 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
 |
The FAIR JournalThe FAIR Journal is published monthly. It contains information about new apologetic information at the FAIR Web site. 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.
THE FAIR JOURNAL July 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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, Fourth
Edition, 2000.)
INSIDE THE JOURNAL www.fairlds.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* THE FOURTH ANNUAL FAIR APOLOGETIC CONFERENCE. The latest info on
our annual conference, to be held next month.
* ADVERTISING THE FAIR CONFERENCE. You can help get the word out
about the upcoming FAIR Conference with a free poster you can
download.
* FEATURE: BREAKING THE RULES: CRITICS OF THE LDS FAITH. A review
of Dr. Daniel Peterson's 2000 FAIR Conference presentation, as he
discusses the deceptive approaches of the critics of our faith,
identifying specific examples from various critics. This is a
real eye-opener for those who are not familiar with the tactics
of anti-Mormons.
* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: REVIEWS OF "THE NEW MORMON CHALLENGE." Blake
Ostler takes on the newest anti-Mormon book, written by many
Evangelical scholars. An outstanding piece of work.
* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: RACISM IN THE CHURCH. A landmark paper on the
issue of race in LDS faith and all of Christianity.
* ASK THE APOLOGIST. Questions this month address inverted stars on
the Nauvoo Temple and contradictory scriptures regarding
polygamy.
* MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, SCOTT GORDON.
* FAIR PROJECT UPDATE: MORMONISM 201. A response to the recently
published and widely publicized anti-Mormon book, Mormonism 101.
FAIR apologists dismantle the work of Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson.
* JOIN THE FAIR APOLOGETICS LIST. The FAIR Journal isn't the only
communication forum available to FAIR members.
* 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.
------------------------------
THE FOURTH ANNUAL FAIR APOLOGETIC CONFERENCE
TURNING STUMBLING BLOCKS INTO STEPPING STONES--Responding to
Challenging Issues in Mormonism
CONFERENCE IS LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY!
Join us for the FAIR conference on August 9th and 10th at UVSC in Orem
Utah. We have wonderful speakers scheduled such as Dan Peterson
(Chairman of the Board of FARMS), John Tvedtnes (Research Associate
with FARMS), Tim Heaton (Sociologist at BYU), Kathryn Daynes (BYU
History associate professor and accredited geneologist), Royal
Skousen, and many others.
For a full listing and description of the speakers, click here:
http://www.fairlds.org/conf02b.html
The topics covered will include Blacks and the Priesthood, polygamy,
the 1826 trial of Joseph Smith, changes in the Book of Mormon and lots
more. (All topics are covered from an LDS point of view.)
The Conference price is reasonable, with discounts available for
couples and students. Prices include lunch each day:
Purchase in Advance:
$45 per person
$75 per couple
Pay at the door:
$65 per person
$95 per couple
This year we will sell a single day ticket
Single Day
$27.50 ($37.50 at the door)
We will also offer discounted Student tickets, but you must show a
student id at the door. The Student tickets will be:
Two-day student
Purchase in advance
$35 per person
$55 per couple
Pay at the door student tickets
$55 per person
$75 per couple
Single-day student
$22.50 ($32.50 at the door)
For information on the conference (times, dates cost etc.) click here:
http://www.fairlds.org/conf02.html
------------------------------
ADVERTISING THE FAIR CONFERENCE
FAIR needs your help to advertise our upcoming annual conference. Help
us to get the word out. Go to the following page:
http://www.fairlds.org/conf02.html
Scroll to the very bottom of the page. Under the "Publicity"
section there is a link that will give you an 8-1/2 X 11 flyer
you can print out and post wherever Latter-day Saints are likely
to gather. Maybe your local bookstore will agree to put it up
where everyone can see.
Because of its smaller size, the poster also makes a great
handout. If you have someone you want to send it to, feel free
to do so. Help us continue to offer these fabulous conferences at
a discounted rate.
------------------------------
BREAKING THE RULES: CRITICS OF THE LDS FAITH
by Cooper Johnson
When was the last time you were told, by someone of another faith,
what you believe? How many times have you attempted to clarify the
religious doctrines of your faith, only to be told, "that is not what
you believe"? Have you ever told an uninformed person that they
misunderstood our religious beliefs, only to be corrected with, "Oh,
I understand your beliefs all too well."
Needless to say, these kinds of situations can lead to some
frustration. Imagine being in a group setting with many people you
don’t know, and the following conversation commences as one person
approaches you:
"Hi, Scott, how are you?"
"I’m doing well, thank you...and actually, my name is Mike."
"But the person on the other side of the room said your name was
Scott."
"Oh, well...I get called a lot of different things. But my name
is Mike."
"I don’t think so. I have it on pretty good authority that you
are really Scott."
"I’m telling you, my name is Mike...seriously."
"No, I don’t believe you. I say you are Scott."
Might this be a bit frustrating? This person has decided to believe
someone else, when you are telling them the truth about your own name.
What are you to do?
This is an all-too-common situation, unfortunately, for anyone who
gets involved in gospel conversations with those not of our faith. As
much as we try to clarify our beliefs and teachings, we are constantly
rebuffed and told that we are wrong.
Dr. Daniel Peterson, BYU Professor and Director of FARMS and ISPART,
opened his presentation at the 2000 FAIR Conference with a story about
an experience of Truman G. Madsen that can help all people in trying
to understand other religions.
Read the full article: http://www.fairlds.org/Anti-Mormons/Critics_of_the_LDS_Faith.html
------------------------------
NEW ON THE WEBSITE: REVIEWS OF "THE NEW MORMON CHALLENGE"
by Blake T. Ostler
The New Mormon Challenge (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2002) is,
by many accounts, a different type of anti-Mormon book. Indeed, many
would take exception with using the term "anti-Mormon" in reference to
the book. The book does not use trite, insubstantial, and oft-answered
arguments in building its case against Mormonism, and in that regard
it is a refreshing change from the plethora of "me-too" books that
take recycled pot-shots at the LDS Church.
Instead, The New Mormon Challenge pulls together essays from some of
the brightest apologetic minds in Evangelical Christiandom, presenting
their "best shots" against the theology of the LDS. Such attempts
cannot, of course, remain unanswered.
The following reviews address different essays within The New Mormon Challenge.
Read the Reviews here: http://www.fairlds.org/New_Mormon_Challenge/
----------------------------------
NEW ON THE WEBSITE: RACISM IN THE CHURCH
by Julieann Reynolds
(A reply to Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, authors of the
anti-Mormon book Mormonism 101.)
LDS are not immune from human foibles. We, like all Christians, might
wish that we had played a larger role in correcting social injustices.
We must all look at our past and learn from it. But for the here and
now, the LDS do have a decided advantage in our centralized leadership
and our historical practice of maintaining congregations based on
geographical boundaries rather than personal preference or race. Our
members have never traveled past a white or black church to get to
their own. We cannot fire ministers who do not succumb to the wishes
of a congregation to remain racially segregated. Yet, we join all
concerned followers of Christ in acknowledging that we have work
ahead of us in putting aside differences accumulated through centuries
of misunderstanding and intolerance.
We offer McKeever and Johnson a hand of fellowship in the hope that
all religious traditions can combine their wisdom, understanding and
love to unify mankind instead of divide. I hope McKeever and Johnson
will desist in their racially divisive campaign against other
religions. I challenge them to focus their talents on the important
question of pastor Gregory E. Thomas as he says, "we must again note
that a predominant pattern of church life for black churches has been
that of racial separation. The question remains: why?"
Read the full paper: http://www.fairlds.org/Mormonism_201/m20116.html
------------------------------
ASK THE APOLOGIST
Welcome to Ask the Apologist. Here we post questions that we receive
from FAIR Journal subscribers, from the Web site, or from the FAIR
Apologetics list. FAIR apologists will answer the questions, and the
results reported here and on the Web site.
This month we have two questions:
Q. I noticed on the new Nauvoo Temple the many inverted (upside
down) stars all over the structure. I know that inverted stars
are occultic and satanic symbols. Why would a Christian church
put occultic and satanic symbols on their most sacred buidings?
Read the answer here: http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/Stars.pdf
Q. How do you explain this direct contradiction found in the LDS
scriptures: Jacob 2:24, which says that David and Solomon's
wives and concubines were "abominations" to the Lord and
D&C 132:39, which says David's concubines were received from
the Lord? The passage from the Book of Mormon condemns David
and Solomon's practice and the practice of plural marriage in
general, and the Doctrine and Covenants passage attempts to use
David's practice as justification for plural marriage. How can
this be?
Read the answer here: http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Contradiction_between_Jacob_and_DC_132.html
-------------------------------
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
by Scott Gordon, President
Thank you for the generous donations you have made to FAIR to help us
republish the book "Guess Who Wants to Have You for Lunch". So far we
have collected over $1,100, well on the way to our goal of $3,500.
Your donations allow us to operate. FAIR is an all-volunteer
organization, so no funds go to salaries or benefits.
If you have not made your deductible donation yet, go to
http://store.fairlds.org
Once there, just click on the Donations link at the left of the page.
Any donation from $5 to $10,000 would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the apologetics conference on
August 9th and 10th in Orem, UT. We are only three weeks away, so for
you last-minute planners, start planning!
FAIR is growing by leaps and bounds. Our FAIR Journal subscriber list
is sky-rocketing. The traffic on our Web site is continuing to grow
far beyond our expectations. Many, many people are benefiting from the
apologetic work from FAIR, defending Jesus Christ, His gospel, His
doctrines, and His Church.
Thank you for all your help and support.
-Scott Gordon
FAIR President
-----------------------------------
FAIR PROJECT UPDATE: MORMONISM 201--A RESPONSE TO THE ANTI-MORMON
BOOK, MORMONISM 101
Project Leader, Kevin Graham
In April 2000, Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson brought out a new book
designed to provide "an accessible, informative introduction to
Mormonism." They titled the book Mormonism 101 (Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Baker Books, ISBN 0-8010-6335-3). McKeever and Johnson have
quite a bit of experience sharing information about the LDS Church, as
they are both affiliated with the Mormonism Research Ministry (El
Cajon, California). At first glance it would appear that their
credentials are appropriate to the stated purpose of the book, and
that the reader is in for an authoritative discussion of the Church's
beliefs and practices.
Appearances can be deceiving, however. Like so many other books that
speak out against the LDS Church (often called anti-Mormon books),
Mormonism 101 often resorts to misrepresentation, selective citations,
and poor scholarship to show how members of the LDS Church are lost
souls, deceived by their history and their leaders and destined for
eternal damnation unless they see the light.
Unfortunately, not every reader of Mormonism 101 will have the
background and understanding necessary to see the book for what it
is--one more attempt to stereotype members of the LDS Church and
relegate them to the historical boneyard of misguided religions.
Recognizing that some readers may be misled, Kevin Graham, a member
of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR),
spearheaded a project with other FAIR members to do a chapter-by-
chapter analysis and refutation of the materials presented in
Mormonism 101. This is the genesis and background behind Mormonism
201. The undertaking was massive for the volunteer FAIR members, and
it continues to be a work in progress. (Oh, how we have wished--more
than once--for a paid, professional staff of apologists such as those
associated with the Mormonism Research Ministry and dozens of other
such groups that make their paychecks as professional anti-Mormons.
Such is not the case, however.)
Access the project here: http://www.fairlds.org/Mormonism_201
INTERESTED IN A NON-LDS PERSPECTIVE ON THE PROJECT? David Waltz, who
is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(he is Catholic) wrote a general review of McKeever and Johnson's
Mormonism 101.
Read it here: http://www.fairlds.org/Mormonism_201/m20100b.html
--------------------------------
BOOK SALE!
We *MUST* reduce our inventory in the FAIR Bookstore--the Bookstore
Manager needs to get his car back in the garage. (OK, so it's his
wife's car!)
Now is the time to get your hands on THEY LIE IN WAIT TO DECIEVE
(4-volume set) by Robert and Rosemary Brown. Each book normally sells
for $12.50, which adds up to $50.00 for the entire set of four.
HERE IS THE SPECIAL OFFER!
Purchase any two books for $17.50. (30% OFF)
OR...
Purchase the set of four for $24.99 (50% OFF)
A more revealing look at the tactics used by LDS critics does not
exist. The Browns research is unmatched, in efforts to verify the
claims of many anti-Mormons. Thanks to the Browns, we now know all
about the deceptive practices of critics of the LDS faith.
You should note that these books are not doctrinal defenses of the LDS
faith, but expose the deceitful and dishonest practices of
anti-Mormons. The Browns actually researched documents, obtained
affadavits, obtained transcripts, verified facts from all kinds of
institutions and the documents are actually included in these books.
It is truly an amazing set of works.
Volume 1: A detailed look at the antics of "Dr." or "Prof." Dee Jay
Nelson and his crusade against the Book of Abraham, as well as
some enlightening information about the work of Jerald and Sandra
Tanner.
Volume 2: Learn the truth behind well-known anti-Mormons such as
"Dr." Walter Martin, Wayne Cowdrey, Howard Davis, and Donald
Scales.
Volume 3: This is the magnum opus on the works of the late "Dr."
Walter Martin, a radio personality who would often use his pulpit
to denegrate and deride the LDS faith.
Volume 4: Focuses on the efforts of professional anti-Mormons such as
Ed Decker, Richard Baer, "Dr." Richard Fales, "Dr." Charles Crane,
and "Dr." John L. Smith. Also includes additional information on
Jerald and Sandra Tanner.
To order the books, start here: http://www.fairlds.org/Lie_in_Wait_to_Deceive/
-----------------------------------
JOIN THE FAIR APOLOGETICS LIST
FAIR sponsors two mailing lists. You already subscribe to one of
them--this one, which is used to publish the monthly FAIR Journal. It
is a great tool for those who want to keep on top of the latest in
apologetic efforts here at FAIR.
Our other mailing list, the FAIR Apologetics list, is a different type
of beast. It is an unmoderated list in which FAIR members share their
thoughts and outlooks on points of doctrine and discuss how to respond
to recent and oft-repeated criticisms of the LDS Church. It is a "safe
harbor," so to speak, where those dedicated to defending the restored
gospel of Jesus Christ can meet and discuss matters of common
interest.
It is also a very busy list, with more than 100 messages per day quite
common. Even so, the topics discussed and the viewpoints exchanged are
both fascinating and enlightening.
If you want to be part of the FAIR Apologetics list, we invite you to
apply. You can do so here:
http://www.fairlds.org/Join_FAIR/FAIR_Apologetics_List_Application.php
-----------------------------------
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:
http://www.fairlds.org/EdStyle.pdf
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 Membership
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 Membership link to join
this list as well.
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 website (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.
|
|
FAIR is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided on this site are the sole responsibility of FAIR, and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief or practice. If you like what FAIR does and you agree with our mission, we invite you to support FAIR in any way you are able. You can make a donation, or visit our Membership page for additional support ideas. FAIR only succeeds through the efforts of our gracious volunteers.
|
|
Welcome |
Topical Guide |
FAIR Publications |
Join & Support FAIR |
Message Boards
Last Updated
November 27, 2006
You can send comments/suggestions using our contact page. |
