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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 April 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT. Scott Gordon reminds us how we can
best work with to get an accurate portrayal of the LDS faith
in the media.
* PRESIDENT'S APPEAL FOR SPECIAL FUNDING. FAIR is working on
some high-profile projects that need to be funded outside of
FAIR's operating budget.
* FAIR CONFERENCE NEWS. Check out the speakers list for this
year's FAIR Conference and be sure to order your tickets
early.
* NEW ON THE WEBSITE. "The John D. Lee Lead Scroll." Steve
Mayfield looks at the lead scroll discovered in 2001 and gives
his reasons for considering it a fake.
* NEW ON THE WEBSITE. "Agency vs. Predestination." John A.
Tvedtnes responds to the TULIP formula and related beliefs by
giving an LDS response based on teachings in the Bible and in
latter-day scripture.
* 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. Check out this month's specials on four
great classic books.
* 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
President's Message
As the church grows, we are receiving more media coverage. This means
we are being more accepted as a part of life. We now have members in
professional sports, in entertainment, and in politics. We should be
proud that members of our faith are leaders in government; one may
even be a presidential candidate. Our faith is being brought up more
in newspapers, in books, by comedians, in the movies, and on
television. Some aspects of our faith are even beamed into many homes
in America on a weekly basis on HBO.
As this happens, we may find that the press will sometimes criticize
us and sometimes get things wrong. Headlines may malign and false
accusations may be made. There may even be articles that embarrass us.
The question comes as to how we should react to this. We could write
hate mail, we could protest, or we could call for boycotts. All three
of these things have happened in the past few months in response to
various articles and movies. But I would like to suggest that this
isn't the best approach.
One of our FAIR members recently had a discussion with a reporter who
was rather miffed at the hate mail he received about a recent article
he wrote. He stated he has written many positive articles about the
Church, but a recent article was perceived to be negative. He was
surprised at the unkind e-mails he received from some members of the
Church.
A recent movie was released that did not fairly characterize our
beliefs or practices, and a boycott was called for against one of the
video outlets that carried the DVD. This is the same video outlet
that carries many films produced by LDS filmmakers.
True, it is somewhat disconcerting to read false statements in the
newspaper, or to see "The Work and the Glory" on the shelf right next
to a less favorable film. But instead of criticizing or protesting,
perhaps we ought to thank them for the story they get right, praise
them for covering a tough topic, and gently correct the things that
may not be correct.
Put yourself in a reporter's place if you were trying to cover an LDS
topic. You want to do more research, so you type "Mormonism" into
Google and find the first four links are to anti-Mormon Web sites. If
you type in "Mormon" you do better, but you still find a mixed bag of
Web sites. You want to be fair, but don't know who you should believe.
Who would you believe? Who would you trust for your information? We
are making great strides in increasing the LDS presence on the
Internet, and time and all of our efforts on the Internet will
eventually expose those anti-Mormons who intentionally misrepresent
LDS belief and practice.
Let's not be critical of reporters and media outlets; instead let's be
supportive of the things they get right. Remember the words of Joseph
Smith in March of 1842:
The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can
stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may
combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth
of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has
penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every
country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God
shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work
is done.
--Scott Gordon
President, FAIR
------------------------------
PRESIDENT'S APPEAL FOR SPECIAL FUNDING
As videos become more popular, we are finding they are being used more
by counter-cult ministries to try to influence people to either leave
the Church or stay away from investigating the Church. One of these
counter-cult ministries even has the funding to pass out thousands of
these anti-Mormon DVDs free of charge and has flooded some markets.
With this in mind, FAIR has partnered with an LDS filmmaker and is
currently creating a video response. Many interviews have already been
filmed as a direct response to one of the anti-Mormon films.
This does create a problem for us. FAIR is a non-profit organization
that relies on small donors to survive. Most donations we receive are
under $100. But for us to make a film, we need a lot more than that.
We really need about $25,000 to even complete production of the film.
We may need more for distribution. If you are able to make a tax
deductible donation of all or part of that $25,000, please send a
check to:
FAIR
PO Box 491677
Redding, CA 96049
You can donate units of $1,000 via credit card here:
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/pDon1000.html
As always, thank you for your support.
------------------------------
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
Come to the FAIR Conference on August 3 & 4 in Sandy Utah. Topics
covered will include a discussion of the Hoffman forgeries, the Book
of Abraham, Hints of Egyptian and Northwest Semitic in America, Joseph
Smith's foundational stories, DNA, the story of a polyandrous wife,
and many others.
For speakers we have a great group with:
Wayne Arnett
Mike Ash
Joseph Bentley
Matthew Brown
Claudia Bushman
Brant Gardner
Marcus Martins
Kim Osterman
Dan Peterson
David Stewart
Brian Stubbs
George Throckmorton
Allen Wyatt
This will be a conference that you won't want to miss. Sign up here:
http://www.fairlds.org/conf06a.html
Scroll to the bottom of the page for the sign up link or go directly
to the ticket purchase page here:
http://store.fairlds.org/bi131.html
------------------------------
The John D. Lee Lead Scroll
by Steve Mayfield
In January 2001 a lead scroll was discovered under the flooring of an
old fort by a National Park Service worker. The scroll claims to be
written by John D. Lee, infamous for his part in the horrific events
at Mountain Meadows. Some of Lee's comments just prior to his
execution have been used by anti-Mormons to construct a conspiracy
theory implicating Brigham Young and other Church leaders. The scroll
has been controversial since the day it was announced, and there is
strong circumstantial evidence linking this to Mark Hoffman and his
other document forgeries relating to Mormon history.
Steve Mayfield has given permission for FAIR to publish a
transcription of a letter he wrote to FAIR President Scott Gordon. In
his letter, Mayfield corrects some misunderstandings that had been
posted on the FAIR message board several months ago, and adds his
reasons for considering the scroll to be a Hoffman forgery.
Read the letter:
http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/John_D_Lee_Lead_Scroll.html
------------------------------
Agency vs. Predestination
by John A. Tvedtnes
One of the theological systems that emerged from the Protestant
Reformation was called Calvinism, or Reformed Theology. A principal
component of this belief consists of five points of belief, often
referred to as TULIP. TULIP stands for Total depravity, Unconditional
election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of
the saints. This system of beliefs emphasizes the complete sovereignty
and foreknowledge of God and thus the predestined salvation or
damnation of all of mankind.
In his article, John Tvedtnes looks at the foundational doctrines of
Calvinism in light of latter-day understanding of the Bible
proof-texts used to support Calvinism, along with additional
information on the topics of predestination, free will, "calling and
election." Tvedtnes shows how the scriptures are best interpretted as
understood by Latter-day Saints--that God is not responsible for evil,
that mankind has the agency and power to choose good or evil, and that
each person is ultimately free to choose eternal salvation or to
reject that greatest of all God's gifts.
Read the article:
http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Agency_vs_Predestination.html
------------------------------
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.
* Milton V. Backman Jr.
"Awakenings in the Burned-over District: New Light on the
Historical Settings of the First Vision"
The six decades preceding the Civil War were years of intense
religious activity in many sections of the United States. During
this second great awakening, sporadic spiritual quickenings
erupted throughout the new nation; and many Americans living in
the rugged frontier communities, in the rapidly growing urban
areas, and in the villages and towns of northern and southern
United States turned their attention to organized religion. One
of the regions in the new nation that was in an almost constant
state of revivalism was western New York. During the first half
of the nineteenth century, revivals were so habitual and powerful
in the area west of the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains that
historians have labeled this ecclesiastical storm center the
"Burned-over District."
Smith, Joseph > First Vision
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai063.html
* Richard Lloyd Anderson
"Circumstantial Confirmation of the First Vision through
Reminiscences"
The bread and butter work of the historian is less the divining
of bias than a careful reading of his documents to determine just
what is said, whether his source is in a position to know the
information related, and to what extent each one tells a partial
or complete story. Because it is claimed that Joseph Smith's
account of the events surrounding his First Vision are not
factual, the foregoing procedures must be applied to his own
statements and to all other accounts that claim to relate
first-hand information about his earliest activities.
Smith, Joseph > First Vision
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai063.html
* Leland H. Gentry
"The Danite Band of 1838"
The Danites made their appearance during a very troubled period
in Mormon history. For this and other reasons, one finds much
difficulty in isolating the many threads in order to lay bare the
facts. One major purpose of this paper is to examine the Danite
Band in terms of its origin, purpose, and organizational
structure. A second objective is to show who was responsible for
the formation and perpetuation of the movement and why.
Early LDS History > Danites
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai047.html
* Massimo Introvigne
"Old Wine in New Bottles: The Story behind Fundamentalist
Anti-Mormonism"
Anti-Mormonism, a strange shadow of Mormonism, is itself a social
phenomenon. In 1992 the Encyclopedia of Mormonism noted that no
comprehensive history of anti-Mormonism has yet been published.
Even if such a history had been published, it would need
considerable periodic updating because of the changing activity
of anti-Mormons.
I have argued elsewhere that the 1982 film The God Makers marked
the emergence of a new anti-Mormonism that I have called
"postrationalist." While "rationalist" anti-Mormonism--mostly
represented by the "career apostates" Jerald and Sandra
Tanner--denied anything supernatural in Joseph Smith's
experiences and regarded him as a mere fraud, postrationalist
anti-Mormonism advances the theory "that Joseph Smith was in
touch with a superhuman source of revelation and power." However,
according to the postrationalist theory, the superhuman source
was not God, but Satan.
While the postrational theory may seem new, this article will
show that it is merely an example of old wine in new bottles,
being part of a tradition that dates back to the nineteenth
century. Although this tradition became somewhat disreputable in
the first decades of the twentieth century, it continued to exist
in the fundamentalist subculture.
Critics > Anti-Mormons
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai153.html
* Larry E. Morris
"Oliver Cowdery's Vermont Years and the Origins of Mormonism"
Cowdery biographers have generally repeated a few brief facts
before darting to Oliver's initial meeting with Joseph Smith in
April 1829. A close look at the record, however, reveals a rich
family history--a history that includes the death of Oliver's
mother, the blending of three families, four moves between two
states, and a plague that took a dear aunt and uncle. All of
these details in turn shed light on two controversial theories
bearing on the origins of Mormonism.
The first alleges that Joseph Smith Sr. and William Cowdery
participated in a divining-rod incident known as the "Wood
Scrape," forming associations that impacted their sons' founding
of the Church a quarter of a century later. The second purports
that young Oliver knew minister Ethan Smith, read his work View
of the Hebrews, and passed on knowledge of the book--or a copy
of the book itself--to Joseph, who borrowed freely from it in
producing the Book of Mormon. Both theories have spawned
considerable discussion and research. The well-documented
history of the William Cowdery family in Vermont, however, shows
that both theories are long on speculation and short on fact.
Book of Mormon > Witnesses
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai109.html
* Klaus Hansen
"The Political Kingdom of God as a Cause for Mormon-Gentile
Conflict"
The afternoon of October 30, 1838, saw one of the most brutal
butcheries of men and children ever to occur in the annals of the
state of Missouri. At about four o'clock, relates Joseph Young,
one of the eyewitnesses, "a large company of armed men, on
horses" advanced towards a mill on Shoal Creek, where about
thirty Mormon families had gathered for refuge. Defenseless, the
Saints scattered, some into the woods, others into a blacksmith
shop. Overtaken by the mob, nineteen men and boys were killed, a
dozen wounded. One nine-year-old boy had found refuge under the
bellows. Discovered by a mobster, the child was killed by a
gun-blast in the head. Boasted the butcher afterwards, "Nits
will make lice, and if he had lived he would have become a
Mormon."
Early LDS History > Persecution
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai243.html
Early LDS History > Persecution > Haun's Mill Massacre
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai172.html
* Hugh W. Nibley
"What Is 'The Book of Breathings'?"
Upon their publication in 1967, the Joseph Smith Papyri Nos. X
and XI were quickly and easily identified as pages from the
Egyptian "Book of Breathings." The frequent occurrence of the
word snsn provided a conspicuous clue, and, though the last page
of the book (the one that usually contains the title) was
missing, its contents closely matched that of other Egyptian
writings bearing the title "sh' (sh'i, sh'.t) n snsn," commonly
translated "Book of Breathing(s)." A most welcome guide to the
student was ready at hand in J. de Horrack's text, translation,
and commentary on a longer and fuller version of the same work
(Pap. Louvre 3284) which he published in 1878 along with another
version of the text (Louvre No. 3291) and variant readings from a
half dozen other Paris manuscripts. Thanks to de Horrack, the
experts found their work already done for them, and they showed
their gratitude by consistently following the readings of the de
Horrack's text and translation instead of the Joseph Smith text
whenever the latter proved recalcitrant.
Scripture and Influential Writing > Pearl of Great Price >
Book of Abraham
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai125.html
The following are additions to the Reviews section of the Topical
Guide.
* "Early Mormonism and the Magic World View" by D. Michael Quinn
Reviewed by Stephen E. Robinson, William A. Wilson and Benson
Whittle
* "The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844" by
John L. Brooke
Reviewed by Davis Bitton
Reviews > Books
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai186.html#books
The following articles and papers are in response to the book
"Mormonism 101" by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson. The collection of
responses, which generally deal with a single chapter of the book, has
been called "Mormonism 201" and can be found at
http://www.fairlds.org/Mormonism_201
The individual responses have also been included in appropriate areas
of the Topical Guide index.
* David Waltz
"Introduction: Back to School"
Non-LDS researcher David Waltz examines the anti-Mormon the
approach of the anti-Mormon book, Mormonism 101.
Critics > Anti-Mormons
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai153.html
Critics > Anti-Mormons > McKeever, Bill
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai126.html
* Marc A. Schindler
"Introduction: Examining Assumptions"
In his review of Mormonism 101, Marc Schindler explores the
authors' erroneous assumptions and how they lead to erroneous
anti-Mormon conclusions.
Critics > Anti-Mormons
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai153.html
Critics > Anti-Mormons > McKeever, Bill
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai126.html
* Steven J. Danderson
"God the Father"
Steven reviews McKeever and Johnson's anti-Mormon charges
against the LDS doctrine of God.
Critics > Anti-Mormons
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai153.html
Critics > Anti-Mormons > McKeever, Bill
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai126.html
Doctrinal Issues > Deity > God the Father
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai036.html
* Steven J. Danderson
"Jesus"
Steven examines the ways that Mormonism 101 twists the LDS view
of Jesus.
Critics > Anti-Mormons
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai153.html
Critics > Anti-Mormons > McKeever, Bill
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai126.html
Doctrinal Issues > Deity > Jesus Christ
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai037.html
* Rene' Alexander Krywult
"The Trinity"
In this review of Mormonism 101, Rene' tackles the issue of LDS
and the "Trinity."
Doctrinal Issues > Deity > Trinity
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai040.html
* Allen L. Wyatt
"Preexistence and the Second Estate"
Wyatt looks at the Biblical evidence for the LDS doctrine of a
preexistence and demonstrates that the anti-Mormon authors of
Mormonism 101 are in error when they claim that this concept is
foreign to the Gospel.
Doctrinal Issues > Plan of Salvation > Pre-Mortal Life
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai005.html
* Barry R. Bickmore
"Apostasy"
Despite the claims of the anti-Mormon book Mormonism 101,
Bickmore demonstrates that there is good evidence for history and
the scriptures to support the LDS belief in an apostasy of the
divine Church shortly after the death of the Apostles.
Apostasy and Restoration
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai014.html
Apostasy and Restoration > Great Apostasy
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai016.html
* Benjamin McGuire
"The Bible"
McGuire tackles the accusations and incorrect assumptions about
LDS beliefs and the Bible as presented in Mormonism 101.
Scripture and Influential Writings > Bible
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai098.html
* Michael R. Ash
"The Book of Mormon"
Ash rebuts the charges made in Mormonism 101 concerning the Book
of Mormon (including issues, such as, the Three Witness, the
Fullness and the Fullness of the Gospel).
Book of Mormon
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai105.html
Book of Mormon > Witnesses
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai109.html
Book of Mormon > Fulness of Gospel
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai278.html
*Michael W. Fordham
"A Non-Prophetic Report of Mormonism 101's Failing Grade"
In response to the arguments presented by McKeever and Johnson,
Fordham examines the nature of prophecy and some of Joseph's
Smith supposedly failed prophecies.
Revelation > Failed Prophecies
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai065.html
Prophets
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai081.html
Prophets > Infallibility
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai082.html
* Kevin W. Graham
"The Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price"
Graham reviews the critical arguments (as presented in Mormonism
101) regarding the Joseph Smith Papyri and the Book of Abraham.
Scripture and Influential Writing > Pearl of Great Price >
Book of Abraham
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai125.html
* Edward T. Jones
"His Blood Will Redeem Us: The Atonement According to The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"
Despite McKeever and Johnson's comments to the contrary, Jones
demonstrates that the LDS view of Christ's atonement is
harmonious with the Bible.
Doctrinal Issues > Deity > Jesus Christ > Atonement
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai142.html
* Kevin W. Graham
"Salvation"
Are "Grace" and "Works" mutually exclusive in regards to
salvation? Graham rebuts the argument presented in Mormonism
101 that the LDS perspective is not truly Christian.
Doctrinal Issues > Basic Gospel Principles > Faith >
Faith, Grace, and Works
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai054.html
* Marc A. Schindler
"Heaven and Hell"
Schindler rebuts McKeever and Johnson's chapter on the afterlife
and LDS theology. Schindler aptly demonstrates that the LDS
belief in a three-tiered heaven is at home within Christian thought.
Doctrinal Issues > Plan of Salvation > Afterlife >
Kingdoms of Glory
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai009.html
* Michael Hickenbotham
"Communion and Baptism"
Mike Hickenbotham examines the LDS sacrament (communion) and LDS
baptisms, in light of ancient Christianity and the claims made in
Mormonism 101.
Doctrinal Issues > Priesthood > Priesthood Ordinances > Baptism
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai165.html
Doctrinal Issues > Priesthood > Priesthood Ordinances > Sacrament
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai169.html
* Lance Starr
"The Word of Wisdom"
Lance investigates the claims made by McKeever and Johnson
regarding the Word of Wisdom, its origin and early practice.
Doctrinal Issues > Word of Wisdom
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai139.html
* Samuel Katich
"Joseph Smith"
Katich explores the many issues regarding Joseph Smith that are
mentioned in Mormonism 101. Such issues include: polygamy,
polyandry, imperfections, treasure digging and more.
Prophets > Infallibility
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai082.html
Prophets > Latter-day Prophets > Joseph Smith >
Personal Beliefs of Prophets
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai258.html
Prophets > Latter-day Prophets > Joseph Smith > Polygamy
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai049.html
Prophets > Latter-day Prophets > Joseph Smith > Polygamy >
Polyandry
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai228.html
Prophets > Latter-day Prophets > Joseph Smith > Treasure Digging
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai249.html
* J. Cooper Johnson
"The Church and Its Leadership"
Mormonism 101 would have us believe that there are no more
prophets and that we can not trust LDS prophets to reveal the
word of God. Cooper Johnson compares LDS prophets to Biblical
prophets and explains how prophets can be both men and inspired
leaders and how members can discern when they are speaking the
will of the Lord.
Prophets
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai081.html
Prophets > Infallibility
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai082.html
Prophets > Latter-day Prophets > Joseph Smith >
Personal Beliefs of Prophets
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai258.html
* Juliann Reynolds
"Lamanites, the Seed of Cain, and Polygamy"
Mormonism 101 attempts to portray Latter-day Saints and LDS
theology as racist. Reynolds notes the double-standards employed
by these Evangelical writers and explains that nearly all
nineteenth-century Americans had racist attitudes.
Book of Mormon > Textual Issues
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai111.html
Race and Cultral Issues
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai086.html
* Benjamin McGuire
"The Temple"
Ben McGuire answers McKeever and Johnson's charges regarding
issues surrounding LDS temples and temple ordinances.
Doctrinal Issues > Temples and Temple Work
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai127.html
------------------------------
FAIR LDS BOOKSTORE
The FAIR LDS Bookstore always has some great values, and this month we
are putting four of the classics on sale. These are books that every
LDS apologist should have on their bookshelf; great books at great
prices. 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 "specials" in the FAIR Bookstore.
--> "Hard Questions, Prophetic Answers: Doctrinal Perspectives on
Difficult Contemporary Issues," by Daniel K. Judd, Deseret Book
Company, 2004, 245 pages, ISBN 1-59038-225-0.
Author Daniel K. Judd writes: "The issues I have selected for
inclusion in this book are representative of the difficult questions
I have grappled with over the last several years in my work as a
professor, a therapist, a bishop, a stake president, and a father."
The author shows that the most meaningful answers to all our
questions lie in the counsel of prophets and the miracles of the
Atonement.
You can purchase this book for $11.17, 30% off its retail price. (It
is regularly $15.95.)
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p1590382250.html
--> "How Wide the Divide? A Mormon and an Evangelical in
Conversation," by Criag L. Blomberg and Stephen E. Robinson,
InterVarsity Press, 1997, 228 pages, ISBN: 0-83081-991-6.
Craig Blomberg, a committed Evangelical scholar, and Stephen Robinson,
a committed Mormon scholar, set out to listen to one another and to
ferret out the genuine agreements between them. In the conversation
that develops, you will read what each believes about key theological
issues: (1) the nature and bounds of scripture, (2) the nature of God
and deification, (3) the person of Christ and the Trinity, and (4) the
essentials of salvation. See how they interact with one another; what
they agree on may surprise you. In the end, however, you can judge for
yourself just how wide the divide between them is.
You can purchase this book for $8.37, 30% off its retail price. (It is
regularly $11.95.)
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p0830819916.html
--> "Mormonism In Transition: A History of the Latter-day Saints,
1890-1930," by Thomas G. Alexander, University of Illinois
Press, 1996, 440 pages, ISBN: 0-25206-578-6.
Winner of the Mormon History Association's Best Book Award. A new
bibliography and foreword expand this volume and reinforce its
importance. This book has received uniformly positive reviews:
"By far the most important book on this crucial period in LDS
history." (Jan Shipps, author of "Mormonism: The Story of a New
Religious Tradition.")
"Thoughtful....An objective examination of the church's changing
position on political involvement, plural marriage, business
relations, administrative reorganization, doctrinal redefinition,
missionary work, and education." (Choice)
"Will be required reading for all historians of Mormonism for some
time to come." (William D. Russell, "Journal of American History.")
"A splendid example of Mormon historical scholarship at its best."
(B. Carmon Hardy, "Utah Historical Quarterly")
You can purchase this book for $7.95, 30% off its retail price. (It is
regularly $11.35.)
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p0252065786.html
--> "Isaiah Made Easier," by David J. Ridges, Cedar Fort, 2002, 188
pages, ISBN: 1-55517-615-1.
Isaiah's teachings and literary symbolism come alive through this
teacher's careful explanations and comments. Never before has every
verse of Isaiah been clarified in such a way and made easy to
understand. David J. Ridges has spent 35 years teaching the scriptures
and researching the material in this book.
You can purchase this book for $9.77, 30% off its retail price. (It is
regularly $13.95.)
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p1555176151.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
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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
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If you are interested in apologetics and would like to participate
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If you manage your own e-mail list, and wish to include some of these
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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
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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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