CES Letter — Archaeology

The CES Letter and the Archaeological Dilemma in Mormonism

When the winds of skepticism meet the steadfast walls of faith, questions naturally arise. For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), the CES Letter by Jeremy Runnells has become a focal point for such inquiry. One primary question concerns archaeology's role in validating the Book of Mormon, a critical issue that has both academia and believers at an impasse. In this editorial, we explore how archaeology influences the debates around Mormon origins and what responses have been observed from both faithful and critical perspectives.

Background: The Genesis of Lay Skepticism

In the early 2010s, Jeremy Runnells, a devout Latter-day Saint with a deep lineage in Mormon history, found himself at a spiritual crossroads. Despite achieving every youth milestone in the faith and serving as a missionary, Runnells was plagued by doubts about the church's teachings and origins. Offering these concerns to a Church Educational System (CES) director, Runnells compiled his doubts into what became known as the CES Letter. Awaiting an official church response that never came, Runnells began to question the archaeological legitimacy of LDS scripture, among other topics.

Key Archaeological Concerns: Scrutinizing the Foundations

The CES Letter raises pointed inquiries about why traditional archaeology has yet to validate the historical narratives depicted in the Book of Mormon. In stark contrast to other ancient texts like the Bible, elements of the Book of Mormon lack substantial archaeological evidence. Critics point out several key issues: Lack of Corresponding Artifacts: Runnells argues that despite numerous artifacts supporting the Bible's accounts of Jerusalem and Babylon, parallel discoveries have not been made for Nephite and Lamanite civilizations supposedly rooted in the Americas. Anachronisms in the Book of Mormon: The presence of materials like silk, tools like steel swords, and animals such as horses raises red flags for archaeologists, as they appear incongruent with what we know about pre-Columbian cultures in the Americas. Geographical Discrepancies: The account of vast battles and civilizations described in the Book of Mormon prompts the question of where these events took place, given the absence of sites matching the scale described.