Summary
2014 FAIR Conference
The 16th annual FAIR (FairMormon) Conference was held on August 7 and 8, 2014 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Utah.
The FairMormon Conference is an annual event that brings together scholars, apologists, and interested individuals from a variety of areas. Each comes with a unique perspective on history, science, or theology, and all come with a desire to help defend the gospel and share evidences of its truth.
Kerry Muehlstein
The Book of Abraham and Unnoticed Assumptions
Abstract
In this presentation, Kerry Muhlestein explores how underlying assumptions influence interpretations of the Book of Abraham. He emphasizes that both critics and believers often approach the text with preconceived notions—such as the belief that revelation is or isn’t a valid source of knowledge—which shape their conclusions. By highlighting the importance of recognizing and critically examining these assumptions, Muhlestein advocates for a more nuanced and open-minded approach to understanding the Book of Abraham and its place within Latter-day Saint scripture.
Bio
Kerry Muhlestein received his B.S. from BYU in Psychology with a Hebrew minor. As an undergraduate he spent time at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies in the intensive Hebrew program. He received an M.A. in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from BYU and his Ph.D. from UCLA in Egyptology. He taught courses in Hebrew and Religion part time at BYU and the UVSC extension center, as well as in history at Cal Poly Pomona and UCLA. He also taught early morning seminary and at the Westwood (UCLA) Institute of Religion. His first full time appointment was a joint position in Religion and History at BYU-Hawaii. He is the director of the BYU Egypt Excavation Project. He was selected by the Princeton Review in 2012 as one of the best 300 professors in the nation (the top .02% of those considered). He and his wife, Julianne, are the parents of six children, and together they have lived in Jerusalem while Kerry has taught there. He has served as the chairman of a national committee for the American Research Center in Egypt and serves on their Research Supporting Member Council, as well as on a committee for the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities. He is involved with the International Association of Egyptologists, and has worked with Educational Testing Services on their AP World History exam.
Marvin Perkins
Blacks in the Scriptures
Abstract
In this presentation, Marvin Perkins addresses the complex and often misunderstood topic of race within Latter-day Saint theology. Drawing from his personal journey and extensive study, Perkins examines scriptural passages and historical teachings that have been used to justify racial biases. He challenges longstanding misconceptions by exploring cultural idioms and encouraging a deeper reliance on the Holy Ghost for understanding. Perkins aims to equip members with the tools to confront and correct false narratives, fostering a more inclusive and accurate interpretation of doctrine.
Bio
Marvin Perkins, of Los Angeles, CA, has been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for over 26 years. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY, just 90 miles west of Palmyra, Marvin is a highly sought after public speaker, speaking on the topic of Blacks in the Scriptures and the LDS Church and race, throughout the US and around the world. He is also an accomplished vocal recording artist.
He currently serves as First Assistant in the High Priest Group Leadership in his congregation, is a Temple Worker in the Los Angeles, CA Temple and has represented the LDS Church in numerous news articles, internet, television and radio programs. Past service includes: Director of African American Relations on the Southern California Public Affairs Council, Gospel Doctrine and Seminary instructor, and Co-Chair for Genesis Public Affairs, his second calling out of Salt Lake City, though having never lived there. He is married to the former Ani Crespo. They have three children and Marvin is a successful Recruiting & Talent Management Software sales director.
Brother Perkins is also the recipient of the 2004 Humanitarian award by the National Council of Community and Justice, and in October 2007, he co-authored with Darius Gray and produced the groundbreaking DVD series entitled Blacks in the Scriptures, which details the biblical and LDS scripture on people of color, skin color, curses and the priesthood. He’s appeared on CNN as part of the Black in America series and has launched along with Bishop Fred Bethel of FL in 2009, a national African American Outreach program (AAOP) that is helping many over the obstacle created by the restriction on priesthood.
Barry Bickmore
Joseph Smith Among the Early Christians
Abstract
In this presentation, Barry Bickmore explores the theological parallels between the teachings of Joseph Smith and those of early Christianity. He examines doctrines such as the nature of God, theosis (the potential for humans to become like God), and temple practices, highlighting similarities that suggest a restoration of ancient Christian beliefs. Bickmore’s analysis supports the idea that Joseph Smith’s revelations align with early Christian thought, reinforcing the claim of a restored gospel.
Bio
Barry Bickmore is Professor of Geological Sciences at Brigham Young University, and is co-Chair of the Arts and Sciences editorial board at BYU Studies. He has written a number of articles for both FairMormon and the FARMS Review. While Barry was still in graduate school, FairMormon published his book, Restoring the Ancient Church: Joseph Smith and Early Christianity, which explores the links between early Christian doctrines and practices, and those taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. FairMormon recently published a revised and expanded edition of the book.
Robert A. Rees
Earl Wunderli’s Imperfect Book
Abstract
In this presentation, Robert A. Rees critiques Earl Wunderli’s book An Imperfect Book: What the Book of Mormon Tells Us About Itself, which argues that the Book of Mormon is a 19th-century creation by Joseph Smith. Rees contends that Wunderli’s analysis is shaped by his legal background, treating the text as a case to be prosecuted rather than a sacred scripture to be understood. He highlights that Wunderli’s approach leads to selective evidence and overlooks the Book of Mormon’s literary complexity, narrative depth, and spiritual insights. Rees emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s assumptions when interpreting religious texts and advocates for a more balanced and comprehensive examination of the Book of Mormon.
Bio
Robert A. Rees (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin) is an educator, scholar, and poet. He has taught at a number of universities, including the University of Wisconsin; the University of California at Los Angeles, or UCLA (for twenty-five years); the University of California at Santa Cruz; (as a Fulbright professor) at Vytautaus Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania; and the California State Universities at Northridge and Los Angeles. He has lectured at universities in China, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Kaliningrad, and has been a visiting scholar at the Centers for Arts and Humanities at Claremont Graduate University. Currently, he teaches religion at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
Professor Rees has extensive experience in international education. He established and was the Director of Studies for three UCLA Extension programs in England—with Cambridge University and with the Royal Colleges of Art and Music. He was also involved in education initiatives in London, Paris, and the former Soviet Union, and led two delegations of distinguished American writers to China.
Dr. Rees has served as bishop of the Los Angeles 1st Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he and his wife Ruth served as education, humanitarian, and service missionaries in the Saint Petersburg Russia and Baltic States missions of the LDS Church. In October 1992, Dr. Rees and his wife became the first LDS Church missionaries to work in Lithuania after the fall of the Soviet Union.
From 1971 to 1976, he was the second editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. He is the editor of the 2011 book, Why I Stay: The Challenges of Discipleship for Contemporary Mormons.
Paul J. Fields & Matthew Roper
Scriptural Style in Early Nineteenth Century American Literature
Abstract
In this presentation, Matthew Roper and Paul J. Fields examine the stylistic elements of the Book of Mormon in the context of early 19th-century American literature. Through stylometric analysis, they identify distinct authorial voices within the Book of Mormon, challenging the notion of a single 19th-century authorship. By comparing the text’s linguistic patterns to contemporary pseudo-biblical works, they highlight the Book of Mormon’s unique scriptural style and its Christ-centered focus, distinguishing it from other literature of the period.
Bio
Paul J. Fields, PhD, is a consultant specializing in research methods and statistical analysis. He has worked with the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship on stylometric and authorship attribution studies of the Book of Mormon and other documents related to the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He received his doctorate from Pennsylvania State University. During his academic career he was on the faculty of the United States Naval Postgraduate School and Brigham Young University.
Matthew Roper is currently a Research Scholar at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University. He received a B.A. in History and a M.A. in Sociology from Brigham Young University. He has published numerous articles and review essays on issues relating to Latter-day Saint history and Scripture. He is the husband of Julie Roper. They are the parents of five children.
Abstract
In this presentation, Ty Mansfield examines the complexities surrounding same-sex attraction within the context of Latter-day Saint theology. He critiques the reductionist view that equates sexual orientation solely with identity, arguing that such perspectives oversimplify the nuanced experiences of individuals. Mansfield advocates for a more holistic understanding of identity that aligns with eternal principles, emphasizing the importance of compassion and doctrinal clarity in addressing sensitive topics related to sexuality and faith.
Bio
Ty Mansfield is a marriage and family therapist currently living in Provo, Utah, with his wife and their two (almost three) kids. He chronicled his own spiritual journey with same-sex attraction as co-author of In Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenge of Same-Gender Attraction (Deseret Book, 2004) and later compiled Voices of Hope: Latter-day Saint Perspectives on Same-Gender Attraction—An Anthology of Gospel Teachings and Personal Essays (Deseret Book, 2011). He also co-directs the Voices of Hope Project, a website extension of the book, and has been featured in the May/June 2012 issue of LDS Living magazine and on the Church website mormonsandgays.org. Ty is a co-founder and the current president of the nonprofit organization North Star, a faith-affirming support organization for LDS individuals and families addressing issues of sexual or gender identity and who desire to live within the framework of the doctrines and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ann Edwards Cannon
Why, yes! I am a Mormon, thank you very much.
Abstract
In this engaging and humorous talk, author and columnist Ann Cannon shares personal anecdotes that highlight the misconceptions and curiosities she has encountered about Latter-day Saints. Through stories ranging from overheard conversations in a Maine gift shop to her experiences living in New York, Cannon illustrates the importance of addressing misunderstandings with kindness and clarity. She emphasizes the role of organizations like FAIR in promoting accurate information and fostering a more informed and positive perception of the Church.
Bio
Ann Edwards (“A. E.”) Cannon, writes books for young readers. She also wrote for the Deseret News, and currently has a column in the Salt Lake Tribune. She also leads discussions sponsored by the Utah Humanities Council’s Public Square program. Occasionally she is fortunate enough to teach creative writing and work as a bookseller at the muy famosa King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. She and her husband, Ken, and have five sons, three daughters-in-law, two charming granddaughters, three parakeets, one parrot, two cats, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and a Newfoundland dog that weighs 180 pounds. Living with a Newfoundland that size is like living with a donkey in your house. A small donkey. But still.
Abstract
In this presentation, historian Russell W. Stevenson addresses the complex legacy of Brigham Young concerning race and prophecy. He explores how Latter-day Saints can acknowledge and condemn past racist teachings and policies, such as the priesthood ban, while still sustaining Brigham Young as a prophet. Stevenson delves into the concept of white privilege and examines how cultural and historical contexts influenced Church leaders’ actions and beliefs. By confronting uncomfortable truths and recognizing the humanity and fallibility of prophetic figures, Stevenson advocates for a more nuanced understanding of Church history that allows for both critical reflection and faithful commitment
Bio
Russell W. Stevenson is an independent historian and author. In addition to several articles published in Journal of Mormon History, Dialogue, and American National Biography, he has also written Black Mormon: The Story of Elijah Ables, a full cultural biography of Mormonism’s first black priesthood holder. He currently lives in Star Valley, Wyoming.
Robert F. Smith
The Preposterous Book of Mormon: A Singular Advantage
Abstract
In this presentation, Robert F. Smith addresses the seemingly implausible origins of the Book of Mormon, arguing that its “preposterous” nature serves as a unique strength. He contends that the improbability of its narrative—centered on angels, gold plates, and divine translation—enhances its authenticity when supported by empirical evidence. Drawing on archaeological, linguistic, and historical data, Smith suggests that the Book of Mormon aligns with ancient realities, thereby reinforcing its credibility. He introduces concepts like Bayes’ Theorem to explain how overwhelming evidence can substantiate extraordinary claims, and references works such as John L. Sorenson’s Mormon’s Codex to support his thesis. Smith concludes that the Book of Mormon not only complements the Bible but also stands as a testament to divine intervention in modern times.
Bio
Robert F. Smith is an alumnus of BYU and has had advanced training in archeology and Near Eastern languages at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, UCLA, and CalState University, Long Beach. He was the first editor of the FARMS Book of Mormon Critical Text Project (1979–1987), and most recently presented a paper on “Book of Mormon Theologies: A Thumbnail Sketch” at the 2012 annual meeting of the Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology (SMPT). He is currently a member of the Grandview Stake and a veil worker at the Provo Temple.
Abstract
In this presentation, Sharon Eubank explores the role of women within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emphasizing the spiritual authority and influence women possess in the Church. She addresses common misconceptions about gender roles and highlights the significant contributions of women in both historical and contemporary contexts. Eubank advocates for a deeper understanding of women’s integral place in the Church, encouraging both men and women to recognize and support the divine partnership in building the kingdom of God.
Bio
Sharon Eubank was born in Redding, California, to Mark and Jean Eubank. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University and served as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Finland Helsinki mission. Her career includes working as a legislative aide in the U.S. Senate for 4 years and owning a retail education store in Provo, Utah, for 7 years.
Since 1998, she has been employed by the Church in the Welfare Department. She helped to establish 17 international LDS employment offices Africa and Europe. For five years she directed the humanitarian wheelchair program expanding its scope to 50,000 individual donations each year and implementing World Health Organization training standards.
In 2008 Sharon became regional director of the LDS Charities for the Middle East Africa North area where she oversaw humanitarian work with active country offices in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Jordan, and Morocco. She also served on the Relief Society general board during Sister Julie B. Beck’s administration until April 2012.
Currently, Sharon is the director of LDS Charities, the humanitarian organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Matthew C. Godfrey & Matthew J. Grow
The Story Behind the Revelations: Using the Joseph Smith Papers to Better Understand the Doctrine and Covenants
Abstract
In this presentation, Matthew Grow and Matthew Godfrey explore how the Joseph Smith Papers project enhances our understanding of the Doctrine and Covenants. They discuss the project’s efforts to publish all documents associated with Joseph Smith, including revelations, letters, and administrative records, providing context and transparency. By examining specific sections, such as D&C 19 and D&C 70, they illustrate how historical insights clarify the circumstances and purposes of these revelations. The speakers also address concerns about changes in revelation texts, explaining the editorial processes and the importance of understanding the historical context to fully grasp the revelations’ meanings.
Bio
Matthew C. Godfrey is managing historian of The Joseph Smith Papers and coeditor of volumes in the Documents series. He holds a PhD in American and public history from Washington State University. Before joining the project, he worked for eight years at Historical Research Associates, a historical and archeological consulting firm headquartered in Missoula, Montana, serving as president of the company from 2008 to 2010. He is the author of Religion, Politics, and Sugar: The Mormon Church, the Federal Government, and the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, 1907-1921 (2007), which was a co-winner of the Mormon History Association’s Smith-Petit Award for Best First Book. He has also published articles in Agricultural History and Pacific Northwest Quarterly and has presented papers at conferences of the Mormon History Association, the National Council on Public History, the American Society for Environmental History, and the Western History Association, among other organizations.
Matthew J. Grow is Director of Publications at the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a general editor of the Joseph Smith Papers. He was previously an assistant professor of history and director of the Center for Communal Studies at the University of Southern Indiana. Along with Terryl Givens, Grow is the author of Parley P. Pratt: The Apostle Paul of Mormonism (Oxford University Press, 2011), which received the Best Book Award in 2012 from the Mormon History Association. His earlier book, “Liberty to the Downtrodden”: Thomas L. Kane, Romantic Reformer (Yale University Press, 2009), also received the Best Book Award from the Mormon History Association as well as the Evans Biography Award from the Mountain West Center at Utah State University. Grow has published articles in the Journal of the Early Republic, Church History, American Nineteenth-Century History, Journal of Mormon History, BYU Studies, and Utah Historical Quarterly on topics ranging from the mutual perceptions of Catholics and Mormons to the cultural of honor to the memory of the Civil War. He received his BA from Brigham Young University in 2001 and his PhD in American history from the University of Notre Dame in 2006. He and his wife Alyssa live with their four children in Sandy, Utah.
Panel Discussion
Family Members Who Left
Abstract
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Bio
Dana Kimmell Anderson is a former professional actress known for her roles in 1980s TV and film, including The Stranger at Jefferson High, which led to her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She now works as a California Real Estate Broker, manages a property company, and actively serves in Church leadership.
Karen Lyons is a lifelong member of the LDS church. She and her husband were married in 1982 and had eight children. In 2006, her husband asked the church to remove his name from the records. Because of questions he brought up, Karen became acquainted with FairMormon. He was rebaptized a few years later, and is semi-active now. They divorced in 2010. Karen continues to be active in the church.
Roger is a software quality assurance manager for a semiconductor equipment company in Northern California and holds degrees in electrical and computer engineering. An editor and administrator for the FAIR Wiki since 2008, he received the 2009 “John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award” for his contributions to LDS apologetics and was featured in a Deseret News article on Wikipedia’s role in religious discourse.
Abstract
In this presentation, Hannah Smith, senior counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, discusses the importance of religious freedom and its foundational role in Latter-day Saint doctrine. She emphasizes the need for Latter-day Saints to be informed and proactive in defending this “first freedom,” highlighting historical teachings from Joseph Smith and modern apostolic counsel. Smith outlines current legal challenges to religious liberty, including cases related to same-sex marriage, healthcare mandates, and religious expression in public spaces. She encourages members to engage with available resources and participate in interfaith efforts to uphold and protect religious freedom for all.
Bio
Hannah C. Smith graduated from Princeton University where she majored in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. She graduated with honors from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University where she was inducted into the Order of the Coif. Following two clerkships at the U.S. Supreme Court for Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Hannah joined the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a public interest law firm based in Washington, D.C. She does legal projects part-time from her Washington D.C. home where she and her husband John M. Smith are raising their four beautiful children.
Hannah was a member of the Becket Fund’s legal team that successfully defended the First Amendment’s “ministerial exception,” which protects a church’s right to choose its own ministers, resulting in a unanimous victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC, 132 S.Ct. 694 (2012). She is also active in the litigation challenging the Department of Health and Human Services mandate requiring employers to pay for certain drugs and devices against their religious convictions, including the U.S. Supreme Court case Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby.
In her advocacy of religious liberty cases at the trial, appellate, and U.S. Supreme Court levels, Hannah has been featured on Fox News, “The O’Reilly Factor,” “The Sean Hannity Show,” C-Span, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, U.S. News and World Report, the Associated Press, National Review Online, the Laura Ingraham Show, the Rush Limbaugh Show, National Public Radio, and many other publications and radio shows. Prior to joining the Becket Fund, she litigated trial and appellate level cases at large law firms in Washington, D.C.
Daniel C. Peterson
Some Reflections on That Letter to a CES Director
Abstract
In this presentation, Daniel C. Peterson critically examines the “Letter to a CES Director,” a document compiling numerous criticisms of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Peterson discusses the letter’s approach of presenting a rapid succession of objections, which can overwhelm readers and lead to a crisis of faith. He argues that many of the issues raised are longstanding and have been addressed by scholars, suggesting that the author may have “jumped ship” too soon without thoroughly exploring available answers. Peterson emphasizes the importance of careful, contextual study and cautions against the “big list” tactic that can create a misleading sense of insurmountable problems.
Bio
A native of southern California, Daniel C. Peterson received a bachelor’s degree in Greek and philosophy from Brigham Young University (BYU) and, after several years of study in Jerusalem and Cairo, earned his Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Peterson is a professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic at BYU, where he has taught Arabic language and literature at all levels, Islamic philosophy, Islamic culture and civilization, Islamic religion, the Qur’an, the introductory and senior “capstone” courses for Middle Eastern Studies majors, and various other occasional specialized classes. He is the author of several books and numerous articles on Islamic and Latter-day Saint topics–including a biography entitled Muhammad: Prophet of God (Eerdmans, 2007)—and has lectured across the United States, in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and at various Islamic universities in the Near East and Asia. He served in the Switzerland Zürich Mission (1972-1974), and, for approximately eight years, on the Gospel Doctrine writing committee for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also presided for a time as the bishop of a singles ward adjacent to Utah Valley University. Dr. Peterson is married to the former Deborah Stephens, of Lakewood, Colorado, and they are the parents of three sons.
Speakers
Dana Kimmell Anderson, Barry Bickmore, Ann Cannon, Sharon Eubank, Paul J. Fields, Matthew C. Godfrey, Matthew J. Grow, Karen Lyons, Ty Mansfield, Kerry Muhlestein, Marvin Perkins, Daniel C. Peterson, Robert A. Rees, Matthew Roper, Robert F. Smith, Russell W. Stevenson
Topics
Book of Abraham, Race and the Church, Early Christianity and Joseph Smith, Critiques of the Book of Mormon, Scriptural Style in 19th-Century Literature, LGBTQ Issues and LDS Teachings, Women’s Roles in the Church, Faith and Identity, Religious Liberty, Understanding the Doctrine and Covenants, Challenges to Faith, Book of Mormon Authenticity, Brigham Young and Race, Family and Faith Transitions
John Taylor Award
Each year, FAIR awards the John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award to a volunteer who made meritorious contributions to FAIR’s mission and outstanding personal efforts in helping defend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In 2014, the John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award recipient was Trevor Holyoak.
