In part 1 of a 3 part series, Jeremy Runnells discusses his childhood, his love of the Church and why he wrote "Letter to a CES Director."

Part 1:    • The Genesis of the CES Letter - Jerem...  
Part 2:    • CES Letter Discussed in Detail - Jere...  
Part 3:    • Reactions to CES Letter - Jeremy Runn...  

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Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
02:30 Jeremy being deaf & how a cochlear implant works
04:20 Early experiences with the church
05:45 Parents divorced & the Bishop decided he would live with his Dad
08:07 His father remarries & his testimony develops
09:04 Grandfather dies
11:00 First spiritual experience
15:09 High school & having a non-member girlfriend
16:11 Learning sign language, Mission to New York City & 9/11
21:43 Going to BYU, Meeting future wife, & temple wedding
23:31 Struggle with the wards after mission.
31:46 Researching several books, going down the rabbit hole, & feelings of betrayal
35:12 Faith crisis begins in February 2012
38:03 What led him to write the CES letter
41:26 There's no such thing as a graceful exit from the church
43:20 Jeremy not wanting to tell his Grandfather he no longer believed
45:26 Receiving phone call from his grandfather to meet the CES director
46:50 Jeremy sends the CES director a 70-80 page document (April 2013)
47:17 Answering criticisms
53:54 Why make it so comprehensive?
58:17 No response from the CES director
59:51 Putting letter on Reddit for feedback
1:01:24 Thinking about becoming a named dissident?
1:03:47 Starting CES letter website

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