About Our Approach

Who we are, why this site exists, and how we respond to the questions raised in the CES Letter.

There are times in a person’s life when what they believe to be true is put to the question. During these times a choice must be made — what will one believe? Has one been lied to, or is one currently being deceived?

In the CES Letter, an individual has asked some interesting questions concerning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many if not all of these concerns have been around for long periods of time, and many of the answers given here include direct links to scanned documents of refutations from the early history of the Church. These are not new concerns, nor are they original research by the CES Letter. Rather, in many cases they are the same concerns and the same issues that have been raised again and again by many different individuals.

This site is a point-by-point review and response to every concern and issue raised in the CES Letter. But it is not only that — it also includes other apologetic writings that answer many questions and concerns that have been heard and responded to over the years.

To debunk or expose the concerns of an individual is not the desire here. Rather, it is to answer them — to provide answers to concerns which, to those who hold them, are very valid indeed. Those who raise these questions believe they demonstrate the falseness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Instead of debunking, the goal is to provide information, resources, and another point of view — one that demonstrates how the issue is not a concern at all, or is a misrepresentation of the true doctrine, or is in some way a misunderstanding of the beliefs and doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

People are not stupid. If they have questions and concerns, it is because at present they do not have the evidence to discount or explain them. The goal of this site is to provide that evidence so that they can decide for themselves the truth.

Crises of faith are not without precedent in the scriptures. Even the disciples of Jesus Christ had them. When Jesus taught that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood, many could not understand it:

John 6:60–69

“Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?… From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Are we to be like those disciples who walked no more with him — who received a doctrine they could not understand and so lost their faith? Or are we to be like Peter, who professed that Jesus has the words of eternal life, even when he could not fully understand the command or doctrine that had just been revealed?

A testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not gained through empirical means alone. It is gained through the revelations of the Spirit, given to men based upon their faith, belief, and prayer to God. Yet we do have logical, plausible, and reasonable grounds for what we believe — and that is precisely the need for a site like this: to demonstrate that evidence, and to serve as a defense to those whose faith may be wavering. (See Moroni 10:3–7 and James 1:1–8.)

My name is Theron Bird. I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all my life. I grew up on a small farm in eastern Washington. My interest in the Gospel began with being taught in my youth by my parents, and then continued through high school with early morning seminary.

I served a mission in Japan, and after returning continued my studies at Brigham Young University, where I met my wife Laureen — the love of my life. We have been married for over 30 years and have four children. Over the years I have served in many callings, including Bishopric Counselor, Seminary Teacher, Scout Master, and Primary Teacher.

I claim no special authority, save being a man with a testimony of Jesus Christ, a holder of the priesthood, and one who is ready at all times to give an answer to every man that asks the reason for the hope that is in me. I am an avid learner who seeks truth in everything I study, whether secular or religious. I do not shy away from difficult questions and believe that even if we don’t know the answer now, eventually we will — and it will all make sense. The truth really can and will combine together unto one great whole.

This site is dedicated to all those who have in the past, or are presently experiencing, a crisis of faith. I believe it is important that those who have questions and concerns have those questions answered in a logical and reasonable manner.

I claim all responsibility for the content on this site. It is, to the best of my understanding, an accurate representation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, this website is not an official site of the Church, and I do not claim to represent the Church in any way.

I would ask you to follow the admonition of Paul: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

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Questions or feedback? Contact: admin@cesletter.info