On February 8, 2016, Jeremy Runnells (previously interviewed on Mormon Stories) received notice from his stake president, Mark Ivins, that he would face excommunication (an LDS disciplinary council) on February 14, 2016 for publishing his “Letter to a CES Director.”

Jeremy’s original press release, announcing this decision, can be found here.

“CES Letter” represents Jeremy’s sincere attempts obtain answers to several questions/doubts he has had over the years regarding LDS church truth claims. Some of the topics dealt with in CES Letter include Joseph Smith’s multiple and conflicting accounts of the first vision, Joseph Smith’s polygamy (including to 14/15 year olds) and polyandry (marrying other men’s wives), Book of Mormon historicity, Book of Abraham historicity, etc.

This press conference was held in support of Jeremy, detailing various problems with President Mark Ivins’ handling of the process. The press conference was live-streamed with over 6,000 people viewing.

The morning after this press conference, Jeremy’s disciplinary council was inexplicably postponed until late March, 2016 by Mark Ivins.

This press conference was held at the Club/Cafe at 50 West in downtown Salt Lake City.