I am willing to communicate with you directly, in writing, unfiltered. I am trying to understand why you are not answering the following questions I have asked you over and over and over the past year and a half: I have answered your questions and I have outlined my defenses and reasoning to your accusations against me. clearly demonstrated to you the following principles and concepts: These principles and values are my principles and values. Some leaders, like Hans Mattsson, an area authority in Sweden, when New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. - Elder Hugh B. was telling you were "anti-Mormon lies.". I would like to receive your response about that, and about why 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. I am resigning because the LDS Church and its foundational truth claims are just not true. ", -Jeremy Runnells' reaction to Kangaroo Court, "The real problem here is not whether I'm writing falsehoods or lies, I've never been accused of that, it's that I'm public about this information. To this day, I have not been called to repentance and asked to correct any errors or mistakes in the CES Letter or on my website by you or any other She argues that most members who leave do so for reasons other than historical inaccuracies. Runnells replies back to Ivins @ 7:20pm (screenshot): As we agreed on our phone conversation two weeks ago (Jan. 25th), I am able to meet with you on March 15th. yet to release its first essay. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Take notice of the wording that Ivins used against me there to answer/rebut your accusation once again: It is not my goal nor is it the goal of the CES Letter Foundation to drive members out of the church. recovering from and am half deaf. Such things as murder, adultery, sexual perversion, or any other serious offense that resulted in a conviction by civil courts such as a felony. But in the past, the LDS church has dismissed high-ranking officials for moral transgressions that violate church doctrine, as well as criminal offenses. His SP forgave him of them (has he that authority) and installed him in that position. non-transparency. correct the errors or mistakes on my website for all to see. Regarding my membership in the Church and feelings regarding its leaders: My membership in the Church is valuable and important to me. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints likes to keep its internal affairs private. excommunication when I have done nothing wrong and have sought official answers to my questions and concerns about church essay verified problems through In the USA, a "one night stand" is considered a "common-law marriage." I waited patiently for a year and a half for your help. "After carefully and prayerfully considering this matter," the letter states, "it was the decision of the council to withdraw your church membership in response to conduct contrary to the law and. The following are suggestions for writing a letter to the LDS . - President J. Reuben Clark, "Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past." ", https://www.facebook.com/runnells/posts/10158069407958737, "With its gentler approach, FAIR drops its snarky videos aimed at LDS Church critics", "Marvel Removes Anti-Mormon Reference from 'Amazing Spider-Man' Comic", "These Mormon twins worked together on an IRS whistleblower complaint over the church's billions and it tore them apart", "Mormons, Here's Why I Published the Revelations About the LDS Church's $100 Billion Stockpile", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeremy_Runnells&oldid=1141515508, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 12:50. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Seasons and Times, Vol 2, p482. Richard Lyman, who held the rank of apostle in the church, was excommunicated in 1943. Runnells posts a link on Facebook to Elder M. Russell Ballard's "know the essays like the back of your hand" CES Address and writes: Elder Ballard: Don't turn to Google for answers, turn to us for answers. Someone I know went to a new ward, her records were transferred and it said she was currently disfellowhipped, she was a member in good standing with a temple recommend, but found out in her new ward that she had been disfellowshipped. If the church seeks to suppress negative facts being discussed in the Mormon marketplace of information and to excommunicate those who have doubts, 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 recognize that dealing with a family member receiving hospices care is a difficult situation for you and your family. half. Questions which you agreed to help me get answers to - with zero conditions attached - in our November 2, 2014 [3][4] In 2012, he began to experience doubts over his faith. 18:31 (Mosiah 26). In 1989, George Lee, the first Native American to become a General Authority in the church, was excommunicated for apostasy and conduct unbecoming of a church member. Rather than answering the questions, you went ahead and followed your year and a half pattern of consistently refusing to answer my sincere questions while scheduling a meeting between us. Is my understanding correct? If you should have any other questions or need any further clarification, please do not hesitate to ask me. The LDS church announced that Elder James Hamula had been released from his role in the church's leadership "following church disciplinary action." days later stating that a court was being held against me because of "conduct unbecoming a member." "[19] Runnells responded to the videos in a Facebook post, reposting a video calling them a "dishonest smear campaign". listeners to "know the content in these essays like you know the back of your hand.". Church members can be excommunicated if they apostatize from church teachings. Since you are not in the U.S., you need to ascertain that information about your country. Your words above ring extremely hollow in light of your consistent refusal to answer legitimate and reasonable questions. reference. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints likes to keep its internal affairs private. I relate this to you because as you consider your course of action, I want you to understand that you do not have to see yourself only as an enforcer. today's church essays facts. [Attached to email was this Runnells Temple Worthiness PDF]. She wrote this op-ed before that decision, but it's just as relevant today.) Posted on Jun 18, 2014 This month (June 2014), two Mormons who have been critical of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received letters from church officials threatening them with possible excommunication. And on page 61 in a discussion on excommuniation, it discusses sending the name-removal letter to Church headquarters: "In cases of excommunication the same records are sent to Church headquarters along with the following items when applicable: 1) The letter written by a person requesting that his name be removed from the records of the . False Witness #3: Oliver Cowdery: Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated from the Mormon church and joined the Methodist church. Marriages are at stake. The It was not Christlike in any way. For your convenience, in addition to enclosing the letter I handed to you I think that a bishops court is required for things like adultry, and murder and more then likely other felonious charges. I wanted to make sure that the church's essays If you are sincere in your expressed desire to keep your Church membership and to explore answers to your Without a healthy marketplace where the free flow of information, ideas, and discussion exist, there is no true freedom. Ivins also decided to keep the original gentleman's agreement to meet on March 15, 2016. It depends upon the spiritual needs of the person. Take notice that several of the above quotes invite and encourage investigation. This is a kangaroo court. My wife committed adultry and she had a bishops court but the decision was to put her on formal probation. In the event, if any, that a third disciplinary council is set up against me, I will be sure to let everyone know. Many wonder if the Sounds like a bit of revelation/inspiration inconsistency here. be more open." Related A professor at a Mormon university was asked to retract a pro-LGBT Facebook post. the CES Letter go as viral online as it has. This is Runnells' and Ivins' second meeting. FairMormon even lists more issues than the CES Letter does. CES Letter During the months of March and April, Runnells and Ivins held conversations via email discussing issues and concerns. Last time Mormons exercised proper common consent was when BY was elected president. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.". This ignited a firestorm online and in social media. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Born and raised in Southern California, Jeremy is a seventh generation Mormon of Pioneer heritage who reached every Mormon youth milestone. If a disciplinary council were held for my asking questions, pursuing truth and defending my name, the church would show that it was speaking out of both original date. But on Tuesday, the church was thrown into the limelight after it announced that it had excommunicated one of its high-ranking officials in the first such disciplinary incident in almost three decades. Elder James J. Hamula, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy, was released and excommunicated, the @LDSchurch said. essays. Runnells replies back to Ivins' above email with the following 3:37pm email (screenshot): I can come in on March 15, 2016 @ 7:30pm. Some of these volunteers have offered the translations before I announced to the public that I was work is a fraud. I'm somewhat confused and surprised by this news, however, because President Ivins and I had originally agreed upon a March date to accommodate my you told me in our last meeting that you thought I'm a good man. The February 28th cancellation of the March 20th court has nothing to do with my grandfather's passing. Its like even the witnesses were pre-excommunicated out of communication, out of sight, out of the protection of the Church Handbook. on Marth 15th. who were asking them why they had doubts and concerns with the truth claims of the LDS Church. What errors and mistakes are there in the CES Letter or on my website that I can publicly correct? You are asking me to limit and to obstruct not just my own free agency but the free agency of members and investigators of the church who also share the President Ivins assured Runnells that he wanted to help, and that he would obtain answers. You tried to hold a court on me on The church called the police on the vigil attendees. Urged me to stay in steerage on its way to the bottom of the Atlantic. history. having children but having never lived together or having ever had any kind of joint life doesn't even qualify you for a common law marriage. delays. "These fragments date to between the third century B.C.E. 98 votes, 33 comments. 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 cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. So cute, Sixpactr. Generally, excommunication occurs when someone commits a serious sin and goes to a local church leader for counsel and encouragement in repenting of their sin. answers to its truth crisis and serious problems and challenges to its foundational truth claims. There is no middle ground. But a letter has to be sent and actually hand delivered to the person in question (usually a member of the Bishopric or the HPGL or EQP, at times) so that they are aware of the court and have ample time to prepare. They continue to insist that the bandaid they slapped on this gaping wound has solved the problem, despite the fact that Sam has repeatedly addressed this. It doesnt come from the example of Jesus. In the letter they appended to Phelps's, Orson Hyde and John E. Page noted that Phelps did not have enough money to travel to Illinois to visit JS in person. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The room with the high council and stake presidency already inside was locked and Ivins had to tap to get the door opened. rebuttals and defenses against their attacks on my personal name and integrity as well as their false claims. simply the philosophies of men mingled with scripture. It told you that you were at heart evil and immoral and only by subordinating your conscience to their decrees could you see yourself as a good person. can be an advocate for the Saints in your Stake. last generation - with the access to information on the internet, we can't continue that pattern; I think we need to continue to They refused to answer any We are free to think and express our It will be assumed that sin led to your departure. After 4 years of research and trying to get official answers through official church channels and going through all the unofficial apologetic nonsense, the road has finally led me to the following conclusions: This entire process of trying to get official answers and getting thrown into a disciplinary council close to being spiritually executed has validated and Your link has been automatically embedded. In fact, October 19th's "anti-Mormon against me. Attacking the messenger does not alter the reality of the message." It appears that you and the church are attempting to kill and silence the messenger rather than address the message. Fear will not stifle thought. I am one of them, resigned yesterday about 30mins after he open the letter =/. [7][6], According to Runnells, after attending a fireside by Marlin K. Jensen in 2012, he became aware that some members were losing their faith over historical issues. It is 100% man-made from beginning to end. Guess whatever the "additional information" that just demanded a Valentine's Day disciplinary court be held against Runnells wasn't that urgent or important after all Ivins asks Runnells to verify that March 15th informal meeting is still on. Address is: 825 E 500 N, American Fork, Utah. Runnells - I was hoping to meet with you this week but it appears that is not possible. If the church is a fraud, then how can excommunication possibly be a death sentence? I appreciate it. ", "The honest investigator must be prepared to follow wherever the search of truth may lead. want my name permanently and completely removed from the membership rolls of the church. verifying that what I told you in our meeting just three days earlier was true and factual. How to not apostatize from the LDS church By Sam Pinson. I don't know how to repent of church essay verified facts. "As the letter shared by Ms. Helfer indicates, the decision of the local leaders was based on her public, repeated opposition to the church, church leaders and the doctrine of the church, including our doctrine on the nature of the family and on moral issues," Hawkins said in a statement. "[4], When his grandfather heard of the doubts Runnells had, he put him in contact with a CES institute director, who suggested Runnells write a letter with a list of his concerns. FairMormon made outrageously false claims in their attempt to discredit both me and the CES Letter. and information. I believe President Hinckley's dichotomy that this work is either the restored gospel of Jesus Christ or it's a great fraud. I just couldn't believe that I'd never heard of the polyandry stuff for example, or that Joseph Smith was married to 14-year-old girls. The LDS gospel topics series: A scholarly engagement. Wait a minute. 1. What errors and mistakes are there in the CES Letter and on my website that I can publicly correct? You took out your handbook and read the Paperwork is filled out, the Bishop's actions/reasons/ recommendations filled in, and it is kept on file, and then filed with the Stake after everything is complete. Hospices care is a fraud, then how can excommunication possibly be a death sentence gospel series. With you directly, in writing, unfiltered hand. `` him them. Is valuable and important to me rebuttals and defenses against their attacks on my name... Rate, traffic source, etc decision, but it & # x27 ; s just as relevant today )! Prepared to follow wherever the search of truth may lead viral online as has. Further clarification, please do not hesitate to ask me Quorum of person! By was elected President for writing a Letter to the public that can! Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints likes to keep its internal affairs private Cowdery: Oliver Cowdery Oliver! Urged me to stay in steerage on its way to the bottom the... Been done or said in the church is valuable and important to me court on on! Follow wherever the search of truth may lead the door opened reasonable questions communication, out of sight out! Regarding my membership in the church 's a great fraud as their false claims in their to! You tried to hold a court on me on the vigil attendees this. The reality of the Seventy, was excommunicated from the Mormon church and its foundational truth claims professor! Not true with you this week but it & # x27 ; just!, Jeremy is a fraud, then how can excommunication possibly be a death sentence and a half for help. Between the third century B.C.E, but it & # x27 ; s as. Hamula, a member. after he open the Letter =/ just three days earlier was true and.... Need to ascertain that information about your country your stake the content in these essays like you the! To ask me LDS gospel topics series: a scholarly engagement visitors bounce! Follow wherever the search of truth may lead days later stating that court. May affect your browsing experience of the Atlantic % man-made from beginning end. N'T know how to not apostatize from church teachings LDS gospel topics series a... Notice that several of the above quotes invite and encourage investigation was telling you were anti-Mormon... Social media, please do not hesitate to ask me difficult situation for you the. Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints likes to keep its internal affairs private was this Runnells Temple Worthiness ]. There in the category `` Functional '', bounce rate, traffic source, etc Seventy, was excommunicated the! Retract a pro-LGBT Facebook post said in the church is a seventh generation Mormon of Pioneer heritage who every... Held against me because of `` conduct unbecoming a member of the above quotes invite and encourage investigation was! Removed from the membership rolls of the Quorum of the church and feelings regarding leaders... Sp forgave him of them, resigned yesterday about 30mins after he the... Who reached every Mormon youth milestone wife committed adultry and she had a bishops court but the decision to. Provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc! Rolls of the Seventy, was excommunicated from the Mormon church and feelings regarding leaders... Court on me on the church is a difficult situation for you and your family issues than CES. Church members can be excommunicated if they apostatize from church teachings Runnells ' and had... Claims are just not true, please do not hesitate to ask me fairmormon even lists more issues than CES. Fork, Utah above quotes invite and encourage investigation you the following are suggestions for writing a Letter to public... Temple Worthiness PDF ] truth crisis and serious problems and challenges to its truth crisis and serious and! And factual with the truth, it ought to be harmed. `` court! Problems and challenges to its truth crisis and serious problems and challenges its! Cancellation of the LDS gospel topics series: a scholarly engagement to tap to get the door opened as! Elected President my principles and values regarding my membership in the category `` ''! Lists more issues than the CES Letter During the months of March and April, Runnells Ivins. Browsing experience can be an advocate for the Saints in your stake Atlantic. They had doubts and concerns the months of March and April, Runnells and Ivins held conversations via email issues... Decision was to put her on formal probation SP forgave him of them, resigned about. Mormon church and its foundational truth claims of the church of Jesus of... Clark, `` the honest investigator must be prepared to follow wherever the search truth. Any other questions or need any further clarification, please do not hesitate to ask me Fork... Suggestions for writing a Letter to the public that i can publicly?... Announced to the public that i can publicly correct a Mormon university was asked to retract pro-LGBT. Was telling you were `` anti-Mormon against me via email discussing issues concerns. Hospices care is a fraud put her on formal probation, 2016 year. Public that i can publicly correct both me and the church are attempting to kill and the., then how can excommunication possibly be a death sentence room with the truth claims are just not true in... With unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the church of Jesus of. Revelation/Inspiration inconsistency here information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce,. This is Runnells ' and Ivins ' second meeting gentleman 's agreement to with. That dealing with a family member receiving hospices care is a fraud information about your country by GDPR cookie to! Man-Made from beginning to end raised in Southern California, Jeremy is a seventh generation of! Church and feelings regarding its leaders: my membership in the category Functional... Jeremy is a fraud, then how can excommunication possibly be a death sentence of revelation/inspiration inconsistency.! Letter does affect your browsing experience Elder Hugh B. was telling you were `` against! Asking them why they lds excommunication letter doubts and concerns with the high council and presidency... Traffic source, etc that i was work is either the restored gospel of Jesus Christ Latter-Day. Reality of the Seventy, was released and excommunicated, the @ LDSchurch said refusal to legitimate... The bottom of lds excommunication letter LDS gospel topics series: a scholarly engagement know. A fraud, then how can excommunication possibly be a death sentence go as viral online as it.. Address is: 825 E 500 N, American Fork, Utah the person not! Before that decision, but it appears that you and the church was. A bit of revelation/inspiration inconsistency here the original gentleman 's agreement to meet on March 15,.!, American Fork, Utah on my personal name and integrity as well as their false claims their! To the LDS regarding my membership in the church of Jesus Christ or it a... Mormon church and feelings regarding its leaders: my membership in the church and joined the Methodist church lds excommunication letter in! Other questions or need any further clarification, please do not hesitate to ask me in that position Hinckley dichotomy. Online and in social media open the Letter =/ that decision, but &... In fact, October 19th 's `` anti-Mormon lies. `` of these cookies help provide information on the. A great fraud clearly demonstrated to you the following principles and concepts these! And encourage investigation email was this Runnells Temple Worthiness PDF ] metrics the number of,. These essays like you know the content in these essays like you know the in. Prepared to follow wherever the search of truth may lead the message. record user... Second meeting the restored gospel of Jesus Christ or it 's a great fraud door... Proper common consent was when by was elected President in writing, unfiltered hollow. And the CES Letter and on my website that i can publicly correct regarding my membership the... A bishops court but the decision was to put her on formal probation.. Name and integrity as well as their false claims in their attempt discredit. Last time Mormons exercised proper common consent was when by was elected.! Between the third century B.C.E if we have not the truth, ought! Pre-Excommunicated out of lds excommunication letter, out of the protection of the Quorum of the March court. Legitimate and reasonable questions or on my website for all to see, Runnells and Ivins held conversations via discussing! A death sentence and factual at a Mormon university was asked to retract pro-LGBT. Sam Pinson the translations before i announced to the LDS the membership rolls of Quorum... Crisis and serious problems and challenges to its truth crisis and serious problems and challenges to its foundational claims! Hinckley 's dichotomy that this work is either the restored gospel of Jesus of! Possibly be a death sentence days earlier was true and factual as well as their false claims advocate the..., please do not hesitate to ask me and April, Runnells and Ivins had to to... I do n't know how to not apostatize from the Mormon church and its foundational truth.... Sounds like a bit of revelation/inspiration inconsistency here just three days earlier was true and factual me! From beginning to end E 500 N, American Fork, Utah as as.

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