The CES Letter: Are Mormons Allowed to Question Their Faith?

Since it was made public in 2013, the CES Letter has been a central topic in discussions around faith crises within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Written by former Church member Jeremy Runnells, the letter lays out a series of critical questions and concerns regarding the Church’s history, teachings, and practices. For some, it has sparked sincere soul-searching. For others, it’s been a serious challenge to their faith. 

One of the criticisms Runnells raises in the Mormon CES Letter is the idea that the Church is anti-intellectual, discouraging its members from asking questions or engaging in challenging discussions. But what does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints actually teach about this? Are Mormons allowed to question their faith?

The short answer is yes—but how and why questions are asked also matters. Here’s a breakdown of some statements from leaders of the Church about how members can ask questions productively.

Asking Questions with Faith

Contrary to what the CES Letter PDF says, the Church does not discourage its members from asking difficult or even painful questions. In fact, many of the Church’s own official teaching resources for youth and young adults are built around the principle that asking questions is not only acceptable, but necessary for spiritual growth.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, one of the apostles at the head of the Church, once said that “inquiry is the birthplace of testimony.” He reassures seekers that having questions about the gospel is not a sign of weakness, but rather a healthy part of faith development. Importantly, Uchtdorf mentions that the Lord invites people to ask “with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ” (Moroni 10:4).

This faith-based approach to asking questions is rooted in the idea that questions should be asked in a spirit of openness, not antagonism. Russell M. Nelson, the current president of the Church, similarly taught, “Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources. Study with the desire to believe rather than with the hope that you can find a flaw.” The key, he suggests, is the motivation behind the question. Is the asker sincerely seeking truth, or simply looking to confirm doubts?

The Role of Complexity and Ambiguity

Materials like the CES Letter LDS imply an expectation that there should be simple and tidy answers to every spiritual or historical concern. If this is not the case, the Church must be trying to hide something. However, this approach ignores the fact that life and faith are often full of ambiguity, complexity, and tension between ideal and reality.

Bruce and Marie Hafen, prominent educators in the Church, note in Faith Is Not Blind that even foundational gospel stories like Nephi being commanded to kill Laban are charged with moral and spiritual complexity. Rather than undermining faith, grappling with these complexities can actually deepen it. “The ability to acknowledge ambiguity … is not a final form of enlightenment—it is only the beginning.”

This spiritual wrestle is part of the process of developing faith for Latter-day Saints. Not all faith-related questions have quick or satisfying answers, but this does not mean that questions are inappropriate or shouldn’t be asked. Acknowledging complexity isn’t a failure of faith. It’s a vital part of spiritual maturity.

Primary vs. Secondary Questions

Another helpful distinction comes from Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge, who divides gospel inquiries into two categories: primary and secondary questions. Primary questions involve the foundations of faith. These can include matters like the existence of God, if the scriptures are true, and whether or not God really gives revelation to prophets like Joseph Smith.

Secondary questions, in contrast, include issues of Church history, policy, or the actions of individual leaders. While these are not unimportant, Elder Corbridge emphasizes that if the primary questions are answered affirmatively through sincere seeking and spiritual confirmation, secondary questions either resolve themselves or diminish in urgency.

This framework doesn’t invalidate secondary concerns, but it prioritizes them appropriately. If one loses focus on core spiritual truths, it becomes easier for them to feel overwhelmed by unresolved details. But if a seeker keeps those primary pillars in view, they can navigate uncertainty with patience and faith.

What About Criticism?

The CES Letter Mormon claims that the Church actively discourages questioning and punishes dissent. Some quotes, such as Elder Boyd K. Packer’s statement that “some things that are true are not very useful,” are cited as evidence that Church leaders prefer to hide inconvenient truths.

However, in context, Elder Packer’s comment was directed toward religious educators in the Mormon Church, cautioning them against presenting sensitive historical issues in a way that strips out their spiritual context. He wasn’t arguing against truth, but instead advocating for wise framing and responsible teaching that nurtures faith rather than shock or cynicism.

Concerns about Church discipline are also misrepresented in the CES Letters. While Jeremy Runnells may have people believe that the Church silences members who have questions, this is not the case. Rather, disciplinary action like excommunication is usually reserved for those who actively reject core doctrines and lead efforts to publicly undermine them. Asking questions—even hard ones—is absolutely not grounds for punishment. But campaigning against the Church while claiming insider status often is.

Transparency and Trust

There has been progress in Church transparency in recent years in an effort to support those with challenging questions. Leaders and historians within the Church have made significant strides in openly discussing challenging topics such as polygamy, race and the priesthood, and the translation of the Book of Mormon. Rather than avoid tough truths, many Church scholars now advocate for “inoculation”: teaching sensitive history in faithful, supportive contexts, so members are not blindsided by it later.

This approach helps foster trust. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are not treated as fragile followers, but as spiritually mature individuals capable of wrestling with complexity, so long as it’s done within a framework of belief and love.

Mormon Questions Are Not Only Allowed, But Encouraged

So, are Mormons allowed to question their faith?

Absolutely—but the intent and spirit behind the questions matter. Faith and inquiry are not mutually exclusive. For Latter-day Saints, faithful questioning can be one of the most powerful paths to deeper conviction and spiritual insight. In contrast to what the CES Letter says, the Church invites members to seek answers, to bring their questions to the Lord, and to study with hearts full of hope, not skepticism.

Ultimately, questioning with faith is not just allowed; it’s essential to genuine, enduring testimony. To quote Elder Uchtdorf again, “Fear not; ask questions. Be curious, but doubt not!”

About Mormonism Explained

Mormonism Explained is a resource that was designed to provide objective and factual information about Mormonism, its history, doctrines, and policies. Our team of researchers consults experts and primary sources to present factual information on a variety of topics relevant to the Mormon Church.

Tags