Understanding the CES Letter and Its Controversy within the LDS Church

LDS Perspective

The CES Letter, formally titled "Letter to a CES Director," is a document authored by Jeremy Runnells in 2013. It presents a series of questions and concerns regarding the beliefs and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), primarily aimed at addressing issues that Runnells and others found problematic or troubling. The letter was initially intended as a correspondence with a director of the Church Educational System (CES) to seek clarity on various church doctrines, policies, and historical events. Runnells compiled a list of topics that included the Book of Mormon's origins, Joseph Smith's polygamy, Church history, and issues related to Church finances, among other subjects. The controversy surrounding the CES Letter arises from its impact on the faith a

Historical Perspective

The CES Letter, formally titled "My Search for Answers to My Mormon Doubts," was authored by Jeremy Runnells in 2013. It originated as a personal letter to a director of the Church Educational System (CES), where Runnells articulated his concerns about various aspects of LDS Church doctrine and history. The letter encompasses a range of topics that Runnells felt were pivotal yet inadequately addressed by the Church, including the historicity of the Book of Mormon, issues surrounding Joseph Smith’s multiple marriages, specifically polygamy and polyandry, the First Vision accounts, and the controversies regarding the Book of Abraham translations. The significance of the CES Letter is underscored by its reception; it has been downloaded over 600,000 times and has been described as a turning p