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Thoughts and commentary from the apologetic frontlines.

Polygamy Resources
Questions about polygamy and the Mormons? Find your answers here.

Bible vs. the Book of Mormon
A common-sense review of the anti-Mormon video from Living Hope Ministries.

The Truth About "The God Makers"
Classic, line-by-line examination of this anti-Mormon film and book.

DNA and the Book of Mormon
Does DNA evidence disprove the Book of Mormon?

Mormons and Masonry
How did Freemasonry figure into the early development of the Church.

The FAIR Journal

The 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.

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THE FAIR JOURNAL June 2004
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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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* MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT. Our annual FAIR conference is only a
month away. We have a great lineup of speakers, so be sure to get
your reservations made!

* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: The Charge of "Racism" in the Book of Mormon.
In his 2003 FAIR Conference presentation, John Tvedtnes examines
the accusation that the Book of Mormon contains racist ideology
and comments.

* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: Accusations Against the Articles of Faith.
Matthew B. Brown looks at four common attacks made against the
Articles of Faith.

* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: Random Reflections on the Passing Scene. In
this transcript of Dan Peterson's 2003 FAIR Conference
presentation, Peterson looks at recent events and trends in
anti-Mormon treatment of the LDS Church.

* FAIR ONLINE BOOKSTORE. In recognition of the early LDS pioneers,
whose sacrifices have given us a marvelous spiritual heritage,
the bookstore is offering some specials on items relating to LDS
history. Check out this month's great offers.

* 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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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Now is the time to purchase your tickets to the FAIR conference! If
you have been putting it off, you need to go now to

http://www.fairlds.org/conf04a.html

and scroll to the bottom of the page to order your tickets.

There are thirteen presentations from noted scholars. Conference
attendees always look forward to meeting the speakers. You have the
opportunity to have them sign your books, eat lunch with them, and ask
them questions directly. Now is your chance to do all of these things.

Dr. Dean Byrd will be discussing the innate/immutable theory of
homosexuality and examine the contributions of both the biological and
the psychological sciences in increasing our understanding of this
phenomenon.

Dr. Davis Bitton, retired assistant church historian, will be giving a
presentation entitled, "I don't have a Testimony of the History of the
Church." Given the recent books from those who claim they read church
history and lose their testimonies, this should be a great talk.

Dr. Richard Lloyd Anderson will be speaking on the Book of Mormon
witnesses. I have heard that this will be a very powerful and
faith-promoting topic.

Other talks include the historicity of the Book of Mormon, the Book of
Abraham, women in the church, blacks in the church, the LDS nature of
God, the apostasy, the recent anti-Mormon "history" books, and more.

The speakers include John Tvedtnes, Dan Peterson, Richard Lloyd
Anderson, Michael Ash, Andrea Radke, Dean Byrd, Brant Gardner, Roger
Keller, Davis Bitton, David Paulsen, Matthew Brown, Kevin Barney,
Margaret Young, and Alex Boye.

Don't wait to the last minute thinking you can still get in.
Call a friend and sign up now!

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The Charge of "Racism" in the Book of Mormon
by John A. Tvedtnes

Critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints frequently
charge that not only are the Church and its leaders guilty of a
century and a half of racist policies and doctrine, but that the Book
of Mormon itself contains racist statements and doctrine. These
charges have two primary objectives. First, to convince people that
neither the leaders nor the institution of the Church could be
divinely inspired if they can be shown to have been racist. And
second, to argue that the Book of Mormon's comments on skin color,
inherited curses, and chosen nations are little more than reflections
of Joseph Smith's nineteenth century American environment.

In responding during his 2003 FAIR Conference presentation, Tvedtnes
points out that the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets frequently
claimed special blessings for their own people and encouraged
segregation from their neighbors of different "races" and nations.
Evidences of similar distinctions in the Book of Mormon is just as
likely to be evidences of a Hebrew-based Nephi culture as it is of
nineteenth-century America.

Tvedtnes also responds to these charges by looking at how the Book of
Mormon comments can be taken in context to refer not specifically to
skin color, but to the attitudes, traditions, and level of
righteousness of the Book of Mormon people. The white and black
imagery is used in the Book of Mormon to contrast purity and virtue
with idleness, unrighteousness, and sin.

And finally, the Book of Mormon makes it clear that God considers
neither race nor skin color when dispensing blessings or offering
salvation to His children.

Read the article: http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2003_Charge_of_Racism_in_the_Book_of_Mormon.html

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Accusations Against the Articles of Faith
by Matthew B. Brown

For several decades after the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints was restored in 1830, various leaders and missionaries made
lists of key doctrines of the Church. The most famous of these was
made by the Prophet Joseph Smith in his Wentworth letter. This list,
later named "The Articles of Faith," was canonized by the Church and
now appears in the Pearl of Great Price. Anti-Mormon critics seem to
be unaware of the number of such lists made during the nineteenth
century and that none of these lists was held to be more than general
statements of LDS beliefs. None of them was put forth as a definitive
catalog of LDS doctrine.

Matthew B. Brown looks at four common attacks made against the Church
relating to the Articles of Faith: (1) the Articles of Faith
misrepresent LDS beliefs by ignoring deeper doctrines, (2) the fourth
Article of Faith was changed over time to reflect changes in LDS
doctrine, (3) the Articles of Faith actually originated with Orson
Pratt rather than with Joseph Smith, and (4) there used to be a
fourteenth Article of Faith that has since be removed.

In each of these instances, Brown shows how anti-Mormons fail to
understand the sources and development of the Articles of Faith and
similar lists in the early church. Accusations made about the Articles
of Faith, intended to "enshroud them in the fog of controversy," are
utterly without merit.

Read the brochure: http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Brochures/Articles_of_Faith.pdf

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Random Reflections on the Passing Scene
Daniel C. Peterson

In his 2003 FAIR Conference presentation, Peterson looked at recent
events and trends in anti-Mormon treatment of the LDS Church. Using
personal experiences, including appearances on radio talk shows and
anti-Mormon gatherings where he has been asked to represent the
Church, Peterson shows how both LDS doctrine and values are being
attacked and ridiculed.

Against a background of publicity relating to the Mountain Meadows
Massacre, the Book of Mormon DNA controversy, and attacks by atheists
and humanists against the LDS vision of the purpose of life and the
hope offered through the Gospel, Peterson argues that LDS apologetics
fills an important need to help defend the Gospel that brings hope and
meaning to the lives of believers. Whether anti-Mormonism stems from
Evangelical Christian attacks or secular or atheistic arguments, it is
important that the message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ be
defended and proclaimed to all those willing to accept the spiritual
blessings offered through its message.

Read the article: http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2003_Random_Reflections_on_the_Passing_Scene.html

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FAIR ONLINE BOOKSTORE

July 24th is cause to remember our spiritual heritage and increase our
gratitude to the Lord for all He does. Celebrate this year with more
purpose by ordering from the FAIR Bookstore's ever growing LDS History
category:

http://store.fairlds.org

In a similar spirit, our monthly specials carry the same theme with
20-40% savings. The following books would be great additions to any
library!

Before Zion: An Account of the 7th Handcart Company by Allen C.
Christensen. Sale Price: $18.35 (save 20%).

http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s123

Heroic Mormon Women by Ivan J. Barrett. Sale Price: $11.15 (save 20%).

http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s124

Isn't That Odd?: Amazing and Unusual Pioneer Stories by Shirley
Bahlmann. Sale Price: $6.55 (save 40%).

http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s125

To visit the FAIR LDS Bookstore:

http://store.fairlds.org

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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, Paul McNabb
(FAIR contact page). 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 figures, 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 website (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 "Join &
Support FAIR" 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 "Join & Support FAIR"
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 as 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).

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FAIR JOURNAL ARCHIVES

For past issues of the FAIR Journal, go to
http://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.

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.

Last Updated June 12, 2006
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