The FAIR Journal

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THE FAIR JOURNAL                                        December 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 points out the need
       for Latter-day Saints to continue to explain their beliefs to
       many who have distorted views of LDS beliefs and practices.

     * NEW ON THE WEBSITE. "Revised or Unaltered? Joseph Smith's
       Foundational Stories."  Matthew Brown responds to criticism of
       Joseph Smith's First Vision and Book of Mormon accounts.

     * 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
       three books at special low prices to get your 2007 study plan
       off to a great start.

     * 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.


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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

I sat next to a fellow on an airplane ride to Germany and had a nice
conversation with him. He asked why I was going to Germany, and I told
him that I was doing some presentations on criticisms of Mormonism and
Mormon history. He paused for a long time, then asked, "Aren't Mormons
the ones who still use horse and buggies?" "No, that would be the
Amish," I answered. "Oh, that's right," he responded. "Mormons are the
ones with all of the wives."

I had a coworker and friend wish me a merry Christmas and then become
embarrassed, saying, "I'm sorry, I forgot you guys don't celebrate
that."

I was reading a blog on the Internet which included a comment
complaining about the Mormons coming around every Saturday morning
with the women and children knocking on doors.

I have had numerous people ask if I believe in Christ or if I am
Christian, I have been incorrectly told what the Word of Wisdom should
and should not include, and I have been asked about which day I go to
church, as well as what I am allowed to do on Sunday.

Given the general lack of understanding about the LDS church, it is no
wonder that there is confusion about our beliefs and doctrines. We
have to remember that many people don't even know the beliefs of their
own church, so they can't be expected to keep up with our beliefs as
well.

This lack of knowledge and understanding of the LDS beliefs creates
fertile soil for the spreading of misinformation and anti Mormon
propaganda. When I look at the success of the book "Divinci Code," a
story which I also enjoyed, I can't help but reflect on the fact that
much of its appeal is based on ignorance. People seem to love mystery
and conspiracy and will often choose to believe the unbelievable
because it sounds more interesting than that truth.

The Church is appearing in the media more and more. With Mitt Romney
and Harry Reid in high-profile political positions, and with more and
more LDS business leaders being highlighted in books and in the press,
we can probably anticipate more books, TV characters, and articles
which discuss LDS beliefs. We can also expect more misinformation,
misquotes, conspiracy theories, and outright falsehoods being put
forward as the truth. With this in mind, we must always remember that
much of this misinformation is based on ignorance and not malice. We
have to be thick skinned and respond with kindness if we respond at
all. We also need to work at getting our own message out. If we don't
let our friends know what we believe, they will rely on the media,
which may portray our beliefs inaccurately.

In Mosiah 15:28 it says, "the time shall come that the salvation of
the Lord shall be declared to every nation, kindred, tongue, and
people." I know I get excited as the Church missionary program moves
into new lands. But, while the church continues to grow, there are
many who haven't heard the gospel message in our own lands. Many don't
even have a rudimentary understanding of our faith. Based on my
experience on the plane ride and with my own friends, we have a long
way to go.

--Scott Gordon
  President


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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

You can also contact FAIR via the U.S. Postal Service using the
following address. (NOTE: This is a new mailing address for FAIR.)

     FAIR
     P.O. Box 491677
     Redding, CA 96049-1677


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NEW ON THE WEBSITE

"Revised or Unaltered? Joseph Smith's Foundational Stories"
by Matthew B. Brown

It is well known that Joseph Smith wrote and spoke about his early
spiritual experiences many times. These writings and recitations were
given to various audiences and focused on differing aspects of those
experiences. Over the years, many critics of the Church have tried to
use these various stories whose details differ to prove that the
events never occured at all and that Joseph Smith was merely inventing
stories to bolster his claims of divine guidance and a divine mission.

In this transcription of his presentation at the 2006 FAIR Conference,
Matthew Brown looks at some of these stories and shows how they are
consistent and that the Prophet was not not altering his storyline
over time. Brown reviews common attacks by critics against the Book of
Mormon and First Vision accounts and defends these foundational
stories.

Read the article:

     http://www.fairlds.org/cgi-bin/site.pl?s222


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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, you may submit it through the FAIR web site.

     http://www.fairlds.org/contact.php

Questions sent to FAIR 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

The following are the Topical Guide updates for the month.

* Cameron J. Packer
     "Cumora's Cave"

     Cameron Packer examines the various early LDS accounts that
     relating the experience of those who claimed to have entered a
     cave in the NY Hill Cumorah wherein numerous plates where hidden.

     Book of Mormon
     http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai105.html

* Michael J. Dorais
     "The Geological History of the Hill Cumorah"

     How old is the Hill Cumorah? Of what is it constructed? Michael
     Dorais examines these and other geological questions regarding the
     NY Hill Cumorah.

     Book of Mormon
     http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai105.html

* Camille Fronk
     "Desert Epiphany: Sariah and the Women in 1 Nephi"

     While there is not a lot of text dedicated to the women of the
     Lehite party, Camille Fronk examines what we do know of the women,
     what they might have endured, how they might have reacted to
     circumstances, and what we know of women's lives in ancient
     Arabia.

     Book of Mormon > Old World Context
     http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai280.html

* John E. Clark
     "Archaeology and Cumorah Questions"

     Is the Hill Cumorah near Palmyra, New York, the same as the one
     mentioned in the Book of Mormon? If not, then why do LDS refer to
     it as the "Hill Cumorah." Is there any evidence that suggests
     that upstate New York is not the land of the Nephites and
     Lamanites? John Clark answers these and other questions.

     Book of Mormon > Geography
     http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai178.html

* Robert A. Rees
     "Irony in the Book of Mormon"

     Robert Rees demonstrates that the Book of Mormon contains
     examples sophisticated irony. It seems unlikely that some of
     Joseph's meager education would have included such examples in
     the Book of Mormon.

     Book of Mormon > Textual Issues
     http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai111.html

* James T. Duke
     "Word Pairs in the Book of Mormon"

     James Duke makes it apparent that the Book of Mormon contains
     distinctive word-pair combinations in true ancient Semitic
     fashion.

     Book of Mormon > Textual Issues
     http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai111.html


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FAIR LDS BOOKSTORE

The bookstore wants to thank you all for the support that has been
given to the FAIR. Your support for the Bookstore really does help
FAIR. This month's specials are:

--> "Different Jesus?: The Christ of the Latter-day Saints," by Robert
     L. Millett, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing, 2005,
     softbound, ISBN 0-80282-876-0.

Are Latter-day Saints Christian, or do they worship a different Jesus?
In this engaging book, Robert Millet clearly explains why Latter-day
Saints claim to be Christians and compares their understanding of
Jesus with the views of traditional Christian believers.

Intended to inform rather than to convince or persuade, "A Different
Jesus?" clears away misconceptions and doctrinal distortions that
characterize more polemical works about Mormonism. Millet points out
the many beliefs that Latter-day Saints hold in common with
traditional Christians, yet he also emphasizes differences where they
exist.

"A Different Jesus?" initiates and will foster a significant dialogue
between Latter-day Saints and traditional Christians. Of special value
are a lengthy chapter that answers some of the most frequently asked
questions about Mormonism, a glossary showing how key theological
terms are defined by Latter-day Saints, and evangelical scholar
Richard Mouw's foreword and afterword, which help set an agenda for
future discussions between these religious traditions.

This book normally retails for $11.95, but is now on sale at $8.36,
30% off for the regular price.

     http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p0802828760.html

--> "Receiving Gifts of the Spirit," by Matthew B. Brown, American
     Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, 2005, hardbound,
     ISBN 1-59811-028-4.

From respected gospel scholar and best-selling author Matthew B.
Brown, comes an enlightening and thought-provoking book on the amazing
gifts of the Spirit that all members of the Church are entitled to
enjoy, but often do not.

Interesting and illuminating, this book offers historical and
scriptural information on spiritual gifts, identifies and explains the
different gifts available to us, provides inspiring, real-life
examples, and encourages readers to begin claiming their own divinely
appointed gifts that our Heavenly Father has lovingly provided to make
our earthly and spiritual lives more complete.

This book normally retails for $19.95, but is now on sale for $13.96,
30% off the regular price.

     http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p1598110284.html

--> "Teachings and Commentaries on the New Testament," by Ed J.
     Pinegar and Richard J. Allen, American Fork, Utah: Covenant
     Communications, 2005, hardbound, ISBN 1-59811-014-4.

The Old Testament is the foundation of the Holy Scriptures. Though our
personal scriptural study is incomplete without the knowledge provided
by this canonized book, studying and understanding the Old Testament
can often be difficult. Now with the help of Ed J. Pinegar and Richard
J. Allen, you'll look forward to Old Testament study as you gain a
deeper understanding of the earliest of our standard works.

This book normally retails for $39.95, but is now on sale for $27.95,
30% off the regular price.

     http://store.fairlds.org/prod/p1598110144.html

To see all of our specials in one place, visit this special page:

     http://store.fairlds.org/specials.html

Happy Holidays, and thanks for your continued support of the FAIR
Bookstore!

- 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, clearly
identify that your source was FAIR, and add a link to the FAIR Web
site (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

	  
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Copyright (c) 2007 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and
Research (FAIR). All rights reserved.

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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.

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