CES Letter

The CES Letter originated when Jeremy Runnells, a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, compiled questions about church truth claims that had troubled him during a faith crisis. Originally written to a Church Educational System director in 2013, the document systematically addressed historical, archaeological, and doctrinal issues that Runnells argued contradicted official church narratives.

The letter covered multiple controversial topics including DNA evidence contradicting Book of Mormon claims about Native American ancestry, anachronisms in the text such as steel, horses, and biblical passages predating their supposed ancient American origins, and similarities between LDS temple ceremonies and Masonic rituals that Joseph Smith encountered before establishing temple ordinances.

Additional sections examined the Book of Abraham translation issues, multiple conflicting accounts of the First Vision, the practice of polygamy including marriages to already-married women and teenage girls, and financial conflicts of interest in Smith’s business ventures. The document compiled academic research and primary sources previously scattered across various scholarly works.

The CES Letter gained widespread circulation online and became influential among questioning Latter-day Saints, with the church producing official responses through its Gospel Topics Essays addressing some of the raised issues. Church defenders criticized Runnells for selective presentation of evidence and lack of faith-based context in evaluating historical claims.

The document’s impact extended beyond individual faith crises to influence broader discussions about church transparency, historical honesty, and the relationship between scholarship and religious belief. It represents a significant example of how digital distribution can amplify religious criticism and challenge institutional control over doctrinal narratives.