Scott Gordon
April-May 2013

FairMormon Journal

April-May 2013

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).

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Apologetics is the act of defending the faith. To some, there is a negative connotation to the word. To others, it is very positive. It depends on the background, experience and expectations of the individual as to whether they view it in a positive or negative light.

There are many reasons people are involved in apologetics. Some people like apologetics because they like to study things and use reason. Some like to explore knowledge for its own sake. Some are involved because a friend or family member has left the Church and they want to try to rescue them, or want to prevent someone else from going down that same path. Some like to find reasons for their faith. And if we are honest with ourselves, some people are involved in apologetics because they like to win. It gives them a place where they can stroke their egos and feel good about themselves. This win-at-all-costs attitude is troublesome and gives apologetics a bad name.

Using defending an ancient city as a metaphor for defending the faith, one first builds up walls around the city, and then builds places from which one can rain down arrows upon the enemy. There are those who embrace this metaphor in dealing with political or religious discussions. But, if we believe this is the Church of Jesus Christ, this metaphor is not the most appropriate one. The people we are interacting with are usually not the enemy. They are often friends and family members. They are children of our Heavenly Father who may be struggling to understand some portion of Heavenly Father’s plan. So instead of raining down arrows, we should be reaching across those ramparts and inviting them to come inside. Of course, we shouldn’t be foolish and invite in wolves in sheep’s clothing. But, we need to be open to the honesty of faith struggles. Not everyone has the same gifts of faith.

In talking with one member of my extended family, I once asked him why he had left the Church. He said, “When you look at a flock of sheep, you say, ‘look at the white sheep.’ When I look at that same flock of sheep, I say, ‘look at those sheep that are white on this side.”

While talking with those who have left the church can be frustrating, we must keep in mind that they are loved, and they are children of God too. Often, they have been hurt, or have personal struggles of which we are not aware. I pray we can extend our hands across the ramparts and invite good people to come back.

–Scott Gordon President of FAIR


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Valid through 5/31/2013

The FAIR Conference

The FAIR Conference will be on August 1 & 2 in Provo Utah. This year, we have author Mike Ash talking about shaken faith syndrome. We have a panel of people who have left the church and returned. Why did they leave? Why did they come back? We have a panel who have had family members who have left. How do they cope? What suggestions do they have? We have Seth Payne speaking on apologetics and the LDS doubter.In addition to that theme, w e have a panel of women who will discuss their perspectives on women in the Church. We have Ron Barney talking about Joseph Smith’s visions. We have Mark Wright talking about the hot topic of Book of Mormon geography. We have Morris Thurston speaking about Joseph Smith and Liberty Jail. We have Robert Kirby speaking on why it is important to laugh at ourselves, and much more. Sign up for the FAIR Conference now to confirm your space.

Click here to find out more and to register

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Watch this FAIR Commercial. The commercial is for the conference, but it also talks about FAIR.

Watch the FAIR Conference Commercial

FAIR Konferenz für mormonische Apologetik

Please join us for a FAIR Conference in Darmstadt Germany on Saturday June 15, Darmstadt Ward building. Richard-Wagner Weg 78. 9 am to 4 pm.Our topics include plural marriage, black Mormons, Joseph Smith’s visions, The Book of Mormon, The Book of Abraham, and more. The talks will be in English and German.

Find out more about the conference in Germany here

Conferenza FAIR Italia

Please join us for a FAIR conference in two locations in Italy. First will be Milan, and second will be Rome.Milan, Italy, June 19, Lampugnano Stake Center (Milan West Stake), 9 am to 4 pm.

Rome, Italy, June 22, Stake center at Via Bra 34, 9 am to 4 pm.

Our topics include plural marriage, black Mormons, Joseph Smith’s visions, The Book of Mormon, The Book of Abraham, and more. The talks will be in English and Italian.

We want to thank our sponsor who has made these Europe locations possible.

Find out more about the conference on this Facebook page

FAIR Mormon Outreach

At FAIR, our volunteers enjoy spending time answering questions that are sent in to us. But, we find that some want a longer discussion. So, we are trying an experiment titled FAIR Mormon Outreach. It is a message board with a very special purpose. People are there to try to support each other through their trials of faith. This is a heavily moderated message board, so serious people only please.

Go to the FAIR Mormon Outreach Message board

FAIR YouTube

The website Mormonchallenges.org has produced several high-quality videos on the book of Abraham that they have given us permission to use. They contain the views of Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein as he addresses criticisms of the book of Abraham and provides evidence for this book of scripture.Papyri Found and It Doesn’t Relate? Book of Abraham Challenge 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMVX-Km_G6Y

Facsimile 1 Not About Abraham? Book of Abraham Challenge 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rC2VxeRL0w

The Three Facsimile Translations Wrong? Book of Abraham Challenge 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCH529IgDrY

Joseph Smith’s Attempt at an Egyptian Grammar. Book of Abraham Challenge 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfqFGB4DBHQ

Translating Without Knowing Egyptian? Book of Abraham Challenge 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKobnnDRprQ

The Joseph Smith papyri were made nearly 2,000 years after Abraham. Book of Abraham Challenge 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouvZoEfLQoI

Anachronisms? Book of Abraham Challenge 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1zCfMSiE5s

Evidences. Book of Abraham Challege 8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30mUseO1_7s

Other Egyptologists Opposed? Book of Abraham Challenge 9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3MtZAhKrg4

Main Summary: More and More Questions? Book of Abraham Challenge 10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ49RM_CJ9Q

What value is the Book of Abraham text itself? Challenge 11 (extra)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fs3KBqy1kA

Alone . A 30 minute video of a man who is struggling with his faith and his ultimate reconciliation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKtNBNX3UIc

Watch more videos here

FAIR PodCasts

Science vs. Religion?
by Mike Ash on May 2nd, 2013

“One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may,” (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199)

In order to approach the scriptures from a realistic perspective we need to take a side trip into the secular world of science and scholarship. Wise and informed Latter-day Saints recognize that truth is truth regardless the source. The very fact that Joseph Smith admonished his followers to receive truth from all sources acknowledges that not all truth comes through spiritual mediations. In reality, the majority of truth comes through secular sources (perhaps sparked-even if unconsciously-from divine inspiration).

Although religion can open our hearts to receive the most important truths, the percentage of truths we learn from religion is miniscule compared to the truths that are discovered by secular means. Without secular truths we wouldn’t have cars, medications, clothes, computers, or sports. We are privileged to live in a world where science has made tremendous leaps in our understanding of nature, history, medicine, and technology.

http://www.fairblog.org/2013/05/02/science-vs-religion/

The Problem of Fundamentalism
by Mike Ash on April 15th, 2013

When we talk about the problems of a “fundamentalist” approach to history, scriptures, and prophets, it’s important to define our terms in the context of this discussion. “Fundamentals” are certainly good things. They are the foundations of thought, theories, and structures. In the Gospel, the fundamental beliefs are the core doctrines-the belief in God and the atoning sacrifice of the Savior. Our fundamental beliefs include the knowledge that Heavenly Father communicates with us and His prophets, and that His power on earth-the priesthood-has the authority to bind us to each other and to the divine. Fundamentals are a necessary part of religion as well as science.

Fundamentalism vs. Fundamentalist

Etymology (the study of word origins, meanings, and changes) tells us that many words change meaning over time or when the word is modified. As some have noted with amusement, we “park” on a driveway but “drive” on a parkway. The words “fundamentalist” or “fundamentalism” take on completely different meanings just by adding three letters.

In current LDS language “fundamentalist” often refers to those off-shoot groups who practice plural marriage. Outside of Mormonism, the term may refer to zealous and dogmatic members of various religions or even foreign terrorists. It may also refer to dedicated believers who take a strict black and white approach to many of their beliefs.

Christian fundamentalists (which include many Latter-day Saints) generally believe (perhaps tacitly or unconsciously) that the Bible or other scriptures are inerrant (or near inerrant), that truth comes solely from spiritual sources (perhaps defined as prophets and/or scriptures), and that science and scholarship should conform to their beliefs and never the other way around.

http://www.fairblog.org/2013/04/15/the-problem-of-fundamentalism/

Does Grant Palmer Really Claim to Have Rescued a Mormon General Authority Away from the LDS Faith?
by Jeff Lindsay on April 13th, 2013

There’s a remarkable story circulating the Net in which a prominent LDS General Authority allegedly lost his faith due to the teachings of Grant Palmer, the controversial ex-Mormon author who was teaching seminary for years while secretly circulating some highly implausible theories of plagiarism of the Book of Mormon. This General Authority has come to Palmer with the statement, “We are here to learn” and continues to learn the ways of anti-Mormon truth in his regular meetings with Palmer as his guide. This General Authority allegedly has said that all of the Apostles and many other leaders know that the Church is not true but just don’t have the courage to do the right thing (like, oh, keeping their Church job for years while sharing anti-Mormon materials with others).

http://www.fairblog.org/2013/04/13/does-grant-palmer-really-claim-to-have-rescued-a-mormon-general-authority-away-from-the-lds-faith/

Apologetic Notes from General Conference – April 2013
by Neal Rappleye on April 12th, 2013
Now, I know that there are much more useful ways to read/listen to conference then with apologetic issues in mind. And I certainly wouldn’t advise that anyone seek out an apologetic message from conference at the expense of other, far more important messages that the General Authorities and the Spirit are trying to communicate. I’ll also grant that things which one, such as myself, might read/hear an apologetic message in are probably, more often than not, not indented apologetically. But, I do think that conference often has some things in it that are useful in our efforts to defend the faith, and so with that in mind I give you these apologetic notes. Some of things are not strictly apologetic, but have some bearing on the matter.

http://www.fairblog.org/2013/04/12/apologetic-notes-from-general-conference-april-2013/

Help Thou Mine Unbelief
by Kevin Barney on April 8th, 2013

In the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference, Elder Holland (hereafter “EH”) gave an address with the title “Lord, I Believe.” He sets the stage by recounting the story of the father of an afflicted child, desperate for whatever help might be afforded. The disciples were not able to provide the needed blessing. The father then appealed to Jesus with last-resort desperation:

“If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

EH tells us that the man’s initial conviction, by his own admission, is limited, but he has an urgent, emphatic desire on behalf of his only child. And we are then told that that is good enough for a beginning.

http://www.fairblog.org/2013/04/08/help-thou-mine-unbelief/

Even the Very Elect Can be Deceived
by Mike Ash on April 4th, 2013

In my last installment I said that I would discuss some of the ways that fundamentalist thinking can unknowingly create stumbling blocks to our testimony. Before I get to that, however, I need to point out some important considerations about those who might be vulnerable to testimony damage.

It is significant that we ask: Who are those members who could potentially fall away because of hostile “intellectual” arguments? The answer is: all of us. We are told that in the last days “the very elect” (Matt. 24:24)-even the “elect according to the covenant” (JST Matt. 1:24)-could be deceived by “false Christs” and “false prophets.”

When we think of false Christs and false prophets we may envision lunatics who claim to be Jesus or perhaps radical leaders who would try to draw us into a faith of their own making. A false Christ or false prophet, however, would refer to anyone (religious or secular) who falsely claims the power and/or knowledge that leads to ultimate happiness and answers man’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?

http://www.fairblog.org/2013/04/04/even-the-very-elect-can-be-deceived/

Listen More

Mormon History Association

On June 6-9 the Mormon History association will be having a conference in Layton Utah. you can find out more information on the conference here:http://www.mormonhistoryassociation.org/conferences

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.

http://bookstore.fairlds.org/

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

Our Monthly Special you will find here:

http://bookstore.fairlds.org/category.php?id_category=50

Scroll down to the bottom of this page to see books we have on special this month

Monthly Specials

Ask the Apologist

The public is invited to submit questions related to LDS*apologetic* issues to “Ask the Apologist.”This feature can by clicking on the following link:

http://www.fairlds.org/contact.php

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 orThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Copyright notice and Disclaimer

Copyright (c) 2013 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR). All rights are reserved. FAIR is not owned by, controlled by, nor affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided in FAIR publications are the sole responsibility of FAIR and the individual authors who provide the information, and should not be interpreted as official statements of Latter-day Saint history, doctrine, practice or belief.