October 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
- Special Fund Raiser
- Donating to FAIR
- FAIR Podcasts
- FAIR Bookstore
- Sacred Geometry
- FAIR Facebook and Twitter
- Mormon Scholars Testify
- MormonTemples.net
- FAIR’s Front Page
- Ask the Apologist
- Copyright Notice & Disclaimer
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
We have two big announcements this month.
Announcement number one:
FAIR has produced a new DVD on the Book of Abraham titled: “A Most Remarkable Book: Evidence for the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Abraham”
The Book of Abraham has been a source of inspiration and edification for its readers for many generations. However, critics of the LDS Church have relentlessly attacked the authenticity of the Book of Abraham and the credibility of Joseph Smith as an inspired prophet and translator.
This video covers such topics as the history of the book of Abraham, papyrus, facsimiles, evidences in behalf of the book of Abraham, Council of gods, Egyptian endowment, and apologetic issues. It discusses insights and evidences for the book of Abraham.
This video addresses some of these criticisms and puts forth evidence for the divine authenticity of this most remarkable book. It contains the expertise of John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, Michael Rhodes, Jared Ludlow, Kevin Barney, David Bokovoy, and Michael Ash. It is written and directed by Tyler Livingston and edited by J.D. Julander. 70 minute video, 30 minute bonus features, 2011.
A Most Remarkable Book, A: Evidence for the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Abraham
Announcement number two:
We have this year’s conference talks available for you. Did you go to the FAIR Conference, but wanted to listen again to those fabulous talks, or share them with others? Did you miss the FAIR Conference in August? Don’t despair. We worked hard to put the talks into MP3 format, ready for you to download to your computer, phone, or MP3 player. Some of these talks are going to be timeless classics.
Here is the list of speakers we have on MP3 from the 2011 conference. There are some that you will not want to miss.
- Samuel Brown – Seerhood, Pure Language, and Sacred Translation
- Valerie Hudson – A Reconciliation of Polygamy
- McKay V. Jones – Dead Men Tell No Tales: The Blood Atonement Balance Sheet
- Stephen Ricks – The Sacred Embrace in Ancient Egyptian Religion and Art
- Brant A. Gardner – The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon
- Steven C. Harper – Accounts of the First Vision
- Newell G. Bringhurst – W. Mitt Romney and Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.’s 2012 Quest for the Presidency: A Mormon Moment or Mormon Question…Revisited
- Cynthia J. Lange – Borders & Boundaries: The Immigration Fervor that Threatens to Divide Us
- Roger Nicholson – Something Wiki This Way Comes: How Collaborative Editing is Changing the Face of Online LDS Apologetics
- Don Bradley – ‘President Joseph Has Translated a Portion’: Solving the Mystery of the Kinderhook Plates
- Paul Fields – Book of Mormon ‘Wordprint’ Analysis: How to do it wrong…and how to do it right
- Ugo Perego – Joseph Smith, the Question of Polygamous Offspring, and DNA Analysis
- Daniel Peterson – Mormonism, Islam, and the Question of Other Religions
Download the MP3 files here:
2011 FAIR Conference Talks – MP3
You may also want to check out MP3 talks from prior years here:
–Scott Gordon President of FAIR
SPECIAL FUND RAISER
We are sad to say that noted author Matt Brown has passed away. Matt is the author of several books and has been a contributor to FAIR. He collapsed while on campus at BYU about a week ago and just passed away. The family has incurred significant medical costs, as well as costs and loss of income for his wife to stay by his side. If you are able to donate to the Brown family, you can make a donation through our bookstore. We will pass on 100% of your donation to the family.
http://bookstore.fairlds.org/product.php?id_product=1261
Here is a list of books written by Matthew Brown:
- Symbols In Stone: Symbolism On the Early Temples of the Restoration
- The Gate of Heaven: Insights On the Doctrines and Symbols of the Temple
- Exploring the Connection between Mormons and Masons
- The Plan of Salvation: Doctrinal Notes and Commentary
- Prophecies – Signs of the Times, Second Coming, Millennium
- Plates of Gold * Joseph Smith: The Man, The Mission, The Message
- A Pillar of Light: The History and Message of the First Vision
- Receiving the Gifts of the Spirit
- All Things Restored: Confirming the Authenticity of LDS Beliefs
Donate here:
http://bookstore.fairlds.org/product.php?id_product=1261
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 PODCASTS
From Panthers to Priesthood
This is a podcast that is not to be missed. It is inspirational. Marvin Perkins interviews Ed and Wanda Willis who discuss their past involvement with the Black Panthers and how they both joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are joined by Bishop Fred Bethel from the African American outreach program. Spend time listening to this. It is worth it!
FAIR-Cast 42: From Panthers to Priesthood
Best of FAIR 9: On Being an Apologist: Imperatives, Predicaments, Perils, and Blessings.
Robert White discusses his experience as a church leader and as an apologist. He explains why apologetics is important and cautions against some pitfalls of apologetics. As C.S. Lewis said, “nothing is more dangerous to one’s own faith than the work of an apologist. Because no doctrine of that Faith seems to me so spectral, so unreal as one that I have just successfully defended. . . . That is why we apologists take our lives in our hands and can be saved only by falling back continually from the web of our own arguments … from Christian apologetics [in]to Christ himself. That is also why we need one another’s continual help – oremus pro invincem (let us pray for one another).”
He shares his thoughts on the idea of inoculating the saints against anti-Mormon arguments. In providing an inoculation, can we be sure we know what disease, or argument, each individual will be exposed to? Is it possible that we may do more harm than good in administering the wrong inoculation? He contrasted inoculations with transfusions. The Gospel Principles manual is designed “not [to] inoculate but transfuse into the lives of the Latter-day Saints the fundamental faith in the fundamental gospel restored through the Prophet.” If people know the Church is true, then they will be strengthened against the attacks of anti-Mormon arguments when encountered.
Best of FAIR 9: On Being an Apologist: Imperatives, Predicaments, Perils, and Blessings
“FAIR Conversations,” Episode 11: Claudia Bushman
In this episode of “FAIR Conversations,” historian Claudia Bushman joins host Blair Hodges. Bushman, who specializes in Latter-day Saint women’s history, holds degrees from Wellesley College, Brigham Young University and Boston University. Most recently she served as an adjunct professor at Claremont Graduate University where her husband historian Richard Bushman was chair of the Mormon Studies program. Bushman’s 2006 FAIR Conference address, “The Lives of Mormon Women” is available in audio here, video here, and text here.
This episode begins with a few biographical details about Bushman’s education and early experiences as a Mormon. Bushman shares her interesting perspectives on feminism, women, and the priesthood. We also discuss her recent publication Pansy’s History: The Autobiography of Margaret E. P. Gordon, 1866-1966.
Above all, Bushman emphasizes the unique utility of oral history. She reads a few excerpts from the Claremont Graduate University’s on-going “Mormon Women’s Oral History Project,” and gives a few tips for listeners who want to gather oral histories from their own family members.
“FAIR Conversations,” Episode 11: Claudia Bushman
Best of FAIR 10: “Believest thou…?”: Faith, Cognitive Dissonance, and the Psychology of Religious Experience
In this episode of Best of FAIR, Wendy Ulrich, Ph.D., observes: “In my experience, neither critics nor apologists for the Church do much to convince me whether or not to believe. Debates, analysis, and scientific evidence may alternately undermine or support my beliefs, but belief itself is a choice I wrestle God for, somewhere in a dark swampland of my inner landscape, where not only God’s credibility but my own are at stake.
FAIR Issues 21: Book of Mormon in ancient setting, not 19th century work
Mike Ash discusses the importance of understanding use of language and ancient context when analyzing the Book of Mormon. He writes: “If we try to understand the Book of Mormon as a real ancient document, written by real ancient people who lived and thought just like other ancient people and interacted with their environment, and recorded their doings in ways that are similar to other ancient people, then the arguments of the critics lose any power they might have had.”
FAIR Issues 21: Book of Mormon in ancient setting, not 19th century work
FAIR Issues 22: Analyzing the best historical Book of Mormon evidence
Michael Ash begins a series of episodes that examine the best historical evidence relating to the Book of Mormon. In this first episode, he concludes that Joseph Smith did, in fact, have actual plates.
FAIR Issues 22: Analyzing the best historical Book of Mormon evidence
FAIR Issues 23: “Reformed Egyptian” an evidence for Book of Mormon
Did Joseph Smith make up the idea of “reformed Egyptian?” Would devout Israelites have written in the language of pagans such as the Egyptians? Do modern archeological discoveries provide parallels for such a concept? If the Nephites spoke Hebrew, why is there no evidence for the Hebrew Language in Ancient America?
FAIR Issues 23: “Reformed Egyptian” an evidence for Book of Mormon
FAIR Issues 24: The cure for an intellectual apostasy
“The cure for an intellectual apostasy is enlarging both one’s spiritual and intellectual knowledge.” One important thing to know is the way in which God works through prophets. “[T]he Lord doesn’t typically drop revelation into the minds of prophets. More often than not, the Lord grants revelation according to petitions for help or understanding.” Some examples of this are given in this article.
FAIR Issues 24: The cure for an intellectual apostasy
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 Section
Clearance Special:
Plates of Gold: The Book of Mormon Comes Forth (Limited to stock on hand)
Matthew B. Brown, American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, 2003, 6×9″ Softbound, 217 pages.
Most Latter-day Saints know the essential story of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, but there are scores of fascinating details of the saga that are seldom told. Now, author Matthew B. Brown connects many little-known historical fragments with more familiar accounts to present the most complete narrative to date on the restoration and translation of this most important scripture. As the engaging story unfolds, you’ll step into scenes suffused with a range of human experience-from awe-inspiring meetings with heavenly beings to very earthly altercations between men. You’ll examine, in detail, the objects that Joseph Smith found in the stone box, and come to know those who were allowed to handle the sacred engravings. Intriguing and insightful, Plates of Gold: The Book of Mormon Comes Forth presents a sharpened picture of an important segment of LDS history.
- Retail Price: $14.95
- Special FAIR Price: $9.87 (34% Discount)
Reformed Christians and Mormon Christians: Let’s Talk (Limited to stock on hand)
Roger R. Keller, Urbana, Illinois: Pryor Pettengill, 1986, 6×9″ hardbound, 155 pages.
More than a study in comparative religion, this volume is a scholar’s research of the commitments shared by two Christian traditions: Reformed and Mormon. It is the author’s intention to make known the aspects of faith shared by all wings of Christendom, in order that Christen Reformers and Mormons will mutually discover the overlapping precepts of their convictions. The original roots of these faiths are juxtaposed to present kinships, with the resultant outflow of a conciliatory spirit. This study sets forth the view that Christian Reformers and Mormons cannot disparage one another without self-contradiction on the basis that each is committed to prayer, good will, and living love. It is a foundation for unity amidst diversity. In June 1986 and after the completion of this book, Dr. Keller became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Retail Price: $29.95
- Special FAIR Price: $7.49 (75% Discount)
The Mormon Quest for the Presidency (Limited to stock on hand)
Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L. Foster, Independence, Missouri, John Whitmer, 2008, 6″x9″, softbound, 314 pages.
The Mormon Quest for the Presidency tells, for the first time, the fascinating histories of 10 Mormons who have run for president, beginning with the movement’s founder, Joseph Smith.
- Retail Price: $24.95
- Special FAIR Price: $9.98 (60% Discount)
October Specials:
FAIR Bookstore – October Specials
New this month:
A Most Remarkable Book : Evidence for the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Abraham (DVD)
Written and directed by Tyler Livingston. Edited by JD Julander. 70 minute video, 30 minute bonus features, 2011.
This new video contains the expertise of John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, Michael Rhodes, Jared Ludlow, Kevin Barney, David Bokovoy, and Michael Ash.
The Book of Abraham is considered a volume of holy scripture by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It has been a source of inspiration and edification for its readers for many generations. However, critics of the LDS Church have relentlessly attacked the authenticity of the Book of Abraham and the credibility of Joseph Smith as an inspired prophet and translator.
This video covers such topics as the history of the book of Abraham, papyrus, facsimiles, evidences in behalf of the book of Abraham, Council of gods, Egyptian endowment, and apologetic issues. It discusses insights and evidences for the book of Abraham.
This video produced by the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) addresses some of these criticisms and puts forth evidence for the divine authenticity of this most remarkable book.
- Retail Price: $12.99
Additional Specials:
2011 FAIR Conference Presentations on MP3
- Samuel Brown – Seerhood, Pure Language, and Sacred Translation
- Valerie Hudson – A Reconciliation of Polygamy
- McKay V. Jones – Dead Men Tell No Tales: The Blood Atonement Balance Sheet
- Stephen Ricks – The Sacred Embrace in Ancient Egyptian Religion and Art
- Brant A. Gardner – The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon
- Steven C. Harper – Accounts of the First Vision
- Newell G. Bringhurst – W. Mitt Romney and Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.’s 2012 Quest for the Presidency: A Mormon Moment or Mormon Question…Revisited
- Cynthia J. Lange – Borders & Boundaries: The Immigration Fervor that Threatens to Divide Us
- Roger Nicholson – Something Wiki This Way Comes: How Collaborative Editing is Changing the Face of Online LDS Apologetics
- Don Bradley – ‘President Joseph Has Translated a Portion’: Solving the Mystery of the Kinderhook Plates
- Paul Fields – Book of Mormon ‘Wordprint’ Analysis: How to do it wrong…and how to do it right
- Ugo Perego – Joseph Smith, the Question of Polygamous Offspring, and DNA Analysis
- Daniel Peterson – Mormonism, Islam, and the Question of Other Religions
- Retail Price: $4.97 per mp3
- Special FAIR Price: $4.47 per mp3 (10% Discount)
http://bookstore.fairlds.org/category.php?id_category=90
The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon
Brant A. Gardner. Salt Lake City, Utah: Greg Kofford Books, 2011. Hardbound, 6.25×9.25″, 391 pages.
The Book of Mormon was presented to the world as the translation of an ancient text engraved on golden plates more than 180 years ago. However, the faithful assurance that it is a translation has not had an accompanying understanding of how that translation took place. How could the ill-educated Joseph Smith translate the ancient text on the golden plates into the English Book of Mormon upon which so many base not only their faith, but a willingness to completely change their lives?
The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon examines the various issues surrounding that translation. How does the fact of the translation fit into a magical worldview in which Joseph had a place as a village seer? What might that context mean for our understanding of the text?
This work explores the kind of translation the Book of Mormon represents. Did Joseph Smith or the marvelous instruments do the actual work of translation? Is it a tight or loose translation? How closely tied is the English text to the source text from which it was translated? What about Hebraisms in the text? What about the lengthy passages of King James English in it? The volume concludes with the most puzzling and persistent questions: How did the seer stones work? Why didn’t Joseph retranslate the Book of Lehi? How did revival language make its appearance in the book? Why couldn’t Oliver Cowdery translate? Brant Gardner offers answers to these questions. The result is a faithful description of how God used a human prophet to translate a transcendentally important scriptural text.
- Retail Price: $34.95
- Special FAIR Price: $27.96 (20% Discount)
How We Got The Book of Mormon
Richard E. Turley Jr. and William W. Slaughter. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 2011. Hardcover, 7×10.75″, 208 pages.
Many Latter-day Saints are intrigued to learn that the Book of Mormon has changed over time. How We Got the Book of Mormon recounts the fascinating history of this work of scripture, from the golden plates to the present edition, explaining the changes that occurred with each major version. It is not a commentary or a traditional history book. With beautiful full color visuals and remarkable photographs it tells the story of the history of this sacred text. This book will appeal to adult Latter-day Saints, as well as Sunday School, institute, and seminary students. The only book of its kind, How We Got the Book of Mormon will inspire readers to a deeper appreciation for the Book of Mormon.
- Retail Price: $34.99
- Special FAIR Price: $27.99 (20% Discount)
Guess Who Wants To Have You for Lunch?
Alan Denison and Darryl L. Barksdale, Orem, Utah: Granite Publishing & The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research, 2nd ed. 2002, 6×9″ softbound, 165 pages.
If you have attended a General Conference, you’ve probably seen them. If you have ever attended a temple dedication or Open House, you’ve probably seen them. If you’ve ever served a full-time mission, you’ve probably run into them. Some think they’re the Boogeyman incarnate. What do we do with them? How do we handle our investigators or loved ones when they come into contact with anti-Mormon materials? What do we do? What do we say? How do we find answers to the myriad of accusations leveled against the Church? If you have ever asked any of these questions, then this book was written just for you. In it, we will show you the 5 main reasons why anti-Mormons do what they do, and how they go about doing it. We will explain some of the logical fallacies used to deceive Latter-day Saints, and why their writings are not even accepted by their own scholars. We will teach you how to defend the faith with love to those who are in danger of losing theirs.
“For over 167 years, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been the target of those who insist that Joseph Smith was a liar, a fraud, an adulterer, and, at the very least, a false prophet. Few religions have endured the torrent of criticism, slander, and false witness that has been leveled at the Church by generation after generation of anti-Mormons. Yet, for the most part, these relentless attacks have been met with silence.” (p. 2)
- Retail Price: $11.95
- Special FAIR Price: $8.36 (30% Discount)
Thank you for shopping in our FAIR bookstore!
Thank you for shopping in our FAIR bookstore!
SACRED GEOMETRY
This next event is not endorsed or sponsored by FAIR, but we know that some of you are interested in this information. We provide it as a public service.
What do you know About Sacred Geometry?
October 14 & 15, 2011, at the Springville Museum of Art, Springville, UT
Salt Lake City, Utah, September 3, 2011 — A multitude of questions regarding sacred geometry are about to be answered. An in-depth conference will be held to address the age-old quandary over the purpose of symbols and shapes.
The Springville Museum of Art is pleased to host the very first event of this kind ever to take place anywhere in the world. Leaders in the fields of art, photography, astronomy, mathematics and science join together to share their knowledge with the general public regarding their research and findings in the worldwide curiosity over geometry and symbolism.
Beginning Oct 14 at 3-5 p.m., a free hands-on workshop will provide tutoring in the use of the compass and right angle to those who desire to learn how to create the divine proportion. Those wishing to participate will need to bring a professional compass, right angle, and graph paper. After a short dinner break, a panel discussion will be open to the general public from 6-9 p.m. Questions from the audience will be addressed.
Following promptly at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, October 15, the conference will continue with lectures from Wulf Barsch, who will discuss Abraham and Facsimile #2. At 10:30 a.m. Dr. C. Lance Harding will share his wealth of knowledge on the divine proportion and the human body. A box lunch lecture will commence at 12:30 p.m., featuring Garth Norman, who will discuss archeo-astronomy. The final lecture will begin at 2 p.m. featuring a joint presentation from Val Brinkerhoff and Yvonne Bent. They will talk about sacred architecture, both in temples and the human body.
Tickets are $45, which includes a box lunch. Tickets are available only online at AboutSacredGeometry.com. For further information, visit the web site or write to [email protected]. Seating is limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Books and transcripts will also be available at the event.
This event is not affiliated or endorsed by FAIR, by Brigham Young University or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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MORMON SCHOLARS TESTIFY
Mormon Scholars Testify now has 325 testimonies, representing 142 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:
If you like the testimonies, link to them from your Facebook or other social network.
MORMONTEMPLES.NET
Please don’t forget to link to our Website at Mormontemples.net
FAIR’S ‘FRONT PAGE’
Receive daily updates containing news clippings about how the LDS Church is represented in the media. FAIR’s Front Page (FFP) is a free service; you can un-subscribe at any time. To receive this service just click on the link below, enter your email address in the white box, and push the “Sign-Up” button.
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.
