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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 May 2003
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The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research
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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
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* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: WAS JOSEPH SMITH A MARTYR OR A MURDERER?
An evaluation of critical charges that Joseph Smith was not a
martyr because he didn't die submissively.
* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: A SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE EARLY NEPHITES
A great presentation that focuses on ancient American
correlations for placing the geography of the Book of Mormon.
* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE FULNESS OF THE
GOSPEL. What is meant when it is said that the Book of Mormon
contains the fulness of the gospel?
* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: A MESSAGE OF FRIENDSHIP: MUSLIMS AND
LATTER-DAY SAINTS. A new FAIR Paper that examines the common
points between LDS and Muslims.
* FAIR CONFERENCE UPDATE. A new session is announced, and
excitement is building.
* THE ELEVENTH HOUR: BLACKS IN THE LDS CHURCH. Announcement of
an exciting new documentary project.
* MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, SCOTT GORDON. How to make the
most of participating with FAIR.
* BOOKSTORE SPECIALS
Build your gospel library with great offers from our online
bookstore. All of our selections are prescreened for quality
so you can make your purchases with confidence.
* 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.
* FAIR JOURNAL ARCHIVES
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WAS JOSEPH SMITH A MARTYR OR A MURDERER?
by Lance Starr
Critics claim that Joseph Smith is not a martyr because, while in
jail, he had a gun and he had the temerity to defend himself, his
brother and companions by firing at the mob, killing two men. It is
the purpose of this FAIR Paper to show that these arguments are
specious and completely without basis.
Read the paper: http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/jsmartyr.pdf
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A SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE EARLY NEPHITES
by Brant Gardner (Presented at the 2001 FAIR Conference)
In piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, the most helpful tool is the
picture on the box that tells us what the completed puzzle should look
like. Seeing that larger picture, the small pieces that may not be
immediately intelligible on their own can find a place, and the puzzle
is more amenable to solution. The Book of Mormon is just such a
historical puzzle, but the box doesn't favor us with the picture.
Finding the overall picture becomes yet another piece of our puzzle.
This presentation, delivered at the 2001 FAIR Conference, is an
excellent analysis of complex evidences for the ancient American
location in which the Book of Mormon took place. It is also an
excellent example of the caliber of presentations common at any FAIR
Conference.
Read the presentation: http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2001_Social_History_of_the_Early_Nephites.html
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THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL
by Michael B. Parker
In a revelation given in 1830, the Lord declared that he had given
Joseph Smith "power from on high...to translate the Book of Mormon;
which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the
gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also."
This statement has confused some Latter-day Saints and, occasionally,
given rise to criticism from those outside the Church. "How," they
ask, "could the Book of Mormon contain the 'fulness of the gospel'
when it doesn't contain a number of unique LDS doctrines?"
Read the article: http://www.fairlds.org/Book_of_Mormon/Book_of_Mormon_and_the_Fulness_of_the_Gospel.html
------------------------------
A MESSAGE OF FRIENDSHIP: MUSLIMS AND LATTER-DAY SAINTS
by David Stewart
Latter-day Saints recognize Muslims as brothers and sisters, children
of our Heavenly Father, with whom we can find much common ground.
Latter-day Saints respect the strong family values and moral
accomplishments of Muslims as well as Islamic contributions to
science, literature, history, philosophy, medicine, and the arts.
While there are many differences between Muslims and Latter-day Saints
in doctrine and practice, we acknowledge these differences with
respect rather than criticism. Latter-day Saints extend a hand of
friendship to Muslims everywhere.
Read the paper: http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/muslim.pdf
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FAIR CONFERENCE UPDATE
ANOTHER EXCITING CONFERENCE ADDITION
We continue to receive requests from people who want to understand how
they can get started in apologetics. To fill this need we have added a
special workshop to this year’s conference schedule. Kevin Barney and
Mike Ash will be hosting an Apologetics 101 workshop for people who
are interested in learning the basics of LDS apologetics. The workshop
will be offered from 8 to 9 am on Friday, August 8. This workshop will
be different from the general sessions of the conference, in that it
will be an interactive workshop targeted to help faithful members of
the LDS church. We anticipate this will be a smaller group who can
interact and ask questions. This should be a great event.
FAIR CONFERENCE SCHEDULE SET
Mark your calendars, buy your conference tickets and pack your bags to
come to this year’s exciting FAIR Conference. Our list of speakers is
outstanding. If one of these speakers came to your stake for a
fireside it would pack the building. We have them all in one place. We
are talking about the LDS view of grace, DNA, Book of Abraham,
Mountain Meadows, Book of Mormon evidences, blacks and the LDS, Church
history, and more.
The two day schedule is as follows:
Conference sessions will begin at 9:00 am on Thursday, August 7th, and
will end at 5:00 pm. The schedule for Thursday is as follows:
8:00 - 9:00 Registration
9:00 - 9:50 Matt Roper
10:00 - 10:50 John Gee
11:00 - 11:50 John Tvedtnes
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 1:50 Trent Stephens
2:00 - 2:50 Brant Gardner
2:50 - 3:10 Snack Break
3:10 - 4:00 Roger Ekins
4:00 - 4:50 George Potter/Richard Wellington
4:50 - 5:00 Closing Remarks
Friday's sessions will begin at 9:00 am (with a special workshop at
8:00 am) and will continue until 5:00 pm. The schedule for Friday is
as follows:
8:00 - 8:50 Apologetics 101 workshop with Kevin Barney & Mike Ash
8:00 - 9:00 Registration
9:00 - 9:50 Jeff Meldrum
10:00 - 10:50 Michael Rhodes
11:00 - 11:50 Roger Keller
11:50 - 12:00 John Lynch
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 1:50 Gene Sessions
2:00 - 2:50 Craig Foster
2:50 - 3:10 Snack Break
3:10 - 4:00 Armand Mauss
4:00 - 4:50 Dan Peterson
4:50 - 5:20 Panel Discussion
5:20 - 5:30 Closing Remarks
LOCATION
August 7 - 8, 2003
Utah Valley State College
Orem, Utah
REGISTRATION
The price of the two day conference is only $59.95 which includes
lunch each day. For more information and to purchase tickets click
here:
http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?b101
See you at the FAIR Conference!
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THE ELEVENTH HOUR: BLACKS IN THE LDS CHURCH
Every once in a while, we at FAIR see a worthwhile project that
deserve our support. We believe that this film is one of them. Read
about it; we are sure you will agree.
During the inflammatory civil rights battles in the United States
during the 1950s and 1960s, many blacks joined the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, a church with a racist reputation for
their history of denying blacks the opportunity for ordination into
the LDS Church Priesthood until 1978.
This feature-length documentary film will tell the true stories of
blacks and their interactions with the LDS Church. "The Eleventh Hour"
will introduce us to the first pre-Civil War black converts to
Mormonism in the 1830s. It will remind us both of the civil rights
activists who fought the LDS Church in the 1960's-1970s and of the
black Mormons who stayed with the Church during these turbulent times.
In addition, "The Eleventh Hour" will take a closer look at the
complex and often violent race/religious struggles in the broader
American social landscape of the times.
The documentary will conclude with the stories of current black Mormon
priests, leaders, Church authorities, and members.
Produced by first-time documentary producers Robert J. Foster and
Wayne Lee, "The Eleventh Hour" will be directed by Richard Dutcher.
Producer Robert J. Foster was the first African American Student Body
President at Brigham Young University. Producer Wayne L. Lee, an
African American Filmmaker, is the founder and director of the Gloria
Film Festival. Richard Dutcher is the writer and director of "Brigham
City" and "God's Army."
We believe that this film is worthy of FAIR's support. But, this
exciting film project needs more funding. If you are interested in
becoming a producer, please contact us. If
you are willing to make a donation, please click here:
http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s103
or send a check to FAIR, PO Box 491677, Redding, CA 96049. Here is
your chance to make a difference.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The most expensive part about putting on conferences is getting the
word out. Advertising costs a lot of money, and many newspapers aren’t
interested in the fact that we are a non-profit, all volunteer
organization.
Based on our past experience, advertising in the Local Provo/Salt Lake
newspapers will cost about $2,500. If you are able to make a
contribution that will help us cover our advertising costs, please
click here:
http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s001
or mail a check to: FAIR, PO Box 491677, Redding, CA 96049. FAIR is a
non-profit 501(c)3 organization and all donations can be tax
deductible in the US.
GETTING THE WORD OUT
We need to get the word out about FAIR. There are various ways you can
help us do that.
1. You can download this conference poster and post it up in an
appropriate place like your local LDS bookstore.
http://www.fairlds.org/poster03.pdf
2. If you have a website, you can put up a FAIR banner or button. We
have a new set of Banners and buttons here
http://www.fairlds.org/link2fair.html
3. You can sign up your friends for the FAIR Journal here
http://www.fairlds.org/Join_FAIR/Sign_Up_For_the_FAIR_Journal.html
(note, a confirming email is sent out before a person is added.)
4. You can contact your newspaper and make sure the FAIR conference
is listed in the calendar of upcoming events (in appropriate
locations.)
5. You can email us with your own idea. Email Scott Gordon at
FAIR President.
MISSIONARY IDEA
I hope you all find FAIR as valuable a resource as I do. I have just
sent my second son to the MTC and I am now supporting two
missionaries. I hope to help my second son as I have my first.
I sent my son a binder with tab-dividers and a three-hole punch at the
beginning of his mission. Then, as I have sent letters to him, I have
included articles from FAIR. This lets him read one or two articles a
week and he isn’t overwhelmed. He has saved the articles in his binder
and has shared his binder with other missionaries.
I know it has been helpful because I have received emails from other
missionaries who have been in his mission and have used the FAIR
articles to help investigators find answers to questions.
Now I just have to go buy a second binder for my second son.
Scott Gordon
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BOOKSTORE SPECIALS
* Our first offering is from Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D.
Ricks, one of FAIR's perennial favorites. Their apologetic work,
"Offenders for a Word." This book reveals the tactics many anti-
Mormons employ in attacking the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. In clear, straightforward terms, the authors
explain the true beliefs of the church and how to see through the
word games that critics use to attack it. "Offenders for a Word"
answers critics' objections to Latter-day Saint beliefs regarding
the Godhead, polygamy, salvation by grace and works, eternal
progression, the premortal existence, the role of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, the nature of the Holy Ghost, and much more.
Our Price: $9.50
Savings: Over 25%
* "The Book of Mormon and Other Hidden Books", by another of our
conference speakers, John A. Tvedtnes, examines the resemblances
between many ancient books and the Book of Mormon, similarities
that were unknown in 1830.
Our Price: $10.95
Savings: Over 25%
* "A Guide to the Joseph Smith Papyri" Whether you are just
beginning to be aware of the controversy surrounding the Joseph
Smith Papyri or have been interested since their rediscovery in
1967, this full-color, reader-friendly guide contains an overview
of the basic facts and major theories about the papyri, along with
helpful maps, illustrations, charts, and glossaries of terms and
names. Written by Egyptologist John Gee.
Our Price: $9.50
Savings: Over 25%
To take advantage of this month's specials, click the following link
to visit the bookstore.
http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s002
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The volunteer that handles our distribution will
be taking a break through June 9th, which means that orders currently
placed will be processed shortly thereafter.
We're interested in any suggestions you may have to improve our
service as well. Let us know what you need and what you want.
- The FAIR Bookstore Staff
------------------------------
ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
We welcome article submissions for the FAIR Journal and website. 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, Cooper Johnson
(FAIR contact page). An appropriate article would be one that
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.
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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 at
webmaster">webmaster. 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 Web site (www.fairlds.org).
--------------------------------
FAIR JOURNAL ARCHIVES
For past issues of the FAIR Journal, go to www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Journal/
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.
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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.
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