FAIR

Trevor Holyoak

New ‘Gospel Topics’ published today

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The following new items, which all relate to apologetics, have been published on the Church’s website today:

Church Financial Administration
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Religion vs. Violence

It also appears that the “Gospel Topics Essays” and “Church and Gospel Questions” have been consolidated into a new “Topics and Questions” section, which you will find if the links above redirect you to the contents page instead of the individual articles. In that case, you can navigate to the articles from the index on the left of the page. (As of 5/23, it appears that the redirection has been fixed.)

Hebrew Poetry and the Book of Mormon

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Zachary Wright interviews Dr. Carl J. Cranney about his paper “The Deliberate Use of Hebrew Parallelisms in the Book of Mormon” available at https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol23/iss1/8/

There has been much said about chiasmus in the Book of Mormon. However, there are 27 other types of Hebrew poetry, which make a much stronger argument for it’s ancient authenticity. These poetic forms appear in specific genres (sermons and narratives) and are absent in others (proclamations and letters). This is exactly the pattern we would expect and shows an intentionality to the poetry that hasn’t been discussed elsewhere.

 

Carl J. Cranney received a PhD in systematic theology at the Catholic University of America, where he specialized in theological anthropology and moral theology. He earned his MAR in philosophical theology and the philosophy of religion at Yale Divinity School and his BA in philosophy from Brigham Young University. His academic interests include interfaith dialogue, comparative theology, and the varied Christian approaches to the theology of marriage and family. As a stay-at-home dad, he tries to squeeze in co-hosting duties for the “Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree” podcast and teaching for BYU Pathway in his limited spare time. He lives in Springville, UT, with his wife Susan and their four children.

Zachary Wright was born in American Fork, UT.  He served his mission speaking Spanish in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic.  He currently attends BYU studying psychology, but loves writing, and studying LDS theology and history.  His biggest desire is to help other people bring them closer to each other, and ultimately bring people closer to God.

Classic FAIR – Faith and Cognitive Dissonance – Wendy Ulrich, 2005

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“‘Believest thou…?’: Faith, Cognitive Dissonance, and the Psychology of Religious Experience” by Wendy Ulrich at the 2005 FAIR Conference

It’s an old and frequent spiritual question, and it shows up in many forms. It is the question Jesus asks the disciples who hear his troubling and offending discourse on being someone whose flesh must be eaten and whose blood drunk by those who would have eternal life. The discourse confuses many, who turn back and follow him no more, and then, to those who remain Jesus asks the question, “Will ye also go away?” To the man who seeks out Jesus to heal his deeply troubled son, the question is implied, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” To Nephi, approached by an angel after he is carried away to the top of a high mountain, the question is more direct: “Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?” And to the brother of Jared, who asks to see the premortal Jesus after hearing his voice and seeing his hand, the question is perhaps most clearly stated, “Believest thou the words which I shall speak?”

Believest thou? I am increasingly impressed by the implications of this simple question, and by how often it is at the heart of my mortal dilemmas. Do I believe God’s commandments and teachings, or do I find other explanations of reality more credible for getting what I want or keeping me safe? Do I trust him to tell me the truth, even when it includes improbable and invisible things? Do I trust him to have the love, the will, and the power to save me despite the ways I am not worthy? Do I trust him to keep his promises? Do I believe?

CONTINUED HERE

 

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 57–62 – Mike Parker

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Joseph Smith’s first visit to Missouri; Zion & the temple (D&C sections 57–62)

by Mike Parker

(Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class. The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.)

Class Notes [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 57–62 – Mike Parker

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 51–57 – Autumn Dickson

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It’s About You

by Autumn Dickson

I have found an interesting parenting dilemma lately. And though this is a personal situation, I believe it teaches an important principle that we find in the scriptures for this week. [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 51–57 – Autumn Dickson

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 49–50 – Autumn Dickson

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Avoiding Confusion

by Autumn Dickson

Leman Copely was a convert to the church who wanted the gospel preached to his former congregants – the Shakers. The Shakers held some beliefs that were different from our’s. Here is some of what the Lord said regarding that: [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 49–50 – Autumn Dickson

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 46, 49–50, 52–56 – Mike Parker

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Spiritual gifts; corrections to Shaker beliefs (D&C sections 46, 49–50, 52–56)

by Mike Parker

(Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class. The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.)

Class Notes [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 46, 49–50, 52–56 – Mike Parker

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 46–48 – Autumn Dickson

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Avoiding Confusion

by Autumn Dickson

The Lord continues to clarify and restore His church. This week, He helps to clarify what their meetings should look like and who gets to come. There were some Saints who started acting strangely during these meetings because they believed they were being acted upon by the Holy Ghost. The Lord taught what it truly looks like when the Spirit is working through you.

Here is part of His clarification: [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 46–48 – Autumn Dickson

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 45 – Autumn Dickson

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Our Advocate

by Autumn Dickson

I feel like there are many ways to illustrate the atonement of Jesus Christ in order to add layers to our understanding. I don’t think one verse, one way of explaining it, one parable can do it justice. It’s so universal and so individual at the same time. Applying it and having it change us can be so nuanced. Studying layer upon layer can give us a more full picture of the Savior’s powerful sacrifice.

This section holds one of my favorite verses, and it teaches us another layer about His atonement. I’ve actually shared this verse before in a different Easter message in a different year, but I taught it from a completely different angle so I’m going to use it again. [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 45 – Autumn Dickson

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 29, 43, 45, 116, 133 – Mike Parker

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The second coming of Jesus Christ (D&C sections 29, 43, 45, 116, 133)

by Mike Parker

(Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class. The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.)

Class Notes [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 29, 43, 45, 116, 133 – Mike Parker