Understanding the Document That Challenges Faith
What is the CES Letter?
At first glance, the CES Letter appears to be a sincere list of questions written by a concerned Church member. But as you dig deeper, it becomes evident that it operates more like a persuasive manifesto aimed at dismantling belief in the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, the restored Church, and eventually, Jesus Christ Himself.
It does not begin with rejection. It begins with recognition—questions that sound familiar, concerns that feel relatable. That approach is intentional. The CES Letter’s power lies not in its aggression, but in its subtlety.
How the CES Letter Draws Readers In
The tone of the CES Letter is conversational, even sympathetic. It presents concerns many Latter-day Saints have encountered before. This disarming tone builds rapport and lowers defenses, creating a sense of common ground.
But as the reader progresses, the Letter shifts. The tone remains calm, but the content intensifies. Doubt deepens. Confidence in Church history begins to erode. That pattern is not coincidental. It follows a strategy scripture has warned against:
“And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.”
— 2 Nephi 28:22
The method is quiet but deliberate. The goal is not spiritual strengthening. It is detachment.
Designed to Persuade, Not to Ask
Although the CES Letter frames itself as a list of questions, it functions more like a closing argument. It uses common persuasive tactics such as:
- Incremental escalation: Starting with surface-level issues before leading into foundational claims
- Information overload: Presenting a high volume of issues in rapid succession, making it difficult to respond to any single point effectively
- Selective sourcing: Using verifiable facts, but omitting essential context that would change the interpretation
- Framing bias: Suggesting that Church history has been “hidden” despite much of it being publicly available through official Church channels
These tactics build emotional momentum. Readers report feeling overwhelmed and uncertain—experiencing not just intellectual concern, but spiritual unease. That is not a side effect. It is the intended outcome.
The “Letter” That Was Never a Dialogue
The document is often presented as a personal letter to a CES director—a faithful member reaching out with honest questions. However, there is no record of any correspondence in return. No response. No follow-up. No effort to engage in meaningful conversation.
Shortly after releasing the Letter, the author began urging others to distribute it widely. He encouraged people to adopt it as their own experience and share it in online communities. Over time, the document was revised multiple times to improve tone, structure, and rhetorical force.
According to the author, these changes were based on feedback gathered from former Church members and online forums. The motivation was not personal resolution. It was public persuasion.
This kind of revision process aligns more closely with advocacy than inquiry. Learn more about the origins of the CES letter here.
The Power of Partial Truths
One of the most effective tools in the CES Letter is its reliance on truth—but only in part. Many claims are based on actual historical events or quotations. But they are often presented without key context or are framed in a way that leads the reader toward a specific interpretation.
This strategy is not unique to this document. It is a common method used in persuasive writing—especially when aiming to shift beliefs rather than explore ideas.
“The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie—deliberate, contrived, and dishonest—but the myth—persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.”
— John F. Kennedy
The selective use of truth creates a compelling narrative, but one that may not represent the whole picture. Readers may walk away feeling as though everything has been explained, when in fact much has been left out.
What the CES Letter Produces in Practice
The fruit of a message often reveals its purpose. In the case of the CES Letter, its impact on many individuals is profound and personal. It often results in:
- Diminished trust in personal spiritual experiences
- Disengagement from sacred covenants
- Loss of confidence in Church leadership
- A growing sense of doubt toward faith as a whole
Rather than prompting study or spiritual inquiry, it frequently leads to spiritual disconnection. Many who read it report not just struggling with Church history, but abandoning prayer, scripture study, and belief in Jesus Christ altogether.
“By their fruits ye shall know them.”
— Matthew 7:20
The consequences of the CES Letter align with patterns described in scripture—not of genuine seeking, but of spiritual erosion.
Conclusion: What Is the CES Letter?
The CES Letter presents itself as a search for answers, but its structure, revisions, and outcomes suggest something very different. It is a persuasive document, carefully edited and widely distributed, designed to challenge foundational beliefs using emotional momentum, selective facts, and rhetorical pressure.
While sincere questions deserve sincere answers, the methods and effects of the CES Letter do not promote spiritual growth. Instead, they often lead to confusion, disaffection, and loss of faith.
“Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.”
— Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
In a world full of information—some helpful, some harmful—the source and intent of what we read matters. Real answers exist. But they are found through patience, study, faith, and honest conversation—not through documents designed to persuade without accountability.