Dorothy Hill resides in Western Australia and is the mother of Peter Elliott, author of the book Reasons for Disbelief. She grew up a staunch believer in Joseph Smith and his claims and spent most of her life as a loyal member of the RLDS church serving her congregation as organist, singer and teacher. When evidence against Joseph Smith’s claims came to her attention she found it difficult to believe and decided to write to the First Presidency about her concerns hoping to find answers. One of the two letters she wrote is recorded in her testimony. Both of her letters and the reply from the First Presidency are recorded in her son’s book. They are very eye-opening! Disillusioned, Dorothy spent many years not attending church but then began researching and as a result found answers to the questions she had asked so many years before. In her testimony she gives this challenge to her readers: “To any of you who may be struggling with your beliefs in the RLDS story – which survived for so many years without questions from its members, I know how you feel, but I urge you to read all you can, as there is so much now available.” Dorothy has now resigned from the RLDS/Community of Christ, accepted Jesus as her Savior, and found the peace she had sought for many years. This is her testimony.
I was born in January 1928 in Fremantle, Western Australia – the only child of Oscar and Nell Stack, both of whom were members of the RLDS church. The only branch was then in Subiaco (near the capital, Perth).
My father was ordained as a Priest, and later as Elder, in the mid 1930’s, and eventually became Pastor. In 1945, a branch was established in Fremantle, of which he was Pastor for many years.
The Restoration message was first taught by local priesthood and, after W.W. 1I, we had visits from Australian and, eventually, American missionaries. Many of these men stayed in our home and, during the war, our home was the first contact for church servicemen from Australia and America. When President W. Wallace Smith and his wife visited Western Australia, they also stayed with my parents.
I was baptized at the age of 8. I believed absolutely in the story of Joseph Smith and his claims, and from teenage on had no hesitation in witnessing to my friends about the truthfulness of the Gospel message. I could not understand why my friends (mainly from Wesley and Anglican faiths) could not accept what I felt was so clear and logical! I felt the fault was mine!
Years went by, and I never doubted, contributing to services through ministry of music, singing, choir, organist and teaching classes.
I married Fred Elliott, a non-member, in 1954 and at the end of 1956 our son Peter was born. Peter was baptized at the age of 8 and was taught the history of the church etc., but in his early twenties he felt that if he was called to the priesthood he would want a personal testimony of the truthfulness of the church, rather than believing because of his early teaching and family ties. He decided to study – fully expecting to have confirmation about this. I was delighted with his decision.
In 1980 Peter corresponded with Church Historian, Richard Howard, who suggested various books/publications for his research. Peter read these and numerous other materials, and realized that, as a result of this research, he could no longer believe the claims made by the RLDS church. He felt he must write a book setting out his findings. I had the task of typing and duplicating 24 copies, and although I found it difficult to believe the evidence, I could not ignore it. I was so distressed that I decided to write to the First Presidency, enclosing a copy of the book “Reasons for Disbelief” (Peter Elliott), in the fervent hope that they would be able to refute the claims and help to restore my peace of mind.
I wrote a letter to the First Presidency dated 27 October 1980 and received a reply from Howard Sheehy on 15 December 1980. The following letter is my reply to Howard Sheehy’s letter:
Apostle Howard S. Sheehy, Jr.,
The First Presidency
Dear Bro. Sheehy,
I received your letter dated December 15 and thank you for your reply.
It has been difficult for me to formulate a reply, because I cannot just “accept” easily these new discoveries. I recognize that I cannot ignore them, and I do not intend to do so, but my decision as to what to do in regard to my future in the church is in the balance.
You state that much of the material Peter has confronted has come from a narrow sphere. I repeatedly urged Peter, during his research, to make sure he was getting a broad picture, and to be careful about “biased” material. However, Peter told me that he wrote to Richard Howard for suggestions re source material etc., so I could do no more than presume that Richard would be in a position to advise wisely.
I am disturbed that you say that rather than publish in the Herald these new developments (as I suggested), that a “systematic, long-range basis” will be adopted. I cannot help feeling that this appears almost like “conditioning” or “brainwashing” (I wish I could SAY this to you, rather than WRITE it, as I would not wish you to think I am saying this in anger, but only with concern). You see, I feel that if many of the members who are elderly, and even including my own age group, were aware of all these new discoveries re our past, then there COULD be a large proportion either leave the church, or at least remove their financial support. Hence, a “long-range” plan would not cover these people.
One other point I cannot understand, is that “Herald” articles appear on our history STILL written as though no doubts have been raised on any of our beliefs.
Peter has replied to Richard and asked for information on how to join the John Whitmer Historical Association, and we wait for this. I would also like to know the specific Temple School courses which deal with how to present our church NOW to non-members, as I would order these.
In the new edition of the Church History covering the period up to 1844, will these writings be updated to include the new insights, and if so, when will this be available?
I would like also to know how we are now to present the Book of Mormon to anyone who may be interested.
During World Conference the matter of our association with National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches was raised. I have looked in the bulletins, without success, for the record of President Smith’s answer re World Council of Churches. I was present and he denied very definitely that we ever had, or ever intended to become part of WCC. Yet, in reading through “A Great and Marvelous Work” (1980 Reunion study), an article by Apostle Cole from Commission September 1979 is included, and one paragraph states:
“…..Our attitude toward opportunities to join as a Christian force with such bodies as the World Council of Churches will increasingly become affirmative because God is calling us to shed our light abroad rather than hide our light “under a bushel” (Matthew 5:17). Local and national jurisdictions will find opportunities to share with organizations and Christian councils in their jurisdictions to further the cause of Christ….”
Whilst realizing that Apostle Cole is free to express an opinion, I am surprised that, in view of the President’s strong statement in April 1980, this article is included in a Reunion Study Course for 1980.
Apart from reading our own material, I read anything which I feel is of interest. There are many individuals, and other groups not connected with our own church, who are very much against the WCC and bring evidence to support their claims.
We stayed in Washington with a church couple. The husband is in the Diplomatic service in a responsible position. They could not attend Conference so were anxious to hear some news of events there. We tried to give them a resume of some of the services, discussions etc., and, as an afterthought, I mentioned how strongly the President had denied any connection with WCC. The reaction of this man was interesting. He said, “I should HOPE our church never has anything to do with WCC! I am in a position where I have to meet with some representatives of that body, and they certainly are not representatives of Christ.” He went on to tell us some of his experiences and they were not good. I was interested, but not unduly concerned, as I had completely accepted President Smith’s statement. Then, later in the year, I read Apostle Cole’s article in the Reunion material and became unsettled.
Geoff Spencer sent Peter a copy of a paper entitled “Reorganization Thought: Whence and Whither” which he gave at The Mormon History Association in Canandaigua, New York in 1980. This affirms that there is a completely new viewpoint on the Restoration Movement, and as I said in my previous letter, I was converted by the former message.
As a teacher I am used to evaluating new ideas…I do not think I ever reject anything new because I am not PREPARED to change. If something new has value, then I am very happy to incorporate it.
I wish I could accept these new ideas, for then I could perhaps sleep properly again, and not have the constant feeling of being unhappy. But something prevents me from doing so. There just seem to be too many things which do not “gel”.
I seek truth, and am well aware that in this day and age, evidence can even be made to look authentic and even convince an expert. I fully understand that every generation in our church, including the prophets, have made mistakes. What I do NOT believe is that God makes mistakes, and therefore I believe that any advice or instruction He gave in the past will not change because we are in 1981. If we believe that we have the right to make such changes then the way is open to incorporate anything for which the majority votes. The way the issues of Open Communion and Ordination of Women keep coming up, it would only be a matter of time before these will be introduced “as new ideas, methods and interpretations of principles of long standing in our history.”
On a personal note, Bud, I regret the distance which means our only way of dealing with these matters is by letter – because thoughts cannot always be conveyed as one would wish – and on the other hand may be misunderstood by the reader. However, there is no other way open to me at present.
I appreciate the time you have given me already. Peter realizes that any further research would mean going to America, and when he has the means available I think he will do this.
I continue to attend church, but without joy. I will have to make a decision soon because the amount of sleep I am losing through worry over the issue is affecting my health and general outlook.
My best wishes to you and yours,
Sincerely,
Dorothy Hill
Copy for information to:
Apostle Ken Robinson
Elder S. Jacka
District President G. Crump
*No reply received to this letter.
My mother was also very concerned about the church after she received a copy of the Position Papers – prior to Peter’s research, and his book confirmed her fears.
Peter’s father and I separated in 1962 and I married Keith Hill in 1968. Peter’s research took place during the time when Keith was Pastor of the Fremantle Branch, so I eventually opted to try to ignore the evidence – but I was very disappointed in the reply to my first letter to the First Presidency which was written by Apostle Sheehy. I replied to his letter, asking more questions, but no reply was received to this second letter. I was very unhappy with the changes in the church’s teachings – subtle as they seemed to be at that time.
Peter resigned his membership a few months after writing his book, as he had expected that some members might wish to discuss it with him, but only one or two did so. Peter’s testimony is available on www.lifeline2rlds.org and in his book, “Reason for Disbelief” which can be obtained from this website.
In 1988 when the Fremantle branch was sold to pay for a church community centre to be built in a new suburb over an hour’s drive away, my husband and I did not choose to attend the Woodlands branch, which had replaced the early Subiaco branch. For some of the original elderly Fremantle members, Keith and I and my cousin Ilma held a monthly communion service in our homes, so that they did not feel so bereft. These services ceased in 2001, just a few months before the last elderly member died. After that, we were not involved, and I was still trying to ignore the various issues which were adding to my concerns.
In 2009, President Veazey answered questions about his address “A Defining Moment” in the June/July Australian Herald (I received these from my cousin). I was amazed to see that he answered some of the questions I had asked the First Presidency 30 years ago! This awakened me from my lethargy, and the next Herald contained more admissions regarding the early history of the Church and Joseph’s claims. I at least respected the President for acknowledging these facts at last.
The next amazing event was that an ex-RLDS member from Independence, Carol Hansen, wanted to publish Peter’s book and sought his permission. Peter agreed, adding a new Preface and Postscript. Peter asked me if I would allow him to include the contents of the two letters I had written to the First Presidency and the one and only reply I had received to my first letter. The second letter went unanswered. I gave Peter my consent.
Step three was when I received a letter from Carol Hansen and we began corresponding. Carol sent me a number of books, articles, and DVD’s which contained some very strong evidence and testimonies.
I asked myself the question – WHY NOW?” Thirty years had elapsed, and I had allowed myself to drift. It seemed to me that God was now providing answers to the questions I had asked so long ago.
I am now 82, and I knew that a decision to resign my membership would cause sadness to members of my age group – some of whom are relatives. I prayed for guidance, and finally realized that the answers HAD been provided and it was now up to me to make a decision.
To any of you who may be struggling with your beliefs in the RLDS story – which survived for so many years without question from its members, I know how you feel, but I urge you to read all you can, as there is so much now available.
My heart ached and, at my age, it would have been so easy to keep ignoring the evidence which kept growing. As I had asked the First Presidency for answers 30 years ago without success, I lost respect for them and felt that my concerns were treated lightly and that they did not consider my long-term membership to be of much worth. Apostle Sheehy knew me, had visited our home, as had some other members of the First Presidency, so I was not unknown. My husband and I had also attended the 1980 World Conference.
As time went on I was always aware of the changes occurring within the church. The re-naming of the church, when we were taught that Joseph had been given the name by which the church was to be known; women in the priesthood – all were signs to me that the church leaders were endeavouring to make the church more acceptable to mainstream Christianity. What I deplored was that the leaders were not prepared to deny completely the Restoration beliefs as begun by Joseph, but wanted to retain parts which weren’t too divisive or important to the acceptance of the Community of Christ by the National Council of Churches.
With modern technology, DNA etc., the Book of Mormon has been thoroughly disproved and damaging historical documents from Joseph’s time have had to be acknowledged as authentic. These facts have been known to church leaders and historians for many years, but their feeling was that the members were not ready to receive this information, and it could result in many members leaving the church. Such assumption, in my opinion, showed little respect for the loyalty and dedication of faithful church members.
One Sunday afternoon in June, 2010, I asked Peter, his wife Deborah, and my grandsons, Joel and Jason to come to our home. Peter spoke about my decision to make my commitment to accept Jesus as my Saviour. We used a recording I had made in 1989 singing some of my favorite hymns at the beginning and end of this short service. Music had always been an important part in my church life, so it was important to have this as part of my commitment service.
I have now resigned from the RLDS church – now known as Community of Christ. My feeling is one of great sadness, but finally I have peace in my heart. The way the events occurred in 2009-2010 forced me to make a decision, with so much more evidence available than in the 1980’s, but I firmly believe that God’s hand was instrumental in providing the answers NOW, for which I had sought so long ago.
I found the following material to be very helpful:
- Peter’s book Reasons for Disbelief – Peter Elliott
- Reorganized Latter Day Saints Church: Is it Christian? by Carol Hansen
- DVD “DNA vs. Book of Mormon” by Living Hope Ministries.
This has been MY journey…. I pray that it will help you on your journey.
Dorothy Hill