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Journal – May 2003

May 2003

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).

JOURNAL CONTENTS

  • NEW ON THE WEBSITE: WAS JOSEPH SMITH A MARTYR OR A MURDERER? An evaluation of critical charges that Joseph Smith was not a martyr because he didn’t die submissively.
  • NEW ON THE WEBSITE: A SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE EARLY NEPHITES A great presentation that focuses on ancient American correlations for placing the geography of the Book of Mormon.
  • NEW ON THE WEBSITE: THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL. What is meant when it is said that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel? .
  • NEW ON THE WEBSITE: A MESSAGE OF FRIENDSHIP: MUSLIMS AND LATTER-DAY SAINTS. A new FAIR Paper that examines the common points between LDS and Muslims. .
  • FAIR CONFERENCE UPDATE. A new session is announced, and excitement is building. .
  • THE ELEVENTH HOUR: BLACKS IN THE LDS CHURCH. Announcement of an exciting new documentary project. .
  • MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, SCOTT GORDON. How to make the most of participating with FAIR. .
  • BOOKSTORE SPECIALS Build your gospel library with great offers from our online bookstore. All of our selections are prescreened for quality so you can make your purchases with confidence. .
  • ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS. Interested in writing for FAIR? Learn how you can have your apologetics work published. .
  • PUBLISHING NOTES. Learn how you can become more involved in FAIR and how you can reuse the material we publish. .
  • FAIR JOURNAL ARCHIVES

WAS JOSEPH SMITH A MARTYR OR A MURDERER?

by Lance Starr

Critics claim that Joseph Smith is not a martyr because, while in jail, he had a gun and he had the temerity to defend himself, his brother and companions by firing at the mob, killing two men. It is the purpose of this FAIR Paper to show that these arguments are specious and completely without basis.

Read the paper:

A SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE EARLY NEPHITES

by Brant Gardner (Presented at the 2001 FAIR Conference)

In piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, the most helpful tool is the picture on the box that tells us what the completed puzzle should look like. Seeing that larger picture, the small pieces that may not be immediately intelligible on their own can find a place, and the puzzle is more amenable to solution. The Book of Mormon is just such a historical puzzle, but the box doesn’t favor us with the picture. Finding the overall picture becomes yet another piece of our puzzle.

This presentation, delivered at the 2001 FAIR Conference, is an excellent analysis of complex evidences for the ancient American location in which the Book of Mormon took place. It is also an excellent example of the caliber of presentations common at any FAIR Conference.

Read the presentation:

A Social History of the Early Nephites by Brant Gardner

THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL

by Michael B. Parker

In a revelation given in 1830, the Lord declared that he had given Joseph Smith “power from on high…to translate the Book of Mormon; which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also.”

This statement has confused some Latter-day Saints and, occasionally, given rise to criticism from those outside the Church. “How,” they ask, “could the Book of Mormon contain the ‘fulness of the gospel’ when it doesn’t contain a number of unique LDS doctrines?”

Read the article:

A MESSAGE OF FRIENDSHIP: MUSLIMS AND LATTER-DAY SAINTS

by David Stewart

Latter-day Saints recognize Muslims as brothers and sisters, children of our Heavenly Father, with whom we can find much common ground. Latter-day Saints respect the strong family values and moral accomplishments of Muslims as well as Islamic contributions to science, literature, history, philosophy, medicine, and the arts. While there are many differences between Muslims and Latter-day Saints in doctrine and practice, we acknowledge these differences with respect rather than criticism. Latter-day Saints extend a hand of friendship to Muslims everywhere.

Read the paper:

A Message of Friendship: Muslims and Latter-day Saints (PDF) by David Stewart

FAIR CONFERENCE UPDATE

ANOTHER EXCITING CONFERENCE ADDITION

We continue to receive requests from people who want to understand how they can get started in apologetics. To fill this need we have added a special workshop to this year’s conference schedule. Kevin Barney and Mike Ash will be hosting an Apologetics 101 workshop for people who are interested in learning the basics of LDS apologetics. The workshop will be offered from 8 to 9 am on Friday, August 8. This workshop will be different from the general sessions of the conference, in that it will be an interactive workshop targeted to help faithful members of the LDS church. We anticipate this will be a smaller group who can interact and ask questions. This should be a great event.

FAIR CONFERENCE SCHEDULE SET

Mark your calendars, buy your conference tickets and pack your bags to come to this year’s exciting FAIR Conference. Our list of speakers is outstanding. If one of these speakers came to your stake for a fireside it would pack the building. We have them all in one place. We are talking about the LDS view of grace, DNA, Book of Abraham, Mountain Meadows, Book of Mormon evidences, blacks and the LDS, Church history, and more.

The two day schedule is as follows:

Conference sessions will begin at 9:00 am on Thursday, August 7th, and will end at 5:00 pm. The schedule for Thursday is as follows:

  • 8:00 – 9:00 Registration
  • 9:00 – 9:50 Matt Roper
  • 10:00 – 10:50 John Gee
  • 11:00 – 11:50 John Tvedtnes
  • 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
  • 1:00 – 1:50 Trent Stephens
  • 2:00 – 2:50 Brant Gardner
  • 2:50 – 3:10 Snack Break
  • 3:10 – 4:00 Roger Ekins
  • 4:00 – 4:50 George Potter/Richard Wellington
  • 4:50 – 5:00 Closing Remarks

Friday’s sessions will begin at 9:00 am (with a special workshop at 8:00 am) and will continue until 5:00 pm. The schedule for Friday is as follows:

  • 8:00 – 8:50 Apologetics 101 workshop with Kevin Barney & Mike Ash
  • 8:00 – 9:00 Registration
  • 9:00 – 9:50 Jeff Meldrum
  • 10:00 – 10:50 Michael Rhodes
  • 11:00 – 11:50 Roger Keller
  • 11:50 – 12:00 John Lynch
  • 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
  • 1:00 – 1:50 Gene Sessions
  • 2:00 – 2:50 Craig Foster
  • 2:50 – 3:10 Snack Break
  • 3:10 – 4:00 Armand Mauss
  • 4:00 – 4:50 Dan Peterson
  • 4:50 – 5:20 Panel Discussion
  • 5:20 – 5:30 Closing Remarks

LOCATION

August 7 – 8, 2003 Utah Valley State College Orem, Utah

REGISTRATION

The price of the two day conference is only $59.95 which includes lunch each day. For more information and to purchase tickets click here:

2003 FAIR Conference

See you at the FAIR Conference!

THE ELEVENTH HOUR: BLACKS IN THE LDS CHURCH

Every once in a while, we at FAIR see a worthwhile project that deserve our support. We believe that this film is one of them. Read about it; we are sure you will agree.

During the inflammatory civil rights battles in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, many blacks joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a church with a racist reputation for their history of denying blacks the opportunity for ordination into the LDS Church Priesthood until 1978.

This feature-length documentary film will tell the true stories of blacks and their interactions with the LDS Church. “The Eleventh Hour” will introduce us to the first pre-Civil War black converts to Mormonism in the 1830s. It will remind us both of the civil rights activists who fought the LDS Church in the 1960’s-1970s and of the black Mormons who stayed with the Church during these turbulent times. In addition, “The Eleventh Hour” will take a closer look at the complex and often violent race/religious struggles in the broader American social landscape of the times.

The documentary will conclude with the stories of current black Mormon priests, leaders, Church authorities, and members.

Produced by first-time documentary producers Robert J. Foster and Wayne Lee, “The Eleventh Hour” will be directed by Richard Dutcher.

Producer Robert J. Foster was the first African American Student Body President at Brigham Young University. Producer Wayne L. Lee, an African American Filmmaker, is the founder and director of the Gloria Film Festival. Richard Dutcher is the writer and director of “Brigham City” and “God’s Army.”

We believe that this film is worthy of FAIR’s support. But, this exciting film project needs more funding. If you are interested in becoming a producer, please contact us. If you are willing to make a donation, please click here:

http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s103

or send a check to FAIR, PO Box 491677, Redding, CA 96049. Here is your chance to make a difference.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The most expensive part about putting on conferences is getting the word out. Advertising costs a lot of money, and many newspapers aren’t interested in the fact that we are a non-profit, all volunteer organization.

Based on our past experience, advertising in the Local Provo/Salt Lake newspapers will cost about $2,500. If you are able to make a contribution that will help us cover our advertising costs, please click here:

Donate to FAIR

or mail a check to: FAIR, PO Box 491677, Redding, CA 96049. FAIR is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and all donations can be tax deductible in the US.

GETTING THE WORD OUT

We need to get the word out about FAIR. There are various ways you can help us do that.

  1. You can download this conference poster and post it up in an appropriate place like your local LDS bookstore. http://www.fairlds.org/poster03.pdf
  2. If you have a website, you can put up a FAIR banner or button. We have a new set of Banners and buttons here: Link to FAIR
  3. You can sign up your friends for the FAIR Journal here: Sign up the the FAIR Journal (note, a confirming email is sent out before a person is added.)
  4. You can contact your newspaper and make sure the FAIR conference is listed in the calendar of upcoming events (in appropriate locations.)
  5. You can email us with your own idea. Email Scott Gordon at FAIR President.

MISSIONARY IDEA

I hope you all find FAIR as valuable a resource as I do. I have just sent my second son to the MTC and I am now supporting two missionaries. I hope to help my second son as I have my first.

I sent my son a binder with tab-dividers and a three-hole punch at the beginning of his mission. Then, as I have sent letters to him, I have included articles from FAIR. This lets him read one or two articles a week and he isn’t overwhelmed. He has saved the articles in his binder and has shared his binder with other missionaries.

I know it has been helpful because I have received emails from other missionaries who have been in his mission and have used the FAIR articles to help investigators find answers to questions.

Now I just have to go buy a second binder for my second son.

Scott Gordon

BOOKSTORE SPECIALS

  • Our first offering is from Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, one of FAIR’s perennial favorites. Their apologetic work, “Offenders for a Word.” This book reveals the tactics many anti- Mormons employ in attacking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In clear, straightforward terms, the authors explain the true beliefs of the church and how to see through the word games that critics use to attack it. “Offenders for a Word” answers critics’ objections to Latter-day Saint beliefs regarding the Godhead, polygamy, salvation by grace and works, eternal progression, the premortal existence, the role of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the nature of the Holy Ghost, and much more. Our Price: $9.50 Savings: Over 25%
  • “The Book of Mormon and Other Hidden Books”, by another of our conference speakers, John A. Tvedtnes, examines the resemblances between many ancient books and the Book of Mormon, similarities that were unknown in 1830. Our Price: $10.95 Savings: Over 25%
  • “A Guide to the Joseph Smith Papyri” Whether you are just beginning to be aware of the controversy surrounding the Joseph Smith Papyri or have been interested since their rediscovery in 1967, this full-color, reader-friendly guide contains an overview of the basic facts and major theories about the papyri, along with helpful maps, illustrations, charts, and glossaries of terms and names. Written by Egyptologist John Gee. Our Price: $9.50 Savings: Over 25%

To take advantage of this month’s specials, click the following link to visit the bookstore.

FAIR Bookstore – Monthly Specials

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The volunteer that handles our distribution will be taking a break through June 9th, which means that orders currently placed will be processed shortly thereafter.

We’re interested in any suggestions you may have to improve our service as well. Let us know what you need and what you want.

– The FAIR Bookstore Staff

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

We welcome article submissions for the FAIR Web site. If you would like to submit an article, please review the editing guidelines at:

FAIR Editorial Style Guide

Submit your article to the FAIR Journal Editor. An appropriate article would be one that affirms the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

While LDS apologetics (in the broadest sense) deals with refuting critics of the Church, articles don’t necessarily have to deal with anti-Mormonism, but may deal with some new evidence of the Book of Mormon, some interesting scripture interpretation, a viewpoint or quote from the early Christian Fathers or other historical figure, an interesting lesson idea, an inspiring missionary story, Church history, or your view on a current event related to the Church or a piece from a historical journal.

We may also accept articles from people who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that may not necessarily meet the guidelines of supporting the church if it is a topic of general interest to people involved in apologetics.

A submission may range in length from several pages to a single paragraph.

PUBLISHING NOTES

FAIR is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided in the FAIR Journal and on the FAIR Web site (http://www.fairlds.org) are the sole responsibility of FAIR, and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief or practice.

If someone has forwarded this e-journal to you and you would like to join you should go to www.fairlds.org and click on the FAIR Publications link.

If you are very interested in apologetics and would like to actively participate in FAIR you should consider joining our apologetics e-mail list. Visit www.fairlds.org and click on the Join FAIR link to join this list.

If you manage your own e-mail list, and wish to include some of these thoughts or articles on your list, contact us through our Web site, at this page: www.fairlds.org/contact.psp. We have a fairly liberal policy of using our material so long as you contact us first to gain permission and clearly identify that your source was FAIR and by adding a link to the FAIR Web site (www.fairlds.org).

If you would like to sign up to receive the FAIR Journal automatically, click here.

To return to the index of past FAIR Journal issues, click here.