August 6 - Wednesday Evening Session
6:30 PM – Registration & mingling
Keynote Speaker:
Aaron Sherinian
Fluent in Our Faith: Identifying Evidence of the Glad Tidings of the Gospel in Our Everyday Reality
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Aaron Sherinian is the Managing Director of the Church Communication Department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leading a global team in implementing the Church’s communication strategies. His career is marked by experience at the intersection of international issues, faith-based organizations, and civil society.
He previously served as Senior Vice President for Global Reach at Deseret Management Corporation, CEO of the Radiant Foundation, and Vice President for Global Communications Transformation at Philip Morris International, where he spearheaded the company’s efforts toward a smoke-free future. Aaron also held roles as Global Communications Director for the Aga Khan Development Network and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at the United Nations Foundation, where his team helped launch the Giving Tuesday movement.
Earlier in his career, he was Managing Director of Public Affairs for the Millennium Challenge Corporation and oversaw communications for U.S. Government programs totaling over $5 billion. He served a decade as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State, with assignments worldwide.
Aaron holds degrees from the Johns Hopkins University (School of Advanced International Studies – SAIS) and Brigham Young University. He is fluent in multiple languages and was a volunteer missionary in Milan, Italy, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After living abroad for many years, Aaron and his wife Emily, their four children, and their dog now call Salt Lake City, Utah their home.
He loves food and travel, Motown and bossa nova.
Closing remarks & adjournment
August 7 - Thursday Session
9:00 am – Welcome & opening remarks
09:15 am
Ashly Stone
Live Recording of the Come Back Podcast
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Ashly Stone is the founder and host of The Come Back Podcast, a platform dedicated to sharing inspiring stories of individuals who have returned to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For over three years, Ashly has been amplifying voices of faith, redemption, and personal transformation, creating a safe and uplifting space for people navigating their own spiritual journeys.
She is also the co-founder of a software company in the addiction recovery space, where she merges her entrepreneurial spirit with her deep commitment to helping others heal and rebuild. Ashly is passionate about empowering people to come back from life’s hardest moments—whether that’s addiction, loss, or faith transitions.
Ashly lives in St. George, Utah with her husband, Jesse Stone—who also has a powerful comeback story and is in recovery—and their three amazing kids. Together, Ashly and Jesse serve as 12-step missionaries, walking alongside others in their journey of recovery and spiritual renewal.
Driven by compassion, lived experience, and faith, Ashly continues to be a voice of hope for those seeking light after darkness.
10:00 am
Meagan Kohler
Female Equality in the Church
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Meagan Kohler is a Latter-day Saint convert who studied philosophy, French and Latin at BYU. She writes about faith and culture at the Deseret News and lives in Utah with her husband and four sons.
Morning break – 10:45-11:15 am
11:15 am
Randy Austin & Kerri Nielsen
Protecting Children—The Crucial Role of Church Clergy and the Helpline
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Randy Austin chairs Kirton McConkie’s First Amendment and Religious Organizations practice group. He serves as lead outside controversy-and-crisis counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He specializes in litigation, crisis management, and internal investigations, particularly involving child protection and abuse prevention, and has managed lawsuits in most states of the United States and in several foreign countries. He is recognized as one of Utah’s Legal Elite for Litigation and is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He served as a judicial clerk to the late Charles Wiggins on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and advised on the litigation strategy that led to the Church’s recent Ninth Circuit en banc victory in Huntsman v. Corporation of the President.
Kerri Nielsen is a licensed clinical social worker and has worked in the mental health field for more than 25 years, first in community mental health settings followed by employment with Family Services for the past 15 years. She currently provides direction and guidance to leaders who contact the abuse helpline about how they can best assist victims and others impacted by abuse.
Kerri and her husband have five children and love being grandparents. In her free time, you will find her spending time with her family or making a quilt.
12:00 PM
Brandon Mull
Holding to Your Faith as Life Wears You Down
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, Beyonders, Five Kingdoms, and Candy Shop War series. He lives in a happy little valley with his wife Erlyn and their blended family of eleven kids.
Lunch break – 12:45-1:45 am – Lunch is provided
1:45 PM
Moderated by Jennifer Roach Lees
Panel Discussion with the Women of Ward Radio: The Role of Women in Defending the Church
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
This panel discussion will be moderated by Jennifer Roach Lees.
Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is best known for her research into how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints handles cases of sexual abuse. She has spoken at the annual FAIR conference on this topic, as well as on the dynamics involved in Bishops interviewing teenagers alone. Jennifer is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah.
2:15 PM
Zach Wright
The Case for Positive Contention
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
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.
Afternoon break – 3:00-3:15 PM
3:15 PM
Matthew Christiansen
Faith Crisis
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
In a masterful revelation known as “the Olive Leaf… the Lord’s message of peace to us”, the Savior declared: “I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you” (D&C 88:77–78; emphasis added). Brother Matt Christiansen has spent the last twenty-five years in pursuit of this lofty ideal. First as a missionary rubbing shoulders with Gypsy kings and mob bosses in Romania, then as an MTC instructor successfully wooing the gorgeous Italian teacher as his now wife of more than two decades, and currently as a longtime Seminary and Institute teacher just trying to get Millennials and Gen Z to look up from their phones long enough to let that mustard seed of truth have a chance to take root. Matt’s interests include listening to eclectic music, playing guitar badly, rooting for his beloved Dodgers, and tolerating his dismal Utah Jazz and BYU sports teams. He has a deep respect and appreciation for FAIR, and is honored with the opportunity to be part of this conference.
4:15 PM
Josh Coates
Plate Math: A Combinatorial Approach to Modeling All Possible Golden Plates
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Josh Coates is the full-time Executive Director of the B. H. Roberts Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit that is dedicated to education and research related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Previously Josh was the founder and/or CEO of several tech companies related to data storage and education technology. He also restored old military vehicles, built combat robots and is an amateur astronomer, welder and machinist. Coates was educated in Computer Science at Berkeley and served a mission in Boston. Josh is married and has two children.
Closing remarks & adjournment
August 8 - Friday Session
9:00 am – Welcome & opening remarks
Brad Witbeck
The Path of The Peacemaker
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Brad Whitbeck is a writer, speaker, and media producer focused on Latter-day Saint apologetics and faith-building content. He has contributed to multiple organizations, including FAIR, the BH Roberts Foundation (Mormonr), and Ward Radio, where he helps create engaging, accessible responses to common questions and criticisms about the Church. Known for his creative storytelling and use of humor and digital media, Brad brings a fresh, faithful voice to conversations around belief, doubt, and discipleship.
Michael R. Ash
A Mesoamerican Urim and Thummim
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Michael R. Ash, a member of FAIR for more than twenty years, has been featured in nearly 90 podcasts and 30 videos. In more than two decades of writing LDS-themed material, and as a former weekly columnist for Mormon Times (owned by the Deseret News), his works include over 160 on-line articles, as well as articles in periodicals such as the Ensign, Sunstone, Neal A. Maxwell Institute’s FARMS Review, and Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought.
Morning break – 10:45-11:15 am
Al Carraway
…Saying Something you Don’t Want to Miss!
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Al Carraway is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a multi-award-winning international speaker with over 14 years of experience, having spoken in more than 11 countries.
She is also a #1 best-selling, multi-award-winning author of over eight published titles, including Finding Yourself in the New Testament, Wildly Optimistic, My Dear Little One, More Than the Tattooed Mormon, and others.
Carraway has a deep love for Church history and, for the past five years, has led Church history tours two to three times per year. Her passion is sharing the message that happiness is real—and it comes from Jesus. That He’s real, He’s tangible, and He can be found and loved even in the hard, the unwanted, and the unexpected.
Originally from New York, she now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their three children.
Matthew Godfrey
“O God, Where Art Thou?”: Working My Way Through Spiritual Silence
Abstract
This presentation will focus on how I have dealt with moments—and extended
time periods—of spiritual silence. Using examples from my life, experiences of family
members, episodes in Joseph Smith’s life, and teachings from the scriptures and
modern-day prophets and apostles, I will discuss several things that have helped me
navigate these moments. These include understanding that God sometimes leaves
decisions up to us, revelation takes work, we sometimes have to wait for answers from
the Lord, support from family and friends can help, we don’t need to be perfect to have
the Holy Ghost with us, Jesus Christ supports us even when we don’t feel Him near,
and God answers us in ways that make sense to us. I hope that those hearing my
presentation who are either struggling with getting answers to prayers or have loved
ones who are will gain insights that will help them in their own spiritual journey. I also
hope they will feel God’s love for them and His willingness to answer their prayers.
Keywords: revelation, faith crisis, Joseph Smith, Holy Ghost
Bio
Matthew C. Godfrey is a senior historian in the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He holds a PhD in American and public history from Washington State University. Matt previously served as managing historian of the Joseph Smith Papers and was the lead historian on three volumes of the Documents series. He has authored or coedited several books, including God Knows You: Getting Real About Spiritual Challenges (Deseret Book, 2025) and Know Brother Joseph: New Perspectives on Joseph Smith’s Life and Character (Deseret Book, 2019). He is a regular presenter at BYU Education Week and has appeared on podcasts such as Follow Him, All In, the Church News Podcast, and Religion in the American Experience. Matt is married to Carrie Huber and has four wonderful children. He loves reading, sports, and 80s alternative music.
Lunch break – 12:45-1:45 am – Lunch is provided
Barbara Morgan Gardner
Lived Experience of Mormon Women
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Barbara Morgan Gardner is an associate professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and foundation, a PhD in instructional psychology, and did postdoctoral work at Harvard University. She recently served as institute director in Boston, serving more than 100 universities and colleges in the area. She is married to Dustin Gardner, and enjoys family, learning, teaching, traveling, people, outdoor recreation, and life.
Moderated by Barbara Morgan Gardner
Panel Discussion: Lived Experience of Mormon Women
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Coming soon!
Afternoon break – 3:00-3:15 PM – Presentation of the John Taylor Award
Benjamin C. Peterson
Why Doctrinal Purity Matters, and How to Avoid Doctrinal Drift
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Ben Peterson has a deep passion for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He started his career in the banking and finance industry, working in both New York City and Salt Lake City. After several years, Ben transitioned to teaching youth and young adults in the Church’s Seminaries & Institutes of Religion, where he shared his love for the gospel and worked to help inspire increased faith in Christ.
Ben holds a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Brigham Young University and currently works as a Manager of Doctrinal Evaluation in the Church’s Correlation Department.
He has served as a missionary in the Uruguay Montevideo West Mission and in various leadership roles within the Church.
Ben, his wife Traci, and their five children live in Northern Utah.
Daniel C. Peterson
Brigham Young and Slavery
Abstract
Coming soon
Bio
Daniel C. Peterson is the president of the Interpreter Foundation, which publishes the online periodical Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, produces books, convenes conferences, and sponsors a weekly radio program: https://interpreterfoundation.org. He and his wife were the executive producers of the 2021 theatrical film Witnesses and have served in the same capacity for its 2022 docudrama sequel, Undaunted: Witnesses of the Book of Mormon.
A native of southern California who earned his doctorate at UCLA after study at BYU, in Jerusalem, and in Cairo, he retired on 1 July 2021 as a professor of Islamic studies and Arabic at Brigham Young University, where he had taught since 1985.
Formerly director of research and chairman of the board of the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS), now BYU’s Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, he is also a former president of the Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology and is currently a member of the board of the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy.
Dr. Peterson 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.
He is married to the former Deborah Stephens, of Lakewood, Colorado, and they have three sons and three granddaughters.
Closing remarks & adjournment
Speakers
(Surprise) Keynote speaker, Meagan Kohler, Al Fox Carraway, Brandon Mull, Women of Ward Radio, Zach Wright, Matt Christiansen, Josh Coates, Brad Whitbeck, Mike Ash, Matthew Godfrey, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Panel: Moderated by Gardner, Benjamin C. Peterson, Dan Peterson, Jennifer Roach (moderator)
Topics
Topics will include: Live podcast recording, Female equality in the Church, Personal experience with Church History sites, Inspirational/motivational presentation, The role of women in defending the Church, Apologetics: balancing facts and kindness, Faith crisis, The Gold Plates, Apologetics for young people, A Mesoamerican Urim and Thummim, How to keep standards in an unsupportive industry, Spiritual challenges – “God Knows You”, Lived experience of Mormon women, Avoiding doctrinal drift and ensuring doctrinal purity, Apologetics.
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.
The 2025 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award will be announced on August 8 at the FAIR Conference.
Location
2025 FAIR Conference Location: The Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point
2975 Thanksgiving Wy, Lehi, UT 84043
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