FAIR

Blog

Cherishing Life in a Conflicted World

by

Discipleship, Stewardship, and the Call to Compassion

In a world where the topic of abortion is often weaponized and polarized, what does it look like to truly cherish life as a disciple of Jesus Christ?

In his tender and courageous message, Cherishing Life, Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks not only to those facing unplanned pregnancies—but more urgently, to the rest of us. He teaches that defending the sanctity of life is not a political stance, but a divine responsibility, and that the moral choices surrounding life invite compassionate stewardship, not judgment. 

Elder Andersen reframes agency not as personal entitlement, but as a trust from God, especially when it involves the most vulnerable among us—the unborn and those in distress. He invites us to consider how our own words, hands, and hearts can bring light, hope, and clarity to those navigating some of life’s most fragile decisions. [Read more…] about Cherishing Life in a Conflicted World

New ‘Gospel Topics’ published today

by

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

by

Podcast: Download (36.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

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

by

Podcast: Download (48.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS

“‘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

by

Podcast: Download (22.2MB)

Subscribe: RSS

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

by

Podcast: Download (20.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

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

Right Before Our Eyes

by

Recognizing Prophetic Fulfillment and Rejecting False Traditions

Have you ever paused to consider what spiritual miracles are unfolding right before our eyes—and whether we might be missing them?

In his General Conference message, Right Before Our Eyes, Elder Ronald A. Rasband invites us to recognize the majesty of this moment in the Restoration. The growth of the Church in temples, missionaries, and faithful disciples isn’t just impressive—it’s the literal fulfillment of prophecy. Yet alongside that divine acceleration, Elder Rasband warns of ongoing opposition, distractions, and “naysayers” who seek to obscure or diminish the Lord’s work. [Read more…] about Right Before Our Eyes

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

by

Podcast: Download (15.7MB)

Subscribe: RSS

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

By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples

by

Welcoming the Spirit, Discerning the Gifts, and Embracing Every Seeker

Have you ever wondered what truly draws people to the restored Church of Jesus Christ—not just doctrinally, but spiritually?

In his Christ-centered address, By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us that the most powerful witness we offer the world is how we treat each other. As he shares a personal story of a nonmember friend discerning the Spirit in a humble sacrament meeting, he bears testimony that spiritual gifts are real, that discernment matters, and that the Lord’s Church must be a place of belonging for all who seek Him. [Read more…] about By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples

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

by

Podcast: Download (20.0MB)

Subscribe: RSS

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