FAIR Blog

Balancing Secular and Faith-Based Scripture Study

Mike Ash — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:52:26 +0000

Anyone who owns a pendulum powered clock—such as many grandfather or wall hanging clocks—knows that the regulation of the pendulum needs to be tweaked in order for the clock to keep accurate time. On the bottom of the pendulum is an adjusting nut that raises and lowers the “bob” (the disc-shaped weight that makes the [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 147: Using Objects to Receive Revelation

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:50:18 +0000

What did it mean in the Book of Commandments to say that Oliver Cowdery had the gift of working with the “rod of nature.” What is the “gift of Aaron?” Are there other examples of physical objects being used to receive revelation? In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on January 13, [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 146: Science and Religion

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:47:44 +0000

In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on October 14, 2012, Martin Tanner discusses our pursuit of truth and the way in which science and religion both help us in this pursuit. This recording was used by permission of KSL Radio and does not necessarily represent the views of The [...]

Science vs. Religion?

Mike Ash — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:09:21 +0000

“One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may,” (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199) In order to approach the scriptures from a realistic perspective we need to take a side trip into the secular world of science and scholarship. Wise and informed [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 145: Kinderhook Plates and Zelph

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 01 May 2013 17:50:59 +0000

What were the Kinderhook Plates? Were they real or a forgery? Was Joseph Smith fooled by them? Who was Zelph? Do Joseph Smith’s comments regarding Zelph prove that the Book of Mormon events occurred in North America? In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on December 9, 2012, Martin Tanner [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 144: Mormon Book Review–Shaken Faith Syndrome

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:49:29 +0000

In this episode of the Mormon Book Review, host Kirk Caudle talks to Mike Ash about the second edition of Shaken Faith Syndrome. They talk about what it means to doubt, the declining lack of literacy, how to stay a member of the church, and what it might mean for one to leave faithfully. This episode [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 143: Responding to Anti-Mormons

SteveDensleyJr — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:48:30 +0000

What can you do if you have friends or family members who are leaving the Church because of anti-Mormon attacks? In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on February 3, 2013, Martin Tanner responds to this question and discusses many of the anti-Mormon attacks. This recording was used by permission [...]

The Problem of Fundamentalism

Mike Ash — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:57:01 +0000

When we talk about the problems of a “fundamentalist” approach to history, scriptures, and prophets, it’s important to define our terms in the context of this discussion. “Fundamentals” are certainly good things. They are the foundations of thought, theories, and structures. In the Gospel, the fundamental beliefs are the core doctrines—the belief in God and [...]

Does Grant Palmer Really Claim to Have Rescued a Mormon General Authority Away from the LDS Faith?

Jeff Lindsay — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:35:09 +0000

There’s a remarkable story circulating the Net in which a prominent LDS General Authority allegedly lost his faith due to the teachings of Grant Palmer, the controversial ex-Mormon author who was teaching seminary for years while secretly circulating some highly implausible theories of plagiarism of the Book of Mormon. This General Authority has come to [...]

Apologetic Notes from General Conference – April 2013

Neal Rappleye — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:52:10 +0000

Now, I know that there are much more useful ways to read/listen to conference then with apologetic issues in mind. And I certainly wouldn’t advise that anyone seek out an apologetic message from conference at the expense of other, far more important messages that the General Authorities and the Spirit are trying to communicate. I’ll [...]

4th_Watch_4:The Kingdom of the Cults – “Shock Terms.”

Ned Scarisbrick — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:30:02 +0000

In this episode Brother Scarisbrick discusses how the use of “shock terms” can skew the angle from which we view the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Some in the Anti-Mormon community use this tactic to distract potential investigators of the Church by trying to generate fear in those who hear the Church’s [...]

Early Bird Discount for the 2013 FAIR Conference

SteveDensleyJr — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:14:10 +0000

Discounted tickets are still available for the 2013 FAIR Conference until May 31. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit this page. This short video clip also provides more information: FAIR Conference video clip

Mormon FAIR-Cast 141: Was the Book of Mormon Set in Heartland America?

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:24:42 +0000

Where did the events of the Book of Mormon take place? What evidence is there that the events took place in Mesoamerica? What evidence is there that these events did not take place in the heartland of the United States? In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on October 28, [...]

Help Thou Mine Unbelief

Kevin Barney — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:53:23 +0000

In the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference, Elder Holland (hereafter “EH”) gave an address with the title “Lord, I Believe.” He sets the stage by recounting the story of the father of an afflicted child, desperate for whatever help might be afforded. The disciples were not able to provide the needed blessing. The father [...]

4th Watch 5: The theology of John & Jacobus

Ned Scarisbrick — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:00:26 +0000

The topic of predestination has been debated from the days of the early Church fathers and continues to energize gospel discussions regarding the level of responsibility and personal accountability for our behavior. In this podcast the teachings of John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius, two of the most prominent theologians of the protestant reformation, are compared [...]

Even the Very Elect Can be Deceived

Mike Ash — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:06:12 +0000

In my last installment I said that I would discuss some of the ways that fundamentalist thinking can unknowingly create stumbling blocks to our testimony. Before I get to that, however, I need to point out some important considerations about those who might be vulnerable to testimony damage. It is significant that we ask: Who [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 139: The Book of Abraham and the Prophetic Power of Joseph Smith

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:35:56 +0000

Now that we have some of the papyrus that was in the possession of Joseph Smith when he translated the Book of Abraham, can it be demonstrated that Joseph Smith is a fraud? In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on January 27, 2013, Martin Tanner responds to this question [...]

4th Watch 3: Salvation–Are Mormons Saved?

Ned Scarisbrick — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:40:32 +0000

In this podcast, Brother Scarisbrick illustrates the various stages of life and how our choices determine what we receive in the life to come from an LDS perspective. From our entrance into the world of spirits when we pass from this life into the next, to the final judgment at the last day, Brother Scarisbrick uses common [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 137: The Anthon Transcript

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:16:06 +0000

What is the Anthon transcript? Can we rely on what Martin Harris said about his encounter with Proffessor Charles Anthon? How long did it take Joseph Smith to translate the Book of Mormon? In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on July 15, 2012, Martin Tanner discusses these issues. This recording was [...]

4th Watch 2 – Testimony and Lifelong Conversion

Ned Scarisbrick — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:38:46 +0000

The 4th Watch is a new series of podcasts based on the 14th chapter of Matthew in which the Savior meets the apostles by walking on the water. Brother Ned Scarisbrick talks about how he received his testimony while serving in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam. Brother Scarisbrick also reviews an article written by Vicky [...]

Is Logical Thinking Compatible with Spiritual Thinking?

Mike Ash — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:43:57 +0000

Some of you may have received something like this in an email from a friend: Y0UR M1ND 15 R34D1NG 7H15 4U70M471C4LLY W17H0U7 3V3N 7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17 How is our mind able to accurately decode the above sentence when many of the words are made up of more numbers than letters? Cognitive scientists tell us that [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 135: Shaken Faith Syndrome, 2nd ed.

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:27:05 +0000

How can we help family members or friends who are struggling with their faith in the gospel? What should someone do who experiences a crisis of faith? In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on March 17, 2013, Martin Tanner talks with Michael R. Ash, author of Shaken Faith Syndrome. [...]

New from Interpreter: “Trusting Joseph” and “Ancient Affinities within the LDS Book of Enoch Part Two”

S. Hales Swift — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:41:26 +0000

The Interpreter Foundation, for those who may not yet be aware, produces a journal dealing primarily with Latter-day Saint scripture and history, and many of the articles are relevant to the defense of the faith while also being interesting and enlightening in their own right. (See here for there mission statement). They release a new [...]

4th Watch 1 – Introduction

Ned Scarisbrick — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:37:40 +0000

The 4th Watch is a new series of podcasts based on the 14th chapter of Matthew when the Savior meets the apostles by walking on the water. Brother Ned Scarisbrick is a convert to the Church and uses his unique style to bring us closer to our Savior by keeping our focus where it belongs. On [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 133: Apologetics Organizations

SteveDensleyJr — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:07:33 +0000

In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on November 11, 2012, Martin Tanner discusses FAIR and the Interpreter Foundation and the way in which they help to defend the Church and strengthen the faith of its members. This recording was used by permission of KSL Radio and does not necessarily [...]

Evidence, Education, and The Loss of Faith

Mike Ash — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:42:49 +0000

“Religious faith not only lacks evidence, its independence from evidence is its pride and joy, shouted from the rooftops,” Richard Dawkins.[i] For atheists like Dawkins, religion is for the weak-minded who believe in fairy tales—not only in the absence of evidence, but in spite of evidence. Likewise, most anti-LDS pundits (even sectarian LDS-critics who themselves [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 132: The Book of Mormon and New World DNA

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:31:55 +0000

Miraculous claims surrounding the coming forth of the Book of Mormon are an evidence of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith. Critics intent on discrediting the Restoration point to DNA studies on indigenous American peoples in an attempt to expose Joseph, the Book of Mormon, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as [...]

Reverend Spalding Strikes Again: A Response to Internet Criticism of Kerry Muhlestein’s Book of Abraham Videos

FAIR Staff — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:23:50 +0000

Administrator’s note: The following is the result of a combined effort by many FAIR volunteers, all of whom made substantive contributions, and so is posted here under the group authorship “FAIR Staff.” Also, some of the individuals discussed below are either anonymous or pseudonymous; because we do not even know their genders in some cases, [...]

Subtle . . . and Significant! Our New 2013 Edition of the Scriptures Address Controversies

John Lynch — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:19:13 +0000

On Friday, March 1st, the Church announced the immediate availability in digital format of a new edition of scriptures in English that incorporates changes, updates, and improvements over the 1981 edition that has served Church members for 32 years. On its website, the Church stated that the reason for the updates was to take advantage [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 131: Blacks and the LDS Priesthood

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:20:25 +0000

In this episode, Darius Gray provides a partial chronology concerning Blacks and the LDS priesthood. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in 1830, at which time, its first president and prophet, Joseph Smith ordained all men unto the priesthood. The only qualification is that they embrace the teachings of the Savior [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 130: Equality and Priesthood

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:21:04 +0000

Marvin Perkins provides a scriptural compilation of the Lord’s command for all to be equal and to ordain to the priesthood all who will embrace the gospel work. This episode is an audio version of segment 3 of the Blacks in the Scriptures DVD Series . The complete DVD can be purchased at the FAIR [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast: 129: Skin Color & Curses

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:19:50 +0000

How can the Church better reach African Americans? What do the scriptures mean when they say that a person is “black?” Does it refer to skin color or is it metaphorical? What do the scriptures mean when they say that a person or people are cursed? This episode is an audio version of segment 2 [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 128: Blacks in the Bible

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:19:07 +0000

In a study performed by the Higher Education Institute, in association with UCLA, which concluded in 2005, African Americans ranked number one in seven of the twelve spirituality categories measured. These deeply spiritual roots have been passed on from generation to generation of church goers and Bible faithful. This commitment is especially impressive in light [...]

New Doctrine and Covenants resources available from lds.org and Interpreter

S. Hales Swift — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 06:06:12 +0000

At FAIR, we like to keep abreast of various resources which become available for studying, understanding, and teaching the gospel. With the current Sunday School year focusing on the Doctrine and Covenants, there are two new resources to which we would particularly like to call your attention, as well as some old favorites. The first [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 127: Did an Apostasy Actually Occur?

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:12:11 +0000

What is an “apostasy?” Are there any scriptures that say there was an apostasy that required a restoration? Do we know when the apostasy ocurred? Does that matter? In this episode of Religion Today, which originally aired on KSL Radio on August 19, 2012, Martin Tanner responds to claims that an apostasy did not occur. [...]

Wikipedia’s Deconstruction of Martin Harris

Roger Nicholson — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 03:58:58 +0000

Editor’s note: This blog post is a reprint Roger Nicholson’s two-part article in Meridian Magazine (part 1, part 2), and is published here with their kind permission. The Martin Harris We Know Every Latter-day Saint who has attended Sunday School is familiar with the story of Martin Harris. We learn that Martin was a relatively [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 126: Anti-Mormon Criticisms of the Book of Mormon

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:16:54 +0000

Why does the Book of Mormon say Christ was born in Jerusalem? Why does a French word appear in the text of the Book of Mormon? Didn’t Joseph Smith simply borrow Book of Mormon names from the Bible? Why was the Book of Mormon written in Reformed Egyptian? Are there any other instances of such [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 125: Deification in LDS and early Christian thought

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:15:02 +0000

Do Mormons believe they will become gods? Is this belief supported in the Bible? Are there other Christian religions that have similar beliefs? In this episode of Religion Today that originally aired on March 27, 2011, Martin Tanner discusses the concept of deification, or theosis, and the way in which it has been discussed in the [...]

Reports of the Death of the Church are Greatly Exaggerated

Stephen Smoot — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:45:38 +0000

There has been a bit of buzz (mostly amongst ex- and anti-Mormons) recently over some remarks of Elder Marlin K. Jensen, an emeritus member of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy and former Church Historian and Recorder, who is alleged to have said that, thanks to Google, the omniscient fount of all knowledge, members of [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 124: Controversies Regarding the Nature of Christ

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:13:58 +0000

One of the primary reasons some claim that Mormons are not Christians is because the Mormon view of the trinity differs from that of most modern Christians. Mormons claim that their view of the Godhead is correct and that the view of God as set forth in various creeds, such as that which was proclaimed [...]

Fair Questions 4: What’s Wrong with Masturbation?

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:08:55 +0000

This is FAIR Questions, on the Mormon FAIR-Cast. FAIR Questions features a question that was submitted to FAIR volunteers through the FAIR website at fairlds.org. The answer in each episode is compiled from the various responses provided by the volunteers. And now for the question: I’ve been reading a lot lately on the internet and listening [...]

Mormon FAIR-Cast 122: Changes in the Bible

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 17:11:47 +0000

Is the Bible the complete, inerrant, inspired, infallible word of God? Is it a book that has errors in it now, but that did not have errors in the original? Have changes in the Bible been made? If so, why and what were some of those changes? These questions and others are discussed in this [...]

Trusting Imperfect Prophets

Neal Rappleye — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:11:57 +0000

An important part of the mission of FAIR, as part of defending the faith, is to promote and defend the credibility of the Brethren in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators, authorized to lead and guide the Church in the Latter-days. For some, the notion that the prophets [...]

A Letter to a Friend About Keeping the Faith

SteveDensleyJr — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:45:04 +0000

For those who have benefited from the Keeping the Faith podcast series, you may also appreciate the recent blog post from Nate Oman over at Times and Seasons. You can read it by clicking here.

Mormon FAIR-Cast 121b: Mark Wright and Mayan Mysteries

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:10:38 +0000

This is the second of a two-part episode.

Mormon FAIR-Cast 121a: Mark Wright and Mayan Mysteries

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:09:25 +0000

Did the Mayans prophesy that the world would end in 2012? What is the probability that the Mayans are direct descendants of Lehi? Were the Lamanites and Nephites located in North America? What did Joseph Smith say about the location of Zarahemla? What about Zelph? Where there horses in the Americas before Columbus? Were there [...]

Keeping the Faith 7b: The Reel Story

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:02:28 +0000

This is the second part of a two-part episode.

Keeping the Faith 7a: The Reel Story

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:00:21 +0000

Bill Reel talks about how he became converted to the Church, became a bishop and then nearly resigned his membership in the Church. He discusses the role the internet, on-line chat groups and podcasts played in both weakening his testimony as well as strengthening it. He also talks about how bad apologetics contributed to undermining [...]

The Gospel is for Everyone

Joshua Johanson — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:13:49 +0000

I always look forward to the time that General Conference rolls around. Listening to the inspiring words of our leaders lift my spirit and renew my commitment to follow my Savior. My favorite talks are the ones that call me to action. They help me see doctrine in a new light and inspire me to [...]

Keeping the Faith 6b: A Household of Partial Faith, pt 2

SteveDensleyJr — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:01:37 +0000

This is the second part of a two-part episode.