The FAIR Journal

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THE FAIR JOURNAL                                            March 2007
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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 reflect on what his
       time in the Church has taught him.

     * 2007 FAIR CONFERENCE. The 2007 FAIR Conference has been
       announced and the speaker list is being finalized.

     * SPECIAL CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED. FAIR has received notification
       that a special conference on the 1978 Revelation will be held

       at the Salt Lake Community College on Friday, March 16.

     * MHA CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED. The Mormon History Association has
       announced its 2007 conference in Salt Lake City.

     * NEW ON THE WEBSITE. "Apologetics by the Numbers." In a humorous
       review of ranting on an ex-Mormon web site, Daniel Peterson
       examines the powerful arguments and relentless logic of certain
       critics of the Church.

     * NEW ON THE INTERNET. A new Gallop Poll was released that looks
       at Americans' views about The Church of Jesus Christ of
       Latter-day Saints.

     * 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. Due to a recent move, the LDS Bookstore
       will postpone its March specials until April.

     * 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

"Things I Learned at Church"

From time to time I take the opportunity to read "exit stories" from 
people who've left the LDS Church. One story writer expressed sorrow 
that he had 'wasted so many years in the LDS Church instead of 
spending it somewhere where he might have learned something.' This led 
me to think about whether or not their time in the LDS Church had 
really been wasted. While I cannot speak for everyone, this train of 
thought led me to think about the many things I have learned in the 
Church.

For instance, I learned to set up and take down chairs. (I mean this 
is all seriousness.) Setting up and taking down tables and chairs was 
an expected thing to do for all stake conferences, activities, and 
Sunday school classes. More important than simply learning the skill 
of chair placement or the mechanics of table legs, I learned that it 
was up to me to get something done. The job really wasn't complete 
until everything was put away. I learned that things don't just poof 
into existence, but take a concerted effort. I also learned that 
working with others to reach that goal was much better and more fun 
than working alone. It helped me to learn that seemingly small 
things--like setting up and taking down chairs--were an important part 
of the greater whole.

I learned how to organize meetings, large dinners, and activities. 
This included following agendas, estimating group sizes, planning for 
food, and allowing for contingencies. I learned how important this 
skill was when I found that there were classes at various colleges and 
universities that taught these very skills that I learned in Church.

I learned how to stand up and speak in front of a group. This is a 
valuable lesson that has helped me throughout my life. Whether a group 
size is three or 3,000, the LDS Church taught me how to organize a 
presentation and to present it in front of a group.

I learned how to teach a lesson. I learned the important principle of 
the lesson is not what I have said, but what the class members have 
learned, and what they will incorporate into their lives. This concept 
is currently being promoted in the California college system.

I learned how to sing in Church. From primary songs to Church choirs 
and solos, I was given many opportunities to practice my talents.

I learned how to play the piano. I had lessons like many other young 
people, and like many young boys I did my best to avoid practicing. 
Then, one day, my bishop asked me to become priesthood pianist. At 
that time, I don’t think I could have played a hymn if my life 
depended on it. I had to practice. That experience, combined with my 
call as ward pianist on my mission, helped me reach a level of piano 
playing that brings great joy to my life. I am currently the primary 
pianist and enjoy that greatly.

I learned to avoid addictive substances and behavior. While some of my 
friends have gone the way of drug abuse, alcoholism, and broken 
families, I have managed to avoid all of that. While it is true that 
not drinking wine or coffee has sometimes led to slightly 
uncomfortable social situations, I have found it to be a better and 
healthier lifestyle. I have never had to worry that someone might 
remember my bizarre or socially inappropriate behavior at a work 
party, or had to worry about getting a designated driver.

I learned to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in 
need of comfort. I have been in a hospital room as parents of a 
two-year-old are told their son "didn't make it." I have stood with a 
husband and father as he has talked with his son about mom "not coming 
back." I have wept with a woman as she shared how she had been 
molested for many years.

I have learned what it means to share joy with families. I have felt 
the joy as babies were announced, marriages were reconciled, blessings 
came true, and families were created. I have seen the joy as lives 
were changed through the gospel.

I have learned the importance of honesty and I have had honesty 
modeled by my Church leaders. I have been with them in their unguarded 
moments and honesty has been a guiding principle of their lives.

I have learned the importance of education in all areas, including the 
arts and sciences. Never have I been discouraged from learning or 
studying.

I have learned what it is like to feel the Spirit: that overwhelming 
feeling of love for everyone.

I have learned that there is a God in Heaven and that Jesus is my 
Savior. I have learned that the heavens are not closed to sincere 
seekers and that there is more at work in life than what we can 
experience with our five senses.

I'm sure there are other ways to learn many of these things, and I'm 
not claiming these things as being exclusively Mormon. What I am 
saying is that I learned these things in the LDS Church, and those 
teachings have been very valuable to me. My time in the LDS Church has 
not been wasted; it has been educational, enriching, and illuminating.

So the next time someone asks me what value there is in the LDS 
Church, one answer I can honestly give is, "That's where I learned how 
to set up and take down chairs."

--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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2007 FAIR Conference

The FAIR conference will be on August 2nd and 3rd in Sandy, Utah.

We have an exciting lineup of speakers, including John Sorenson on the 
trajectory of Book of Mormon research and Richard Turley on the 
Mountain Meadows Massacre. Our complete list of speakers will be 
posted in a future FAIR Journal.

Mark your calendars now!


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Special Conference Being Held

FAIR has received a notification about a special conference that is 
being held.

     "Join Darius Gray & Marvin Perkins for a special conference on
     using the scriptures to understand what a Deseret News study
     called 'the most significant development in the LDS Church in the
     last 100 years,' the 1978 Revelation."

     Free Admission - Limited Seating
     Attendees must register at perkinsmc@sbcglobal.net
     Friday, March 16, 2007   11:00 am

     The Miller Campus Auditorium
     Salt Lake Community College
     9750 South 300 West, Sandy, UT 84070

Topics to be covered include: blacks & the priesthood, the 1978 
Revelation, blacks in the Bible, skin color in the scriptures, and 
curses.


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MHA Conference Announced

The Mormon History Association has announced its 2007 Salt Lake City 
Conference, which will be held May 24-27 at the Hilton Salt Lake City 
Center.

Information about the conference is available at the MHA web site at

     http://www.mhahome.org/


------------------------------
Apologetics by the Numbers
by Daniel C. Peterson

Anyone who has spent even a modicum amount of time looking up things 
Mormon on the Internet has undoubtably stumbled across websites that 
are not merely anti-Mormon, but unbelievably crude, hateful, and 
venom-filled. One such site is notorious for its absolute censorship 
of any remotely positive statement about The Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-day Saints. Here embittered former Latter-day Saints are free, 
even encouraged, to post vitriolic rantings about LDS doctrine, LDS 
leaders, LDS history, and their personal experiences. On such web 
sites, unchecked by dissenting opinions and free of any sense of 
decency, posters often scramble to outdo each other in their tirades 
against anything remotely related to Mormonism.

In this humorous article, Peterson examines and exposes the impeccable 
logic and keen reasoning of several individuals who decry the efforts 
of LDS scholars and apologists who dare to attempt to defend their 
faith.

Read the article:

     http://www.fairlds.org/Humor/Apologetics_by_the_Numbers.html


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Gallop Poll on Views about the Church

The Gallop Organization recently conducted a poll on how people in the 
United States view Latter-day Saints and The Church of Jesus Christ. 
The polls, entitled "Americans' Views of the Mormon Religion," shows a 
breakdown of views by region, political party, ideology, church 
attendance, and religion. The poll also asked people "what comes to 
mind first when they think about the Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-Day [sic] Saints (LDS), also known as the Mormon church."

Read the poll results and commentary:

     http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26758&pg=1


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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.

* John Sorenson and Brian D. Stubbs
     "Was There Hebrew Language in Ancient America?"

     John Sorenson interviews linguist Brian Stubbs regarding the
     possiblity that traces of Hebrew can be found in some Native
     American languages.

     Book of Mormon > New World Context
     http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai113.html

* Jeffrey R. Chadwick
     "The Names Lehi and Sariah--Language and Meaning"

     Jeffrey Chadwick explores the possible ancient meaning to the
     names Lehi and Sariah.

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

* David Bokovoy
     "From Distance to Proximity: A Poetic Function of Enallage in the
     Hebrew Bible and the Book of Mormon"

     This essay analyzes examples of poetry in the Hebrew Bible and the
     Book of Mormon that do not conform to the same standards to which
     prose is typically confined.

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

* John W. Welch
     "Weighing and Measuring in the Worlds of the Book of Mormon"

     John Welch examines the Book of Mormon's system of weights and
     measure and how they correspond to what we know from the ancient
     Old World.

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

* John W. Welch
     "Did the ancient peoples of mesoamerica use a system of weights
     and scales in measuring goods and their values?"

     How does the Book of Mormon system of weights and measure compare
     to what we know from Ancient America?

     Book of Mormon > New World Context
     http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai113.html

* Davis Bitton
     "B.H. Roberts and Book of Mormon Scholarship"

     Professional historian, Davis Bitton, looks at B.H. Roberts
     approach to studying the Book of Momron as well as what questions
     he asked, and what questions he should have asked.

     Book of Mormon > Roberts, B.H.
     http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai281.html


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FAIR LDS BOOKSTORE

The FAIR Bookstore is undergoing a move and some reorganization. Our
specials will be reinstated next month, so keep your eye on our
storefront for new items and new discounts. In the meantime, check out
our huge selection of books, DVDs, CDs, and other items that represent
the most complete LDS apologetics source on the Internet!

We're looking forward to offering some of our best deals ever in
April!

- 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).


--------------------------------
FAIR JOURNAL ARCHIVES

For past issues of the FAIR Journal, go to

     http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Journal

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

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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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