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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.
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THE FAIR JOURNAL March 2006
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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 considers how our
modern expectations and assumptions often cause Latter-day
Saints to have difficulty understanding the actions and
statements of Church leaders in the past.
* FAIR CONFERENCE NEWS. You can now register for the 2006 FAIR
Conference and get a substantial discount by purchasing your
tickets early. Check out the details on the FAIR web site!
* RESOURCES ON THE WEB. FAIR is announcing the availability of
a new apologetics resource: the FAIR wiki.
* RESOURCES ON THE WEB. Read a blogger's tongue-in-cheek advice
on how to become an "expert" anti-Mormon.
* 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.
* FAIR LDS BOOKSTORE. This month the FAIR Bookstore is offering
specials on four books on topics as diverse as LDS philosophy,
Old Testament symbolism, and Joseph Smith.
* 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. All of the FAIR Journal issues since
October 2001 are on the FAIR web site.
------------------------------
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
"Great Expectations"
One of the most dangerous things to our testimonies is our own
expectations. Each of us has built up a set of mental images as to how
things should or should not be. We sit in Sunday School or in Seminary
and built up mental images of how things are and how things happened.
But then, we go into shock and dismay when we find that our
imagination and our expectations didn't set up the right mental image.
For example: I had an image in my mind of Joseph Smith reading off of
the Gold Plates like a scholar would translate a book from a foreign
language. I was surprised when I found that Joseph may not have
translated in this way. But then why should it bother me? He didn't
really "translate it" in the usual sense of the term, the text was
revealed to him. Scholars of the day couldn't read much Egyptian yet,
and he certainly couldn't read reformed Egyptian anyway.
The next "shocker" that is touted on many anti-Mormon Web sites is
that Joseph buried his face in a hat to shut out the light as he
concentrated on his seer stone to see the Book of Mormon words. People
have written in to FAIR saying their testimonies have been shaken
because of this. But if it is true (and there is some dispute), why
should it bother us at all? Do we know the right and wrong way to
translate Nephite gold plates? Have we done it before?
Then we have the issue of plural marriage. We all know that Brigham
Young had more than one wife in spite of the fact that the
anti-Mormons claim we hid that fact from the membership when we didn't
put it in our priesthood and Relief Society manuals. You would have to
have been born in a cave NOT to know he had more than one wife. We
likewise shrug when we hear that John Taylor or Wilford Woodruff had
more than one wife. But, when we find out that Joseph Smith had more
than one wife, we suddenly are up in arms demanding an explanation.
Why should we do that?
There are multiple Web sites on the Internet who have combed through
every book and General Conference talk to try to find any comments
that remotely sound racist. And for some reason, some members are
surprised when they find that people who lived in the early to mid
1800s said things that sounded racist! Remember this was the time of
slavery and people were arguing over the idea of whether or not
African Americans even had souls! Unlike some other denomination
leaders, Mormon prophets always fully accepted African Americans as
children of God.
While we all wish that racism never happened, we seem to expect that
church leaders in the past should never have said anything that sounds
racist today. They were men of their times, educated by what could be
termed a racist society. It is an unrealistic expectation that they
wouldn't have picked up some of what was being taught by society at
large. Why didn't they get a revelation back then saying it was wrong?
I don't know. Maybe we weren't ready for it. We have to remember that
most revelations have come as prophets asked God; maybe they never
thought to ask.
I imagine the shock in the New Testament church as Peter announced
that the "eternal" law of circumcision didn't apply to non-Jews. They
must have been really upset when he ate unclean food at a Gentile's
table. "God wouldn't allow that!" "Peter must be a fallen prophet!" We
can only imagine the thoughts of the church members of the day. But
the truth is that God did allow it. In fact, He commanded it.
We don't believe that God would allow a lot of things that he does in
fact allow. And we are shocked when prophets don't practice fortune
telling and tell us exactly what the weather will be tomorrow. For
some reason we have preconceived notions as to what prophets are and
what God is like. When something falls outside of that preconceived
notion, we suddenly start to doubt.
But we shouldn't despair. There are some very solid things that we can
grasp onto:
God loves us. He loves each and every one of us.
He has a plan to bring us back to Him.
Jesus died for us, so we can return to God.
If we love Him, we will follow him and do what he asks us to do.
God put prophets on Earth to speak for Him (not to do
fortunetelling.)
The prophet will never lead us astray. If we follow him, it will
help us return to God.
Prophets are not in the same class as Jesus. While they are wonderful
men, they are not sinless, nor are they perfect. So if a prophet
expresses the idea that his favorite baseball team will win, don't go
place a "sure thing" bet on the game.
As for the revelations they receive, Brigham Young once said:
The revelations of God contain correct doctrine and principles,
so far as they go; but it is impossible for the poor, weak, low,
groveling, sinful inhabitants of the earth to receive a
revelation from the Almighty in all its perfections. He has to
speak to us in a manner to meet the extent of our capacities.
Brigham Young, "The Kingdom of God," Journal of Discourses,
reported by G.D. Watt 8 July 1855, Vol. 2 (London: Latter-Day
Saint's Book Depot, 1855), 314.
God communicates with us on our level. This means that we sometimes
may not be able to understand everything. Sometimes our attitudes and
culture get in the way. Sometimes he just wants us to think for
ourselves Think of the brother of Jared and the stones used for light
in the boat.
What has to be remembered is that just because you put an image in
your mind when your seminary teacher talked about something in
history, doesn't make that image correct. There are lots of things
that God does and God allows that you may not understand right now.
But remember, He is God. He has purposes that we don't always
understand. Most importantly, don't let your expectations get in the
way of your testimony.
--Scott Gordon
President, FAIR
------------------------------
FAIR is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so if you are in the United
States, your donation is tax deductible. Without your donations, FAIR
would cease to exist. Thank you for your support.
http://store.fairlds.org/bi071.html
------------------------------
FAIR Conference News
It's now time to register for the 2006 FAIR Conference!
The 8th annual FAIR Conference will be held in Sandy, Utah, on August
3-4. Registration costs $59.50 ($49.50 without a lunch ticket), and
tickets purchased at the door are $59.50 but without lunch.
However, if you purchase your FAIR Conference ticket by April 15, you
pay only $44.95, which includes lunch both days! Take advantage of
this early bird special and get more details on the conference at
http://www.fairlds.org/conf06a.html
We're looking forward to another great FAIR Conference this year!
------------------------------
RESOURCES ON THE WEB: FAIR WIKI NOW AVAILABLE
One of the biggest challenges facing defenders of the Church in the
Internet age is responding quickly and succinctly to our critics. FAIR
has gathered documentation on most criticisms of the restored gospel,
but sometimes this material takes too long to read or doesn't address
new "spins" on old issues. The new FAIR wiki is designed to address
that need.
A wiki is a type of online encyclopedia maintained by a group of
editors. The strength of a wiki lies in its collaborative nature --
editors can quickly and easily add new articles and improve on
existing ones. If a new subject is needed, an editor with interest and
expertise in the topic can create a short, simple page, and other
editors can come along and improve it. Editors use a simple, easy to
learn mark-up language to format the articles and provide links to
related internal and external web pages. Probably the best-known
Internet wiki is Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org).
FAIR's wiki (http://www.fairwiki.org) is a collaborative project to
provide responses to anti-Mormon criticisms. Each wiki article
provides a brief, summary response that addresses the major issues
involved, and then provides links the reader can follow for further
reading. The wiki will be the "starting point" for people who have
questions or want to begin research into certain subjects.
A wiki, by nature, is never "finished." Editors are always adding and
improving content. Many of the FAIR wiki articles have been edited to
the point where they're ready to use, but many of them are not -- they
only have a basic outline and need attention. You can see from the
FAIR wiki table of contents which articles have significant content
(shown in blue), which articles need attention (shown with a "needs
work" tag), and which articles need to be created (shown in red).
http://www.fairwiki.org/wiki/index.php/FAIRwiki:Table_of_contents
FAIR is looking for volunteer editors to help expand and improve the
wiki. If you have an interest in LDS doctrine or history, are able
write clearly, and can fairly state both sides of controversial
issues, we need your help!
------------------------------
RESOURCES ON THE WEB: BECOMING AN ANTI-MORMON
Anyone who has spent much time reading anti-Mormon diatribes soon
begins to spot the familiar patterns that are ubiquitous in that
literary form. One blogger has followed Nibley's footsteps and
provided a "guide" to becoming an "expert" anti-Mormon.
http://faithprorumor.weblogs.us/archives/180
Davis Bitton has also addressed the subject of anti-Mormon books. If
you have not already read Bitton's "Spotting an Anti-Mormon Book," you
can find a PDF version on FARMS' website at
http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s213 (PDF version)
or an HTML version at
http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s214 (HTML version)
------------------------------
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.
------------------------------
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
The following are the Topical Guide updates for the month.
* Hugh W. Nibley
"The Meaning of the Kirtland Egyptian Papers"
Filed together in a gray cardboard box in the Church Historian's
Office is a strange batch of early Church papers, all in the
handwriting of men associated with Joseph Smith in Kirtland in
1837, and all classified for one reason or another as "Egyptian."
We shall therefore call them "the Kirtland Egyptian Papers."*
Along with a number of odds and ends are two impressive
documents, one a bound manuscript commonly and falsely designated
as "Joseph Smith's Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar," and the other
what appears to be a translation of the first chapter of the Book
of Abraham from a number of accompanying hieratic symbols.
A photographic record of some of these documents was made on a
single film strip by the Historian's Office some years ago, but
nothing was put on the strip to indicate the nature, number, or
relationship of the various items included. So when the film was
purloined, reproduced without permission, and copies sold in Salt
Lake City in 1966, the publishers had no means of knowing what
they were dealing with, but joyfully accepted the signature of
Joseph Smith on one piece of paper as proof that the whole batch
was his own handiwork. The public was only too glad to go along
with the ruse, which went unchallenged by the Mormons, who had
unconsciously laid the foundation of a massive misunderstanding
many years before.
Scriptures & Influential Writings > Pearl of Great Price > Book
of Abraham > Kirtland Egyptian Papers
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai289.html
* David B. Honey and Daniel C. Peterson
"Advocacy and Inquiry in the Writing of Latter-day Saint History"
Our epigraphs suggest that knowledge and spirituality are not
mutually exclusive, but rather are essential concomitants in
understanding the significance of life and living it fully.
Recent debate in Latter-day Saint circles, however, seems most
often to stress the incompatibility of spiritual faith and
historical knowledge, whether the emphasis be on the supposed
lack of faith in Latter-day Saint historiography or on the
purported lack of history in Latter-day Saint apologetics.
However, the debaters often seem to rely on different underlying
assumptions, to utilize different historical forms, to address
different audiences, and to argue along intellectual lines which
lie in different dimensions. In short, each faction seems to
defend a different definition of history and of its function. The
situation is manifestly unproductive, and more than a few
onlookers have expressed impatience with it. Thomas G. Alexander,
a leading practitioner of the so-called New Mormon History and
one of the central figures in the ongoing debate between
professional historians and apologists, has recently declared it
to be "imperative that we begin building bridges" between
spiritual faith and historical knowledge. The present article
attempts to assist in the work of construction.
Early LDS History
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai046.html
Apologetics, Scholarship, and Scholarly Resources
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai003.html
* Gary Novak
"Naturalistic Assumptions and the Book of Mormon"
In 1966 Leonard J. Arrington claimed that "the details of Mormon
history and culture can be studied in human or naturalistic
terms--indeed, must be so studied--and without thus rejecting...
the Church's origin and work." He explored neither the
assumptions nor consequences of histories done in "naturalistic
terms" though he noted that the topic "warrants a full essay."
The purpose of this essay is to subject some of the assumptions
and consequences of histories produced in naturalistic terms to
scrutiny. In keeping with the theme of this issue of BYU Studies,
I shall limit my discussion to one aspect of Mormon history, the
so-called environmental explanation of the Book of Mormon.
Book of Mormon> Environmental Influences
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai275.html
* Craig L. Foster
"Review of Early Mormon Documents compiled and edited by Dan
Vogel"
Dan Vogel, an independent researcher, writer, and author of works
such as Indian Origins and the Book of Mormon and Religious
Seekers and the Advent of Mormonism, is the editor of a
collection of documents concerning early Mormon history. Vogel's
book focuses on the Joseph Smith family and the emergence of
Joseph Smith Jr. as a religious leader. Early Mormon Documents
gives "priority to documents produced either by Smith family
members or by others recording their statements." Documents
include official histories, diary entries, memoirs and
reminiscences, personal letters, and newspaper reports as well as
civil, business, and church records. The book is divided into two
parts: (1) the Joseph Smith family and (2) Mormon origins in
Vermont and New Hampshire.
Reviews
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai186.html
* Mormon Historical Studies/Nauvoo Journal
Past issues of the Mormon Historical Studies journal are
available in PDF format on-line for free. Free issues from the
Mormon Historical Studies range from Fall 2000 to Spring 2004.
Prior to 2000, the journal was known as the Nauvoo Journal. Free
issues of the Nauvoo Journal span from 1990 to Fall 1999.
Apologetics, Scholarship, and Scholarly Resources > Scholarly
Resources
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai309.html
------------------------------
FAIR LDS BOOKSTORE
The Fair LDS Bookstore always has great values. This month we are
offering four wonderful books at great prices. One of them is Blake
Ostler's long-awaited book, "Exploring Mormon Thought: The Problems of
Theism and the Love of God."
Remember that when you support the FAIR LDS Bookstore you are also
supporting FAIR. You can find these great buys this month when you
click on "specials" in the FAIR Bookstore.
--> "Exploring Mormon Thought: The Problems of Theism and the Love of
God," by Blake T. Ostler, Greg Kofford Books, 2006 (hardbound),
503 pages, ISBN 1-58958-095-8
Written for both Mormons and non-Mormons interested in the
relationship between Mormonism and classical theism, this book
highlights various perspectives within Mormonism itself, including a
detailed analysis of Joseph Smith's "Lectures on Faith" and a
discussion of the thoughts of Orson and Parley Pratt, B.H. Roberts,
and John Widstoe. Blake T. Ostler outlines areas in which Mormon
approaches to questions about free agency and God's omnipotence might
suggest resolutions to some of the difficult issues that have troubled
theologians and philosophers for centuries.
You can purchase this book for $24.47, 30% off its retail price. (It
is regularly $34.95.)
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p1589580958.html
--> "Prophets, Priests, and Kings: Old Testament Figures Who Symbolize
Christ," by Andrew C. Skinner, Deseret Book, 2005 (hardbound),
152 pages, ISBN 1-57345-898-8
President Gordon B Hinckley declared: "I would hope that in all we do,
we would somehow constantly nourish the testimony of our people
concerning the Savior." The Old Testament, like the Book of Mormon,
has the ultimate purpose of bearing witness of Jesus Christ and
bringing souls to him. It is filled with types and shadows that point
to the Savior and his powers. The most poignant, visible symbols of
Him are those people whose callings, actions, and speech mirrored
Christ's--those whom we recognize as prophets, priest and kings.
Brother Skinner examines twenty individuals whose lives and
experiences typified, paralleled, and foreshadowed the life and
ministry of Christ, the great Prophet, Priest and King.
You can purchase this book for $11.87, 30% off its retail price. (It
is regularly $16.95.)
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p1573458988.html
--> "Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations,
1820-1844," edited by John W. Welch, BYU Press, 2005 (hardbound),
500 pages, ISBN 0-8425-2607-2
Think what New Testament scholars would give to have access to a
single letter that Mary wrote about the raising of Lazarus. We have
many such documents that relate to the Restoration of the gospel in
our dispensation. Opening the Heavens records hundreds of accounts of
divine manifestations relating to the Restoration--events that
strengthen our faith and expand our knowledge of Church History. Did
you know for instance, that there are ten recorded accounts of the
first vision from the lifetime of Joseph Smith? That there are
seventy-one documents that deal directly with priesthood restoration?
This volumes brings together, for the first time, all of the known
documents from Joseph Smith's lifetime relating directly to key events
of the Restoration that were accompanied by divine manifestations.
These first hand accounts uniquely convey the spirit of these
important occasions and provide precious details that help modern
readers construct a vivid image of what transpired.
You can purchase this book for $23.07, 30% off its retail price. (It
is regularly $32.95.)
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p0842526072.html
--> "Joseph Smith and the Doctrinal Restoration: The 34th Annual
Sidney B. Sperry Symposium," Deseret Book, 2005, (hardbound),
413 pages, ISBN 1-59038-489-X
Held in conjunction with the bicentennial of Joseph Smith's birth,
this year's Sperry Symposium centers on the contributions of the
Prophet in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ, restoring scripture,
and restoring true doctrine to the earth in the latter days. This
volume addresses our enlarged understanding of such concepts as
premortal life, the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, the
salvation of little children, and temple service. Other topics include
the Joseph Smith Translation, the calling of the Twelve and the
Seventy in 1835, and the ministry of angelic messengers to the
Prophet. This book will bring the reader renewed appreciation for the
role and impact of the Prophet Joseph.
Contributors include Milton V. Backman, Jr., Randy L. Bott, Douglas E.
Brinley, Richard L. Bushman, Richard O. Cowan, Jill M. Derr, Sherrie
Mills Johnson, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Robert J. Matthews, Andrew C.
Skinner, Richard E. Turley, Jr., and Mary Jane Woodger.
You can purchase this book for $17.47, 30% off its retail price. (It
is regularly $24.95.)
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p159038489X.html
To see all of our specials in one place, visit this special page:
http://store.fairlds.org/specials.html
Thanks for your continued support of the FAIR Bookstore.
- 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, 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.
------------------------------
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, clearly
identify that your source was FAIR, and add a link to the FAIR Web
site (www.fairlds.org).
--------------------------------
FAIR JOURNAL ARCHIVES
For past issues of the FAIR Journal, go to
http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Journal
--------------------------------
Copyright (c) 2006 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and
Research (FAIR). All rights reserved.
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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