Everything is a Remix

"Joseph Smith was very eclectic. He drew upon ideas from all over, including Masonic ritual."

- Richard Bushman, LDS Scholar, Reddit Ask Me Anything, 12/06/13


The following supports the hypothesis that Joseph Smith was a remixer:

  • Presence of KJV 1769 edition errors in the Book of Mormon
  • Presence of 17th century KJV translator's italics in the "ancient" Book of Mormon
  • Lehi's dream is just like Joseph's father's 1811 dream
  • View of the Hebrews parallels with Book of Mormon
  • Late War language, themes, and parallels align with Book of Mormon's language, themes, and parallels
  • Joseph copied completely unrelated hieroglyphics from other papyri to fill in damaged parts of Facsimile 2 and other damaged sections
  • Book of Abraham contains many of ideas and themes from Philosophy of a Future State
  • Joseph used the same Masonic rituals and elements used in the Nauvoo Lodge he became a Master Mason in. Joseph introduced the LDS Endowment ceremony 7 weeks after he became a Master Mason.
  • Joseph derived "Moroni" and "Camorah" (original 1830 Book of Mormon spelling) from "Camora" and "Moroni" in Captain Kidd adventure stories.
  • Joseph's obsession with treasure hunting, gold being buried in the earth, Captain Kidd, etc. influenced his story of gold plates being buried in Hill Cumorah and "angel" Moroni introducing the buried gold plates to him.
  • Joseph borrowed concepts and ideas from Swedish theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. Like Joseph, Swedenborg claimed visions and visitations from both God and angels. Joseph taught the "Three Degrees of Glory". Swedenborg taught that angels told him that "There are three heavens, entirely distinct from each other, an inmost or third, a middle or second, and an outermost of first."

    Swedenborg taught that there are variations between each heaven: "As there are societies in heaven and the angels live as men, they have also places of abode, and these differ in accordance with each one's state of life. They are magnificient for those in higher dignity, and less magnificent for those in lower condition."
  • Borrowed concept of "restoration" and "all creeds are an abomination" from the Campbellites and Sidney Rigdon.

Born and raised in Southern California, Jeremy is a seventh generation Mormon of Pioneer heritage who reached every Mormon youth milestone. An Eagle Scout, Returned Missionary, BYU alumnus, Jeremy was married in the San Diego Temple with expectations and plans of living Mormonism for the rest of his life.

In February 2012, Jeremy experienced an awakening to the LDS Church's truth crisis, which subsequently led to a faith transition that summer. In the spring of 2013, Jeremy was approached and asked by a CES Director to share his questions and concerns about the LDS Church's origins, history, and current practices. In response, Jeremy wrote what later became publicly known as the CES Letter (originally titled Letter to a CES Director).

The CES Director responded that he read the "very well written" letter and that he would provide Jeremy with a response. No response ever came.

“I believe that members and investigators deserve to have all of the facts and information on the table...to be able to make a fully-informed and balanced decision as to whether or not they want to commit their hearts, minds, time, talents, income and lives to Mormonism. Anything less is an obstruction to the free agency of the individual.”

- Jeremy Runnells


FAQs & Common Attacks

Interview with Mormon Stories

Part 1 On Growing Up Mormon and the Genesis of the CES Letter 
Part 2 Jeremy Discusses the CES Letter in Detail 
Part 3 Rapid Firing Round, Reaction to the Letter 
Debunking Mormon Apologists CES Letter