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Letter To A CES Director
In February 2012, Jeremy experienced a crisis of faith, which subsequently led to a faith transition in the summer of 2012. In the spring of 2013, Jeremy was approached and asked by a Church Education System (CES) Director to share his concerns and questions about the LDS Church's origins, history, and current practices. In response, Jeremy wrote what later became publicly known as Letter to a CES Director.
138 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2013
26 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
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June 17, 2018
Every Mormon should read this, if for no other reason than to understand why most people leave the church.
July 8, 2014
He begins with a quote, “If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.”
– President J. Reuben Clark –
He poses many of the important questions, with the evidence to support the answers. You be the judge and let the chips fall where they may.
– President J. Reuben Clark –
He poses many of the important questions, with the evidence to support the answers. You be the judge and let the chips fall where they may.
December 25, 2025
This is the book anyone interested in joining the Mormon church should read before doing so. It lays out many of the disturbing facts about the church including the fact that the founder, Joseph Smith, married over 30 women. He married at least 10 women who were already married to men he'd sent on missions and a few as young as 14 years old.
The CES Letter is more of a jumping off point than a deep dive into dozens of topics such as Smith's failure to translate the Book of Abraham from ancient scrolls as he claimed. You will find dozens of questions to ask the missionaries, bishops or family members. Just don't expect them to have concrete answers to any questions.
Reading the CES Letter is like finding out that Santa doesn't exist. You can never go back once you know so avoid this book unless you are seeking the truth. The LDS leadership was so worried this book would lead people out of the church, they held a "church court" on the author and tried to excommunicate him from the church. But Runnells called the whole charade a kangaroo court and resigned before they could do so.
The CES Letter is more of a jumping off point than a deep dive into dozens of topics such as Smith's failure to translate the Book of Abraham from ancient scrolls as he claimed. You will find dozens of questions to ask the missionaries, bishops or family members. Just don't expect them to have concrete answers to any questions.
Reading the CES Letter is like finding out that Santa doesn't exist. You can never go back once you know so avoid this book unless you are seeking the truth. The LDS leadership was so worried this book would lead people out of the church, they held a "church court" on the author and tried to excommunicate him from the church. But Runnells called the whole charade a kangaroo court and resigned before they could do so.
September 24, 2022
Cathartic. Vindicating. I was raised Mormon. My near-Sisyphean exit from the church began at age 13 until I left for college. After reading this book, I gained a deeper appreciation for those words, and those emotions. Catharsis. Vindication.
I also gained an appreciation for the term 'gaslighting.' Countless young LDS members bring forth concerns that the church's teachings are inconsistent, intentionally omitted, and misleading, its foundation is unethical, its history is revisionist, its apologists are dishonest. Not to even mention, the true teachings of the Latter-Day-Saint Church (listed on LDS.org see: Gospel Topics) would shock the majority of Mormons.
Church leaders address these 'challenges to the faith' by first, telling their members not to go looking in the first place because these claims are from disingenuous people trying to tear down your faith with misleading information. Second, they will tell you that 'you don't understand because you're not righteous enough, or you haven't prayed enough, or you haven't borne your testimony enough,' or 'you aren't supposed to understand all the mysterious works of God.' Logical acrobatics allow smart people to ostensibly justify any statement that is objectively false-- if you believe all things are possible through God, rationalization is irrelevant. The third and final strategy is to discredit and shame you from asking more questions-- and thus the cycle continues.
Imagine you're a 13-year-old, your Mormon parents are successful lawyers, your Mormon Grandparents are successful professors, your Mormon Bishop and his Counselors are successful doctors. All of them tell you "2+2 = 5." Why would they lie to you? As a 13-year-old, your concerns are belittled and dismissed by those with more intellectual firepower than you. Those who you trust and revere. Why don't you believe them; don't you love them?
○ "2+2 = 5 because the Prophet speaks directly with God and he says so, even though our official Church records and the men who claimed the same before stated 2+2 = 6, 2+2 = 7, and other things we no longer believe."
○ "2+2 = 5 because we don't literally believe so, just metaphorically, even though the our sources of 2+2 = 5 say it's meant for literal interpretation."
○ "2+2 = 5 and you just haven't prayed enough or testified of its truth enough."
○ "2+2 = 5 and you're not wise enough to understand.”
○ "2+2 = 5 and sometimes we, imperfect beings, are not supposed to understand the mystic nature of God's truth that 2+2 = 5."
After years of this gaslighting, years of being the family black sheep, years of crying myself to sleep because I would burn in the Telestial Kingdom (Hell) if I'd didn't accept 2+2 = 5, I stumbled away emotionally bruised and psychologically traumatized.
I wish I could equip that 13-year-old with this logical-cleaver, this factual-arsenal, this hypocrisy-seeking-nuke. I wish I could tell that kid "No, you're not crazy. 2+2 does not equal 5, and everything is going to be ok. "
Catharsis. Vindication. Jeremy Runnells-- Thank You.
I also gained an appreciation for the term 'gaslighting.' Countless young LDS members bring forth concerns that the church's teachings are inconsistent, intentionally omitted, and misleading, its foundation is unethical, its history is revisionist, its apologists are dishonest. Not to even mention, the true teachings of the Latter-Day-Saint Church (listed on LDS.org see: Gospel Topics) would shock the majority of Mormons.
Church leaders address these 'challenges to the faith' by first, telling their members not to go looking in the first place because these claims are from disingenuous people trying to tear down your faith with misleading information. Second, they will tell you that 'you don't understand because you're not righteous enough, or you haven't prayed enough, or you haven't borne your testimony enough,' or 'you aren't supposed to understand all the mysterious works of God.' Logical acrobatics allow smart people to ostensibly justify any statement that is objectively false-- if you believe all things are possible through God, rationalization is irrelevant. The third and final strategy is to discredit and shame you from asking more questions-- and thus the cycle continues.
Imagine you're a 13-year-old, your Mormon parents are successful lawyers, your Mormon Grandparents are successful professors, your Mormon Bishop and his Counselors are successful doctors. All of them tell you "2+2 = 5." Why would they lie to you? As a 13-year-old, your concerns are belittled and dismissed by those with more intellectual firepower than you. Those who you trust and revere. Why don't you believe them; don't you love them?
○ "2+2 = 5 because the Prophet speaks directly with God and he says so, even though our official Church records and the men who claimed the same before stated 2+2 = 6, 2+2 = 7, and other things we no longer believe."
○ "2+2 = 5 because we don't literally believe so, just metaphorically, even though the our sources of 2+2 = 5 say it's meant for literal interpretation."
○ "2+2 = 5 and you just haven't prayed enough or testified of its truth enough."
○ "2+2 = 5 and you're not wise enough to understand.”
○ "2+2 = 5 and sometimes we, imperfect beings, are not supposed to understand the mystic nature of God's truth that 2+2 = 5."
After years of this gaslighting, years of being the family black sheep, years of crying myself to sleep because I would burn in the Telestial Kingdom (Hell) if I'd didn't accept 2+2 = 5, I stumbled away emotionally bruised and psychologically traumatized.
I wish I could equip that 13-year-old with this logical-cleaver, this factual-arsenal, this hypocrisy-seeking-nuke. I wish I could tell that kid "No, you're not crazy. 2+2 does not equal 5, and everything is going to be ok. "
Catharsis. Vindication. Jeremy Runnells-- Thank You.
December 28, 2014
Jeremy Runnels (a member of the Church of Jesus Christ if Latter-day Saints) was approached and asked by a Church Education System (CES) Director to share his concerns and questions about the LDS Church’s origins, history, and current practices. In response, Jeremy wrote what later became publicly known as "Letter to a CES Director." This is an honest and thoughtful exploration to obtain the truth. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this book. It contains numerous cross references, easy enough for anyone to validate the sources.
For an updated FREE version of this book, plus updates, please refer to http:://cesletter.com
For an updated FREE version of this book, plus updates, please refer to http:://cesletter.com
September 19, 2017
I was an active member of the LDS faith, until I stumbled on this PDF at http://cesletter.com in early 2015. I have since spent the past year researching the topics he brings up in the PDF on my own, finding my own sources, coming to my own conclusions, without taking his word for it.
This PDF is a fantastic read to anyone who wants to know the truth of their LDS religion. He's accurate, thorough, and for the most part, unemotional, logical, and sound. The end result? The LDS faith is a man-made religion, created by liars, con artists, spiritual "magic" and immoral men. It. Just. Isn't. True.
Unfortunately, highly active, true believing members of the LDS faith won't read it. It'll be marked as "anti-mormon", and ignored. It's unfortunate, because as members of the church, we are taught to "seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith", and yet they won't.
It's hard to bring yourself to ask the tough questions:
* Why did Joseph Smith lie about translating the Book of Abraham?
* Why did Joseph Smith lie about translating the Kinderhook Plates?
* Why did Joesph Smith lie about practicing polygamy and polyandry?
* Why does the Book of Mormon contain the KJV Bible translation errors?
* Why does the Joseph Smith Matthew "inspired translation" have inspired translations of the Holy Bible, but the exact scriptures in the Book of Mormon are the flawed KJV translation?
* ...
It's hard to come to grips with everything you've been taught as an LDS member is false and filled with lies and deceit. It's even harder to tell your family that you no longer believe. Believe me, as a first hand account, I can empathize with these feelings. It puts you in a very difficult transitive position with your family, the community, and the church.
Jeremy Runnells did a fantastic job asking these hard questions in an 84-page PDF.
This PDF is a fantastic read to anyone who wants to know the truth of their LDS religion. He's accurate, thorough, and for the most part, unemotional, logical, and sound. The end result? The LDS faith is a man-made religion, created by liars, con artists, spiritual "magic" and immoral men. It. Just. Isn't. True.
Unfortunately, highly active, true believing members of the LDS faith won't read it. It'll be marked as "anti-mormon", and ignored. It's unfortunate, because as members of the church, we are taught to "seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith", and yet they won't.
It's hard to bring yourself to ask the tough questions:
* Why did Joseph Smith lie about translating the Book of Abraham?
* Why did Joseph Smith lie about translating the Kinderhook Plates?
* Why did Joesph Smith lie about practicing polygamy and polyandry?
* Why does the Book of Mormon contain the KJV Bible translation errors?
* Why does the Joseph Smith Matthew "inspired translation" have inspired translations of the Holy Bible, but the exact scriptures in the Book of Mormon are the flawed KJV translation?
* ...
It's hard to come to grips with everything you've been taught as an LDS member is false and filled with lies and deceit. It's even harder to tell your family that you no longer believe. Believe me, as a first hand account, I can empathize with these feelings. It puts you in a very difficult transitive position with your family, the community, and the church.
Jeremy Runnells did a fantastic job asking these hard questions in an 84-page PDF.
October 14, 2019
If you have questions about LDS faith go here or elsewhere. If you have questions about CES LETTER go to LDS faith or internet or wherever. If you have questions about other things go there and ask. The idea is to not get into the position where your right to ask questions is not allowed. There are probably answers to everything you're inquiring about, whether they're found internal or external to yourself doesn't matter. You've got to be able to ask.
December 14, 2014
Wow, this is a phenomenal read. Jeremy Runnells has so many of the same questions I had about the lds church and its history. If you're sincerely looking for answers, this is definitely for you!
December 10, 2024
The original CES Letter reflects the harrowing generational experience of grappling with the impacts of agency, information, and authority on modern day revelation and restoration. If it had been written yesterday, and in its original form as an email to church authorities, I’d cautiously defend it as a sincere effort by someone trying to articulate their stumbling blocks.
However, that’s no longer the case. The author retains the letter’s opening fusillade of claims about the legitimacy of the Book of Mormon, of which several have been thoroughly debunked since the initial publication, thereby meeting the author’s own demand for clarification. For an example, refer to FairMormon’s deconstruction of the Vernal Holley map.
In my view, the retention of invalidated content without qualification demonstrates that the function of the letter has shifted from its original issue with differing narratives within the church community (and, by extension, how one discerns eternal truths from the perspectives of fallible individuals or groups) to being a cheap anti-Mormon weapon using shock value and a shallow academic veneer for its own ends.
Of all my objections to the CES letter, I’m most struck by the intellectual dishonesty. There are many settings that offer rigorous and challenging discourse about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for those looking to strengthen their testimony (or doubt their doubts, as the situation may be). Those looking for such an opportunity should skip right over this.
However, that’s no longer the case. The author retains the letter’s opening fusillade of claims about the legitimacy of the Book of Mormon, of which several have been thoroughly debunked since the initial publication, thereby meeting the author’s own demand for clarification. For an example, refer to FairMormon’s deconstruction of the Vernal Holley map.
In my view, the retention of invalidated content without qualification demonstrates that the function of the letter has shifted from its original issue with differing narratives within the church community (and, by extension, how one discerns eternal truths from the perspectives of fallible individuals or groups) to being a cheap anti-Mormon weapon using shock value and a shallow academic veneer for its own ends.
Of all my objections to the CES letter, I’m most struck by the intellectual dishonesty. There are many settings that offer rigorous and challenging discourse about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for those looking to strengthen their testimony (or doubt their doubts, as the situation may be). Those looking for such an opportunity should skip right over this.
January 11, 2018
You can read it for free at https://cesletter.org
I also recommend http://www.letterformywife.com
Both are invaluable resources and well researched.
I also recommend http://www.letterformywife.com
Both are invaluable resources and well researched.
August 31, 2016
I had known about a lot of controversies in the LDS religion for a while. No one goes as in depth and approaches the matter with such grace and unbias. More Saints should read this.
Edit: here's a link to a response to the letter
http://www.fairmormon.org/wp-content/...
If you're like me, you've had spiritual experiences in the church that add to your testimony, and aren't easily going to give up your membership, even with a provocative letter like this. The response here is a good reaction the the claims in the CES letter.
Edit: here's a link to a response to the letter
http://www.fairmormon.org/wp-content/...
If you're like me, you've had spiritual experiences in the church that add to your testimony, and aren't easily going to give up your membership, even with a provocative letter like this. The response here is a good reaction the the claims in the CES letter.
September 30, 2024
Ojalá mis amigos mormones pudieran leer esto. Me dan ganas de poner un código QR en alguna capilla.
February 19, 2022
A former member who lost his testimony decided to compile a book full of his "honest questions" to send to a CES director. The problem is that these "questions" are mainly accusations/twisted history put together with the assistance of a big group of ex-members on Reddit.
There is nothing new in this book if you've deeply studied Church history before. This book just puts all of the "controversial" Church history, mainly opinions & distorted quotes, into one big book to shock new readers. There is little context when it comes to quotes, which is done on purpose for a biased & unfounded twist. All while having a ex-member author to direct them & their thoughts. The other major problem is that the faithful or unbiased sides are not represented at all in this book.
If you decide to read this book, be ready for a deep dive into researching the actual history. Otherwise, you will be getting a lot of half-truths & strawmans.
There is nothing new in this book if you've deeply studied Church history before. This book just puts all of the "controversial" Church history, mainly opinions & distorted quotes, into one big book to shock new readers. There is little context when it comes to quotes, which is done on purpose for a biased & unfounded twist. All while having a ex-member author to direct them & their thoughts. The other major problem is that the faithful or unbiased sides are not represented at all in this book.
If you decide to read this book, be ready for a deep dive into researching the actual history. Otherwise, you will be getting a lot of half-truths & strawmans.
March 28, 2019
“If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.”
– President J. Reuben Clark
That quote is the basis of understanding the entirety of the LDS doctrine and church history. Many of the church members have grown up with the belief that they always must seek the truth and embrace it. According to that, I believe that this book is one of those things a faithful member should read; not only to be aware of the controversies, but to also make an informed decision with what they truly believe.
– President J. Reuben Clark
That quote is the basis of understanding the entirety of the LDS doctrine and church history. Many of the church members have grown up with the belief that they always must seek the truth and embrace it. According to that, I believe that this book is one of those things a faithful member should read; not only to be aware of the controversies, but to also make an informed decision with what they truly believe.
March 14, 2019
Logical, clearly written, and for the most part dispassionate. Wish more people would read it with an open mind and reconsider the logical gymnastics they routinely conduct to justify awful things like, say, child brides.
July 12, 2025
A must-read for anyone who is or has been affiliated with this church.
July 3, 2019
This really is a must read for anyone interested in mormonism. Crucial issues are addressed here that almost all the mainstream members of the LDS church are totally unaware of. Especially of interest are the sections on the Book of Abraham-- What do Egyptologists have to say about the papyrus and the facsimiles published in the the Pearl of Great Price (the fourth major work of canonized LDS scripture.)? The Rosetta stone was unknown in Joseph Smith's time, but since has shed major light on the language on the papyrus and in the facsimiles. Since the original Book of Abraham papyrus still exists, this is the closest we are likely to ever get in this life to a direct examination of the golden plates!
Also fascinating: the history of polyandry in mormonism. Most mormons know that Joseph and Brigham and other early church leaders practiced polygamy-(they had multiple wives) but almost no members of the church are aware that there were also early female leaders in the church who had multiple living husbands as well. Mostly these were women who were married to Joseph Smith as polygamous wives who already had husbands before Smith. Polygamy has been criticized widely as a sexist doctrine, but, in fact, in some instances it was not just men with more than one spouse. I had never heard this until I read the CES letter.
The tone of the book is critical- (the author is no longer mormon)- but his research is meticulously sourced and sited from almost entirely non controversial, church approved sources. Faithful members can usually segue away from the CES letter directly to the lds church website for a faithful perspective. The CES letter is not new research so much as an 80 page index to important gospel topics that are perhaps more meaty than are typically appropriate for weekly sunday school classes.
And The Book of Abraham and polyandry are literally only 2-4% of the total contents of this work. Almost every one of the 80 pages is yet another mind blower. What role did traditional early american folk magic play in Joseph Smith and other early church leaders' spiritual background,and how did that color the restoration? What is known about the Strangite branch of mormonism and their Voorhee plates? How did the race ban on the priesthood and temple blessing originate and how doctrinal was it?
I do like that the author of the book doesn't claim to have all the answers. But the CES letter is a great jumping off point for studying Mormonism from a non-hagiographic perspective.
Also fascinating: the history of polyandry in mormonism. Most mormons know that Joseph and Brigham and other early church leaders practiced polygamy-(they had multiple wives) but almost no members of the church are aware that there were also early female leaders in the church who had multiple living husbands as well. Mostly these were women who were married to Joseph Smith as polygamous wives who already had husbands before Smith. Polygamy has been criticized widely as a sexist doctrine, but, in fact, in some instances it was not just men with more than one spouse. I had never heard this until I read the CES letter.
The tone of the book is critical- (the author is no longer mormon)- but his research is meticulously sourced and sited from almost entirely non controversial, church approved sources. Faithful members can usually segue away from the CES letter directly to the lds church website for a faithful perspective. The CES letter is not new research so much as an 80 page index to important gospel topics that are perhaps more meaty than are typically appropriate for weekly sunday school classes.
And The Book of Abraham and polyandry are literally only 2-4% of the total contents of this work. Almost every one of the 80 pages is yet another mind blower. What role did traditional early american folk magic play in Joseph Smith and other early church leaders' spiritual background,and how did that color the restoration? What is known about the Strangite branch of mormonism and their Voorhee plates? How did the race ban on the priesthood and temple blessing originate and how doctrinal was it?
I do like that the author of the book doesn't claim to have all the answers. But the CES letter is a great jumping off point for studying Mormonism from a non-hagiographic perspective.
January 26, 2020
The author, Jeremy Runnels, was raised a member of the Mormon church. Over time, his curiosity and conscience led him to struggle with this faith, and this book summarizes some of these questions. In response, he was subjected to church discipline, and after being summoned to a "Court of Love", he eventually left the Mormon church.
Most of the issues fall into three major categories:
- Much of the book covers concerns around the historicity and authenticity of the Book of Mormon, as well as other writings of Joseph Smith including the Kinderhook Plates and the Book of Abraham
- The book also raises questions about past and present doctrines of the Mormon church including polygamy, Adam-God doctrine, blood atonement, and exclusion of black members from salvation.
- Finally, Runnels outlines concerns about actions of LDS church leadership including
aggressive solicitation of monetary contributions from members, secrecy around its substantial financial holdings, and retaliation against members such as the "September Six" who questioned church policies.
This book may not arouse much interest for a general audience. But for members and former members of the Mormon church - or for their families - this is an excellent guide through a former member's concerns about this high-demand religion. If you're in that situation you may also be interested in Mormon Stories podcast, and the welcoming community of the r/exmormon subreddit.
Most of the issues fall into three major categories:
- Much of the book covers concerns around the historicity and authenticity of the Book of Mormon, as well as other writings of Joseph Smith including the Kinderhook Plates and the Book of Abraham
- The book also raises questions about past and present doctrines of the Mormon church including polygamy, Adam-God doctrine, blood atonement, and exclusion of black members from salvation.
- Finally, Runnels outlines concerns about actions of LDS church leadership including
aggressive solicitation of monetary contributions from members, secrecy around its substantial financial holdings, and retaliation against members such as the "September Six" who questioned church policies.
This book may not arouse much interest for a general audience. But for members and former members of the Mormon church - or for their families - this is an excellent guide through a former member's concerns about this high-demand religion. If you're in that situation you may also be interested in Mormon Stories podcast, and the welcoming community of the r/exmormon subreddit.
July 4, 2019
The CES letter highlights many of the issues found within the LDS church that gets explained away by ecclesiastical leaders with a "we aren't meant to know everything in this life".
I didn't leave the church this document corresponds with due to doubts with doctrine, doctrinal conflict, or even having heard of the CES letter. However, months after leaving I decided to take a peek. It confirmed my decision to leave, and really provided a new opportunity for me to look at how I was raised and the beliefs I'd had hammered into my head and heal it all.
Highly recommend for anyone who has left the church, is considering leaving, or anyone who is curious about the religion to begin with. It may be harder to follow if you've never been a member, but trust me; there are plenty of communities willing to explain it to you.
I didn't leave the church this document corresponds with due to doubts with doctrine, doctrinal conflict, or even having heard of the CES letter. However, months after leaving I decided to take a peek. It confirmed my decision to leave, and really provided a new opportunity for me to look at how I was raised and the beliefs I'd had hammered into my head and heal it all.
Highly recommend for anyone who has left the church, is considering leaving, or anyone who is curious about the religion to begin with. It may be harder to follow if you've never been a member, but trust me; there are plenty of communities willing to explain it to you.
September 17, 2019
The quality of this book is better than I anticipated. It is clear, however, that it came from the PDF. Some text like "click here to watch a video" and text underlined that are clearly hyperlinks to websites. Also, even though all the claims are cited, the "Sources" section in the back of the book encourages you to visit the site. So all the supertext numbers in the text are almost meaningless when reading the physical copy.
Still, this is one of the most profound books i have ever read, and what is directly responsible for liberating my delusion. Anyone who practices Mormonism should give this an honest, open-minded reading.
Still, this is one of the most profound books i have ever read, and what is directly responsible for liberating my delusion. Anyone who practices Mormonism should give this an honest, open-minded reading.
February 17, 2022
One of the most interesting books Ive read in a while. I couldn't put it down. This book is about an ex-mormon and the evidence that led him away from the faith. Some of the evidence was very bold and shocking which kept me reading. This book was very interesting and insightful however there were things that I disagreed with. This book definitely makes me want to do more research and see the validity of the evidence. Definitely worth a look
Read
January 20, 2025not mormon personally, just love cult stuff. Mad interesting document. I'd be interested to know just how many people have left the church who started that journey by reading this.
November 21, 2021
Not all-encompassing, but an excellent resource and starting place for researching the bold, and ultimately demonstrably false truth claims of the LDS church. It outlines some of the main critical points on which “the gospel” hinges and their inherent problematic nature, exposing many logical fallacies, highlighting important history about Joseph Smith and the founding of the church that have been institutionally repressed and mischaracterized for the financial exploitation & psychological manipulation of millions of its members.
To name a few: the ever changing stories of Joseph Smith’s first vision and revelations as a “prophet”, his illegal and unethical practice of polygamy / polyamory with women and girls he coerced as young as 14 years old (we call that pedophilia, folks), his verifiably fake “translations” of the Kinderhook plates and Egyptian papyri, his history as an unsuccessful, criminal treasure hunter with the same “seer stone” he found and supposedly used to translate the Book of Mormon, rendering the gold plates Smith “discovered” & that witnesses only ever saw with their “spiritual eyes” totally unnecessary… etc. Any of these individual issues call the trustworthiness of Smith & validity of the church he “restored” into extreme doubt, but the culmination of them is simply a presentation of facts that current members are either ignorant of or willfully choose to ignore / justify, despite the harm it causes and perpetuates.
Harm to women, who doctrine teaches most important job on earth above all else is to make and raise children (divine gender roles), effectively tethering their worth and exaltation to the functionality of their reproductive organs, as they can only ascend to the highest level of heaven through keeping herself pure for “celestial marriage” in the temple with a husband who will become a polygamist, taking on more wives in heaven of which she will only be one, and where she will raise children for eternity. I guess sexism is cool if it’s a commandment from God? Harm to the LGBTQ community, who are taught by “prophets” that their sexual orientations/ identities are disabilities they chose in the pre-mortal life or perversions from Satan. BYU, a church university, has under the direction of living LDS apostle Dallin H. Oaks, subjected LGBTQ students to electroshock therapy and denied the fact. Multiple other apostles have made clear, prejudice statements regarding LGBTQ individuals “lifestyles” / ideologies (aka, equality), notably other living LDS apostle Jeffrey R. Holland’s recent (2021) BYU speech calling for “a little more musket fire” from church members to defend against LGBTQs. Harm to people of color, specifically Blacks, Native Americans and Latin Americans who have been presented the wacky imaginings of Joseph Smith packaged as the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ: a “history” of their ancestors, supposedly descended from Israelites and cursed with dark skin for their wickedness, a cruel and racist teaching despite literally zero archaeological evidence to support this and contrary to the verifiable scientific & genetic facts.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It would be fascinating if it wasn’t so horrific.
To name a few: the ever changing stories of Joseph Smith’s first vision and revelations as a “prophet”, his illegal and unethical practice of polygamy / polyamory with women and girls he coerced as young as 14 years old (we call that pedophilia, folks), his verifiably fake “translations” of the Kinderhook plates and Egyptian papyri, his history as an unsuccessful, criminal treasure hunter with the same “seer stone” he found and supposedly used to translate the Book of Mormon, rendering the gold plates Smith “discovered” & that witnesses only ever saw with their “spiritual eyes” totally unnecessary… etc. Any of these individual issues call the trustworthiness of Smith & validity of the church he “restored” into extreme doubt, but the culmination of them is simply a presentation of facts that current members are either ignorant of or willfully choose to ignore / justify, despite the harm it causes and perpetuates.
Harm to women, who doctrine teaches most important job on earth above all else is to make and raise children (divine gender roles), effectively tethering their worth and exaltation to the functionality of their reproductive organs, as they can only ascend to the highest level of heaven through keeping herself pure for “celestial marriage” in the temple with a husband who will become a polygamist, taking on more wives in heaven of which she will only be one, and where she will raise children for eternity. I guess sexism is cool if it’s a commandment from God? Harm to the LGBTQ community, who are taught by “prophets” that their sexual orientations/ identities are disabilities they chose in the pre-mortal life or perversions from Satan. BYU, a church university, has under the direction of living LDS apostle Dallin H. Oaks, subjected LGBTQ students to electroshock therapy and denied the fact. Multiple other apostles have made clear, prejudice statements regarding LGBTQ individuals “lifestyles” / ideologies (aka, equality), notably other living LDS apostle Jeffrey R. Holland’s recent (2021) BYU speech calling for “a little more musket fire” from church members to defend against LGBTQs. Harm to people of color, specifically Blacks, Native Americans and Latin Americans who have been presented the wacky imaginings of Joseph Smith packaged as the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ: a “history” of their ancestors, supposedly descended from Israelites and cursed with dark skin for their wickedness, a cruel and racist teaching despite literally zero archaeological evidence to support this and contrary to the verifiable scientific & genetic facts.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It would be fascinating if it wasn’t so horrific.
September 16, 2018
I read this to better understand a persons questioning of his faith. Mormon is not my faith and to be honest it could never be. However the authors research was to extensive and complete - and the sad part is that the church would not answer him. He was honestly trying to continue his beliefs and after many years as a Mormon he wanted to stay a Mormon.
Many proofs are presented and reading the words of the church - and then the findings of the author - I do not know how anyone can consider that as the truth.
As I said an interesting read - any church that cannot answer questions regarding their foundations and belief is questionable. If the leaders believe strongly then they should be able to explain it. And yes all have the right to question in the hope of better understanding.
Many proofs are presented and reading the words of the church - and then the findings of the author - I do not know how anyone can consider that as the truth.
As I said an interesting read - any church that cannot answer questions regarding their foundations and belief is questionable. If the leaders believe strongly then they should be able to explain it. And yes all have the right to question in the hope of better understanding.
August 19, 2022
I had already decided to leave the church before reading this. I had heard a lot of the doubts written in the letter over the last decade on my own, and had been desperately trying to hold on to my faith despite of it. Recently that perseverance broke and despite the pain and confusion of the choice I decided to leave Mormonism. While looking online for some direction in this process I saw a lot of ex-members mentioning the CES letter being a turning point for them. I decided to read it and I really appreciated how clear and logical it was. It helped me deal with the self doubt/conditioning I was feeling in my decision. To be able have all the doubts I’ve had over the years listed before me without the apologist spin to it was sooooo validating.
June 4, 2024
"If we have truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not truth, it ought to be harmed." - J Reuben Clark
Regardless of where someone's faith lands after reading something like the CES Letter (or the church's Joseph Smith Papers / Gospel Topic Essays), I have enormous respect for anyone who truly believes the quote above.
For me, this book represents one of the most significant moments in Latter-day Saint history. Not because all of its arguments are compelling, but because the issues it describes (and the countless rebuttals I've read to them) capture perfectly the corner so many faithful Latter-day Saints feel backed into today.
Regardless of where someone's faith lands after reading something like the CES Letter (or the church's Joseph Smith Papers / Gospel Topic Essays), I have enormous respect for anyone who truly believes the quote above.
For me, this book represents one of the most significant moments in Latter-day Saint history. Not because all of its arguments are compelling, but because the issues it describes (and the countless rebuttals I've read to them) capture perfectly the corner so many faithful Latter-day Saints feel backed into today.
January 7, 2020
This was a riveting read! I suspect that this letter (which turned into an online book) was written by an attorney given how logical, convincing and impeccably written it is. I wish I could present my arguments in such an articulate, convincing and straight forward way. The tone of this letter is also set by the facts and evidence presented with a series of Socratic questions peppered throughout. This read surpassed my expectations, it read like legal thriller!
January 8, 2022
Oh dear.
This was Mormonism taking a huge L. The stuff on the Book of Mormon, the Book of Abraham, and the Kinderhook Plates was particularly damning. I cannot see how anyone can have much confidence in the primary documents after reading this.
One to have in the locker for discussing with Mormons but indeed would need to be used sensitively. It dismantles and attacks everything they’ve built their lives on in pretty spectacular fashion.
This was Mormonism taking a huge L. The stuff on the Book of Mormon, the Book of Abraham, and the Kinderhook Plates was particularly damning. I cannot see how anyone can have much confidence in the primary documents after reading this.
One to have in the locker for discussing with Mormons but indeed would need to be used sensitively. It dismantles and attacks everything they’ve built their lives on in pretty spectacular fashion.
July 2, 2018
There were a few syntax inconsistencies (which I only noticed because I'm a pedant) and a few points that could have been a bit better emphasized (cf the also-excellent "Letter to my Wife"), but all-in-all this is a fantastic and condensed synopsis of the many major problems with the history and teachings of the LDS church.
December 17, 2023
American Apostasy
This text describes the author's research into theological differences he has with the LDS church. It is meticulously researched and footnoted. As such, it is relevant to anyone interested in Mormonism and its origins specifically; the Christianity from which it fractured, more generally; or broadly, history and philosophy of religion.
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