FAIR CONFERENCE ARCHIVE · 2026
2026 FAIR Conference
Back to Basics · August 5–7, 2026 · Lehi, Utah
The 2026 FAIR Conference, themed Back to Basics, brought together scholars, historians, educators, and faithful voices to explore foundational questions about Latter-day Saint history, scripture, and doctrine. Presentations addressed Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, the Book of Abraham, Church history, temple worship, and navigating questions of faith. Browse the conference presentations below, with available transcripts, speaker information, and related resources.
Conference Presentations
Published presentations · Alphabetized by speaker
Scott Gordon examines how the adversary seeks to undermine faith in Jesus Christ through distrust, criticism, and division. Drawing on scripture and decades of experience in Latter-day Saint apologetics, he explores how believers can recognize these strategies, strengthen their faith, and respond to challenges with knowledge, discernment, and Christlike charity.
Joseph Smith: Sexual Opportunist or Reluctant Polygamist?
Was Joseph Smith a sexual opportunist or a reluctant polygamist? At the 2026 FAIR Conference, Brian C. Hales examines historical evidence concerning plural marriage, Emma Smith, polyandry, and Joseph Smith’s motivations, arguing that the record supports a reluctant prophet rather than a sexual opportunist.
Read & Watch Presentation →
Ron Rhodes examines what he calls the “faith crisis industry,” focusing on the financial structures, social media strategies, and community-building efforts of organizations critical of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Using publicly available financial filings and social media metrics, he argues that financial incentives can shape the production and distribution of critical content while urging Latter-day Saints to respond to those experiencing faith crises with clarity, charity, and compassion.
Additional Conference Presentations
Transcripts and presentation resources will be added as they become available.
Thomas Alexander — The 1844 to 1847 Succession Crisis in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Michael R. Ash — Shaken Faith Syndrome
Kendall Buchmiller — What is (and is not) Doctrine
Josh Coates — Black Saints and the Priesthood and Temple Restriction: Statistics on Three Positions
Gerrit Dirkmaat — Joseph Smith’s Miraculous Translation of the Book of Mormon
Brett Dowdle — “Here is Brigham”: The Private Character of Brigham Young
Keith Erekson — Which Sources Should I Trust?
Paul Fields — Authorship Attribute Analysis of D&C 132
Brant Gardner — Can I Trust the Book of Mormon? My Half Century Quest to Answer that Question
John Gee — The Book of Abraham: A Status Report
Casey Griffiths — Approaching Hard Questions in Church History and Doctrine
Matt Grow — “A Record Shall Be Kept”: The Mission of the Church History Department
Brian Hales — Joseph Smith: A Reluctant Polygamist
Janiece Johnson — Unravelling the Story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
Meagan Kohler — Why God is Getting in the Way of Your Happiness
Jennifer Roach Lees — Doctrinal Differences and “Heretical” Teachings
Mark Ashurst-McGee — Joseph Smith and Treasure Digging
James Perry — Historical and Contemporary Patterns: European Latter-day Saints, 1837-present day
Daniel C. Peterson — Why Apologetics? The Case for Defending the Faith
Jasmin Rappleye — Sacred, Secret, or “Cultish”? Demystifying the Latter-day Saint Temple
Neal Rappleye — A Beginners Guide to Book of Mormon Apologetics
Matt Roper — Accidental Evidence for the Book of Mormon
Robert Stephenson— Representations of the Church in Media
Anthony Sweat — The Restoration Continues: Let us Continue in it!
Jeffrey Thayne — By What Measure? Why the Same Doctrine Looks Different to Different Saints
John Thompson — Framing the Facsimiles: The Book of Abraham’s Relationship to the Egyptian Vignettes
Wendy Ulrich — When Loved Ones Leave: Maintaining Faith and Relationships
Walker Wright — Nourishing the Roots: How Temple Recommend Questions Can Reground Faith
Original 2026 FAIR Conference Schedule & Information
FAIR Conference 2026
August 5–7, 2026
Thanksgiving Point Showbarn | Lehi, Utah
This archive preserves the original conference schedule, program, and sponsors for historical reference.
Download the original PDF program
Conference Schedule
Day 1 – Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- 7:10 PM – Scott Gordon: Unmasking the Strategies of the Enemy
- 7:40 PM – Anthony Sweat: The Restoration Continues: Let us Continue in it!
Day 2 – Thursday, August 6, 2026
- 9:10 AM – Mark Ashurst-McGee: Joseph Smith and Treasure Digging
- 9:40 AM – Brian Hales: Joseph Smith: A Reluctant Polygamist
- 10:10 AM – Brett Dowdle: “Here is Brigham”: The Private Character of Brigham Young
- 10:45 AM – Gerrit Dirkmaat: Joseph Smith’s Miraculous Translation of the Book of Mormon
- 11:15 AM – John Thompson: Framing the Facsimiles: The Book of Abraham’s Relationship to the Egyptian Vignettes
- 11:45 AM – John Gee: The Book of Abraham: A Status Report
- 1:15 PM – Casey Griffiths: Approaching Hard Questions in Church History and Doctrine
- 1:45 PM – Thomas Alexander: The 1844–1847 Succession Crisis
- 2:15 PM – Josh Coates: Black Saints and the Priesthood and Temple Restriction: Statistics on Three Positions
- 2:45 PM – Janiece Johnson: Unravelling the Story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- 3:25 PM – Jasmin Rappleye: Sacred, Secret, or “Cultish”? Demystifying the Latter-day Saint Temple
- 3:55 PM – Keith Erekson: Which Sources Should I Trust?
- 4:25 PM – Ron Rhodes: Understanding the Faith Crisis Industry - How Doubt is Monetized
- 4:55 PM – Robert Stephenson: Representations of the Church in Media
Day 3 – Friday, August 7, 2026
- 9:10 AM – Meagan Kohler: Why God is Getting in the Way of Your Happiness
- 9:40 AM – Walker Wright: Nourishing the Roots: How Temple Recommend Questions Can Reground Faith
- 10:10 AM – Wendy Ulrich: When Loved Ones Leave: Maintaining Faith and Relationships
- 10:45 AM – Matt Roper: Accidental Evidence for the Book of Mormon
- Paul Fields: Authorship Attribute Analysis of D&C 132
- 11:45 AM – Michael R. Ash: Shaken Faith Syndrome
- 1:15 PM – Matt Grow: “A Record Shall Be Kept”: The Mission of the Church History Department
- 1:45 PM – Jennifer Roach Lees: Doctrinal Differences and “Heretical” Teachings
- 2:15 PM – Kendall Buchmiller: What is (and is not) Doctrine
- 2:45 PM – Jeffrey Thayne: By What Measure? Why the Same Doctrine Looks Different to Different Saints
- 3:25 PM – Brant Gardner: Can I Trust the Book of Mormon? My Half-Century Quest to Answer that Question
- 3:55 PM – Neal Rappleye: A Beginner’s Guide to Book of Mormon Apologetics
- 4:25 PM – James Perry: Historical and Contemporary Patterns: European Latter-day Saints, 1837–Present
- 4:55 PM – Daniel C. Peterson: Why Apologetics? The Case for Defending the Faith
Sponsors
Media Sponsor: Meridian Magazine
Platinum Sponsor: The Interpreter Foundation
Faith Creators Alliance Sponsorship: Faith Creators Alliance
Gold Sponsors: The Church History Library; Greg Kofford Books; Religious Studies Center; Scripture Central
Silver Sponsors: Wilford Woodruff Papers: A Rich & Holy Legacy; Maya and Olmec Connections
Conference Partner: Moon's Rare Books
Sponsor participation does not constitute endorsement by FAIR. The views and opinions expressed by conference speakers and sponsors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAIR or its Board of Directors.
