Join hosts John Dehlin and Gerardo Sumano as they explore what happens when a Mormon missionary reads the CES Letter.
Kolby Sorensen was raised a devout Mormon in West Valley and West Jordan, Utah. In 2020, he was called to serve a mission as the COVID pandemic began, when missionaries were encouraged to use social media to proselytize.
Show Notes:
- Letter to a CES Director by Jeremy Runnells
- “Reflections on the CES Letter,” Daniel Peterson, FAIRmormon Conference 2014
- “Belief after the CES Letter,” Jim Bennett on Mormon Stories
- “A Faithful Reply to the CES Letter from a Former CES Employee,” by Jim Bennett
- Jeremy Runnell’s responses to “Debunkings of the CES Letter”
- “Missionaries returning home at their own insistence,” Mission President’s Handbook, Ch 4
- Kolby’s posts on Ex-Mormon Reddit
- Kolby’s Instagram
- “Telling Your Loved Ones About Losing Your Faith,” on Mormon Stories
- “Mormon Inoculation” on Mormon Stories
- “Personal Peace in Challenging Times,” Quentin L. Cook, General Conference October 2021
- “Britvengers React: The Mormon British Rescue” on Mormon Stories
- “LDS Church addresses health of church president,” by Ric Wayman, St. George News, May 3, 2015
- “Is the Mormon Church in Decline?” An Insider Report on Mormon Stories
- “No More Strangers,” by Alexander B. Morrison, Ensign, September 2000
- “Strong Impressions of the Spirit,” by D. Todd Christofferson, New Era, June 2013
- “Founder of the Book of Mormon Heartland Model,” Rodney Meldrum on Mormon Stories
- Video by Shane Carpenter, an out gay LDS missionary
- “Jesus Christ is the Answer,” Ronald A Rasband, Evening With a General Authority, February 8, 2019 [CW: May be triggering for those experiencing suicidal thoughts]
- “Daughter of Mormon General Authority Hartman Rector, Jr.” Lila Tueller on Mormon Stories
- “Vogel and Metcalfe in Da House!” on Mormon Discussion
- Gerardo Sumano interview on Mormon Stories
- Kolby and Cami Reddish interview on Mormon Stories
- “From TBM to RFM: Radio Free Mormon Discusses His Transition from Mormon Apologist to Non-Believer,” on Mormon Stories
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6 Responses
Loved this episode. It is crazy how different missions are and yet how little they’ve changed in the nearly 20 years since I served.
Kolby Sorensen has not only courage, but he is showing amazing wisdom for his age. His approach to this is so kind and generous–without malice. I wish him the best and lots of love on his journey from here. I hope he can use his experience and wisdom to help counsel others in their faith transitions.
John I am your exact age and served in Central America. We had to learn the discussions by pure memorization, exact word for word. Your Pte. Romney must have been the exception, because most the rest of us in C.A. learned word for word. The rainbow discussions were predecessors of our own prior to 1985.
It is amazing how the goal posts shift on the mission rules. all they care about is numbers. No real care about people.
I am amazed why more people are not standing up and telling about the abuse and extensive problems with Mormon Missions. As John says the Q15 have “intentional deception” in the mission system. Many missionaries are physically, emotionally and spiritually abused during the 2 year game.
These missionary system problems go back to the 1950-60 with Henry Moyle, Alvin Dyer. Once you study that you see the fraud and game.
This was just an amazing episode. If I was Kolby’s mom or grandmom I would be beside myself with pride at his integrity, intelligence, and devotion to the truth.
Couple of corrections here John and Geraldo. At 3:08-9 Church Family Services does NOT require, nor to they coerce people to sign an ROI (Release of Information) with their bishop’s or anyone else’s name. It is completely voluntary. Also, it is NOT explicit that therapists are able to speak with the missionary’s mission president. The missionary has a choice to consent to that via and RIO prior to the first visit. Otherwise it is in direct violation of HIPAA and that therapist could lose their license. All therapists that work with missionaries state side are licensed and abide by federal, state and local laws. Those therapists that work with missionaries abroad abide by the laws of the respective country the missionary is serving in. Therapists at Family Services are required to review all paperwork with all clients (including missionaries) at the beginning of the first session, which includes the ROI. They are required to let the client know – through written document – that everything they talk about will be kept confidential except to those individuals they have included on the ROI (this excludes harm to self or others, as dictated by Tarasoff law).
Also, the praying that Kolby did with his therapist during session is NOT standard. It is NOT something that therapists are told to do with their clients at Family Services. Seldom does a therapist pray with a client and it is almost always at the request of the client. And Gerald was right, therapists who meet with missionaries are vetted more than most: typically it is only the full-time staff that meet with missionaries as it is a very specific population.
A missionary talking exclusively about faith matters with a therapist is not standard either, but can certainly be brought up in confidence with the therapist. However, I can certainly see how a missionary would be reluctant to do so. Missionaries are seen by Family Services therapists for adjustment issues or pre-existing mental health issues that have come to the surface while serving. NOT for faith-crisis.
The family services had me sign this document allowing the sharing of information with the bishop. I absolutely felt pressured to sign that document because I came in as a faithful person who felt the bishop needed to have all of the information in order to be my fair judge. Not signing the document would mean I was a person of little faith in my bishop. When in a scrupulosity crisis it is not an option to not absolutely lay everything bare and this is preyed upon to have people sign the form.