FAIR

Blog

Confidence in the Presence of God

by

Becoming Holy Through Charity and Virtue

Have you ever felt that eternal life is meant for people holier than you—people more spiritual, more disciplined, more sure of themselves in God’s presence?

In his final remarks at the April 2025 General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson offers a bold and empowering invitation: We can prepare for celestial glory now—by becoming the kind of person who feels confident standing in the presence of God. [Read more…] about Confidence in the Presence of God

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 76 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson

by

Podcast: Download (7.7MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Hear Him

by Autumn Dickson

In Section 76, we receive an immense amount of information that had been lost over time. If you grew up with the Plan of Salvation, it may not feel that way but this was all very new. Though it was hard for some Saints to accept it at the time, we rejoice in this doctrine that the Lord restored. I am so grateful to know it. [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 76 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 76 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson

by

Podcast: Download (9.1MB)

Subscribe: RSS

A Glorious God

by Autumn Dickson

For those of us who grew up with the concept of the Plan of Salvation and its many kingdoms, the vision recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76 is nothing new. Because of our familiarity with it, I think it can be easy to miss the majesty and goodness that is God. One of the things I love about the doctrine we received in this section is that it upholds the idea that God is good and perfect and just. As Latter-day Saints, we don’t just claim that God is a perfect judge. He actually is a Perfect Judge. [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 76 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson

FAIR Really Needs Your Help

by

FAIR began as an organization in 1997. Until fairly recently, we’ve been an all-volunteer organization. That is no longer sustainable in keeping up with the attacks against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and so we have gradually been hiring a small staff. However, we have been operating mostly on small donations and the proceeds from our annual conference and bookstore, and it just is not enough anymore. We need additional donations in order to continue operating at the level we’re currently at, but we’d really like to be able to do much more.

Please consider making a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference. And if you’re in a position to give a more substantial gift, it would be a tremendous blessing to this work and to those we serve.

Help us reach more people, with more answers, and more timely responses. Make your donation here today.

Sincerely,

Trevor Holyoak
FAIR Vice President

 

Trevor Holyoak is the Vice President of FAIR. He joined FAIR in 1997 and received the John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award in 2014. He graduated magna cum laude from Weber State University with a BS in computer science and now works as a programmer and systems administrator. He is currently serving as a young mens advisor in his ward and is also involved in the leadership of the Utah Valley Amateur Radio Club. He and his wife have five children and live in Cedar Hills, Utah.

 

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 71–75 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson

by

Podcast: Download (8.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Purpose Drives Revelation

by Autumn Dickson

Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon paused work on the translation of the bible and were called to go and preach the gospel in order to dispel some of the hatred and persecution being heaped up against the church. After a conference held with the elders, Joseph and Sidney were called once again to work on the translation of the bible. [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 71–75 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson

Straining Against the Wind

by

Choosing Christ in a World of Opposition

Have you ever felt disoriented by how much resistance seems to follow faithful living? Whether in a classroom, a family gathering, or scrolling through your feed, you may have encountered voices that belittle your beliefs, question your values, or mock your faith in prophets and scripture.

In his message Divine Helps for Mortality, President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency affirms a profound and empowering truth: opposition is not a sign that something is wrong—it’s a sign that something eternal is at stake. God’s plan doesn’t shield us from difficulty; it places us in it—so we can choose Christ, grow in spiritual strength, and become something more than we were. [Read more…] about Straining Against the Wind

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 71, 73–75, 77, 86, 91, 113 – Mike Parker

by

Podcast: Download (18.2MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Joseph Smith’s “new translation” of the Bible (D&C sections 71, 73–75, 77, 86, 91, 113)

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

Additional Reading [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 71, 73–75, 77, 86, 91, 113 – Mike Parker

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 71–75 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson

by

Podcast: Download (9.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Bishops and Consecration

by Autumn Dickson

Hello friends! Just a quick PSA. My normal format up to this point has been to post one message a week. The Lord has pointed me in a different direction, and I will now be sharing two shorter messages posted throughout the week. Thanks for sticking with me as I work to figure out my new posting schedule! [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 71–75 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson

Classic FAIR – Defending the Faith – David L. Paulsen, 2004

by

Podcast: Download (91.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Joseph Smith: Defending the Faith” by David L. Paulsen at the 2004 FAIR Conference

Scott asked me if I would share with you some of my work defending our LDS understanding of God and to that end I have prepared a bibliography. There’s two sets of materials being passed out, one is a packet. There is a copy of the bibliography in that packet and then there’s two individual sheets and you should either get the packet or the pair of two separate sheets and you’ll find the bibliography in one of them. I’ve also copied a few reprints of articles.

As time permits, I want to look at two or three of these articles but before I launch into a consideration of those, I’d like to provide just a little personal background if you will indulge me that will perhaps explain how I developed a passion for apologetics and also put apologetics in a proper perspective.

Growing up in Ephraim in Sanpete County I was acquainted, and then only casually, with four non-Mormons–two of whom subsequently converted. There must’ve been some in my community who openly challenged Mormon beliefs, but somehow I never encountered them. My first exposure to such challenges occurred after my sophomore year of college when I began my tour of active duty with the United States Army Reserve.

CONTINUED HERE

Beauty for Ashes

by

Receiving Eternity’s Gifts Through Christ

Have you ever felt that no matter how much you believe in Christ, His promises feel just out of reach—like peace, healing, or wholeness belong to someone holier, stronger, or more deserving?

In his Easter message Eternity’s Great Gifts: Jesus Christ’s Atonement, Resurrection, Restoration, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offers a sweeping and tender reminder: God’s eternal gifts are not reserved for the perfect—they are extended to all. What matters most is not whether the gift is offered (it is!) but whether we are willing to receive. [Read more…] about Beauty for Ashes