Letter to the CES Letter

When Was the CES Letter Written?

The first draft of the CES letter was written in 2012 and early 2013 and was first published publicly online in April 2013, after which it was revised multiple times by its author. Read more about the origin of the CES Letter.

What is the Motive for The CES Letter?

Jeremy has claimed that the CES Letter was written to help explain to his children why he left the Church, even though his oldest child was very young at the time. From my perspective, the letter seems more focused on justifying his departure and reinforcing his decision to leave.

How is the CES Letter a Business?

With the widespread success of the CES Letter, and the boost it received from platforms like Mormon Stories, Jeremy found a way to make it profitable, very profitable. Beyond the influence of having the letter shared repeatedly and persuading others, he also found a way to generate income from it.

Is the CES Letter Factual?

The CES Letter contains a mix of factual information, selective sourcing, and interpretation. Many historical events and quotations referenced in the document are real, but they are often presented without full context, alternative explanations, or acknowledgment of scholarly disagreement.

Where does the information found in the CES letter originate from?

Much of the information in the CES Letter is drawn from earlier critical and anti-LDS sources rather than original research.