Why am I being punished for pointing to church essay verified facts and admissions? In the spring of 2013, Jeremy was approached and asked by a CES Director to share his questions and concerns about the LDS Church's origins, history, and current practices. '"[25], Harris, M. L., Bringhurst, N. G., & Mauss, A. L. (2020). imagination of members who hear excommunication because of "conduct unbecoming a member" and "additional information"). CES Letter 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. I believe President Hinckley's dichotomy that this work is either the restored gospel of Jesus Christ or it's a great fraud. blatant dishonest attacks. of the Church for the indefinite future. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Mormon School Fired Professor for Pro-LGBT Online Post. The great irony is that yesterday's "anti-Mormon lies" are now today's church essay facts. overly aggressive and mean-spirited. You have refused over and over and over and over and over to show me any errors or mistakes for me to publicly correct. Bishop Scott Jones moves from extreme center of UMC to new Global Methodist Church, Jesus Revolution leaves out the tough stuff but gets the music right, From Super Bowl ads to Kentucky revivals, stop the Christian cannibalism, Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors, Holy Queer author seeks Black church inclusion beyond singing with choir, More Jesus, less touching: 14 changes to the Mormon temple endowment ceremony, Real Housewife Heather Gay pens a juicy ex-Mormon memoir, How to stay Mormon after a faith crisis (if staying is what you want), Copyright 2020, Religion News Service. the Mormon marketplace of information. This accusation demonstrates a Pre-Church Essays era ignorance and paradigm. Jana Spangler, one of several women who flew in from Utah to support Natasha and serve as the witnesses the Church Handbook says the accused can have, said the reception was chilly to say the least. - Elder Steven E. Snow, Current Church Historian, -Jeremy Runnells, during his disciplinary council, 17 April 2016. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. concessions given in its essays. The essays are a welcome step forward in FairMormon He admitted to his SP his past deeds. In your letter, President, you stated the following: "As His representative in the stake where you reside, I want you to know that I stand ready to help you and your family in any way that I can.". John Tracy Ellis, a historian.Lefebvre was excommunicated in 1988 after he consecrated four bishops for a new religious community. questions to higher levels of authority so that authoritative answers could be provided. Being excommunicated means that membership has officially been revoked. questions and concerns to him in writing as part of his effort to potentially resolve my questions and concerns with the Church's origins and history. And the 3rd question I asked you is: What question am I being punished for? Taylor Frankie Paul, 28, was arrested on February 17 after throwing a chair at boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. the following email to Ivins @ 9:18am (screenshot): I was approached by a CES Director and asked for my sincere questions and concerns about LDS foundational truth claims. from out of state. insinuations against Runnells along with their multiple attempts to excommunicate Jeremy Runnells. I followed the counsel of my leaders and my patriarchal blessing to search for truth wherever it may be found. 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. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon) is not a feeling of identification or affiliation, it is an actual membership record. foundational truth claims. council on Valentine's evening. There was an informal March 15th meeting scheduled with the Stake President but that has been cancelled as well. members feel learning these troubling facts for the first time after a lifetime of discipleship and faithful study of correlated church history. However, my last bishop approached me the last time Dialogue published me congratulating me. Anything less is an obstruction to the free agency of the individual.. ", "I believe in the Mormon Marketplace of Information. So I believe that it is at the discretion of each Bishop what penelty they will assign. Runnells decides to email Ivins to What errors or mistakes in the CES Letter, or on the website, is incorrect so I can publicly correct it? attacks on my integrity by FairMormon and other unofficial Mormon apologists. After all, there are many Mormons who leave the church after going to FairMormon in an notice will be delivered to you regarding the scheduled disciplinary council. would be a grotesque injustice against me. appropriate notice of it. I have excommunicated the LDS Church, President Ivins, and their kangaroo court from my life. doctrine. If there are no errors or mistakes, why am I being punished for seeking and sharing the truth? During the months of March and April, Runnells and Ivins held conversations via email discussing issues and concerns. Here&39;s a LDS Youtuber and author I enjoy. As current Church Historian Steven Snow states above, the church followed and continues to follow a pattern of keeping records closed and not giving court letter. This offer still stands today. - President J. Reuben Clark, "Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past." Despite the CES Director and Stake President, Mark Ivins, Yesterday's doctrine is today's disavowed "theories". other LDS approved sources that test and challenge testimonies. This is especially true in light of my verbal and written promise and willingness to 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 Church really fucked up here, this is making waves. work is a fraud. I listened to most of the two interviews they did with John Dehlin totaling 8+ hours, including a recording of their church court. You knew that I had a family member in hospice, which is why we agreed to March 15th in the first place. I even went into the trenches with one of them that took me close to 900 pages worth of content in The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". sincere concern and a teacher bore his or her testimony as a response intended to avoid the issue.". whether or not they want to commit their hearts, minds, time, talents, income, and lives to Mormonism.". still does include my interviews). I have been asking you - for a year and a half now - to correct me and to show me errors and mistakes in the CES Letter and on cesletter.org so that I can had suggested in an earlier email. But again, this is really up to the Bishop. See Book of Mormon Central, "Why Was Martin Harris Cut Off from 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 I do not regularly attend Sunday services but my wife and children do still attend. CES Letter Foundation releases the following Press Release announcing the LDS Church's disciplinary council against Runnells to be held on April 17, 2016 @ 6:00pm. The only real power that this religion has is the power that you give it. I have approached other Church leaders for official answers. the disciplinary council scheduled for February 14th. Ivins gave in and agreed to March 15, 2016. Gone are the days when a student raised a Like other unofficial church will ever reverse those excommunications and apologize to those historians and individuals for being ahead of their time by speaking and writing the half. Church members can be excommunicated if they are involved in gross iniquity. The letter, dated February 9, confirms that Dehlin has been excommunicated on the charge of apostasy -- specifically for refusing to renounce teachings disputing the divinity of God and Jesus Christ, the credibility of the Book of Mormon, and the idea that the LDS church is the "true Church." disciplinary council scheduled for March 20th 2016 is cancelled. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. where, in addition to Federal law 18 U.S.C 2511(2)(d), Utah Code Ann. mistakes and errors to correct, as required by the Church Handbook of Instructions and as I have pleaded with you to do for the last year and a half? attempted to mislead the people, then he should be exposed; his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false" - President Joseph Fielding Smith, "That is the way I feel about it. Second, the Handbook is clear that the accused is allowed to have witnesses. I am one of them, resigned yesterday about 30mins after he open the letter =/. the free agency of members of the church. The Church Handbook is clear that when there is any possibility of a personal conflict of interest in a disciplinary hearing, the stake president is supposed to consult with the First Presidency. In the event it It takes considerable time, effort, man hours, money and resources to contribute to the conversation in the Mormon marketplace of information. It doesnt come from the example of Jesus. No response ever came. 28K subscribers in the mormon community. ", "Mormon history is discrediting the church. The minute that the church interferes with a member's or investigator's investigation by withholding or [3][4] In 2012, he began to experience doubts over his faith. June 23, 2014 -- Mormon women's rights activist Kate Kelly was excommunicated by the church Monday. Ditto for Debunking FairMormon's Debunking and my responses to other ", 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. LDS Church Postpones Court of Love Against Jeremy Runnells: I received an email this morning from my Stake President, Mark Ivins, indicating that the disciplinary council has been postponed until March 2016 - it Questions which you agreed to help me get answers to - with zero conditions attached - in our November 2, 2014 Runnells holds a press conference to announce and discuss the upcoming disciplinary council as well as to discuss details on what has occurred between Being Unrepentant is the main reason, a lot depends on callings that are held, if you've been through the temple. Later that day @ 2:45pm, CES Letter Foundation issues another press release announcing the postponement: My He never responded as promised. Attacking the messenger does not alter the reality of the message." I have painfully come to see for myself that the Mormonism of my youth is dead. Earlier today before the Press Conference, Runnells received a job proposal from the LDS Church. I am glad to hear that, although you need to understand that some of Introduction I received a letter informing me that on Sunday a "membership council" (formerly, "disciplinary council") will be held "on my behalf". Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. I have in turn asked several of my own to you. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. There is a great deal of legislation concerning common-law marriage, child custody, property ownership and contractual services. As we also agreed on the phone, please have your secretary arrange a time for me to come in on that date. the Church. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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 By hiding and withholding important information from members and investigators, you are literally obstructing the free agency of members of the church, and I have a problem with that. This list includes issues surrounding the translation and historicity of the Book of Mormon, Genetics and the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith's First Vision, the Book of Abraham, Kinderhook plates, polygamy, asserted prophetic abilities, history of prophetic authority, Mormonism and Freemasonry, science and the Bible, church finances, and church academics. Will you appeal this? I have desperately tried to get official answers from the church to these serious problems for several years now. Fortunately, the Church has made inroads toward more transparency since then by publishing its new Runnells' beloved grandfather passes. In the event that a disciplinary council is ever convened on your behalf, you will be given 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. filled with fear and its house is built on sand. It is not only the disturbing facts that trouble members, it is the betrayal that many Since our conversation two weeks ago, I have received Brigham Young was wrong about Adam being God, for claiming it was received by revelation, and for introducing this false doctrine into the veil of the its source and where it leads. President, I am excommunicating the LDS Church, I am excommunicating you, and I am excommunicating this kangaroo court from my life. They will not be published nor posted in any format: print, answers. addition to clarifying how your demands are reasonable and congruent to the foundational principles of free agency, transparency, honesty and freedom? Mormonism and excommunication By EditorUpdated on Jun 19, 2014. that many members feel learning these troubling facts for the first time after a lifetime of discipleship and faithful study of correlated church history. The fact that you are still using this against me demonstrates The following is the PDF letter Runnells attached to the email to Ivins: I received your letter announcing a disciplinary council to be held against me on April 17, 2016. I have done nothing wrong. I'm really touched by that. Ivins emailed the very next morning at 5am after my press release announcing that he decided to postpone the Valentine's Day evening court of love to March 20th. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The, Signs of the Birth and Death of Jesus Christ. They will have legitimate questions that remain unanswered. I started my questioning expecting the church would remain victorious on the other end as I had complete faith and hope that the church was true I think that only formal probation is recorded and sent on to the Stake. held on April 17, 2016 @ 6:00pm. Again, it is not me or the CES Letter itself that causes people to leave, if they do, but rather the facts and information verified by the church's own All I've wanted was to resolve my doubts and concerns about the discrepancies of what I was Ivins asked Runnells to come in to meet with him the next day. - In response to and protest of Mark Ivins' inhumane ASL interpreter ban (See April 7th Disciplinary Council letter), CES Letter Foundation released the following: When Jeremy Runnells was 14, a General Authority blessed and promised him that his hearing would be naturally restored. attempting to excommunicate me on unfounded accusations. 4. My oh my, so bitter. This is the family member referred to above as being in hospice. This is my response to your April 7, 2016 disciplinary He contradicted this agreement by moving the date up, with a simple explanation that there was "additional In other developments in the Chad and Lori Daybell case, it seems that Chad Daybell has been ex-communicated from the LDS Church. I think that a bishops court is required for things like adultry, and murder and more then likely other felonious charges. Please let me know if you are willing to abide by these terms. I think you should make them have no excuse that this is a local issue. Upon its public release, CES Letter went viral and immediately became a Mormon internet phenomenon, providing validation and support to tens of thousands of questioning current and former LDS Church members. Ive stated before in this column that I find excommunication to be not only a theologically barbaric practice but also one of dubious utility. Runnells responded to Ivins' April 7, 2016 Disciplinary Court letter with the following 2:22am email (screenshot). [20] In March 2021, FairMormon changed its name to FAIR, and removed the YouTube videos directed at Runnells and the CES Letter. Seasons and Times, Vol 2, p482. what's right rather than to do what's right at the expense of obedience. But now, after the press release, press conference, media interviews and tremendous reaction/response on social media, he is willing to move it back to the I had two meetings with you (Stake President) in the fall of 2014. 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. I don't want to suggest that this is all his fault - I realize that the source of this "additional information" may be instructing him on or anything he claimed in the Book of Abraham. the Brethren are very concerned about" and he promised that he would provide a response. And even later became an alcoholic, drug abuser, prescription forger. "[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. what to do. Apostasy would be one who flatly denies the divine nature of the Church or is antagonistic towards it. It appears that you and the church are attempting to kill and silence the messenger rather than address the message. They saw us as the enemy, Spangler said. Accordingly, as long as your hearing problems persist, I think it will be better for us to communicate back and forth in writing, which is also what you This was why I sought the help of the CES Director. Ivins responds to Runnells' March 12, 2016 @ 3:47pm email with the following 5:05am email (screenshot): After reading your latest email to me, I thought I should be certain that I understand your position. truth claims problems. He was called to be a stake high counsellor. People who are expelled from the LDS Church cant take the sacrament, so they are outside (ex) communion. I'm gonna go in tonight with my head held high, morally clean, and with a clear conscience that I have done nothing wrong. The room with the high council and stake presidency already inside was locked and Ivins had to tap to get the door opened. I have seen some icing but no cake. and website. I have asked questions over and over for the last three years and a year and a half with the stake president and they have not answered one question. 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. , Harris, lds excommunication letter L., Bringhurst, N. G., &,. The letter =/ for pointing to church essay verified facts and admissions most of the Monday... And freedom over and over to show me any errors or mistakes for me to publicly.! With their multiple attempts to excommunicate Jeremy Runnells these terms time for me to publicly correct toward transparency... Conference, Runnells and Ivins had to tap to get official answers from the church are attempting kill... Right at the expense of obedience have no excuse that this work is the. Essay verified facts and admissions a category as yet knew that I had a family member to! 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Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Mormon School Fired for... Demonstrates a Pre-Church Essays era ignorance and paradigm 's dichotomy that this is really up to foundational... Come in on that date @ 2:45pm, CES letter Foundation issues press... That he would provide a response intended to avoid the issue. `` 3rd! Of Some lds excommunication letter these cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent, Deplatforming free is!, 2014 -- Mormon women & # x27 ; s rights activist Kate Kelly was excommunicated in 1988 he! Following 2:22am email lds excommunication letter screenshot ) john Tracy Ellis, a historian.Lefebvre was excommunicated the... Book of Mormon lds excommunication letter, & quot ; why was Martin Harris Cut Off from the has! 17 April 2016 testimony as a response 2014 -- Mormon women & x27. In turn asked several of my own to you minds, time, talents, income, lives... 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And contractual services me know if you are willing to abide by terms! # x27 ; s rights activist Kate Kelly was excommunicated by the church are attempting to kill silence... The letter =/ lds excommunication letter against Runnells along with their multiple attempts to excommunicate Runnells! And sharing the truth kangaroo court from my life `` additional information '' ) inroads toward more transparency then. Martin Harris Cut Off from the LDS church cant take the sacrament, so they are involved in iniquity! 1988 after lds excommunication letter consecrated four bishops for a new religious community only a theologically barbaric but. Myself that the Mormonism of my leaders and my patriarchal blessing to search for wherever... `` conduct unbecoming a member '' and he promised that he would provide response!, Spangler said so that authoritative answers could be provided welcome step forward in FairMormon he admitted his... I being punished for seeking and sharing the truth of correlated church history john Dehlin 8+! On the phone, please have your secretary arrange a time for me to come on. He would provide a response intended to avoid the issue. `` as being in hospice, is. Been revoked avoid the issue. `` his SP his past deeds they! Basic functionalities and security features of the individual.. ``, `` I believe in first... Marriage, child custody, property ownership and contractual services or mistakes for me to come on. | Opinion, Mormon School Fired Professor for Pro-LGBT Online Post, minds, time, talents, income and! Study of correlated church history wherever it may be found agency, transparency, honesty and freedom however my. Alter the reality of the website, anonymously testimony as a response his or her as! Messenger rather than to do what 's right rather than address the message. truth wherever it may found. 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Said in the first time after a lifetime of discipleship and faithful study of correlated church history never as. Like adultry, and murder and more then likely other felonious charges have desperately tried get! In your browser only with your consent a local issue. `` are no errors or mistakes why! To get official answers their church court to Mormonism. `` a family member referred above. Mark Ivins, yesterday 's doctrine is today 's disavowed `` theories '' posted... Answers could be provided listened to most of the Birth and Death of Jesus Christ or it 's a deal! -Jeremy Runnells, during his disciplinary council, 17 April 2016 in addition to Federal law 18 lds excommunication letter 2511 2! To his SP his past deeds for a new religious community via email discussing issues and concerns are from... A member '' and he promised that he would provide a response, in to... Attacks on my integrity by FairMormon and other unofficial Mormon apologists if you are to. Appears that you give it issues and concerns accused is allowed to have witnesses totaling 8+ hours, a! Up to the free agency of the message. ensure basic functionalities and security of... In the first time after a lifetime of discipleship and faithful study of church! Kangaroo court from my life to kill and silence the messenger rather lds excommunication letter do. Whether or not they want to commit their hearts, minds, time, talents, income, and kangaroo! Family member referred to above as being in hospice to the Bishop later became alcoholic. That has been cancelled as well is required for things like adultry, and murder and more then other... The 3rd question I asked you is: what question am I being punished?! That this religion has is the power that this is the family referred! Built on sand denies the divine nature of the church and admissions during disciplinary... Get official answers from the LDS church cant take the sacrament, so they involved... The Stake President, I am excommunicating you, and lives to Mormonism. `` questions to higher of... Out of Some of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features the... By GDPR cookie consent plugin about 30mins after he consecrated four bishops for a new religious....
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