Video of My Visit to the Rockland Ward

I have been saved for nearly ten years. In all that time, I ached for my people, the Mormons, as Paul ached for his (Romans 10:1). Recently, I determined to go to my old Mormon ward and share a simple invitation (displayed below).

My unscripted exchanges occurred in real time. Consequently, there are things I would have said if I had more time to think through my response. Below the video, I have expanded my comments to include all I wish I had said.

Additional Notes to My Friends

To Bishop Jeremy

You said you would try to explain but you don’t because you know it’s useless. This really troubles me because I am happy and very willing to be proven wrong. You see, every time someone corrects me, I am led closer to the truth. And as I draw nearer to the truth, I am led ever closer to Jesus and the truths that make us free (John 8:32).

I, therefore propose that we meet. Let us do it in honor of Doctrine and Covenants 71:7-9. I will sit quietly and hear every point of explanation you would care to make. I will not interrupt you, even if you turn again to personal attacks. After you conclude each point, I will respond by quoting from the books you hold to be scripture or the words of those you call prophets, seers, and revelators. After I share these quotes, I will only ask questions and allow you to wrestle with the truths revealed.

I am praying that we can come together soon.

To Blond Ron

You claim to be a member of the only true church. You claim to hold the Holy Priesthood of God as a High Priest. You claim to have the gift of personal revelation and you have your holy scriptures:

7 Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest. 8 Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord. 9 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;
— Doctrine and Covenants 71:7-9

And yet Ron, you are a runner. How do you square these things?

To Fred

You accused me of writing unauthorized things about the church and therefore being called into an excommunication hearing. The actual timeline is a bit different so please allow me to correct you. I became a new creature in Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17, on December 16, 2016. On that day, I was no longer a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even if church records still held my name. On that day, I was set free from the imagined authority of Mormon leaders.

After my salvation, I turned my attention to the Mormon lost. I came to understand that God called me to reach my people as Paul was called to reach his. My feelings and Paul’s are precisely the same (Romans 10:1). I ache for my people and desire that they should be saved. I never wrote a negative word against the church while I was still under the control of Mormon leadership. Every word I wrote was from a saved disciple of Christ. Never did I write against the church as a Mormon man!

You accused me of lying during my excommunication hearing, and you are correct. In truth, I have struggled with my decision to deceive President Lovell, and I still do.

I had been a saved disciple of Jesus for several months when I realized some among the twelve in the High Council, the Councilors to President Lovell, and the Executive Secretary had questions they dared not ask and could not answer. I reasoned that a Mormon disciplinary council was the best way to get all these men in the same room at once.

I emailed Lovell and demanded an excommunication hearing. He never responded. I sent additional demands that he also ignored. Finally, I sent a final letter in which I explained that I was still a member in good standing. As such, I could stand at the pulpit during any fast and testimony meeting and preach the true gospel. My threat was a bluff, but Lovell believed. A few days later, Kip Wilson and Kirk Permann personally delivered a summons to my hearing.

Sometimes a little deception accomplishes a greater good. For example, an undercover agent must deceive in order to infiltrate organizations that deal in drugs, sex trafficking, and other illegal activities. In cases such as these, we call deceivers such as these, noble.

When Lovell first asked if I was recording, I answered in a way the would not require lying. Finally, he worded his question in a way that left me no wiggle room and I did lie. Right or wrong, I considered two points and tried to do the right thing.

First, I was driven to share the good news with the men in that room. Second. I had previously sat in meetings with Lovell and I knew him to be a dark and evil man. I believed it was important to expose him for what he was. Thinking I was not recording, he showed his true colors:

• He did not allow me to make statements as guaranteed in the Mormon Handbook (displayed below).
• He did not allow me to question my witnesses as guaranteed in the Mormon Handbook (displayed below).
• When I spoke without his permission, he called a security man in to the room. He yelled over the top of my testimony of Jesus.
• When I continued speaking, despite the interruptions of the security man, Lovell dialed 911 and reported a disturbance.
• When the police arrived, Lovell filed a false police report.
• Lovell published and distributed a letter (displayed below} that falsely accused me of causing church members to fear for their safety and being a risk to the Stake President.
• In the months and years that followed, he falsely charged me with a crime and involved the police.

So Fred, was I justified in deceiving Garn Lovell? Honestly, I am not sure. So I have laid my doubt at the foot of the cross. I am trusting that Jesus will grant intercession between me and God.

In the video, you lied about me twice. You owe me nothing but what of your offense before God? What will you do with your sins?

To Brian

Oh my dear friend Brian. How can you claim to be my friend while you make accusations such as these. See 3:50 and 8:02 in the video below.

Exhibits

WhereGodIsYouCannotGo ChurchDiscipline