The CES Letter by Jeremy Runnells presents a series of questions and criticisms about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), covering topics like church history, doctrine, and practices. CES Letter rebuttals have come from various LDS scholars, apologists, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These responses aim to address the concerns raised in the CES Letter, providing counterarguments and clarifications. Here are some of the main rebuttals and responses to the CES Letter:
CES Letter
To understand any CES Letter rebuttal, the question of what is a CES Letter must be answered. A short summary of the CES Letter follows: The letter chronicles Jeremy Runnells’ complaints and issues with the LDS Church. He was invited by his grandfather to write a letter to the Church Educational System director (CES director) documenting his concerns. This is where the letter gets its name. Research shows that Runnells crowdsourced the issues from an ex-Mormon Reddit group. The issues come from church history, focusing on some of the truth claims of the church, including that Joseph Smith was a prophet and translator of the Book of Mormon. There are thirteen topics in the CES Letter and many more subtopics.
FairMormon (now FAIR)
FAIR (Faithful Answers, Informed Response) is an organization dedicated to defending the LDS Church. They have produced a detailed response to the CES Letter, addressing each of Runnells’ points. Their response includes the following key elements:
- Historical Context: FAIR argues that many of Runnells’ criticisms lack proper historical context, suggesting that certain actions and beliefs should be understood within the cultural and temporal framework of 19th-century America.
- Selective Evidence: They claim Runnells selectively uses evidence that supports his narrative while ignoring evidence that could provide alternative explanations or more nuanced views.
- Faith and Evidence: FAIR emphasizes that faith and historical evidence can coexist, and they encourage a perspective that harmonizes both, rather than viewing them as mutually exclusive.
Book of Mormon Central
Another CES letter debunked comes from Book of Mormon Central is an organization that produces scholarly content about the Book of Mormon. They have addressed specific criticisms from the CES Letter, focusing on issues related to the Book of Mormon, such as:
- Translation Process: They provide detailed explanations of the translation process of the Book of Mormon, including the use of seer stones and the Urim and Thummim, countering claims of deception or inconsistency.
- Anachronisms: They tackle alleged anachronisms in the Book of Mormon by offering possible explanations and citing ongoing research in archaeology and ancient studies that might support the text’s historical claims.
BYU Scholars and Professors
Several scholars from Brigham Young University (BYU) have written responses to the CES Letter, focusing on theological, historical, and doctrinal issues:
- Joseph Smith’s Polygamy: Scholars address the complex nature of polygamy in early Mormonism, offering insights into its practice and the sociocultural context.
- First Vision Accounts: They argue that multiple accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision should be seen as complementary rather than contradictory, providing a richer understanding of the event.
Personal Testimonials and Blogs
Many LDS members and bloggers have written personal responses to the CES Letter, sharing how they reconciled their faith with the issues raised:
- Faith Journeys: These testimonials often include personal stories of doubt and faith, explaining how individuals have navigated their spiritual journeys despite encountering challenging information.
- Community and Support: They emphasize the role of community, prayer, and personal revelation in maintaining faith and finding answers to difficult questions.
Greg Trimble’s Blog
Another CES Letter rebuttal comes from Greg Trimble, an LDS blogger. He has written a detailed series of posts addressing the CES Letter. His responses include:
- Faith-Based Perspective: Trimble emphasizes the importance of approaching church history and doctrine from a faith-based perspective, arguing that faith is a critical component in understanding religious narratives.
- Historical Complexity: He argues that history is inherently complex and that expecting simple answers to multifaceted issues is unrealistic.
Joseph Smith Foundation
The Joseph Smith Foundation provides resources and publications defending Joseph Smith and early church history:
- Documentary Evidence: They present documentary evidence and scholarly research supporting Joseph Smith’s prophetic claims and the authenticity of early church practices.
- Refuting Criticisms: The foundation works to refute criticisms by providing alternative interpretations and emphasizing the positive aspects of Joseph Smith’s life and ministry.
Conclusion
The responses to the CES Letter vary in approach but share a common goal of addressing the criticisms and concerns raised by Jeremy Runnells. These rebuttals come from a mix of scholarly research, personal testimonies, and official church clarifications, providing a broad spectrum of perspectives for those seeking to understand the LDS Church’s stance on these issues.
