2006 FAIR Conference
FAIR Conference Archive
The 2006 FAIR Conference brought together Latter-day Saint scholars and researchers to address questions about the Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, Joseph Smith, DNA, plural marriage, anti-Mormonism, and other topics in Latter-day Saint history and apologetics. Browse the conference presentations below, with available transcripts, speaker information, and related resources.
Conference Presentations
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Mike Ash addresses common criticisms of the Book of Abraham, examining the Joseph Smith Papyri, the facsimiles, and modern Egyptology while exploring evidence for the book’s possible ancient origins.
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Brant A. Gardner examines geographic, chronological, cultural, and anthropological convergences between the Book of Mormon and ancient Mesoamerica. Rather than relying on isolated parallels, he argues that multiple interlocking details create a cumulative case for the Book of Mormon as a text rooted in a real ancient setting.
Brian Hauglid examines the complex collection commonly known as the Kirtland Egyptian Papers.
Marcus H. Martins explores the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Africa, reflecting on race, priesthood, revelation, and the Church’s expanding global presence through both historical analysis and personal experience.
This presentation revisits the Mark Hofmann forgeries, separating persistent myths from documented evidence and sharing firsthand insights from the official investigation.
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The differing experiences of the witnesses—one miraculous, the other deliberately ordinary and physical—provide complementary testimony concerning the gold plates.
Matthew Roper examines ancient Jewish, Christian, Mandaean, Manichaean, and other traditions about Adam alongside Latter-day Saint scripture and teachings. He highlights parallels involving Adam’s premortal existence, divine council, agency, angelic instruction, sacrifice, repentance, baptism, ordinances, and eventual restoration to heavenly glory, arguing that these convergences illuminate teachings associated with the Restoration.
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Brian Stubbs explores proposed linguistic connections between Uto-Aztecan languages and ancient Hebrew and Egyptian, examining sound correspondences, vocabulary, and structural similarities that may offer intriguing evidence relevant to the Book of Mormon.
This presentation revisits the Mark Hofmann forgeries, separating persistent myths from documented evidence and sharing firsthand insights from the official investigation.
Original 2006 FAIR Conference Schedule & Information
The following information is preserved from FAIR’s original 2006 conference page as a historical record. Event, registration, hotel, and contact information is no longer current.
is pleased to announce the
Eighth Annual Mormon Apologetics Conference
August 3–4, 2006
South Towne Exposition Center
Sandy, Utah
Description
Every day seems to bring new attempts by the Church's critics to denigrate its divine mission. From the efforts of professional anti-Mormon ministries to a whole new generation of critics, the efforts of the naysayers seem to continue unabashed. This year's FAIR Conference is geared toward providing the information and answers you need to deal with a variety of interesting topics. Don't miss this conference!
This year's speakers will address wide-ranging topics sure to please every interest. We invite you to join us for a frank, thought-provoking, faith-building, and enjoyable experience. In past years, people have traveled from as far as England, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and New Zealand just to come to the FAIR conferences. Come see what the excitement is all about!
— Scott Gordon
President of FAIR
Location
This year's conference will be held at:
South Towne Exposition Center
9575 South State Street
Sandy, Utah 84070
Speakers
Speakers slated for the conference included Wayne Arnett, Mike Ash, Joseph Bentley, Matthew Brown, Claudia Bushman, Brant Gardner, Brian Hauglid, Marcus Martins, Steve Mayfield, Kim Östman, Dan Peterson, Matt Roper, David Stewart, Brian Stubbs, George Throckmorton, and Allen Wyatt.
Topics included the Book of Abraham, Joseph Smith, linguistic evidence for the Book of Mormon, international anti-Mormonism, early polygamy and polyandry, the Mark Hofmann forgeries, DNA and the Book of Mormon, and much more.
Schedule
General conference sessions began at either 8:00 am or 9:00 am each day and ended at 5:45 pm. Registration was available before the first session each day. Dress was business casual.
Thursday, August 3, 2006
| Time | Speaker / Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Registration |
| 9:00 am | Opening |
| 9:10 am | Mike Ash |
| 10:10 am | George Throckmorton and Steve Mayfield |
| 11:10 am | Brian Stubbs |
| 12:10 pm | Lunch |
| 1:30 pm | Marcus Martins |
| 2:30 pm | Kim Östman |
| 3:30 pm | Snack Break |
| 3:45 pm | Matt Roper |
| 4:45 pm | Joseph Bentley |
| 5:45 pm | Closing |
Friday, August 4, 2006
| Time | Speaker / Event |
|---|---|
| 7:45 am | Registration |
| 8:00 am | Opening |
| 8:05 am | Wayne Arnett |
| 9:00 am | David Stewart |
| 10:00 am | Matthew Brown |
| 11:00 am | Brant Gardner |
| 12:10 pm | Lunch |
| 1:30 pm | Claudia Bushman |
| 2:30 pm | Allen Wyatt |
| 3:30 pm | Snack Break |
| 3:45 pm | Brian Hauglid |
| 4:45 pm | Daniel Peterson |
| 5:45 pm | Closing |
Publicity
FAIR is a grass-roots organization, and we need your help to spread the word about our conference. Tell your friends and neighbors to visit our Web site and learn about the conference. If you'd like, you can download and print this poster about the conference. You could then give it to friends or, with permission, post it on your ward bulletin board or have it distributed with your ward newsletter.
Hotel
The official hotel for the FAIR Conference was the Best Western Cottontree, just minutes away from the South Towne Exposition Center. Rooms were available for $72 per night, including high-speed wireless Internet access, breakfast, and free shuttle service to the conference. The special FAIR Conference room rate was available through July 21, 2006.
Best Western Cottontree
10695 South Auto Mall Drive
Sandy, UT 84070
801-523-8484
Reservations were available by calling 800-662-6886 and requesting a FAIR Conference room or using confirmation number 901249.
Important Registration Notices
Seating was "first-come, first-served," and advance reservations were recommended.
Lunch was not available for registrations made after July 31, 2006, or at the door. Attendees who wanted the catered lunches were asked to register before August 1.
Because FAIR made commitments and allocated resources based on expected attendance, refunds for conference fees were not available after July 31, 2006.
Previous Conference Presentations
FAIR has preserved presentations from previous conferences in the FAIR Conference Archive.
