THOMAS S. RUE Ezra Taft Benson
15 November 1987
Prophet, Seer, and Revelator
Office of the First Presidency
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
50 East North Temple Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84150Dear President Benson:
Having been baptized on 29 September 1973 and confirmed on the same date Morrisville, Pennsylvania; graduated from seminary in the East Brunswick, New Jersey Stake on 12 June 1977; ordained an elder in the Melchizadek preisthood on 20 March 1977 at the BYU 67th Branch, Provo, Utah; received my Temple endowment on 12 December 1977 in London, England; and having honorably served a two-year mission in Colorado, I presently find my beliefs no longer in harmony with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For exmple: Dissolution of life isn unquestionably a simple matter. The organism ceases to function and begins a process of reversion to its basic elements. A more complicated question is what becomes of consciousness when this process occurs. If we define consicousness as intelligent self-awareness, we next come to a problem of defining "self" or ego identity. In the back of my awareness; more more colloquially, in my gut, it feels to make sense that there is a continuation after death, but in a more universal sense than traditionally taught by western religion, including Mormon concepts of the three degrees of glory.
Since the body no longer exists as such, there can be no ego; no self. However, what some term a "group consciousness" may well in fact exist. I find it highly probable. In the negative, I do not believe in a physical resurrection of the body, at any time, ever -- "worlds without end." Just as the geological planet we call earth may accurately be said to consist of a massive solid energy pool engaged in a constant process of flux and recycling where nothing is really either lost or fixed, it seems to make sense that the spiritual energy which comprises individual consciousness can not be lost or confined either.
Next, the problem lies in defining or measuring that which is by nature spiritual, and this apparently a task beyond the present ability of reasoning animals. It seems we are left for the moment just to accept, which sometimes is no simple task. In traditional religious terms, such acceptance is called faith.
This is my testimony. It is the best I can offer and it comes from as firmly felt a conviction as I ever felt in the LDS church, even as a missionary; and from more maturity.
There are other reasons that I ask you to please excommunicate me, or remove my name from the membership rolls of the church at the earlies possible date. Several doctrines -- including the church's positions on such issues as race, women's and gay rights; as well as some of your own and others' allegedly "scriptural" utterances in general conference and elsewehere concerning communism and America, Catholicism, and Mormons' status as a chosen people -- I find absolutely at variance with my concept of a just and loving divine principal.
In short, Brother Benson, I have "apostitized" -- turned away from my former beliefs -- repenting of past errors.
Cut me off.
Respectfully,
Thomas S. Rue
tsr
Enclosures
cc: Scranton Pennsylvania Stake
[ NEXT LETTER ]