Former Mormon uses British legal system to question faith's fundamental beliefs

SALT LAKE CITY – A disgruntled ex-Mormon is using the British judicial system to bring to light what he perceives as fundamental lies in the faith's tenets.

Thomas Phillips has filed a lawsuit in London accusing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Thomas Monson of fraud. A British magistrate signed the summons Friday, ordering Monson to appear before the court in March.

Phillips is a former regional church leader in England who now runs a website that challenges church history and doctrine.

British legal scholars say they are surprised a judge signed off on the summons, saying it likely won't go anywhere.

Church spokesman Eric Hawkins says the "bizarre allegations" fit into a category of documents that are occasionally sent to embarrass church leaders.