FairMormon has two electronic newsletters. The first is this Journal, which is sent out monthly.

The purpose of this Journal is to inform you of responses to criticism of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to provide faith promoting articles. If you received this FairMormon Journal from us, you are already subscribed. If this Journal has been forwarded to you, you can sign up at http://www.fairmormon.org/perspectives/sign_up_for_the_fair_journal.
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The second newsletter is the FairMormon Front Page.  This was designed to be for our internal use only, but we had such a demand that we opened it up for anyone who is interested.

The purpose of this daily email is to provide a raw and unfiltered look at how we are being portrayed in the media. It is important for us to be able to follow the trends so we can respond, and so that interested members can respond in the comments sections of the articles. There are some articles that can contain offensive language. We try to screen the worst of these out, but sometimes, if it is a popular or oft repeated article, we include it. Please remember, that we don’t write these articles or endorse these articles. We are only reporting what others find of interest.

You can sign up for the FairMormon Front Page here:

http://www.fairmormon.org/resources/sign-up-for-fairmormon-front-page
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In response to our last email, many of you have asked for us to sign you up for the FairMormon Front Page. Unfortunately, it is difficult for us to do. We use a security feature that sends one of those “Are you sure?” emails to you. It is only by responding to that email you can sign up.

So, if you want to sign up, click on the above link, and respond to the email. You can also click on “Resources” on the FairMormon home page and sign up there.

For any of our newsletters you can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

While talking with a colleague the other day, she expressed her wavering faith. She is a returnedmissionary who is faithfully fulfilling her callings. She is very compassionate and concerned aboutothers. So, when faced with the issue of gay marriage, it is difficult for her to resolve her feelingsof compassion with the Church’s entanglement on the issue.

She is not the first one who has expressed this concern. There was a young couple who grew up in my ward who was frustrated over the gay-marriage issue. That conflict led to them researching other issues on the Internet and eventually leaving the Church. The plural marriage of Joseph Smith and the translation method using a seer stone in a hat were two of their expressed reasons for leaving, but they say that gay marriage was the first step off the path for them.

There are others who have expressed similar concerns. They don’t want to practice gay marriage themselves, but having been trained in the live-and-let-live culture, and believing firmly in the spirit of the 11th article of faith they have difficulties resolving this apparent contradiction.

I could give a long explanation of the plan of salvation, or economic and sociological arguments why the Church may have very good reasons to oppose gay marriage, while at the same time, embracing those who are challenged with feelings of same-sex attraction. I believe there are valid reasons. But, instead I will relay what my colleague relayed at the conclusion of our discussion. She said,

“But, I had a really strong witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.”

“So, I guess that is my answer…I have to trust.”

There may be things we don’t understand in life. There may be policies we don’t wish to support. There may be things in our life that we feel are not fair. But, we have to trust in our Savior Jesus Christ. He said to Oliver Cowdery in D& C 6: 22-23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?

For some of us, trust may be the hardest thing to do.

Having faith can be difficult. It requires patience. But, having faith can ultimately lead you to greater peace.

FairMormon survives on donations. Without your donation, we would not be here. We are an all volunteer group. But, doing what we do costs money. Please donate $500, $300, $100, or $25. You can also set up a monthly donation amount. We hope as you finish up 2013 that you will make a generous donation to help us help people maintain their testimonies.

Thank you for your support.
http://www.fairmormon.org/about-fairmormon/donate-to-fair

If you would like to mail a check, please send it to:
FairMormon
PO Box 491677
Redding, CA 96049

The Church has posted excellent articles responding to issues that have been been identified as concerns. These articles are in the “Gospel Topics” section of the Church’s official Website lds.org and are well worth reading.

Book of Mormon and DNA Studies:
https://www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-and-dna-studies

Book of Mormon Translation:
http://www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng

Plural Marriage:
http://www.lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-and-families-in-early-utah?lang=eng&query=plural

Are Mormons Christian:
http://www.lds.org/topics/christians?lang=eng

Race and the Priesthood:
http://www.lds.org/topics/race-and-the-priesthood?lang=eng

First vision accounts:
http://www.lds.org/topics/first-vision-accounts?lang=eng

The Distance Between Harmony Township and Allegheny College. A critical argument against the importance of the name “Nahom” in the Book of Mormon, and its correlation to a real location found in the Old World, is presented by the critical website MormonThink. FairMormon has acknowledged that two books were available at Allegheny College in Meadville Pennsylvania containing maps which showed the location of Nahom (alternatively spelled  Nihm or Nehem).  We concluded that even though these books were present, that they were not located close enough to Harmony Township for Joseph to have utilized them. MormonThink, however, appears to have utilized a faulty Google search to assert that these books were located close enough to where Joseph Smith lived for him to have used them. MormonThink attempts to refute FairMormon’s argument on their “Book of Mormon Problems” page.

MormonThink states: “Now for the rest of the story. Allegheny College in Meadville Pennsylvania is about 50 miles from Harmony. …In the Allegheny’s collection were both books that apologists claim were not available to Joseph Smith.”

 

Indeed, if one simply types “Harmony, Pennsylvania” into Google Maps, it does indicate that the town of “Harmony” is located approximately 50 miles from Allegheny College in Meadville. However, MormonThink gets it wrong.

Now, for the rest of the “rest of the story.” There are THREE Harmony Townships located in Pennsylvania, and the one MormonThink is referring to is not the correct one.

Harmony Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania  is located 50 miles from Allegheny College, however, this is not the Harmony Township in which Joseph Smith lived.

The second possibility is Harmony Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, which is located 86 miles from Allegheny College. But this isn’t the location at which Joseph Smith lived either.

Finally, we have Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. This is where Joseph Smith lived and translated the Book of Mormon. The Harmony Township in which Joseph lived is located 320 miles from Allegheny College. This is easily confirmed by typing “Harmony Township, Susquehanna, PA” into Google Maps.

FairMormon therefore stands by its assertion that Allegheny College was too far from Harmony Township for Joseph to have seen the name “Nahom” on one of the maps located there.

For more information on this error, see Neal Rappleye and Stephen O. Smoot , “Book of Mormon Minimalists and the NHM Inscriptions: A Response to Dan Vogel,” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 8 (2014): 157-185. http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/book-of-mormon-minimalists-and-the-nhm-inscriptions-a-response-to-dan-vogel/

Our FairMormon volunteers have been uploading a video almost every day this past month – videos that range from the deification of man to Joseph Smith marrying young women. These videos are a great way to give answers and are a much easier way to disseminate information than sending someone with questions a long article. We have 875 videos on our site that discuss most every accusation you can think of. We have past FAIR conferences, firesides, interviews, DVD’s, etc. that you can choose from. Come check us out and share our videos with others. Here are some examples:

-Did Joseph Smith Marry Young Women?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSA5Nua_glg&feature=youtu.be

-Finding Theosis in the Bible pt. 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMWODmMLA_8

-Finding Theosis in the Bible pt. 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEkC1WrMx8M

-The Promised Land in The Book of Mormon: Where is it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n687gFW-kg

-We were given permission to upload portions of David Asay’s DVD Lehi’s Land of First Inheritance, a video which draws many parallels between The Book of Mormon and New World cultures.

-Lehi’s Land of First Inheritance pt 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdrZ7F3sIIo

-Lehi’s Land of First Inheritance: Biblical stories in Mesoamerica pt 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZgKexsazQ4

-Lehi’s Land of First Inheritance: Written Language pt 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJ__w-etgw

-Lehi’s Land of First Inheritance: Cultural Similarities pt 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUHZQ9DDkYs

-Mike Ash continues his discussion on Book of Mormon anachronisms by discussing wheels and The Book of Mormon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IefK9I40AH0

Steven Smoot has reviewed the new Church History Seminary Manual. He has found the following topics are now covered:

1. The various accounts of the First Vision.
2. The Mountain Meadows Massacre.
3. The history of the Book of Abraham.
4. The practice of plural marriage, including an entire chapter on Joseph Smith’s plural marriage and a mentioning of Post-Manifesto plural marriage.
5. The nature of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.
6. The historical circumstances surrounding the priesthood ban and President Spencer W. Kimball’s 1978 revelation.
7. In discussing section 77 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the manual straightforwardly says, “The 7,000 years [in vv. 6-7]  refers to the time since the Fall of Adam and Eve. It is not referring to the actual age of the earth including the periods of creation”

You will want to read his entire review, which contains more information on this, here:http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/02/05/a-new-church-history-seminary-manual/

 When the Saints Go Marching Out of ControlOn January 30, 2014 an article authored by Hannah Miet appeared in Newsweek titled “When the Saints Go Marching Out”. The article had been anticipated by some in the online ex-Mormon community as a way to more fully explore some of the issues faced when one leaves the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Unfortunately, the author instead chose to lead off by focusing on ex-Mormon efforts to actively proselyte Church members. Some of these activities included stuffing hundreds of “pass-along” cards into lockers and books and vandalizing Books of Mormon in Marriott Hotels by writing ‘Lies! All Lies!’ inside the cover. Ms. Miet concluded that, “Some former adherents act like soldiers for an ex-Mormon liberation army, seeking out the doubters within the church, extracting them, and bringing them to more tolerant territory.”

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/02/03/when-the-saints-go-marching-out-of-control/

Book of Mormon and DNA Studies

The Church has released a new article addressing criticisms of the Book of Mormon based on DNA evidence.

Here are a few of my thoughts.

1. For anyone who has been following this issue, there is nothing really new or groundbreaking with this article. It is, rather, a basic summarization of the work of John Sorenson, Ugo Perego, Michael Whiting, Matthew Roper, John Butler, and other scholars who have written on this subject.

2. The article explicitly acknowledges the existence of non-Book of Mormon populations in the Americas.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/02/01/book-of-mormon-and-dna-studies/

“Taking the Stories of Primeval History Seriously”: A Review of In God’s Image and Likeness 2

The Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price has been the attention of considerable Latter-day Saint scholarship. Beginning with the pioneering work of Hugh Nibley, much work has been done on understanding the history, nature, and teachings of the Book of Moses. Next to Nibley, Jeffrey M. Bradshaw stands out as one of the giants among Latter-day Saint scholars who have looked carefully at the Book of Moses. In his excellent 2010 commentary In God’s Image and Likeness Bradshaw delved deep into the text of the first half of the Book of Moses to unlock fresh insights and provide intriguing links between the Book of Moses with the temple and other ancient Near Eastern texts and traditions.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/26/taking-the-stories-of-primeval-history-seriously-a-review-of-in-gods-image-and-likeness-2/

Books to Build Faith

 

By Dan Peterson

I’m sometimes contacted by people who’re experiencing doubts about the claims of Mormonism or whose spouse or father or daughter has lost faith.  I always ask what the specific issues might be, and I then try to address those or to locate colleagues or printed resources that might help resolve their concerns.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/25/books-to-build-faith/

Exclusive Book Excerpt: Letters to a Young Mormon, Chapter 3

Excerpt from Adam S. Miller, Letters to a Young Mormon (Provo, UT: Neal A. Maxwell for Religious Scholarship, 2014), 17-23.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/16/exclusive-book-excerpt-letters-to-a-young-mormon-chapter-3/

The Ordeal of the Three Nephites and the Popol Vuh (Mesoamerican Perspectives)

The Book of Mormon tells of three Nephite disciples who, like the Apostle John were blessed by Jesus that they should “never taste death” and “never endure the pains of death” (3 Nephi 28:6-8). As they went forth to preach, these chosen representatives of the resurrected Lord were persecuted by those who “denied the Christ” and his gospel and “did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/09/the-ordeal-of-the-three-nephites-and-the-popol-vuh-mesoamerican-perspectives/

“Until the Heart Betrays”: Life, Letters, and the Stories We Tell

Reviewed by Neal Rappleye Adam S. Miller’s new book is composed of a series of “letters” which, like the one in the song, contain both “the things we [tend to] keep inside,” and “the things that really matter.” Like the song, Miller talks about the disguises we wear-though he calls them our “stories,” which is his way of labeling self-justifications or self-deceptions for our deeds and hence way of living. And he talks about how our hearts should “betray” our rationalizing stories and turn to God, who sees us and loves us for what we can be or who we potentially really are all along.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/16/until-the-heart-betrays-life-letters-and-the-stories-we-tell/

Book Review: Letters to a Young Mormon

Reviewed by Trevor Holyoak

This is the first book in a new “Living Faith” series from the Maxwell Institute. While reading it, I struggled to determine just who the “young Mormon” is that the book is aimed at. Is it for teenagers, or perhaps for 20-somethings? I think I actually understand it much better as a 40 year old father than I would have at a younger age, mostly due to the knowledge and experience I have since gained. Then I discovered, thanks to Amazon, that there has been a whole crop recently of books entitled “Letters to a Young XXXXX” (for example, Letters to a Young Contrarian by the late atheist Christopher Hitchens). Briefly looking at some of them, it appears that this book may have been loosely modeled after them.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/09/book-review-letters-to-a-young-mormon/

Archaic Hebrew in the Old Testament (And What It Means for the Book of Mormon)Some time ago I posted a blog entry at Interpreter on the atheist polemicist Richard Dawkins’ argument that the Book of Mormon is a fraud because Joseph Smith rendered his translation into Jacobean English. Dawkins’ argument is (and I’m not making this up) that “[the Book of Mormon] was a 19th century book written in 16th century English. That’s not the way people talked in the 19th century – it’s a fake. So it’s not beautiful, it’s a work of charlatanry.”

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/02/archaic-hebrew-in-the-old-testament-and-what-it-means-for-the-book-of-mormon/

 

For the second time in three years, the Mormon Fair-Cast won the award for the best podcast in the Religion Inspiration category of the People’s Choice Podcast Awards. FairMormon wishes to thank all those who voted for the Mormon Fair-Cast in the competition.

FairMormon Vice President Steve Densley commented on this award:

“We definitely benefited from having a strong organization that was able to mobilize voters. Of course, it is the ‘People’s Choice’ awards. Part of the point of the whole thing is to demonstrate who has the most support among the ‘people.’ In addition to that, we could not have made it into the top ten without a quality product since there were judges who reviewed the first stage nominees by analyzing content, audio quality, strength of the blog, etc. And, of course, we have the best podcast show hosts in all the land!”

FairMormon Frameworks 16: Blair Hodges and Maxwell InstituteMy interview with Blair Hodges.  He works in Public Affairs with the Neal A Maxwell institute.   We discuss the changes at the Maxwell institute, the general status of faith struggles in the Church, along with his working alongside Richard Bushman and Terryl Givens.  We discuss faith and how we each are different in how we implement faith in our lives.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/02/05/fairmormon-frameworks-16-blair-hodges-and-maxwell-institute/

Fair Issues 41: Real Science, truth coincide

Michael R. Ash relates how real science, truth coincide with real Mormon scholarship.  While science is unable to answer the questions about the purpose for life, the hereafter, or many other thing that must be taken on faith, accurate science is necessary for the telling us about the world in which we live.  As Elder John A. Widtsoe said: “Truth is truth forever. Scientific truth cannot be a theological lie.”

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/31/fair-issues-41-real-science-truth-coincide/

4th Watch 12: Too Serious or not Serious Enough

How serious do we take the gospel of Jesus Christ?  How serious do we take ourselves in relation to the gospel of our Savior?  Sometimes we can get caught up in the thick of thin things and overlook the weightier matters.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/29/4th_watch_12-too-serious-or-not-serious-enough/

Fair Issues 40: Two points about Book of Mormon geography

In this article brother Ash examines possible locations for the Book of Mormon geography. First point.  In the quasi-official Encyclopedia of Mormonism, the production of which was overseen by Elders Dallin H. Oaks and Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve. we find the following: “The church has not taken an official position with regard to location of geographical places (in the Book of Mormon).”  Second point.  Joseph Smith’s comments should not be construed as revelatory.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/24/fair-issues-40-two-points-about-book-of-mormon-geography/

FairMormon Frameworks 15: Seth Payne Pastoral Apologetics

 

Today I sit down with Seth Payne.  A religion and Mormon Studies scholar.  We discuss why people leave the LDS faith and what ways we could better support them with a pastoral apologetic approach.http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/22/fairmormon-frameworks-15-seth-payne-pastoral-apologetics/

Fair Issues 39: Countering subversive attacks

In this article, brother Michael R. Ash counters subversive attacks on Mormon scholarship.  Critics frequently state, or imply that 1.  LDS scholars are not real scholars; 2.  “Real” scholars (by which they mean, “non-LDS” scholars) reject LDS scholarship; and 3.  LDS scholarship is biased.  By casting doubt on Mormon scholarship from the start, critics hope to dissuade people from listening to LDS scholars or giving credence to their arguments  This appears to be effective among critics themselves , many of whom totally dismiss LDS scholarship without giving it a fair hearing.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/17/fair-issues-39-countering-subversive-attacks/

FairMormonSupport on Religion Today

Bill Reel Member of FairMormon is interviewed by Martin Tanner on “Religion Today” on KSL radio.  This episode aired January 12, 2014. Bill Reel contributes to the FairMormon Podcast and speaks of his own faith crisis, his personal effort to help others struggling, and concludes by speaking about the great resources at FairMormon.org speaking specifically of the Support Forum found at FairMormonSupport.org where struggling members can ask questions and share their trials of faith knowing they will both receive support and encounter helpful ways to lead with faith and reconcile doubts.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/15/bill-reel-on-religion-today/

Fair Issues 38: The meaning of “true” and “correct”

In this article brother, Ash discusses the meaning of “true,” “correct,” “historicity” and “verisimilitude” in relation to the Book of Mormon translation. In light of our discussion on language translations, Joseph Smith obviously understood that the book could contain errors because (a) he corrected errors in later editions, and (b) the Book of Mormon prophets themselves expressly state the likelihood of errors (see Title Page and Mormon 9:31-32). “Correct,” in the context used by Joseph is related to “true.”  The Book of Mormon teaches those “correct” principles that can lead us to God.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/10/fair-issues-38-the-meaning-of-true-and-correct/

FairMormon Frameworks 14: Mark Ashurst McGee Church History

Today’s episode is an interview with Mark Ashurst-McGee.  He is an employee of the Church History Department.  He is also one of the editors on the Joseph Smith Papers project.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/08/fairmormon-frameworks-14-mark-ashurst-mcgee-church-history/

Fair Issues 37: Ambiguity in Book of Mormon translation

As noted several times in this series, words only have meaning in a context, and documents are written not only from within a context but they are also written to a specific audience as well.

Mike Ash relates how  Dr. William Hamblin, an expert on the ancient Near East, says that there are two primary rules to follow when trying to understand any text that has been translated from a foreign Language.  The first is to accurately understand what the text has to say.  Second, the reader must contextualize the text in its original setting – that is to say, read it in the context of the culture, history, values, science and social norms of its day.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/03/fair-issues-37ambiguity-in-book-of-mormon-translation/

FairMormon Frameworks 13: Unity and Diversity

We sometimes make the principles of Unity and Diversity to be two opposite ends of the Spectrum.  Is that the case or can these two ideals exist together in Harmony.  We explore this idea in this Episode of FairMormon Frameworks.

http://blog.fairmormon.org/2014/01/01/fairmormon-frameworks-13-unity-and-diversity/

 

 

Come to the FairMormon Bookstore to find the Internet’s best selection of materials for LDS apologetics. Whether you are looking for books, study aids, DVDs, or audio products, the FairMormon Bookstore has what you need. You can begin your browsing by going to our main site. http://bookstore.fairlds.org/

Be sure to check out the Clearance Section.  We have many older books and some new books with slightly damaged covers that offer great deals to buyers.

http://bookstore.fairlds.org/category.php?id_category=19

Clearance Special:

► Behold the Messiah (Clearance)

Limited to stock on hand.

 Robert J. Matthews, Orem, Utah: Granite Publications, 1994, 6×9.25″ hardbound, 285 pages.

This book takes a remarkably insightful look at the New Testament, with special emphasis on the Saviors ministry. Its unusual power springs from the author’s use of the inspirational resources of Restoration scripture, Joseph Smith’s teachings, and particularly the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.

Thus the story emphasizes the pre-mortal life. It moves quickly to John the Baptist, the Lord’s forerunner and herald. Then, from the Christ child’s birth to the Redeemer’s death and glorious resurrection, the author follows the Lord’s ministry, highlighting the major issues and events, explaining and clarifying the traditional record. He explores the calling of the Twelve Apostles and shows which parts of the “Sermon on the Mount” were directed specifically to them and which they were to teach to the people. He discusses each recorded miracle-the occasion, the purpose, and so on-and examines the parables, demonstrating clearly why the Savior taught in this form. He shows how skillfully Jesus taught ordinary people and how he handled hypocritical Jewish leaders, and explains the sacred happenings on the Mount of Transfiguration. And there is much more.

Also covered is the interesting situation of the Church after the Savior’s ascension, including Paul’s conversion, his missionary methods, and the Church’s dilemma over Jewish Christians and their continued loyalty to the old law that had been fulfilled in Christ.

The author’s gospel scholarship and knowledge of the Joseph Smith Translation make this a fascinating work and a valuable reference book on New Testament topics. Two thousand years ago Andrew joyfully told his brother, Simon, “We have found the Messiah,…the Christ.” Theprocess of finding Christ and coming unto Him can be much enhanced by this landmark book.

Retail Price: $19.95

Special FairMormon Price: $13.97 (30% Discount)

► Mormon Vanguard Brigade of 1847, The: Norton Jacob’s Record (Clearance)

Limited to stock on hand.

 Ronald O. Barney. Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 2005.  Softbound, 6×9″, 398 pages.

There are no historical events that have more iconic significance for the people of Utah than the trek of the vanguard company of Mormons west in 1847. Its meaning may vary, but overall, the march has a highly symbolic and seminal historical importance for virtually all Utahns. While the journey has been widely celebrated, memorialized, and even sanctified and various books have been written about it, there is more that can be said and understood about the migration’s place in western history; about its context, including events preceding and following it; and about the real experiences of its participants. Particularly lacking in most published accounts are the stories of the rank and file members, the individuals who, in contrast to the well-known leadership, with Brigham Young at the top, might fittingly be called foot soldiers. The 1847 company had a military-like organization, which is captured by Ronald Barney’s term brigade in the title. Norton Jacob was such a man of the ranks in 1847. He had no special status in the Mormon Church, and there was little to make him stand out in the historical record than that he left what is regarded by many trail historians as one of the best and most informative journals of the early Mormon emigration. While the heart of Jacob’s record concerns the 1847 journey, there is much more to it. The diary published here begins in 1844, the year of church founder Joseph Smith’s murder. It continues through the crisis events that followed: the Mormons’ flight from Nauvoo, their trudging journey across Iowa to Winter Quarters, and the beginnings of mass migration to Utah. After the apex of 1847, the arc of the narrative moves through accounts of Jacob’s return to Nauvoo late that year and of the much larger Mormon emigration in 1848. It reaches denouement in a short record of his first years in Salt Lake Valley.

 Retail Price: $22.95

Special FairMormon Price: $14.92 (35% Discount)

 ► Suffering and Service of Thomas Briggs, The (Clearance)

Limited to stock on hand

George C. Lambert, Salt Lake City, Utah: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1914, 5.25×8″ softbound, 65 pages. Reprint by Archive Publishers, Grantsville, Utah.

Book Excerpt:

“They called upon President Wilford Woodruff, who was then in charge of the St. George Temple on the same day. After he had endorsed their recommends, Thomas explained to him his condition, and asked whether he should keep the bandage on his leg or remove it. Brother Woodruff remained silent for a while as if communing with the Lord, and then told him to come to the temple early the following morning and to remove the bandage.

“Thomas recognized the St. George Temple as soon as he saw it for it was the building he had seen in his dream. When he entered the temple, the scene was enacted that he had witnessed in the interior, although he had said nothing to anyone about the dream.

“They worked in the temple the entire week. Each day Thomas removed the bandage from his leg when he entered the temple as he had been advised and noticed with both interest and gratitude to the Lord that there was no discharge whatever from the ulcers. Strangely, however, when he left the temple in the afternoon each day, the oozing recurred and continued until he entered the temple on the following day. Nor did he suffer any pain while in the temple.

“After finishing the work for all the dead whose names and genealogies they had, they drove out on their return journey a few miles and camped. That night, soon after Thomas had retired to rest in his bed under the wagon, his mother appeared to him.

“‘You have made a mistake in my genealogy,’ she said, ‘You have given the date upon which I was married instead of the date of my birth; but you need not go back now, as some of the family will soon come here, and then you can have the error corrected.’

“She disappeared when Thomas was about to embrace her . . . .”

This is a remarkable account of sacrifice, spirituality and miracles.

Retail Price: $6.95

Special FairMormon Price: $3.48 (50% Discount)

 ► Kirby Soup for the Soul (Clearance)

Limited to stock on hand

 Robert Kirby.  Cartoons by Pat Bagley.  Salt Lake City, Utah:  White Horse Books, 2003.  Softbound, 5.5×8.5″, 128 pages.

Feeling lost in a confused and hostile world?

Sad … hopeless … desperate?

Hungry for words of comfort to feed the weary soul?

Heck, so are we!
We can’t promise the answer to all of life’s problems (though ‘quit whining’ is a much under-appreciated piece of ageless wisdom), but cough up ten bucks and you’ll get the best of The Salt Lake Tribune’s award-winning humor columnist Robert Kirby and cartoonist Pat Bagley.

Robert Kirby is the award-winning editorial columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune whose books include Sunday of the Living Dead and Wake Me For The Resurrection, and Family Home Screaming.

Pat Bagley is the award-winning author and illustrator of several Utah and LDS books, including I Spy A Nephite, Welcome to Utah, and Dinosaurs of Utah.

Retail Price: $9.95

Special FairMormon Price: $6.97 (30% Discount)

 ► Family Home Screaming (Clearance)

 Limited to stock on hand.

 Family Home Screaming

Robert Kirby.  Cartoons by Pat Bagley.  South Jordan, Utah:  Leicester Bay Books, 2013.  Softbound, 5.5×8.5″, 134 pages.

Just when you thought it was safe, Pat & Kirby follow you home.
oIf families are forever, will Mom always have gray hair?
oWhat happens when the dog makes more sense than your kids?
oPlanned Parenthood. The perfect oxymoron?
oIs selling your teenager for 3 cents a pound really good family value?
oFatherhood. Shouldn’t I have a license to do this?
If questions like these plague you and yours – or worse, if they make sense – you need this book. Pat and Kirby delve deeply into the secrets of effective parenting (there are three, and no one knows what they are), and explore what makes relatively nice men and women want to hurt themselves by having kids.
The fourth in their wild conspiracy series that began with Sunday of the Living Dead, Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Kirby and cartoonist Pat Bagley join farces again, this time over something none of us can escape – family.

 Retail Price: $11.95

Special FairMormon Price: $8.37 (30% Discount)

 Monthly Specials: http://bookstore.fairlds.org/category.php?id_category=50 Available for Pre-Order:

 ► In God’s Image and Likeness 2: Enoch, Noah and the Tower of Babel 

Jeffrey M . Bradshaw, David J. Larsen.  Salt Lake City, UT: The Interpreter Foundation and Salt Lake City, UT: Eborn Books, 2014.  Hardbound, 8 x 10″, 600 pages.

This volume contains the most comprehensive commentary ever published on the beautiful and doctrinally rich chapters of the book of Moses and the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible that relate the stories of Enoch, Noah, and the Tower of Babel. The commentary combines prophetic insights, excerpts from ancient texts, current scientific perspectives, and up-to-date biblical scholarship – all presented from a perspective of faith. Each section of the book is prefaced by an overview illuminating major themes and issues. This is followed by the text of each chapter of scripture, accompanied by a detailed phrase-by-phrase commentary designed to give the modern reader both an understanding of the plain sense of the words as well as their significance in context. Based on the first complete transcriptions of the original manuscripts of the Joseph Smith Translation, significant textual variants are identified and discussed. Of special interest to LDS readers is the light that these chapters shed on temple worship. A detailed study of this book of scripture in conjunction with ancient and modern sources suggests striking parallels with temple themes. Insights on these topics from LDS scripture and prophets, as well as relevant extracts from the works of Hugh Nibley and other religious scholars, historians, philosophers, scientists, literary specialists, playwrights, musicians, and artists are found on nearly every page of the book. The book also features an extensive annotated bibliography on ancient and modern sources relating to the stories of Enoch and Noah. An additional highlight is the collection of more than a hundred carefully chosen color or black-and-white figures, photographs, and illustrations relating to the text – themselves also the subject of detailed commentary. The central message of the book of Moses is in its invitation to join the divine pattern whereby we may come to fully reflect God’s image and likeness. This wondrous work of scripture has been expressly written to “call [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Estimated shipping date is February 10

Retail Price: $49.99

Special FairMormon Price: $42.49 (15% Discount)

► Joseph Smith Papers, Documents, The – vol. 1 July 1828-June 1831

 by Michael Hubbard MacKay, Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, Grant Underwood, Robert J. Woodford, William J. Hartley

General Editors: Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, Richard Lyman Bushman, Matthew J. Grow. Volume Editors: Michael Hubbard MacKay, Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, Grant Underwwod, Robert J. Woodford, William J. Hartley. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church Historian’s Press, 2013. Hardbound, 7 ¼ x 10 ¼”, 640 pgs. 

This volume marks the beginning of the Documents series of The Joseph Smith Papers. When complete, the Documents series will publish more than a thousand documents created, authorized, or owned by Joseph Smith, including each of his revelations in its earliest form, reports of his discourses, and correspondence. Also found in the series are articles and editorials he wrote for newspapers, minutes of meetings in which he participated, and records of his ecclesiastical administration. This first volume of the Documents series consists of documents written from July 1828 to June 1831. Among the contents of this volume are more than five dozen revelations that were presented in the first-person voice of Jesus Christ, including texts later published in the Doctrine and Covenants, the expansive “visions of Moses” (now found in the Pearl of Great Price), and revelations never canonized. In addition, several documents in this volume trace the process of translating and printing the Book of Mormon, as well as early efforts to evangelize using the book and its message. These texts provide the earliest textual insights into Joseph Smith and the founding of what was then called the Church of Christ. They offer glimpses into the religious leader’s thoughts, concerns, and initiatives in a crucial early period of the religious movement he started. This book allows the reader not only to study Joseph Smith but also to gain a greater understanding of his followers and the millenarian movement they participated in during the Second Great Awakening.

 Retail Price: $54.95

Special FairMormon Price: $42.86 (20% Discount)

► Refuge and Reality: The Blessing of the Temple

 John H. Groberg.  Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 2012.  Hardbound, 6.5×9″, 220 pages.

When the heavy troubles of the “real world” bombard your soul, where do you go for refuge?

The peace and safety of the temple make God’s holy house a refuge for many world-weary Saints. When Elder John H. Groberg served as president of the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple, he often encountered Church members who would express their regret at having to leave the temple and reenter the “real world.”

Through treasured experiences and stories, Elder Groberg affirms that the temple represents the “real world” of the eternities. He writes: “That which lasts forever is real; that which does not last forever is not real. The temple is the real world. not this temporal one.”

As we seek to know our real selves and to see the real beauty in the world and people around us, this inspirational volume will direct our understanding toward the eternal answers found in the temple. The hope and strength we need are there: Our mortal burdens are made light, empty longing is filled, and when we leave that holy place, we can take with us the “real world” comfort and power of heaven.

Retail Price: $21.99

Special FairMormon Price: $17.59 (20% Discount)

 ► Science and the Book of Mormon: Cureloms, Cumoms, Horses & More

 Wade E. Miller. Laguna Niguel, California: KCT & Associates, 2009. Softbound 5 3/4 x 8 3/4″, 100 pages.

Some Answers for the Critics

The early leaders of the church had this to say about geology and other sciences. ” The study of geology will then be extended to millions of worlds, and will embrace a knowledge of their physical features and boundaries, their resources, mineral and vegetable; their rivers, lakes, seas, continents and islands…” (Parley P. Pratt, 1891).

“According to the conception of geologists the earth passes through ages of preparation, to us unmeasured and immeasurable, during which countless generations of plants and animals existed in great variety and profusion and gave in part the very substance of their bodies to help form certain strata which are still existent as such…” (James E. Talmage, apostle and geologist, 1931)

“The progress of science [geology] may yet shed much light on the origin of the earth.” (John A. Widtsoe, 1960 – published posthumously).

“…without fear of anyone’s objecting, and the teacher can be free to express his honest conviction regarding it, whether the subject be in geology, the history of the world, the millions of years that it took to prepare the physical world…” (David O McKay, 1956).

 Retail Price: $14.95

Special FairMormon Price: $11.96 (20% Discount)

► Bible Fit For the Restoration: The Epic Struggle that Brought Us the King James Version

 Andrew C. Skinner.  Springville, Utah:  Cedar Fort, Inc., 2011.  Softbound, 5.5×8.5″, 128 pages.

A Bible Fit for the Restoration tells of the individual miracles of dedication and sacrifice of those who brought about the grand miracle that is the King James Bible, the catalyst for the Restoration. This book will rekindle in you an appreciation for the individuals who made a difference in the world – who cared more for God’s word than their own lives.

 Retail Price: $8.49

Special FairMormon Price: $6.79 (20% Discount)

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