8. Earlier today before the Press Conference, Runnells received a job proposal from the LDS Church. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and It felt like bullying to me. As I wrote in my last email to you on March 24th: "It is my sincere hope that your next email to me will contain answers that I have been asking you for - many times - over the past year and a Later this evening (February 9, 2016) @ 7:40pm, CES Letter Foundation issued a press release announcing the upcoming Valentine's Day disciplinary False Witness #3: Oliver Cowdery: Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated from the Mormon church and joined the Methodist church. by giving me written notice by email and certified mail at least 6 days in advance, as you have done in the past, to announce any 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. sincere concern and a teacher bore his or her testimony as a response intended to avoid the issue.". And even later became an alcoholic, drug abuser, prescription forger. Those of you that have served in Bishoprics, pls correct me if I am wrong: Pam, I believe that disfellowship requires a court. situation has changed since our last meeting in the fall of 2014 as I recently lost half of my hearing. [17], In November 2020, FairMormon released a set of 16 videos[18] responding to Runnells, meant to appeal to Millennials and Generation Z. Middle row: Jennifer White, Jana Spangler, Natasha Helfer and Kattie Niu Mount. Do what is right and the consequence is excommunication. 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. 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 I will Your generous donations are tax deductible and will go a long way in helping us to continue to help the honest-in-heart seekers. Some of these volunteers have offered the translations before I announced to the public that I was If you are sincere in your expressed desire to keep your Church membership and to explore answers to your Laura Pitkin, post-script to a letter from Vilate Kimball to Heber C. Kimball, July 18, 1840, cited in Susan Easton Black and Larry C. Porter, Martin Harris: Uncompromising Witness of the Book of Mormon (Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2018), 315. 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". It's pure, willful and conscious dismissiveness on the part of church leadership. Excommunication Letter from the LDS Church | Open Shirts, Open Minds. offering to answer my questions or to find answers to my questions, I have found that rather than getting answers, I instead get silence and ultimately It was done in a way that was a business approach to a soul who had been educated since primary (Mormon school for children on Sundays) th. Runnells held a Press Conference on February 10, 2016 to publicly discuss his Stake President's actions. without challenge or to defend myself. Total other LDS approved sources that test and challenge testimonies. She said Hickey did not consult with Pope John Paul II. truth, most of which truths are now verifiable today through the Church's new essays. FairMormon I believe that individuals, investigators, and members of the church need all of the information on the table to make a fully informed decision as to whether or not they want to commit their hearts, minds, lives, and money to Mormonism. How to not apostatize from the LDS church By Sam Pinson. is ever brought to my attention that there are any inaccuracies in the CES Letter or on my website, I am totally and Press J to jump to the feed. All I've wanted was to resolve my doubts and concerns about the discrepancies of what I was - President J. Reuben Clark, "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." See PDF of Runnells' attorney's letter.]. his dozens of polygamous marriages in the dark. Who was the last person to be excommunicated from the Catholic Church? to repentance. Anything less is an obstruction to the free agency of the individual.. action is needed or necessary. I was always curious as to what level a court is required. 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. If the point of excommunication is to purify the ranks by getting rid of a few prominent people the church views as bad apples, it too often alienates others, the people in the middle. Sounds like a bit of revelation/inspiration inconsistency here. marketing spend in 3 years: $0. It depends upon the spiritual needs of the person. Later that day @ 2:45pm, CES Letter Foundation issues another press release announcing the postponement: It has nothing to do with the character, the story or Marvel. To say that I'm extremely disappointed and frustrated with your decision to hold a disciplinary council against me would be an understatement. Related A professor at a Mormon university was asked to retract a pro-LGBT Facebook post. Instead I'll just enjoy my complete refusal to go to any of their meetings. believe that leaders in the Church are kind, dedicated, loving, caring, well-meaning and very diligent servants to the members. 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. I have never once actively promoted or marketed the CES Letter or cesletter.org on any paid media (PPC, Banner Displays, Billboards, Mailings, etc.). 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 In September of 1993 six members of the LDS church were excommunicated for speaking out or publishing scholarly works that conflicted with the correlated history or threatened the church leadership in some way. It includes removal of a member's name from the records of the Church. The following is a video and transcript of Runnells' speech: I want to first thank each and every one of you for being here tonight. and Mormon Interpreter is to demonstrate that the church does not value balance, free flow of facts and any real honest intellectual discussion in 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. I believe President Joseph Fielding Smith when he wrote: "Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. I want to add that I trust that you will be fair to me and will follow The main response is in the attached PDF, which can be read below after email content: Please see attached "Runnells Response to Stake President 3.11.16 Email" PDF. Thanks Six. Natasha Helfer has become a prominent Mormon sex therapist because many people find her common-sense positions on issues like masturbation helpful and compassionate. 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. multiple first vision accounts). I am glad to hear that, although you need to understand that some of 2. 77-23a-3,4 states that Utah is a One Party state and thus it is legal for an 1. Apparently two letters were sent to Daybell from the LDS Church stating that he could appeal the decision, but he didn't get them until it was a month too late - so he's out. The choice is yours. regarding the Church, and are rejecting my proposal to have a private and confidential written dialogue about your concerns with Church history and 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. essay. 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, See attached Jeremy Runnells' Temple Recommend Interview PDF to see my answers to each blatant dishonest attacks. Runnells holds a press conference to announce and discuss the upcoming disciplinary council as well as to discuss details on what has occurred between If no one volunteered any translations, I would not have bothered with it. 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. Back row: Andy Parker. I am no longer a member of the church. 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 clearly demonstrated to you the following principles and concepts: These principles and values are my principles and values. The following is a scanned copy of the certified letter that I received from Ivins a few days later. Escrito en 27 febrero, 2023. . questions posed in CES Letter and raised concerns about the LDS Church's recent historical essays ( http://lds.org/topics/essays). To claim or imply that the acceptance of donations is wrong for CES Letter Foundation but totally okay for organizations like FairMormon last generation - with the access to information on the internet, we can't continue that pattern; I think we need to continue to It has been replaced by an Orwellian system that values unquestioning You ask: "Updating and translating those concerns into different languages, etc.". In fact, they had to wait approximately 5 minutes from Runnells' entering the room for Ivins to come back in the room with an interpreter. the LDS Church in their attempts to character assassinate Jeremy Runnells' name, integrity, and character through their extremely vague accusations and It does not store any personal data. Ivins replies back to Runnells @ 6:15pm (screenshot): Bro. I would need to receive that document at least three days before the council.". learning in Sunday School and Church correlated narratives to the disturbing historical and doctrinal facts now verified by the church's own essays. doctrine. I have asked you over and over and over and over and over to show me any errors and mistakes in the CES Letter and elsewhere (this offer has included and TonightI took back my own power. Any disciplinary action against me without giving me errors or mistakes to publicly correct along with the opportunity to publicly correct and repent of meeting. Many times PH leaders will not push the issue at first so that the person can come in and confess on their own (broken heart and contrite spirit) and allow the atonement to being to work on them. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. There are TL;DR boxes listed in each section. CES Letter has been downloaded an estimated 600,000 times to date, and over 12,000 threats of excommunication. The general consensus and reaction was outrage, disbelief, and shock. Runnells reports that he met twice with his LDS Stake President, Mark Ivins, in the fall of 2014. and the first century C.E., long after Abraham lived." in the beginning of our November 2, 2014 meeting, I am also copying/pasting the relevant part that helps to answer your question: I didn't wake up one day and decide to create CES Letter and cesletter.org. Witnesses who prepared testimony to help defend Natasha Helfer in her church court, but were denied entrance into the building. I am resigning because the LDS Church and its foundational truth claims are just not true. That way the chance for misunderstanding by either of us will be reduced. questions and concerns, the church demonstrates that it really is not interested in balance or any real and meaningful intellectual conversation on the By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Why are you treating me like a criminal when I am not one? information is absolutely essential and paramount to the free agency of the individual. The church claims to believe in free agency, but it doesn't. While I can understand and appreciate that point of view, President, my response is that it is not only an inaccurate perception but it is a simplistic one Obviously, I will also You have not done this. As of right now, I am still a member in good standing (no discipline, disfellowship or excommunication). circulating on the Internet. I believe President J. Reuben Clark when he said: "If we have the truth, no harm can come from investigation. The February 28th cancellation of the March 20th court has nothing to do with my grandfather's passing. It is worth bringing up current Church Historian Elder Steven Snow's comment again: "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 main response is in the attached PDF, which can be read below after email content: See attached PDF for my detailed response to your April 7, 2016 disciplinary court letter. David was excommunicated the day after his brother-in-law Oliver Cowdery had likewise been cut off from the Church. Please disregard the notice you received by mail today regarding the disciplinary council scheduled for February 14, 2016. A decision has been made. "If we have the truth, no harm can come from investigation. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. delays. It is all recorded and documented for you to see for yourself. Book of Abraham didn't come from a literal translation - as the church has long taught Joseph Smith claimed - but rather from revelation. Thanks for the laugh. During these discussions Runnells sought answers for questions posed in CES Letter and raised concerns about the LDS Church's recent historical essays (http://lds.org/topics/essays). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Quite frankly, President, I am extremely disturbed by your behavior and actions against me. Not a single word from President Ivins has been edited, censored, removed or altered in any way. In 2015, John Dehlin, a Mormon blogger who criticized church leaders and teachings in podcasts, was excommunicated for conduct contrary to church laws, though he denied having committed apostasy. Or even holding a council? I have done nothing wrong. well. I have desperately tried to get official answers from the church to these serious problems for several years now. I resign morally clean, honest with myself and my fellowmen, and with a clear conscience knowing in my heart that I have done what is right and I'd do it members access to information. For those of you who are silently struggling with doubtsstop doubting your doubts. the blessings of the Temple because of what the Race and the Priesthood 675. Jeremy T. Runnells is a critic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and author of the book titled A Letter to a CES Director (later renamed CES Letter). However, my last bishop approached me the last time Dialogue published me congratulating me. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. I have always been committed to the CES Letter being accurate and up-to-date. I am supportive of them and their desires to attend Church on Sunday. If you decide to do so, please send me a written statement specifying the alleged errors or unfairness in the procedure or decision. I have done nothing wrong. It is 100% man-made from beginning to end. Among the more interesting items in the collection is a lecture she gave in 1970 titled "Can We Manipulate the Past?" They also cant hold a calling in their ward, so they are outside (ex) community. Brigham Young was wrong about Blood Atonement. So the real problem here is that the church has a problem with freedom of expression. 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. [1][2] Runnells grew up as a seventh-generation member of the LDS Church with pioneer ancestry. This accusation demonstrates a Pre-Church Essays era ignorance and paradigm. Last time Mormons exercised proper common consent was when BY was elected president. [Attached to the resignation letter that Runnells physically handed to Mark Ivins was also a letter from Runnells' attorney, Mark Naugle. fragments as parts of standard funerary texts that were deposited with mummified bodies." Among the main questions Ivins consistently and repeatedly refused to answer are: On April 8, 2016, Runnells received a letter from Ivins informing him that there will be a disciplinary council held against Runnells on Sunday, April 17, 2016 @ 6:00 pm Mountain Time. freedom of the investigator or member is obstructed and robbed. and website. along with not including the church's essays. has became very clear to me that the church does not have answers to their truth crisis. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The reference was in regards to a subject I am interested in and a personal decision I made in my life. The Salamander Letter: The Most Scandalous Document In Mormon History A clip from Netflix's Murder Among the Mormons that explores the infamous salamander letter. Temple Recommend question. Religious societies have the right to deal with members disorderly conduct, D&C 134:10. As a direct result of FairMormon's personal attacks and dishonest claims, I found it necessary to create my current website to host my direct rebuttals and ", Surprised by the sudden sense of urgency on Ivins' part, Runnells asked Ivins what the meeting was in regards to. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. to believe in during the 1980s and 1990s never really . I expect this matter to be handled with respect. concessions given in its essays. You're invited to see for yourself and to come to your own conclusions. The CES Director read the "very-well written" document, stated that "these are issues which the Brethren (Apostles) are concerned about" and promised a Fortunately, Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a recent talk to the Church Educational System this Like other unofficial "[3][13][14] Utah news station KUTV pointed to a survey that 57% of LDS Church members were troubled by high profile excommunications like Runnells, including 43% of temple recommend holders. your doctrinal concerns across the internet, seeking funding on the internet to address and develop new material related to your concerns that you have The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". If the sin is so serious that it requires excommunication, the individual will continue attending church, praying, and working toward a time when they can be re-baptized. I wasn't the village idiot. The bishop explained to me that he felt that anything more would have driven her away from the gospel. never a remote thought of holding a "surprise" disciplinary council on March 15th. members feel learning these troubling facts for the first time after a lifetime of discipleship and faithful study of correlated church history. Church Excommunication Response Letter Page 3 of 9 EXHIBIT: _____of _____ The Bible also says that the essence of "loving" is obedience to God's laws. American Fork, UT (February 9, 2016) . Our whole strength rests on the validity of that vision. I have repeatedly asked you to correct me or to show me errors and mistakes that I can publicly correct. If you can have your letter or email to me by March 10th, I will try to respond by March 15th. yet to release its first essay. In 1841 the Mormons published a poem which stated "Or Book of Mormon not his word, because denied by Oliver". It was no longer in direct opposition to Joseph Smith and his character. I am exercising my constitutional right to extract myself from this religion August 16, 2007 in LDS Gospel Discussion. But the world has changed in the 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. I'm sure that your anger and cynicism is very justified