LATIN – apologeticus GREEK – apologetikos Apologetics: “The branch of theology that is concerned with defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines” (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009).
ABOUT FAIR
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JOURNAL CONTENTS
- Message From the President – Gay Marriage
- Donations
- FAIR Conference Registration now open
- Shaken Faith Syndrome book Second edition now available
- FAIR Wiki – New hi-res Book of Abraham photos sheds new light
- FAIR YouTube Archeology and DNA and the Book of Mormon
- Mormon Scholars Testify
- FAIR Study Aids
- Android Apps
- FAIR Blog
- FAIR Mormon Podcasts
- 4th Watch Podcasts
- Neal A Maxwell Institute – New beginnings
- Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture
- FAIR LDS Bookstore – Joseph Smith’s Polygamy and more
- Donating to FAIR * FAIR Front Page – Sign up for this Daily News Service
- Important Links
- Ask the Apologist
- Copyright Notice and Disclaimer
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
As the Supreme Court is taking up issues related to gay marriage, the Church’s involvement in the passage of proposition 8 in California has come under scrutiny once again. The issue of gay marriage is a difficult one. For some of our members who believe in loving relationships and including all, The Church’s position on gay marriage can sound harsh. Others, who focus on God’s laws, tax implications, and family structure, sometimes believe the Church’s position is too soft. For most of us, this is a question of faith and trust. Whatever your feelings are, it is important to know the facts of what exactly the Church’s involvement has been and how our involvement has been portrayed. (Hint, much misinformation has been circulated.) I know of people who have had this be a faith-shaking incident for them. Often it is a problem of not having the proper facts.
For a full discussion on The Church’s influence in California’s Proposition 8, we have several pages set up. There are many links on the main page that takes you to side discussions and questions. The main page is here:
http://en.fairmormon.org/Mormonism_and_politics/California_Proposition_8
You can listen to the court oral arguments here:
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Supreme-Court-Hears-Oral-Argument-on-Same-Sex-Marriage/10737439017/
Whatever the Supreme Court decides, we will move forward from there. The important thing to remember is that God loves us, he gives us commandments out of love, Jesus Christ is our Savior, and this Church is His Church.
We were recently asked to make a statement representing FAIR’s views on this subject It is as follows:
FAIR is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to defending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against false claims. As we are defenders of the faith, and as there are many strident voices on this and other issues regarding our faith, we have learned that many have a false impression of our stand on this issue.
We are composed of volunteers, who have differing opinions on many subjects including homosexuality. FAIR, as an organization, has no official position on the causes of homosexuality or on the treatment–or non-treatment of it, as we leave that to the professionals who study it. Additionally, we leave the spiritual and ecclesiastical decisions in this area to those who are in authority to receive continuing revelation from God, and support them in their efforts.
As many of us have friends and family members who struggle with their faith and sexuality, and as we have volunteers within FAIR who labor with these same struggles, we recognize this as a very real problem that affects individuals and families and often leads to much personal pain.
As this impacts many individuals and families, we put together a series of podcasts, which can be found at www.fairblog.org, where we interview faithful members of the Church who are working through their struggles.
We decry all efforts to harm, belittle, or discriminate against our fellow brothers and sisters who struggle with same-sex attraction whether they decide their best path is to leave the Church, or stay in the Church.
We hope that as people become more aware of the issue, that the personal and family pain can be minimized, and that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters can receive love and acceptance from their friends and family. We also hope that all can learn to recognize that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone, and that we are all children of God.
–Scott Gordon President of FAIR
DONATIONS
FAIR is an all-volunteer organization. Our volunteers donate their time and money. We are staffed with a wide diversity of people, who have a diversity of thought on gospel topics, politics, and social topics. I believe that is one of the strengths of FAIR. I have been amazed to see kindness and love extended to people who email us. I have seen FAIR volunteers reach out to people who are struggling with their testimonies, even when those people express views contrary to those of the volunteer.
But, FAIR does not exist without donations. Without funding, we close up shop and go away. Consider setting up a monthly donation. Just $25 a month would be a huge help. Even $10, or $5, set up in automatic monthly deposits would help us in our mission. Can you donate the price of one lunch or dinner a month to help members with struggling testimonies?
Donate to FAIR at http://www.fairlds.org/donate-to-fair
FAIR is a 501c(3) corporation, so in the United States your contributions are tax deductible. If you have questions, check with your tax advisor.
FAIR CONFERENCE
The Early Bird pricing for the FAIR conference on August 1 & 2 in Provo, UT is now open through May 1.
http://www.fairlds.org/fair-conferences/2013-fair-conference/conf13a
We are excited about this conference as we have speakers speaking on losing their testimony and returning, women’s issues, Joseph Smith’s history, and more. We have most of our speakers selected and will be updating the Website with the speaker’s names soon.
Please note we are in a new location. As we sold out last year, we moved to Utah Valley Convention Center on Center Street in Provo Utah. This will give us more room and a Marriott right across the street. The Marriott is offering us a fantastic discounted price for the upscale hotel. But, even though we have more room, and more hotel rooms, be sure to register early. Since we sold out last year, you will want to be sure to reserve your hotel room and conference space. Buying lunch at the conference also helps us defray room rental costs, so if you are able, please consider eating lunch with us. In the early bird pricing, the difference buying lunch for two days is very small.
SHAKEN FAITH SYNDROME
The new and expanded second edition of Mike Ash’s Shaken Faith Syndrome is now available. This best-selling book is the best reference book for dealing with issues of faith and testimony loss. In today’s world, it is important to understand causes of testimony loss, as well as many of the answers to questions people have.
Every family should have a copy of this book. It will help protect against some of the misinformation that our children and family members are subject to on a daily basis.
You can purchase a copy of this book here:
http://bookstore.fairlds.org/product.php?id_product=10
Be sure to check out the bookstore information at the bottom of this Journal as well. Brian Hales’ three volume set, Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, is now out and for sale, as well as John W. Welch’s books on Chiasmus in Antiquity.
FAIR WIKI
The Book of Abraham and its origins has been a topic of intense debate in some circles. It is a complicated enough topic that it is often difficult getting accurate information to frame the discussion. With the new release of online-high-resolution photographs of the Joseph Smith Papyri in the Joseph Smith Papers, it has brought one of those books sharply into focus. Charles Larson’s book By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus: A New Look at the Joseph Smith Papyri has long been referenced by
those antagonistic toward the church as the definitive nail in the coffin for the Church. But, the Facsimile photographs from the Joseph Smith papers shows that he may have taken some liberties in his book to attempt to support his point of view.
The book “…by his own hand upon papyrus” presents a “restoration” of Facsimile 1 (p. 65), which purports to be “based upon the modern study of Egyptology, and similar scenes in numerous existing papyri.” However, the recent availability of high-definition images of the papyri on the Church History website now provides the opportunity to compare the Larson restoration with the original. There are a number of discrepancies which indicate that the restoration contains a number of significant inaccuracies. We examine those inaccuracies in this sub-article. Note, this is not a full review article, but a smaller sub-topic of a larger discussion.
FAIR YOUTUBE
This month, FAIR Youtube would like to draw attention to a few notable videos. First, archaeologist Dr. John Clark discusses the number of items that were identifiable in Joseph Smiths day compared to ours. We learn that archaeology is beginning to provide evidence for The Book of Mormon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMjNCFcG4-o
In this same lecture, Dr. Clark draws stunning parallels between the Jaredite and ancient Olmec culture in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxQiWTXuF3s
Continuing with this theme, Dr. Clark provides graphs showing the same rise and fall of both Book of Mormon civilizations and Mesoamerican civilizations during the same time period.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzXCWHYbVGs
Finally, a clip from our DVD “The Book of Mormon and New World DNA” with population geneticists, linguists, and other scholars explaining some strong evidences of The Book of Mormon which would be very hard to explain outside of The Book of Mormon story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1QNQtV1C-U
MORMON SCHOLARS TESTIFY
We have two new Testimonies to Highlight.
Richard D. Draper http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=BqPrV&m=JYg0lHvnZwiiBr&b=Os0PIj5sKfK1kYNx2Yrf.w
James E. Talmage http://mormonscholarstestify.org/3176/james-e-talmage
FAIR STUDY AIDS
We want to point out again this amazing resource of Study aids
http://en.fairmormon.org/FAIR_Study_Aids/Book_of_Mormon_Resources_by_chapter_and_verse
ANDROID APPS
Our FAIR Android Apps has been updated. Among other things, it now allows you to donate to FAIR directly from your Android phone or Tablet. You can search for FAIRLDS in your Google Play store, or you can download them using your Android device here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=FAIRLDS
We currently have three Apps.
1. A full featured FAIR App. 2. A standalone App for the FAIRs Front Page Newsletter. This is included in the first App, but some only wanted this feature of daily press clippings. 3. An App we created for our friends over at the Interpreter.
FAIR BLOG
Is Logical Thinking Compatible with Spiritual Thinking? by Mike Ash on March 20th, 2013
Some of you may have received something like this in an email from a friend:
Y0UR M1ND 15 R34D1NG 7H15 4U70M471C4LLY W17H0U7 3V3N 7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17
How is our mind able to accurately decode the above sentence when many of the words are made up of more numbers than letters? Cognitive scientists tell us that our brains typically and quickly assemble clues from the environment to paint a picture of what’s around us while filling in the necessary assumptions.
“For emaxlpe, it deson’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod aepapr, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pcale. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit pobelrm.”[i]
What does this have to do with challenges to an LDS testimony?
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/03/20/is-logical-thinking-compatible-with-spiritual-thinking/
Subtle . . . and Significant! Our New 2013 Edition of the Scriptures Address Controversies by John Lynch on March 5th, 2013
On Friday, March 1st, the Church announced the immediate availability in digital format of a new edition of scriptures in English that incorporates changes, updates, and improvements over the 1981 edition that has served Church members for 32 years. On its website, the Church stated that the reason for the updates was to take advantage of the need to replace the printing master plates in use since 1979 and 1981 by making corrections and updates.
Such changes to scriptures are not new. The most significant changes in recent history were made to the 1981 print edition, which included updated chapter headings, an enhanced Bible Dictionary, a more comprehensive index, cross-referenced footnotes, pronunciation guides, improved and updated maps, as well as a few changes of substance that added clarity to scripture readings.
Reverend Spalding Strikes Again: A Response to Internet Criticism of Kerry Muhlestein’s Book of Abraham Videos by FAIR Staff on March 6th, 2013
Critics on a particularly hostile Internet message board have been celebrating over e-mail responses to some YouTube videos of LDS Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein. In the videos Dr. Muhlestein commented on some matters related to the Book of Abraham. The e-mails are from Egyptologists at UCLA (where Muhlestein earned his PhD). These scholars were solicited for their views by being sent the following e-mail from a critic on the message board:
Dr. Muhlenstein [sic] has recently been in a series of videos where he discusses his recent research on these papyrus fragments. His conclusions about the veracity of [Joseph] Smith’s translation of these papyri, their related facsimiles, and the explicit connection between the ancient biblical figure Abraham, and the ancient Egyptian book of the Dead, are contrary to what I thought the scholarly consensus was.[1]
Unfortunately, the e-mailer set up a straw man from the beginning: The videos are said to be “on these papyrus fragments,” meaning the Joseph Smith Papyri. He then goes on to speak about “[Muhlestein’s] conclusions about the veracity of Smith’s translations of these papyri.” Actually, Muhlestein says the papyri are not the source of the Book of Abraham (see note 13). Much of what Muhlestein talks about in the videos-such as various traditions about Abraham, the so-called Kirtland Egyptian Papers, and so forth-are not really related to the Joseph Smith Papyri at all, or even Egyptology proper. Two videos do focus on the facsimiles, of which only Facsimile 1 could be said to be related to the papyri that we have in our possession.
The e-mailer then asks if the Egyptologists”could help [him] understand how non-LDS Egyptologists view the Joseph Smith papyri, his translation of the accompanying facsimiles, and how valid the claims that Muhlenstein [sic] has been making in his recent videos are.”
Evidence, Education, and The Loss of Faith by Mike Ash on March 8th, 2013
“Religious faith not only lacks evidence, its independence from evidence is its pride and joy, shouted from the rooftops,” Richard Dawkins.[i]
For atheists like Dawkins, religion is for the weak-minded who believe in fairy tales-not only in the absence of evidence, but in spite of evidence. Likewise, most anti-LDS pundits (even sectarian LDS-critics who themselves accept God, Jesus, and the Bible) claim that Latter-day Saints believe in a fictional Book of Mormon which is not only unsupported by evidence, but makes claims that are contrary to known historical and scientific evidences.
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/03/08/evidence-education-and-the-loss-of-faith/
New from Interpreter: “Trusting Joseph” and “Ancient Affinities within the LDS Book of Enoch Part Two” by S. Hales Swift on March 16th, 2013
The Interpreter Foundation, for those who may not yet be aware, produces a journal dealing primarily with Latter-day Saint scripture and history, and many of the articles are relevant to the defense of the faith while also being interesting and enlightening in their own right. (See here for there mission statement). They release a new article promptly every Friday for those who want to keep abreast of some of the latest developments on Mormon topics.
This Friday’s article, linked here is a review of the recent book Exploring the First Vision, edited by Samuel Alonzo Dodge and Steven C. Harper. Review author Neal Rappleye discusses the various articles and highlights a few particular points made: The available historical record is supportive of the prophet’s claims. The milieu of unusual religious excitement in the years leading up to the First Vision is very much as the prophet described in the canonized account. The several accounts of the First Vision harmonize well with both the available historical information and with one another. Lastly, many of those who have spent the most time scrutinizing the accounts of the First Vision have found that doing so helped them to gain a deeper conviction of this foundational event.
MORMON FAIR-CASTS
Mormon FAIR-Cast 128: Blacks in the Bible by SteveDensleyJr on February 6th, 2013
In a study performed by the Higher Education Institute, in association with UCLA, which concluded in 2005, African Americans ranked number one in seven of the twelve spirituality categories measured. These deeply spiritual roots have been passed on from generation to generation of church goers and Bible faithful. This commitment is especially impressive in light of the absence of positive religious teachings, mentions or artistic renderings of Black African ancestors in today’s Christian religions.
There are many who regularly mention Cain and Ham and the curses associated with them, leaving and reinforcing the impression that Black equates to cursed or less than. Was there a positive Black presence in the biblical days? If there was, wouldn’t the entire world benefit from this knowledge? Those of African descent could gain a greater sense of self. This could also help to repudiate much of the confusion about race and encourage unity.
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/02/06/mormon-fair-cast-128-blacks-in-the-bible/
Mormon FAIR-Cast: 129: Skin Color & Curses by SteveDensleyJr on February 13th, 2013
How can the Church better reach African Americans? What do the scriptures mean when they say that a person is “black?” Does it refer to skin color or is it metaphorical? What do the scriptures mean when they say that a person or people are cursed?
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/02/13/mormon-fair-cast-129-skin-color-curses/
Mormon FAIR-Cast 130: Equality and Priesthood by SteveDensleyJr on February 20th, 2013
Marvin Perkins provides a scriptural compilation of the Lord’s command for all to be equal and to ordain to the priesthood all who will embrace the gospel work.
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/02/20/mormon-fair-cast-130-equality-and-priesthood/
Mormon FAIR-Cast 131: Blacks and the LDS Priesthood by SteveDensleyJr on February 27th, 2013
In this episode, Darius Gray provides a partial chronology concerning Blacks and the LDS priesthood. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in 1830, at which time, its first president and prophet, Joseph Smith ordained all men unto the priesthood. The only qualification is that they embrace the teachings of the Savior Jesus Christ and the promised restoration in preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. After the death of Joseph Smith at the hands of a mob, it would be three years before Brigham Young was officially named as the next president, leader and prophet of the church.
In 1847, President Brigham Young began the practice of withholding the priesthood only from men of Black African descent. It would be another two years before any official statement was made. Even though there was never any clear explanation as to why there was a change in course from what the prophet of the restoration had begun, the practice was continued on through the years with a number of exceptions. Enoch Abel, the son of Elijah Abel who was a Black man and ordained to this priesthood by Joseph Smith himself, was ordained to the priesthood in 1900. Then in 1934, his son, Elijah, was also ordained to the priesthood. There was much speculation as to why the priesthood was withheld from Blacks, in addition to attempts by church leadership to squash the ever growing possible reasons. However, in light the absence of the originating justification and the inequality of man at the time, the created folklore permeated the LDS church.
The practice even managed to survive through the Civil Rights Movement, and then in 1978, then President Spencer W. Kimball announced a revelation which ended the priesthood ban. At that time, many of African descent came into the church from all over the world. It was genuinely assumed that the problem was now officially over. However, again in light of the lack of explanation as to why the change in course, as well as the addressing of prior teaching, the majority of the members of the church continued, and continue to teach those things which the mere occurrence of the change contradicts.
This has created an incredible stumbling block for people of all races in and outside of the LDS church. Missionaries and members don’t know how to answer the questions had by critics or investigators, and those who think they do unintentionally reinforce the discriminatory reputation the church is labeled with. Many who see the blessings of the gospel or who would see them, can’t or won’t allow themselves to “look” because of the inability to receive adequate answers to past teachings and current scriptural passages.
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/02/27/mormon-fair-cast-131-blacks-and-the-lds-priesthood/
Mormon FAIR-Cast 132: The Book of Mormon and New World DNA by SteveDensleyJr on March 6th, 2013
Miraculous claims surrounding the coming forth of the Book of Mormon are an evidence of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith. Critics intent on discrediting the Restoration point to DNA studies on indigenous American peoples in an attempt to expose Joseph, the Book of Mormon, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as frauds. Claiming that scientific evidence excludes any possibility that Middle Eastern or ancient Jewish travelers came to the Americas in antiquity, such critics attempt to sow seeds of doubt in the minds of Latter-day Saints and those of other faiths concerning the authenticity of the Book of Mormon as an ancient religious text.
Are these studies credible? Do the data actually show what the critics claim? Do they discredit the Book of Mormon, or is there biological and other scientific evidence that supports the claims that it is indeed an ancient record of a people that once inhabited the Americas?
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/03/06/mormon-fair-cast-132-the-book-of-mormon-and-new-world-dna/
Mormon FAIR-Cast 133: Apologetics Organizations by SteveDensleyJr on March 13th, 2013
In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on November 11, 2012, Martin Tanner discusses FAIR and the Interpreter Foundation and the way in which they help to defend the Church and strengthen the faith of its members.
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/03/13/mormon-fair-cast-133-apologetics-organizations/
Mormon FAIR-Cast 135: Shaken Faith Syndrome, 2nd ed. by SteveDensleyJr on March 20th, 2013
How can we help family members or friends who are struggling with their faith in the gospel? What should someone do who experiences a crisis of faith? In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on March 17, 2013, Martin Tanner talks with Michael R. Ash, author of Shaken Faith Syndrome. The second edition of this important book can be purchased at the FAIR Bookstore,
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/03/20/mormon-fair-cast-135-shaken-faith-syndrome-2nd-ed/
4th Watch Podcasts
4th Watch 1 – Introduction by Ned Scarisbrick on March 15th, 2013
The 4th Watch is a new series of podcasts based on the 14th chapter of Matthew when the Savior meets the apostles by walking on the water. Brother Ned Scarisbrick is a convert to the Church and uses his unique style to bring us closer to our Savior by keeping our focus where it belongs.
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/03/15/4th-watch-1-introduction/
4th Watch 2 – Testimony and Lifelong Conversion by Ned Scarisbrick on March 22nd, 2013
The 4th Watch is a new series of podcasts based on the 14th chapter of Matthew in which the Savior meets the apostles by walking on the water. Brother Ned Scarisbrick talks about how he received his testimony while serving in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam.
http://www.fairblog.org/2013/03/22/4th-watch-2-testimony-and-lifelong-conversion/
NEAL A. MAXWELL INSTITUTE
The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship has made some important announcements this week. First of all, they have opened a new blog at
http://www.maxwellinstituteblog.org/
Secondly, they have announced a new Mormon Studies Review, with editor J Spencer Fluhman. Professor Fluhman holds a PhD in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the author of “A Peculiar People”: Anti-Mormonism and the Making of Religion in Nineteenth-Century America (University of North Carolina Press, 2012).
He also has written an article in the book No Weapon Shall Prosper: New Light on Sensitive Issues by Robert Millet.
http://bookstore.fairlds.org/product.php?id_product=1266
Here is a link to his article titled “A Subject That Can Bear Investigation: Anguish, Faith, and Joseph Smith’s Youngest Plural Wife”
He has put together an outstanding advisory board of Mormon and non-Mormon scholars who are familiar with Mormon studies.
We also wish to congratulate former FAIR volunteer Blair Hodges, who has been hired by the Institute as their public communications specialist. He made several contributions to the FAIR Blog and podcasts, and has now taken those skills to the Maxwell Institute. His expertise has already made a positive impact.
INTERPRETER: A JOURNAL OF MORMON SCRIPTURE
Confronting Five-Point Calvinism, Louis C. Midgley
Review of Roger E. Olson. Against Calvinism. Foreword by Michael Horton, author of For Calvinism. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. 207 pp., no index. $16.99 (paperback). The arguments in Roger Olson’s Against Calvinism rest on his deep sympathies with the Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609), whose followers were known as Remonstrants. Arminians traditionally qualify, question, or reject what is commonly known as Five-Point Calvinism which is often but not necessarily summed up by the acronym TULIP: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance. Olson traces the versions of Calvinist dogmatic theology to which he objects back to the decisions made at the famous Synod of Dort, a gathering of Calvinist divines that took place in the city of Dort (Dordrecht in Dutch) in 1618-19.
http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/confronting-five-point-calvinism/
Trusting Joseph, Neal Rappleye
Abstract: The “first steps” of Mormon history are vital to the faith claims of the Latter-day Saints. The new volume Exploring the First Vision, edited by Samuel Alonzo Dodge and Steven C. Harper, compiles research into the historical veracity of Joseph Smith’s First Vision narrative which shows the Prophet to have been a reliable and trustworthy witness. Ultimately, historical investigation can neither prove nor disprove that Joseph had a theophany in the woods in 1820. Individuals must therefore reach their conclusions by some other means.
http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/trusting-joseph/
Ancient Affinities within the LDS Book of Enoch Part One, Jeffrey M. Bradshaw and David J. Larsen
Abstract: In this article, we will examine affinities between ancient extracanonical sources and a collection of modern revelations that Joseph Smith termed “extracts from the Prophecy of Enoch.” We build on the work of previous scholars, revisiting their findings with the benefit of subsequent scholarship. Following a perspective on the LDS canon and an introduction to the LDS Enoch revelations, we will focus on relevant passages in pseudepigrapha and LDS scripture within three episodes in the Mormon Enoch narrative: Enoch’s prophetic commission, Enoch’s encounters with the “gibborim,” and the weeping and exaltation of Enoch and his people.
http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/ancient-affinities-within-the-lds-book-of-enoch-part-one/
Ancient Affinities within the LDS Book of Enoch Part Two, Jeffrey M. Bradshaw and David J. Larsen
Abstract: In this article, we will examine affinities between ancient extracanonical sources and a collection of modern revelations that Joseph Smith termed “extracts from the Prophecy of Enoch.” We build on the work of previous scholars, revisiting their findings with the benefit of subsequent scholarship. Following a perspective on the LDS canon and an introduction to the LDS Enoch revelations, we will focus on relevant passages in pseudepigrapha and LDS scripture within three episodes in the Mormon Enoch narrative: Enoch’s prophetic commission, Enoch’s encounters with the “gibborim,” and the weeping and exaltation of Enoch and his people.
http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/ancient-affinities-within-the-lds-book-of-enoch-part-two/
FAIR LDS BOOKSTORE
Come to the FAIR Bookstore to find the Internet’s best selection of materials for LDS apologetics. Whether you are looking for books, study aids, DVDs, or audio products, the FAIR Bookstore has what you need. You can begin your browsing by going to our main site.
Be sure to check out the Clearance Section. We have many older books and some new books with slightly damaged covers that offer great deals to buyers.
http://bookstore.fairlds.org/category.php?id_category=19
Clearance Special:
► Chiasmus in Antiquity
Limited to stock on hand.
John W. Welch (Editor), Provo, Utah: Research Press at Brigham Young University, 1999, 6×9″ softbound, 353 pages. The study of ancient literature has been enriched in the twentieth century by the growing awareness and understanding of the presence of chiasmus. This form of inverted parallelism has been found in the Bible and in many other ancient writings, where it adds beauty and helps to reveal meaning. The essays in Chiasmus in Antiquity, first published in Germany in 1981, examine the use and effect of chiasmus in the old and New testaments and Book of Mormon, as well as in Sumero-Akkadian, Ugaritic, Talmudic, Greek, and Latin literatures. Research Press is pleased to bring these essays back into print in this first American edition because of their lasting value for the study of this intriguing literary form.
Retail Price: $24.95 Special FAIR Price: $17.47 (30% Discount)
► Chiasmus Bibliography
Limited to stock on hand.
John W Welch. and Daniel B. McKinlay (Editors) Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research & Mormon Studies, 1999, softbound, 193 pages. This work marks thirty years of research. The newly released bibliography is the most recent fruit of Welch’s long-standing interest in chiasmus. Citing articles and books that discuss chiasmus in scripture and other literature, this bibliography is the most exhaustive work of its kind ever completed. This new version lists about 900 works on chiasmus by author and title and includes full publication information.
Retail Price: $19.95 Special FAIR Price: $13.97 (30% Discount)
Monthly Specials:
http://bookstore.fairlds.org/category.php?id_category=50
► Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, Volume 1: History Brian C. Hales with the assistance of Don Bradley. Salt Lake City, Utah: Greg Kofford Books, 2013. Hardbound, 6×9″, 636 pages.
Few American religious figures have stirred more passion among adherents and antagonists than Joseph Smith. Born in 1805 and silenced thirty-nine years later by assassins’ bullets, he dictated more than one-hundred revelations, published books of new scripture, built a temple, organized several new cities, and became the proclaimed prophet to tens of thousands during his abbreviated life.
Among his many novel teachings and practices, none is more controversial than plural marriage, a restoration of the Old Testament practice that he accepted as part of his divinely appointed mission. Joseph Smith taught his polygamy doctrines only in secret and dictated a revelation in July 1843 authorizing its practice (now LDS D&C 132) that was never published during his lifetime. Although rumors and exposés multiplied, it was not until 1852 that Mormons in Brigham Young’s Utah took a public stand. By then, thousands of Mormons were engaged in the practice that was seen as essential to salvation.
Victorian America saw plural marriage as immoral and Joseph Smith as acting on libido. However, the private writings of Nauvoo participants and other polygamy insiders tell another, more complex and nuanced story. Many of these accounts have never been published. Others have been printed sporadically in unrelated publications. Drawing on every known historical account, whether by supporters or opponents, Volumes 1 and 2 take a fresh look at the chronology and development of Mormon polygamy, including the difficult conundrums of the Fannie Alger relationship, polyandry, the “angel with a sword” accounts, Emma Smith’s poignant response, and the possibility of Joseph Smith offspring by his plural wives. Among the most intriguing are the newly available Andrew Jenson papers containing not only the often-quoted statements by surviving plural wives but also Jenson’s own private research, conducted in the late nineteenth century.
Telling the story of Joseph Smith’s polygamy from the records of those who knew him best, augmented by those who observed him from a distance, may have produced the most useful view of all.
Retail Price: $36.95
Special FAIR Price: $30.30 (18% Discount)
► Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, Volume 2: History Brian C. Hales with the assistance of Don Bradley. Salt Lake City, Utah: Greg Kofford Books, 2013. Hardbound, 6×9″, 602 pages.
Few American religious figures have stirred more passion among adherents and antagonists than Joseph Smith. Born in 1805 and silenced thirty-nine years later by assassins’ bullets, he dictated more than one-hundred revelations, published books of new scripture, built a temple, organized several new cities, and became the proclaimed prophet to tens of thousands during his abbreviated life.
Among his many novel teachings and practices, none is more controversial than plural marriage, a restoration of the Old Testament practice that he accepted as part of his divinely appointed mission. Joseph Smith taught his polygamy doctrines only in secret and dictated a revelation in July 1843 authorizing its practice (now LDS D&C 132) that was never published during his lifetime. Although rumors and exposés multiplied, it was not until 1852 that Mormons in Brigham Young’s Utah took a public stand. By then, thousands of Mormons were engaged in the practice that was seen as essential to salvation.
Victorian America saw plural marriage as immoral and Joseph Smith as acting on libido. However, the private writings of Nauvoo participants and other polygamy insiders tell another, more complex and nuanced story. Many of these accounts have never been published. Others have been printed sporadically in unrelated publications. Drawing on every known historical account, whether by supporters or opponents, Volumes 1 and 2 take a fresh look at the chronology and development of Mormon polygamy, including the difficult conundrums of the Fannie Alger relationship, polyandry, the “angel with a sword” accounts, Emma Smith’s poignant response, and the possibility of Joseph Smith offspring by his plural wives. Among the most intriguing are the newly available Andrew Jenson papers containing not only the often-quoted statements by surviving plural wives but also Jenson’s own private research, conducted in the late nineteenth century.
Telling the story of Joseph Smith’s polygamy from the records of those who knew him best, augmented by those who observed him from a distance, may have produced the most useful
Retail Price: $36.95 Special FAIR Price: $30.30 (18% Discount)
► Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, Volume 3: Theology Brian C. Hales. Salt Lake City, Utah: Greg Kofford Books, 2013. Hardbound, 6×9″, 332 pages.
Americans of Joseph Smith’s day, steeped in the stories and prophecies of the King James Bible, certainly knew about plural marriage; but it was a curiosity relegated to the misty past of patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, who never gave reasons for their polygamy. It was long abandoned, Christians understood, by the time Jesus set forth the dominating law of the New Testament. But how did Joseph Smith understand it? Where did it fit in the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) predicted in the New Testament? What part did it play in the global ideology declared by this modern prophet who produced new scripture, new revelation, and new theology?
During Joseph Smith’s lifetime, polygamy was taught and practiced in intense secrecy, with the result that he never fully explained its doctrinal underpinnings or systematized its practice. As a result, reconstructing Joseph Smith’s theology of plurality is a task that has seldom been undertaken. Most theological examinations have either focused on its development during Brigham Young’s Utah period, with its need to resist increasing federal legislative and judicial pressures, or the efforts of twentieth-century and contemporary “fundamentalists” who continue to marry a plurality of wives.
Volume 3 of this three-volume work builds on the carefully reconstructed history of the development of Mormon polygamy during Joseph Smith’s lifetime, then assembles the doctrinal principles from his recorded addresses, the diary entries of those closely associated with him, and his broader teachings on the related topics of obedience to God’s will, marriage and family relations, and the mechanics of eternal progression, salvation, and exaltation. The revelation he dictated in July 1843 that authorized the practice of eternal and plural marriage receives unprecedented examination and careful interpretation that illuminate this significant document and its underlying doctrines.
Attempts to explain the history of Joseph Smith’s polygamy without comprehending the theological principles undergirding its practice will always be incomplete and skewed. This volume, which takes those principles and evidences with the utmost seriousness, has produced the most important explanation of “why” this ancient practice reemerged among the Latter-day Saints on the shores of the Mississippi in the early 1840s.
Retail Price: $26.95 Special FAIR Price: $22.10 (18% Discount)
► Disciple as Witness: Essays on Latter-day Saint History and Doctrine in Honor of Richard Lloyd Anderson, The Stephen D. Ricks, Donald W. Parry, and Andrew H. Hedges, Editors. Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research & Mormon Studies (FARMS), 2000, 6.5×9″ hardbound, 622 pages. ISBN: 0934893454
Richard Lloyd Anderson–known as a devoted teacher, careful writer, and perfect gentleman–has had a great impact on the study of LDS Church history. In this volume, friends and colleagues have written 18 scholarly studies in his honor. Several of these pages were presented on 8 March 1997 at a conference titled “Pioneers of the Restoration”
In his introduction to this volume, Andrew H. Hedges reminds us of Anderson’s notable contribution to the study of LDS Church History: “Trained as both a historian and lawyer, the cautious, probing, analytical approach he brought to the field more than forty years ago revolutionized the way scholars have researched and written about Joseph Smith and the church he restored. Taking nothing for granted, Anderson reexamined the sources we thought we all knew, asked questions we never considered, and mined archives we never knew existed. The result was nothing short of spectacular, as the publications resulting from these efforts have largely rewritten our understanding of many of the seminal experiences of the early church and her founding prophet.
Contents:
- Second Only to Christ: Joseph Smith in Modern Mormon Piety – James B. Allen
- The Ram and the Lion: Lyman Wight and Brigham Young –
- Davis Bitton
- The Tomb of Joseph – Susan Easton Black
- Words of Comfort: Funeral Sermons of the Prophet Joseph Smith – Donald Q. Cannon
- Richard Lloyd Anderson and Worldwide Church Growth –
- Richard O. Cowan
- The Return of Oliver Cowdery – Scott H. Faulring
- Eyewitness, Hearsay, and Physical Evidence of the Joseph Smith Papyri – John Gee
- Every Kindred, Tongue, and People – Gary P. Gillum
- David Whitmer and the Shaping of Latter-day Saint History – Kenneth W. Godfrey
- Pleasing the Eye and Gladdening the Heart: Joseph Smith and Life’s Little Pleasures – Andrew H. Hedges
- Scenes from Early Latter-day Saint History – Kent P. Jackson
- Antiquities, Curiosities, and Latter-day Saint Museums – Glen M. Leonard
- The Role of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible in the Restoration of Doctrine – Robert J. Matthews The Authorship Debate concerning Lectures on Faith: Exhumation and Reburial – Noel B. Reynolds
- John Gilbert’s 1892 Account of the 1830 Printing of the Book of Mormon – Royal Skousen
- Historical Perspectives on the Kirtland Revelation Book – John A. Tvedtnes
- Oliver Cowdery’s 1835 Response to Alexander Campell’s 1831 “Delusions” – John W. Welch
- Moromon Missiology: An Introduction and Guide to the Sources – David J. Whittaker
- A Chronological Bibliography of the Works of Richard Lloyd Anderson – David J. Whittaker, compiler
Retail Price: $34.95 Special FAIR Price: $27.96 (20% Discount)
► Joseph Smith Papers, Journals, The – vol. 1 1832-1839 General Editors: Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, Richard Lyman Bushman. Volume Editors: Dean C. Jessee, Mark Ashhurst-McGee, Richard l. Jensen. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church Historian’s Press, 2008. Hardbound, 7 ¼ x 10 ¼”, 568 pgs. ISBN: 9781570088490
The Joseph Smith Papers, comprising dozens of volumes when complete, will be the largest, most authoritative published collection of Joseph smith documents anywhere. Although broad in scope, the Papers project has a relatively simple aim: to make available essential sources for the study of early Mormon history and of Joseph Smith-the church president and prophet, the city builder, the civic and military leader, the husband and father.
With unprecedented access to Joseph Smith texts, including many never before published, this landmark project provides new information and insights about Joseph Smith, early Mormonism, and nineteenth-century American religion. The documents, topically arranged into several series, include journals, correspondence, sermons, revelations, translations, histories, minutes, and legal and business records.
This inaugural volume features Joseph Smith’s first five journals and reflects the beginning of Mormon record keeping in the church’s earliest years. Joseph smith began recording his first journal in 1832 in a small pocket-size book that he carried along with him during his missionary travels. Studying these personal entries gives the reader an appreciation for Smith’s character, including his private piety and love for family. The work of journal keeping was soon thereafter delegated to scribes.
Joseph Smith’s second journal includes some of the earliest versions of his revelations. The final three journals in this volume, document the origins of the “Mormon War” in Missouri and Joseph Smith’s early efforts to establish a new headquarters for the church in Commerce (later Nauvoo), Illinois.
Two forthcoming volumes in the Journals series will feature Joseph smith’s lengthy Nauvoo journals, kept primarily by scribes Willard Richards and William Clayton. These journals, covering almost every day of Smith’s life from mid-December 1841 to his murder in June 1844, report his activities and discourses as he administered the affairs of growing church and introduced new religious doctrine while also serving a city mayor and head of the militia.
Retail Price: $49.95 Special FAIR Price: $34.97 (30% Discount)
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