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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 September 2005
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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. Scott Gordon encourages us to use
our gifts to strengthen those who are struggling in their
faith.

* EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: The Claremont Graduate University School
of Religion is sponsoring a conference on Joseph Smith.

* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: "Do We Have the Potential to become Like
God?" Michael Fordham identifies Biblical evidence that
supports the LDS view of deification.

* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: "Historic Archaeology and the Geographic
Imperative." John Tvedtnes examines the role of geography in
Biblical archaeology and discusses its importance for Book of
Mormon archaeology.

* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: "As Things Stand at the Moment:
Responding to Martha Beck's Leaving the Saints." Boyd
Petersen gave the 2005 FAIR Conference attendees an update on
some issues surrounding Beck's book.

* RESOURCES ON THE WEB: Kevin Christensen discusses Margaret
Barker's presentation at the recent Joseph Smith Conference
in Washington D.C.

* ASK THE APOLOGIST. Got a question you are dying to ask?
Here's how.

* FAIR TOPICAL GUIDE. The Topical Guide on the FAIR Web site is
one of the most popular resources offered. Learn what is
available and help us expand our references. Listed below are
some new links in FAIR's Topical Guide.

* FAIR LDS BOOKSTORE. The FAIR Bookstore is one of the best
on-line resources for expanding your Gospel library.

* 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

The Gospel teaches us that each of us is blessed with different gifts.
This is pointed out clearly in the scriptures. The Lord has said,

"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many
gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some
is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited
thereby. To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of
the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they
also might have eternal life if they continue faithful."
(Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-14)

This point was clearly taught to me this week as I talked with one man
who obviously had great faith in Jesus Christ and in the truthfulness
of the gospel, but who has a spouse who is struggling. The man was
clearly in pain. He couldn't understand why his wife struggled with
her faith but wanted what was best for her.

I have spoken with many people who have had their faith shaken, but
who want to believe. Many are intelligent, articulate, well-read, and
faithful, but something has happened in their lives. Often they have
been confronted with an issue that has forced them to give up some
long cherished belief. This sometimes puts their entire faith into
question. At other times they just need reassurance.

Some people have no difficulty believing. They seem to accept all and
can't understand why others have doubts. They look at organizations
such as FAIR and FARMS and consider them a waste of time. For them,
anti-Mormon themes have never been an issue, and they scratch their
heads in puzzlement that people would ever want to talk about them.

But we need to remember that people do have different gifts. I wish
that everyone had the gift to know without a doubt that the gospel of
Jesus Christ is true, but they don't. We need to be patient with those
whose faith is still weak, who have difficulty believing, or whose
faith simply needs additional support. They sometimes need to hear the
testimony of others, as well as reasoned arguments and evidences to
support their testimonies.

I am continually reminded of the father who brought his ill son to
Jesus to be healed. In Mark 9:23-24 we read:

"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."

I hope that all of us will develop and use our gifts to strengthen the
faith of our brothers and sisters in the Gospel.

--Scott Gordon
President, FAIR

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FAIR relies on your kind donations to remain in business. Now is the
time to make a donation. FAIR is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so
if you are in the United States, your donation is tax deductible.

http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s147

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Claremont Graduate University Positioning Mormonism Conference

The Claremont Graduate University School of Religion is sponsoring a
conference on "Joseph Smith and the Prophetic Tradition: A Comparative
Inquiry." The conference will be held on October 24-26. Speakers
include Kathleen Flake, Terry Givens, Peter Blodgett, H. Russell
Smith, Philip Barlow, and Kathryn Daynes, among others.

For more information: http://www.cgu.edu/pages/1621.asp

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Do We Have the Potential to become Like God?
by Michael W. Fordham

A common attack by anti-Mormons is the LDS belief in deification and
the doctrine of exaltation to godhood. Often the critics will
misrepresent LDS doctrine and talk about man becoming independent of
God or taking the place of God the Father. Since deification is a
doctrine foreign to most Protestants and to many other Christians
despite its ancient roots and Biblical underpinnings, critics are able
to depict the Church and its doctrines in the most unfavorable light.
Fordham's brief paper deals with the Bible passages that support the
LDS notion of exaltation and becoming "like God."

Read the article: http://www.fairlds.org/Bible/Do_We_Have_the_Potential_to_become_Like_God.html

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Historic Archaeology and the Geographic Imperative
by John A. Tvedtnes

One of the most frequent attacks on the Book of Mormon is the
archaeology attack. That is, the anti-Mormon claims that since, unlike
the Bible, there is no archaeological evidence for the Book of Mormon,
the Book of Mormon is not historical. In the process of setting up
such an argument, the detractor typically begins by point out how much
of the Bible is "verified" by archaeological evidence. The
implication, if not actual assertion, is that all books claiming to be
historical should be archaeologically verifiable. With the Book of
Mormon believers unable to point to the city of Zarahemla or
Bountiful, the anti-Mormon declares victory leaves the field of
battle.

In his paper, Tvedtnes examines the claims and underlying assumptions
being made about Biblical and New World archaeology. By looking at
just how difficult Biblical archaeology can be and how archaeologists
rely on geographic and linguistic evidences to painstakingly identify
Biblical sites and artifacts, Tvedtnes shows that the current lack of
archaeological identification of specific Book of Mormon sites in the
New World is exactly what one would expect. Until the geography of the
Book of Mormon can be determined, it is unlikely that specific New
World Book of Mormon sites will be confirmed.

Read the article: http://www.fairlds.org/Book_of_Mormon/Historic_Archaeology_and_the_Geographic_Imperative.html

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As Things Stand at the Moment: Responding to Martha Beck's Leaving the
Saints
by Boyd Petersen

Although most of the furor over Martha Beck's book has died down, the
initial splash produced ongoing ripples that still are impacting the
lives of those associated with Martha and her family. At the 2005 FAIR
Conference, Petersen spoke briefly about the status of the book and
gave further insights into the foundational claims and details of
Beck's publication. This part of Petersen's presentation has been
transcribed as a separate document from his main conference talk.

Read the article: http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Reviews/Rvw200506.html

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Plain and Precious Things Restored: Why Margaret Barker Matters
By Kevin Christensen

Margaret Barker, English Old Testament Scholar and Methodist Preacher,
presented her views on the religious and cultural environment of
Judaism in 600 B.C. Christensen discusses how her insights help
understand that the Book of Mormon appears to have its origins in the
time and place it claims for itself.

Read the article: http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/050916restored.html

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ASK THE APOLOGIST

FAIR invites the public to submit questions relating to LDS beliefs,
practices, and history. Some questions are asked sincerely by members
and investigators, others are clearly hostile questions challenging
the veracity of the Church and its teachings. Many of these responses
may end up on the Web site as a FAIR paper or brochure. If you have a
question, simply mail it to our Questions address. Email sent to this
address will be shared with members of FAIR, so it is not uncommon to
receive several responses that approach the issue from different
angles.

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FAIR TOPICAL GUIDE

The Topical Guide is one of the most important LDS apologetic
resources available. If you aren't familiar with this part of FAIR's
Web site, check it out at

http://www.fairlds.org/apol

A number of new links have been added to the Topical Guide this month.
Shown below are the authors and titles of new articles that have been
linked into the Topical Guide. For each item, the Topical Guide menu
selections are shown, along with the link to the Topical Guide section
where these have been added. The link will show you the new addition
in the context of other resources on the same topic.

Here are the Topical Guide updates for this month.

John A. Tvedtnes
Historic Archaeology and the Geographic Imperative
Scriptures and Influential Writings > Bible > Archaeology
and the Bible
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai023.html

Scriptures and Influential Writings > Book of Mormon >
Archaeology and the Book of Mormon
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai024.html

Michael W. Fordham
Do We Have the Potential to Become Like God?
Doctrinal Issues > Afterlife > Deification
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai011.html

David L. Paulsen

The Doctrine of Divine Embodiment: Restoration, Judeo-Christian,
and Philosophical Perspectives
Doctrinal Issues > Deity > Attributes of Deity > Does God
Have a Body?
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai045.html

Ronald K. Esplin
Joseph, Brigham and the Twelve: A Succession of Continuity
Early LDS History > Prophetic Succession
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai031.html

William G. Hartley
The Priesthood Reform Movement, 1908-1922
Early LDS History > Priesthood Restoration
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai245.html

D. Michael Quinn
The Council of Fifty and Its Members, 1844 to 1945
Early LDS History
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai046.html

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FAIR LDS BOOKSTORE

Our FAIR LDS Bookstore contains many great deals for those interested
in apologetic topics, such as LDS history, doctrinal reference, and
religious scholarship. Be sure to visit the FAIR LDS Bookstore to see
what is available now:

http://store.fairlds.org

- The FAIR Bookstore Staff

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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 interested in apologetics and would like to participate
actively 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 at
webmaster. 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.

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Last Updated June 12, 2006
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