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FAIR Conference: Friday open thread

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Sorry I’m a little late getting this up today. Anyone with Internet access in the conference hall is invited to comment here on Friday’s presentations.

If your commenting on your own blog or other site, please feel free to link to it here.

  • John Lynch, “‘Uh oh!’ to ‘Ah ha!’ in Apologetics—20/20 Foresight for a Faithful Future in Defending the Church”
  • Brant Gardner, “Joseph the Seer, or Why Joseph Translated with a Rock in His Hat”
  • Ron Hellings, “Joseph Smith and Modern Cosmology”
  • Matthew Brown, “Brigham Young’s Teachings on Adam”
  • Greg Smith, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Plural Marriage (*But Were Afraid To Ask)
  • Richard Sherlock, “Mormonism in the Public Square”
  • Daniel Peterson, “The Temple as a Place of Ascent to God”

FAIR Conference: Thursday open thread

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Anyone with Internet access in the conference hall is invited to comment here on Thursday’s presentations.

If your commenting on your own blog or other site, please feel free to link to it here.

  • Wade Miller, “Science and the Book of Mormon”
  • Vickey Taylor, “The Sariah Dilemma: Finding Increased Faith When Our Children Misplace Their Own”
  • John Gee, “The Larger Issue”
  • Ugo Perego, “Haplogroup X in Light of Recent Book of Mormon Claims”
  • McKay White, “The Kirtland Safety Society: The Myths, the Facts, and the Prophet’s Good Name”
  • Ron Barney, “The Reliability of Mormon History Produced by the LDS Church”
  • Robert White, “On Being An Apologist: Imperatives, Predicaments, Perils, and Blessings”

FAIR Conference starts Thursday morning

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After months of preparation, the 2009 FAIR Conference begins tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM.

If you haven’t preregistered and you live in the Salt Lake area, at-the-door registration will be available both days. Video streaming is also being offered for $20. Details available at FAIR’s conference web page.

The FAIR blog will have an open thread for conference participants to comment on the talks. Check back tomorrow!

Living One’s Religion: An External Analysis

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In celebration of Pioneer Day, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released a new study that focuses on Mormons. This study is fascinating, and has many tidbits that could be highlighted.

For instance, did you know that the LDS Church, in America, has more racial diversity than several other religious traditions who routinely criticize us for our “racism.” Mormons are 86% white, compared with other predominantly white faiths, such as “Jews (95% white), members of mainline Protestant churches (91% white) and Orthodox Christians (87% white).” The diversity among Mormons is growing, as well, as only 72% of converts are white—a statistic that would have been unthinkable only a generation ago.
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Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 27

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In what will hopefully become a recurring feature on the FAIR blog, we present a list of issues that could come up as you teach or participate in your ward’s Gospel Doctrine class. Each issue is linked to an examination and response by FAIR.

This week: Lesson 27, “They Must Needs Be Chastened and Tried, Even as Abraham” (D&C 101; 103; 105).

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Forays amongst the disaffected

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A few years ago, I made a foray onto a message board for individuals who have left the Church. I was open in my identity both by name and also regarding my status as a full, believing member (TBM as they call us). I went there looking to learn, hoping that I might somehow gain some insight that would help us with people who have floundered in their faith. What I failed to do was identify my association with FAIR. I tried engaging in an email exchange with Steven Benson, grandson to President Benson and a nationally recognized cartoonist who famously left the Church. The result was Steve employing his journalistic skills and “outing” me as a FAIR board member. I was banished and ridiculed as a “troll” as if I was someone spying on their open message board with a hidden identity. But there were a few who witnessed my sincere and respectful efforts approached me independently and offered to share their experiences.
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Literature on Early Christian Priesthood

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Recently I put together a reference guide for Mormons that are potentially in discussions with other Christians that have some interest in early Christian priesthood structure. In this post, I have confined myself to helpful LDS treatments that are available online. Perhaps in a separate post, I will consider compiling a list of articles and books written from a non-Mormon perspective, that are nevertheless worthy of attention. The most important LDS treatment, High Nibley’s  Apostles and Bishops in Early Christianity has not been put online yet. Please feel free to comment on any of this literature or point out additional resources that you find helpful.
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