June 2011
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
- Message from the President * FAIR Conference
- Credit Card Security
- Promoting FAIR
- Donating to FAIR
- FAIR Article
- MormontTemples.net
- FAIR Wiki
- FAIR YouTube
- FAIR Blog/FAIR Casts
- FAIR FaceBook and Twitter
- Mormon Scholars Testify
- FAIR’s ‘Front Page’
- FAIR Bookstore
- Ask the Apologist
- Copyright Notice & Disclaimer
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity of visiting with a brother who is struggling with his testimony. He was kind and gracious as well as being open about his struggles. He is a good returned missionary who is active in church and married in the temple. He objected to one of the policy decisions that the Church has recently made, and when he brought that objection up to members of his extended family, he was immediately criticized for not supporting the brethren. These confrontations with family members then made him start to question other things he had learned in Sunday School and Seminary.
As I have been thinking about this, I realize that the policy decision by the Church did not impact this brother. There was no change he had to make in his life; there was nothing he had to do. But, questioning the one thing, and being met with negativity, brought everything else into question.
It is not an uncommon occurrence that spiritual difficulties with one small item can cause a larger problem. This “chink in the armor” theory is a strategy that is often exploited by anti-Mormons familiar with the phenomenon. Many anti-Mormons throw accusations, many of which can be easily reconciled, with the hopes that one will stick and gnaw at us until it leads to a major crisis of faith. In the case of this brother, it wasn’t anti-Mormonism that caused the chink in his armor, but simply a Church policy he disagreed with.
While some believe that the gospel gives us answers to everything in life, others feel learning to deal with ambiguity in life is an important skill to master. I am a committed, believing Latter-day Saint who believes the Church gives us many answers. I hold to the position that the Lord wants to bless us, but sometimes we aren’t ready for that blessing, teaching, or information. There are good members of the Church who may not do everything right, which brings difficulties or ambiguity into our life. At times, we don’t have a complete understanding of some principle or practice. Sometimes we can feel absolutely right on some principle or teaching, but we may not be in agreement with another member or Church leader.
When I observe this principle, as I observed it in this brother, I often reflect upon the phrase to “hold to the rod.” What should we hold on to in order to buttress our testimony and carry us through life? There can be many things to choose from, but we must choose wisely. In my case, I hold on to my testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that He loves me, and that He died for my sins. I also hold on to my testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. With those two beliefs held as the rod of my testimony, other difficulties, ambiguities, or disagreements become secondary.
I pray that we all can hold to the rod, that we can be kind to others, and treat others as the Savior would treat them. This will lead to happiness in our life.
–Scott Gordon President of FAIR
FAIR CONFERENCE
Hurry! Sign up for the FAIR Conference! It is less than a month away. With great speakers and topics covering, politics, polygamy, immigration, Kinderhook plates, Islam, archeology, the First Vision, translation, blood atonement, ancient Egyptian art, word prints, and wikis, you won’t want to miss this. Hurry and sign up while you can get a space.
Additionally, we have our FAIR bookstore at the conference with great deals on books, CDs, and DVDs.
You can read more information about the conference and see the schedule here:
You won’t want to miss this! (Note that students and CES employees get a special discounted rate.)
Also, note that the discounted hotel rate is only offered through July 15, so you will want to hurry and register for that, too. To make your hotel reservations, contact the Best Western Cottontree at 800-662-6886 or 801-523-8484. Use the confirmation number 902508 or tell them it is for the FAIR Conference.
CREDIT CARD SECURITY
Every credit card transactions placed through the FAIR bookstore is a secure transaction. To ensure that fact, we have an outside agency which checks the security on a regular basis. To deal with our increasing traffic, we moved our bookstore to a new server. This caused some browsers to pop up an “unsecure” notification. The cause of that notification has been identified and fixed. It was a simple setting that had to be modified. Please rest assured that security is very important to us and we use the most up-to-date security methods.
PROMOTING FAIR
Invite your friends to the upcoming FAIR Conference. Tell your friends to sign up for the FAIR Journal. Please link to FAIR at www.fairlds.org and to the FAIR Wiki at en.fairmormon.org. Please click on “Like” on the FAIR Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/fairlds
DONATING TO FAIR
FAIR is labor of love. We are a group of volunteers who spend many hours trying to research and publish information to help members respond to critics. We try to price our conferences to be accessible to as many as possible. But, providing this information does cost money. In all of your charitable giving, please consider donating to FAIR. It is only through your donations that we are able to stay in operation.
If you can donate $10, or $10,000, every dollar helps us.
You can also mail a check to our address:
FAIR PO Box 491677 Redding, CA 96049-1677
FAIR ARTICLE
Joel Kramer Vs. The Bible and Joseph Smith.
In this review, Stephen Smoot examines the anti-Mormon video productions created by Living Hope Ministries under the direction of Joel Kramer. He discusses many of the common arguments that Mr. Kramer highlights including the Joseph Smith translation of John 1:1–the nature of God, Deuteronomy 18–the nature of prophets, Mormons worship a different Jesus, the nature of the Bible, Grace and works, Jesus born in the land of Jerusalem, and more.
Joel Kramer Vs. The Bible and Joseph Smith
MORMONTEMPLES.NET
We announced this last month, but if you haven’t checked it out yet, take a look at our new website at MormonTemples.net. Some of the questions we hope to help answer within the pages of this website include:
- What goes on in Mormon temples?
- Why do they exist?
- How is it different from a regular church building?
- How will a Mormon temple affect home values?
- Why can’t I go in a Mormon temple?
- Why do Mormons wear unique undergarments?
- Why is there a golden statue on top of Mormon temples?
You will find the answers to these and many more questions on this website. Go to MormonTemples.net to check it out. Please link to it, put it in your blogs, and on your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
FAIR WIKI
Check out the FAIR Wiki at en.fairmormon.org
There has been a recent series on television related to aversion therapy and homosexuality. Many accusations have been made about the Church’s involvement in this type of therapy. Our volunteers at FAIR have investigated these accusations. Read about it here:
Mormonism and gender issues/Same-sex attraction/Aversion therapy performed at BYU
FAIR YOUTUBE
LDS scholars review the Bible vs The Book of Mormon
This video is a response to another anti-Mormon video “Bible vs The Book of Mormon” FAIR interviewed scholars from many fields to test the claims made by critics in this critical video, and found that it is inaccurate at best.
What is especially good about this video is through watching the responses you will find many evidences in favor of the Book of Mormon. This is an excellent video that you will want to share with your family.
LDS scholars review the Bible vs The Book of Mormon
FAIR BLOG/FAIR CASTS
Our FAIR blog is very active with a mix of blog posts and new Podcasts. Read the blogs, and Listen to the podcasts online or download the podcasts to listen to them on your MP3 player or I-Pod.
Here are this month’s entries. Please note that all entries on the FAIR Blog represent those of the writer/speaker and don’t necessarily represent the views of FAIR.
Blog Post: Immigration and the Good Samaritan
by Ben McGuire on June 12th, 2011
In the new statement on immigration published by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [1], we find this comment: “The bedrock moral issue for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is how we treat each other as children of God.”
I was reminded when I read this statement of a passage in the New Testament. In Luke 10, we read the parable of the Good Samaritan. Personally, I don’t believe it is a parable at all. It follows a pattern that I recognize elsewhere as a legal debate in which a question is asked, and then various examples are raised in which the question might occur – and those examples move from the most difficult and unusual to the most common and immediate [2]. Our narrative starts with this introduction:
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? (vss. 25-26)
Read the rest of this entry:
Immigration and the Good Samaritan
Blog Post: The Book of Mormon Musical: Practical Religion for Modern Times?
by Steve Densley Jr on June 12th, 2011
One of my favorite things to do when I visit New York or London is to see the shows. We get an occasional traveling production in Salt Lake City, but for sheer quantity, there are no places in the world like New York and London. However, there hasn’t been anything on Broadway that I’ve been very interested in for some time now. So recently, it has been with great interest that I’ve read reviews of the Book of Mormon musical. Of course, I have been interested not only because it has been called the “savior” of Broadway, or because of all the awards it has won. I have also been interested to see reports that a number of Mormons have seen and enjoyed the show. Some Mormons have been quoted as saying that that there is enough to be offended at, but that the message is “sweet.” This might lead one to believe that, despite its offensive presentation, the core message is a positive one. However, as I have heard the show described, it has not seemed to warrant the glowing admiration that it has been receiving. I have been willing to admit that it might have good music with funny jokes. But in my judgment, not only is the show shockingly profane, but the ultimate message of the show is less-than-redeeming.
Read the rest of this entry:
The Book of Mormon Musical: Practical Religion for Modern Times?
Blog Post: Signature Books Too Hasty?
by Keller on June 21st, 2011
Signature Books has recently issued a press release about an article that I co-authored along with Craig Foster and Gregory Smith. In the article we “strongly suggest[ed] that … the age of Joseph’s wives was well within the norm for their time and place on the nineteenth-century American frontier.” The public relations employees of Signature Books are certainly entitled to disagree like Todd Compton did in a contrasting essay in the same book, The Persistence of Polygamy. To be clear, I agree with my critics that it is entirely inappropriate, not to mention illegal [thanks Last Lemming Steve Densley for correction], in today’s society to marry a 14 year old young woman. Read the rest of this entry »
Podcast: FAIR Issues 8: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 8
by Steve Densley Jr on June 4th, 2011
Are those who leave the Church simply acting rationally? Is an LDS testimony based only on emotional “feelings?” Or do believers and non-believers alike base their positions on a combination of rational, irrational and extra-rational factors? Michael Ash discusses these issues in this episode.
Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FAIR Bookstore.
FAIR Issues, 8: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 8
Podcast: FAIR Issues 9: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 9
by Steve Densley Jr on June 8th, 2011
In this episode, Michael Ash asks, why are some intelligent and rational members negatively affected by critical claims, while others are not?
FAIR Issues 9: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 9
Podcast: FAIR Issues, 10: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 10
by Steve Densley Jr on June 11th, 2011
Can prophets make mistakes? If so, then what does it mean that they won’t “lead the people of the church astray?” Do members of the Church have the power themselves to keep from being led astray?
FAIR Issues, 10: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 10
Podcast: FAIR Issues 11: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 11
by Steve Densley Jr on June 15th, 2011
Why would God allow prophets to make mistakes? Aren’t general authorities supposed to be perfect? Are there exceptions to the rules given by the prophets and apostles? How can we know if our personal circumstances justify an exception? These issues, and others are explored in this episode.
FAIR Issues 11: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 11
Podcast: FAIR Issues 12: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 12
by Steve Densley Jr on June 18th, 2011
What constitutes “official” Mormon doctrine? Clearly, the scriptures contain official doctrine. But what counts as “scripture?” Are statements of the First Presidency official “doctrine?” What about statements of Joseph Smith, the Journal of Discourses or general conference addresses? Listen to this episode for a discussion of these issues.
FAIR Issues 12: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 12
Podcast: “FAIR Conversations,” Episode 10: John E. Sanders
by bhodges on June 22nd, 2011
If Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and no one can receive salvation except through Him, what happens to those who die without having heard of Him? What is the destiny of the “unevangelized”? The revelations of Joseph Smith articulate an impressive response to this question, a question which has confronted Christian thinkers for centuries.
In this episode of FAIR Conversations, Professor John E. Sanders joins host Blair Hodges to discuss how various Christians have sought to resolve this problem over time. Sanders is an American Christian theologian with an Evangelical background. He currently serves as chair of religious studies at Hendrix College in Arkansas. He is the author of No Other Name: The Destiny of the Unevangelized.
“FAIR Conversations,” Episode 10: John E. Sanders
Podcast: FAIR Issues 13: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 13
by Steve Densley Jr on June 25th, 2011
A prophet speaks the words of the Lord. But if a prophet is not always acting as a prophet, how are we supposed to know when the President of the Church or another Church leader is speaking as the mouthpiece of the Lord? Listen to this episode for a discussion of these issues.
FAIR Issues 13: Challenging Issues and Keeping the Faith Pt 13
Podcast: Best of FAIR 6: Adam in Ancient Texts and the Restoration
by Steve Densley Jr on June 29th, 2011
In the address from the 2006 FAIR Conference, Matthew Roper states: “Critics of Latter-day Saint Scripture and teachings have generally paid very little attention to the Book of Moses. Those who have condescended to comment on it have generally dismissed it as a shallow plagiarism of New Testament doctrines and themes if they do not ignore it altogether. Such dismissals show an unawareness on the part of these commentators of the often striking convergences between the Latter-day Saint scripture and the ancient world. Critics, skeptics and the disaffected have in my view greatly underestimated the revelations of Joseph Smith. Unfortunately, so have many members of the Church of Jesus Christ.”
Matthew Roper (MS from Brigham Young University), is a resident scholar at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University.
Best of FAIR 6: Adam in Ancient Texts and the Restoration
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MORMON SCHOLARS TESTIFY
Mormon Scholars Testify now has 273 testimonies, representing 127 schools or organizations. There are new testimonies added every week. Many of them have very interesting stories that are uplifting and testimony building. Check out the Website and read the testimonies here:
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FAIR 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.
FAIR Bookstore – Clearance Items
Clearance Special:
Studies in Scripture Series (Limited to stock on hand)
Volume 1, The Doctrine and Covenants
Robert L. Millet and Kent P. Jackson (Editors), Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, Studies in Scriptures Series, Volume 1, 2004, 6×9″ softbound, 424 pages.
This volume of gospel scholarship edited by Robert L. Millet and Kent P. Jackson gives greater insight into historical and doctrinal aspects of the revelations, epistles, and instructions that constitute the Doctrine and Covenants. Many of the historical details are based on recent research and draw from newly available primary sources, providing up-to-date and fresh views into the vital principles taught in this important book of scripture.
Volume 3, Genesis to 2 Samuel
Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet (Editors), Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 2004, Studies in Scripture Series, Volume 3, 6×9″ softbound, 345 pages. ISBN: 1590382587
The Old Testament is the foundation for understanding all of the other Standard Works. Still, many Latter-day Saints have not yet discovered the plainness and power of this important book of scripture. Studies in Scripture, Volume Three: Genesis to 2 Samuel helps bring to life the message of the Old Testament.
Edited by Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet, the book contains twenty articles by gospel scholars and General Authorities. Each chapter provides insights to the messages of the Old Testament and explains what these messages mean to us in the latter days. This book is a helpful study aid for all serious students of the scriptures.
Volume 5, The Gospels
Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet (Editors), Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, Studies in Scripture Series, Vol. 5, 2004, 6×9″ softbound, 492 pages.
Toward the end of his Gospel, the Beloved apostle John explains why he wrote: “That ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31.) The four Gospels–Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John–all bear witness to the divine mission of the Savior. Thus, the key to eternal life is found in reading these sacred records, learning of the life and teachings of the Master, and incorporating those teachings into our lives.
In this, the fifth volume of the Studies in Scripture series, twenty-four gospel scholars, all deeply committed and believing Latter-day Saints, focus on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ in thirty-one insightful essays. Background information is presented on the setting of the Gospels, with an overview of the style and purpose of each. This is followed by essays on Jesus’ birth and childhood, his baptism and the beginning of his ministry, the calling of his apostles, the miracles he performed, the parables he taught, the testimony of witnesses to his work, and events leading to his crucifixion, culminating in his glorious resurrection.
Volume 6, Acts to Revelation
Robert L. Millet (Editor), Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, Studies in Scriptures Series, Volume 6, 2004, 6×9″ softbound, 303 pages.
This inspiring collection of essays tells of the growth and struggles of the members of the early Christian church after the ascension of Jesus Christ. The essays have been written to give deeper insight into the history and doctrines in the second half of the New Testament, Acts to Revelation. Included are detailed discussions on the epistles and missionary endeavors of the apostles, showing these men to be powerful witnesses of the Savior. In this sixth volume of the Studies in Scripture series, seventeen gospel scholars, all deeply committed and believing Latter-day Saints, focus on the story of the early church in nineteen insightful essays.
Volume 8, Alma 30 to Moroni
Edited by Kent P. Jackson. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1988. Softbound, 6″x9″, 341 pgs. ISBN: 1590382633
An excellent resource to your study of the Book of Mormon. Contributors include: Daniel C. Peterson, Robert L. Millet, Joseph F. McConkie, Robert J. Matthews, and many others.
Retail Price: $14.95-16.95 Special FAIR Price: $10.46-11.86 (30% Discount)
July Specials:
FAIR Bookstore – Monthly Specials
A Firm Foundation: Church Organization and Administration Brigham Young University Church History Symposium
David J. Whittaker and Arnold K. Garr, Editors. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University in cooperation with Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2011. Hardbound, 6×9, 720 pages.
How can a multimillion-member religious organization succeed while relying almost entirely upon a lay ministry? It is unprecedented among world religions today.
The business of creating organizational and administrative structure in the Lord’s work began at least as early as the time of Moses. Later, in New Testament times, the Apostle Paul described a higher level of Church organization when he wrote to the Corinthians, “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28). This organization was established by God to deliver saving ordinances and covenants and to promote order, service, learning, and the personal development of Church members.
Although Joseph Smith was acquainted with the biblical record of Christ’s Church, he and subsequent prophets in this dispensation required contemporary revelation to know how to proceed with the organization of the restored Church. John Taylor explained that “God has taught us how to organize His Church. Had He not taught us we should not have known anything about its organization.”
The Lord deals in matters of Church government, as he does in all other categories of truth and knowledge, by giving his followers “line upon line, precept upon precept” (D&C 98:12). Moreover, he provides refinements and innovations in Church organization and administration according to the needs and circumstances of the times.
The Church has been built on a foundation laid down by the prophets. There is great security in this firm foundation, but there is also a living dimension to the Church’s organization and administration. God’s hand is always outstretched, his Spirit is ever ready, apostles and prophets continue to speak, and the destiny of his Church and people in these changing and often calamitous times is therefore secure.
Some of these inspired developments in the restored Church are chronicled by the skilled historians who have contributed the chapters in this book.
Retail Price: $29.99 Special FAIR Price: $23.99 (20% Discount)
The Joseph Smith Papers, Journals, 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, 7-1/4 x 10-1/4″, 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: $39.96 (20% Discount)
The Joseph Smith Papers Vol. 2: Revelations and Translations
Robin Scott Jensen, Robert J. Woodford, Steven C. Harper (Volume Editors). Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church Historian’s Press, 2009. Hardbound, 9.25 x 12.25″, 752 pgs. ISBN: 9781570088506
The facsimile edition of Manuscript Revelation Books opens a new series of the Joseph Smith Papers that will provide transcripts of many of the earliest manuscripts of Joseph Smith’s written revelations and translation, together with reproductions of editions of these documents that were published during his lifetime. Though editorial introductions will place these documents in their historical settings, the focus in this series is on the texts themselves, the raw materials that scholars and others can use in studying the composition and history of these foundational documents.
Retail Price: $99.95 Special FAIR Price: $79.96 (20% Discount)
The Joseph Smith Papers: Revelations and Translations, Volume 1, Manuscript Revelation Books
General Editors: Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, Richard Lyman Bushman. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church Historian’s Press (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.), 2011. Hardbound, 7×10.25″, 571 pages.
The Revelations and Translations series of the Joseph Smith Papers Project presents transcriptions of Joseph Smith’s written revelations and translations. Volume 1: Manuscript Revelation Books is a sister volume to the 9” x 12” Facsimile Edition that was published in 2009. This version is the smaller, 7″ x 10″ library edition of the earlier book. Like the Facsimile Edition, it presents scores of Joseph Smith’s revelations, dated from 1828 to 1834, that became the basis for the canonized books of revelations: the Book of Commandments (1833) and the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (1835). Unlike the earlier Facsimile Edition, this edition does not include reproductions of the handwritten revelations themselves. However, this volume does include complete, color-coded transcripts of the handwritten revelations, rendering each scribe’s handwriting in a different color, to facilitate analysis of revisions made by various scribes and introductions to place these vital documents in their historical settings and enhance our understanding of them.
Retail Price: $79.95 Special FAIR Price: $63.96 (20% Discount)
The Joseph Smith Papers, The: Revelations and Translations, Volume 2, Published Revelations
General Editors: Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, Richard Lyman Bushman. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church Historian’s Press (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.), 2011. Hardbound, 7×10.25″, 768 pages.
Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations, features the Book of Commandments and the other major printed versions of Joseph Smith’s revelations that were published or in the process of being published during his lifetime. Reproduce herein as high-quality photographs are the Book of Commandments (1833); the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (1835), including the portion that has come to be known as the “Lectures on Faith”; and seven additional texts added to the second edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (1844). Reproduced herein as transcripts are twenty-six complete or partial revelation texts published in the church newspaper The Evening and the Morning Star (1832-1833) and its later, reprinted version, Evening and Morning Star (1835-1836). Because these newspaper versions were produced in connection with editing and typesetting work on the Book of Commandments and the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, they are critical sources for understanding the textual history of the revelations.
This volume of The Joseph Smith Papers also includes two appendixes that provide important related material. The first is a proposed reconstruction of what likely would have been included in the final thirty-two pages of the Book of Commandments, had the print shop not been destroyed mid-run by vigilantes. The second presents selected photographs of a copy of the Book of Commandments owned by Oliver Cowdery and marked up to prepare revelations for publication in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.
Revelations and Translations, Volume 2 goes hand in hand with Manuscript Revelations Books, the first volume in this series. Manuscript Revelation Books presents the earliest surviving manuscripts of many of Joseph Smith’s revelations, the ones used by Smith and his associates in preparing the published scriptures of their day. Volume 2 presents the printed revelations in the form that most Latter-day Saints read and experienced them. Together the two volumes make the early revelations more accessible than ever before.
Retail Price: $69.95 Special FAIR Price: $55.96 (20% Discount)
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ASK THE APOLOGIST
The public is invited to submit questions related to LDS *apologetic* issues to “Ask the Apologist.” This feature can be accessed by clicking on the following link:
Mark the box labeled “Questions (for the FAIR apologists).” Then fill in accurate information in the five white boxes and push the “Send Comments” button. All inquiries will be shared with members of the FAIR List and the questioner may receive multiple responses from FAIR volunteers. All responses reflect the opinions of the respondents only and not the official position of FAIR or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
