Summary
2017 FAIR Conference
The 19th annual FairMormon Conference was held on August 3 and 4, 2017, at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Utah. Transcriptions of the presentations are available at the links below.
Abstract
In his 2017 FAIR Conference talk, Neal Rappleye urges readers to adopt a mature, historically informed approach to the Book of Mormon. Using the example of 14th-century BC Jerusalem, he illustrates that lack of evidence is not evidence of absence. Drawing on historian Sam Wineburg’s work, Rappleye encourages readers to move beyond modern assumptions and engage ancient scripture in its original context.
Bio
Neal Rappleye is the Research Project Manager at Book of Mormon Central and has published on the Book of Mormon in Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture. He has presented at the 2014, 2016, and 2017 Book of Mormon Conferences.
Elizabeth A. Kuehn
Finances and Faith in the Kirtland Crisis of 1837
Abstract
In her 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, “Finances and Faith in the Kirtland Crisis of 1837,” Elizabeth Kuehn examines the multifaceted nature of the 1837 crisis in Kirtland, Ohio. She challenges the common perception that the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society Bank was the sole cause of the turmoil, instead highlighting the complex interplay of economic, social, and spiritual factors. Kuehn emphasizes the importance of understanding the broader context of 1836—a period marked by economic optimism and expansion within the Latter-day Saint community, including the dedication of the Kirtland Temple and increased land acquisitions. By delving into these elements, she aims to provide a more nuanced perspective on the challenges faced by early Church members during this pivotal period.
Bio
Elizabeth A. Kuehn is a historian with the Joseph Smith Papers at the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is a co-editor on two volumes of the Joseph Smith Papers to be published in 2017: Documents, Volume 5: October 1835–January 1838 and Documents, Volume 6: February 1838–August 1839. She is a PhD. Candidate at the University of California, Irvine. She earned her MA in History from Purdue University and her BA in History from Arizona State University. She specializes in nineteenth-century financial records and women’s and gender history.
Abstract
In his 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, Keith A. Erekson, Director of the Church History Library, examines the testimonies of the Book of Mormon witnesses—specifically the Three and the Eight Witnesses—and their enduring significance in Latter-day Saint faith and apologetics. Erekson critiques the oversimplified narratives often found in Church curriculum and confronts the criticisms posed by skeptics, including those found in works like the CES Letter and publications by John Dehlin and Jeremy Runnells.
Drawing upon primary sources, including personal accounts and historical documents, Erekson highlights the consistency and resilience of the witnesses’ testimonies, even amidst personal apostasy and external pressures. He emphasizes that none of the witnesses ever recanted their statements regarding the authenticity of the gold plates. Erekson also explores the broader concept of “witnessing,” extending beyond the original eleven to include the collective testimonies of millions who have embraced the Book of Mormon as scripture.
By addressing common concerns and misconceptions, Erekson provides a nuanced understanding of the witnesses’ experiences and their role in affirming the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. His analysis offers valuable insights for individuals navigating faith crises, particularly those influenced by critical narratives questioning the credibility of foundational Church events.
Bio
Keith A. Erekson is an internationally acclaimed writer, speaker, and public historian. He currently serves as director of the Church History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Erekson has authored numerous books and articles about public interest in over history, including book-length studies of popular commemoration of Abraham Lincoln and the recent debate over the social studies curriculum in Texas. His work has been published in numerous journals, including the Journal of American History, The History Teacher, the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association, the Oral History Review, and various Mormon studies journals. Before leading the Church History Library, Erekson was a tenured associate professor of history at The University of Texas at El Paso, where he also served as executive director of UTEP’s Centennial Celebration and founding director of UTEP’s Center for History Teaching & Learning. He possesses more than a decade of international management experience in higher education, scholarly publishing, and automotive manufacturing. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Brigham Young University, a doctoral degree in history from Indiana University, and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. Erekson grew up near Baltimore, Maryland, and now lives near Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife and four daughters.
Abstract
In his 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, Michael R. Ash explores how cognitive science and scriptural principles intersect to explain the nature of divine communication. Drawing from Doctrine and Covenants 1:24, which states that God speaks to individuals “in their weakness, after the manner of their language,” Ash argues that understanding this concept is crucial for interpreting religious experiences and revelations.
Ash delves into cognitive limitations inherent in human perception and how these limitations influence the reception and interpretation of spiritual messages. He emphasizes that recognizing these constraints can help individuals reconcile apparent conflicts between scientific discoveries and religious beliefs. By acknowledging that divine communication is tailored to human understanding, Ash encourages a more nuanced approach to faith that accommodates both spiritual and empirical knowledge.
This perspective is particularly relevant for those experiencing faith crises, as it addresses common concerns about the compatibility of science and religion. Ash’s insights offer a framework for believers to integrate scientific findings with their faith, promoting a more resilient and informed belief system.
Bio
Michael R. Ash is the author of Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, Of Faith Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith, as well as Bamboozled by the “CES Letter.” A former columnist for the Deseret News’ Mormon Times, he has also been a frequent contributor to the online blogs, Meridian Magazine, as well as the Mormon Hub. Mike has been published in the Ensign, Sunstone Magazine, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, in the FARMS Review, and most recently contributed a chapter to Kofford Book’s Perspectives in Mormon Theology: Apologetics. Joining FairMormon in the year 2000, Mike delivered a paper at the 2nd annual FairMormon conference and has contributed papers to seven additional conferences (including this one) since. Mike and his wife Chris live in Ogden and are the parents of three daughters and the grandparents of six grandchildren.
Abstract
In his 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, Matthew L. Bowen explores the profound significance of names within ancient Semitic texts, emphasizing their symbolic, prophetic, and narrative functions. He elucidates how names in ancient Israelite culture were often linguistically transparent, conveying meaningful insights into character roles and theological themes. For instance, the Hebrew term for “name,” šēm, is etymologically linked to “Shem,” underscoring the intrinsic connection between nomenclature and identity in scriptural contexts.
Bowen extends this analysis to the Book of Mormon, positing that its authors, familiar with Hebrew and Egyptian languages, employed names with deliberate etymological significance to enhance narrative depth and convey theological messages. This perspective challenges critiques that dismiss the Book of Mormon as 19th-century fiction, instead highlighting its alignment with ancient naming conventions and literary practices.
By examining the onomastic patterns in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, Bowen provides a framework for understanding how names function as literary devices that reinforce doctrinal themes and character development. This approach offers valuable insights for scholars and individuals grappling with questions about the authenticity and ancient origins of Latter-day Saint scriptures.
Bio
Matthew L. Bowen is an assistant professor of Religious Education at Brigham Young University–Hawaii where he has taught since 2012. He holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, where he also earned an M.A (Biblical Studies). He previously earned a B.A. in English with a minor in Classical Studies (Greek emphasis) from Brigham Young University (Provo) and subsequently pursued post-Baccalaureate studies in Semitic languages, Egyptian, and Latin there. In addition to having taught at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, he has previously taught at the Catholic University of America and at Brigham Young University. Bowen is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles on scripture- and temple-related topics and two forthcoming books on scriptural onomastics. Bowen grew up in Orem, Utah, and served a two-year mission in the California Roseville Mission. He and his wife, the former Suzanne Blattberg, are the parents of three children, Zachariah, Nathan, and Adele.
Abstract
In his 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, Scott Petersen examines the continuity of divine principles from ancient Christianity through the Restoration, emphasizing the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ as stated in Hebrews 13:8. He addresses contemporary faith crises, often fueled by internet-based critiques, by highlighting that such challenges are not new but have recurred throughout history.
Petersen draws parallels between early Christian practices and Latter-day Saint doctrines, discussing topics such as temple worship, baptism for the dead, and the nature of God. He references early Christian texts, including the Shepherd of Hermas, to illustrate the historical presence of these doctrines. By doing so, he argues that the Restoration is not a departure from original Christianity but a return to its foundational truths.
The presentation also touches on the interplay between science and religion, acknowledging areas of uncertainty while affirming faith in divine consistency. Petersen encourages individuals facing doubts to seek understanding through both spiritual and scholarly means, reinforcing the idea that the gospel’s core truths remain steadfast despite evolving challenges.
Bio
Scott Petersen is the Executive Director of the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology at BYU. Under his leadership the program has been ranked in the top five of all collegiate entrepreneurship programs for each of the past seven years, ranking #2 in 2016. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Omadi, Inc., a venture backed SaaS mobile CRM platform for workforce management, serving the towing/transportation markets. Scott is a long time entrepreneur having co-founded or partnered in building seven companies (harvesting four), including several current ventures. Additionally, he serves on several business and private foundation boards. In 2005, Scott published a significant work, titled Where Have All The Prophets Gone?, a historical, theological book on early Christianity using the Bible, the Pseudepigrapha, the Apocrypha, the Dead Seas Scrolls, the Nag Hammadi Library, and all of the extant early Christian writings. In 2014 Scott published his second book, Do the Mormons Have a Leg to Stand On?: a Critical Look at LDS Doctrines in the Light of the Bible and the Teachings of the Early Christian Church. Scott and his wife Marilyn are the parents of 5 married children and they have 15 grandchildren. Scott serves as Stake President of the Provo Utah YSA 4th Stake.
Scott Gordon
Mormon Temples and Freemasonry
Abstract
In his 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, Scott Gordon addresses the perceived connections between Latter-day Saint temple ceremonies and Freemasonry, a topic often cited in critical discussions and faith crisis narratives. Gordon provides a historical overview of Freemasonry, tracing its origins to medieval stonemason guilds and its evolution into a fraternal organization known for ritual dramas that teach moral virtues. He explains that while there are superficial similarities between Masonic rituals and LDS temple ceremonies—such as symbolic gestures and language—these resemblances are largely structural and do not indicate doctrinal borrowing.
Gordon emphasizes that Joseph Smith’s introduction of temple ordinances was rooted in revelation and aimed at restoring ancient practices, rather than replicating Masonic rituals. He argues that the core purposes of the two ceremonies differ significantly: Masonic rituals focus on moral development and fraternity, whereas LDS temple ordinances center on covenants, eternal progression, and salvation. By distinguishing between the functions and origins of these practices, Gordon seeks to clarify misconceptions and reinforce the unique theological foundations of Latter-day Saint temple worship.
Bio
Scott Gordon is president of FairMormon and as such has been a writer of several articles and a speaker at firesides. He has a master’s degree in Business Administration from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s in Organizational Communication. He has held many Church callings, including Bishop, and currently serves as the Ward Mission Leader. He is married to Sheri Farnsworth Gordon and has five children.
Abstract
In his 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, Ben Spackman explores the interpretive frameworks that readers bring to scriptural texts, particularly the Book of Genesis. He argues that many conflicts between science and religion—such as debates over evolution and young-earth creationism—stem not from scientific evidence but from presuppositions about scriptural interpretation. Spackman emphasizes that understanding the historical and cultural contexts of scripture is crucial for accurate interpretation. He highlights that misinterpretations often arise when readers impose modern expectations on ancient texts. By examining the intellectual history of creationism and the evolution of scriptural exegesis, Spackman encourages a more nuanced approach that harmonizes faith with scientific understanding.
Bio
Ben Spackman received a BA from BYU in Near Eastern Studies and a MA in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago, where he did several years of further work towards a PhD. He then studied general science at City College of New York. Currently a PhD student in History of Christianity at Claremont Graduate University, Ben’s general focus is the intertwined history of science, religion, and interpretation of scripture. In particular, he studies how shifting worldviews drove changing interpretations and understandings of Genesis, from its ancient Israelite/Babylonian origins through the Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution, eventually generating today’s conflict between Young Earth Creationism and well-established evolutionary science. Ben taught volunteer Institute and Seminary for a dozen years in the Midwest, New York, and California, has also taught Biblical Hebrew, Book of Mormon, and New Testament at BYU, and recently TA’d a course on God, Darwin, and Design. Ben has published with BYU Studies, Religious Educator, the Maxwell Institute, Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture, and Religion&Politics, and blogs occasionally at Timesandseasons and Benjamin the Scribe. He has presented lectures, firesides, and papers at various conferences, this year including the Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology (March), the Mormon History Association (June), the Maxwell Institute Seminar on Mormon Culture (August), and the Sperry Symposium at BYU (October). He is currently writing a book on Genesis 1 for an LDS audience and intends to write his dissertation on some aspect of the scripture/evolution conflict in Mormonism. You can help Ben pay his tuition here.
Abstract
In this presentation, Ugo Perego—an expert in population genetics—addresses the question, “What does the Church believe about evolution?” He examines official Church statements on evolution, creation, and the origin of man, while also discussing how current scientific understanding aligns or diverges from common assumptions within Latter-day Saint culture. Drawing on mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosome data, and population studies—including Kennewick Man and Haplogroup X—Perego explains why DNA evidence does not support certain claims made in defense of the Heartland model of Book of Mormon geography. He closes by affirming that while DNA can provide context, faith in the Book of Mormon should not rest on genetics.
Bio
Ugo A. Perego received a BS and a MS in Health Sciences from Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah) and a PhD in Genetics and Biomolecular Sciences from the University of Pavia (Pavia, Italy) under the mentorship of Professor Antonio Torroni. He is the Director of the Rome Institute Campus, the S&I Coordinator for Central Italy and Malta, and a Visiting Scientist at the University of Pavia. During the past fifteen years, Ugo has given nearly 200 international lectures on DNA topics related to population migrations, ancestry, forensics, and history (including LDS history). Ugo has also authored and co-authored a number of publications, including: “Ancient individuals from the North American Northwest Coast reveal 10,000 years of regional genetic continuity” (in PNAS USA, 2017); “Finding Lehi in America through DNA Analysis” (in Laura Hales’ A Reason for Faith: Navigating LDS Doctrine & Church History, 2016); “The first peopling of South America: new evidences from the Y-chromosome haplogroup Q” (in Plos One, 2013); “Reconciling migration models to the Americas with the variation of North American native mitogenomes” (in PNAS USA, 2013); “The Mountain Meadows Massacre and ‘Poisoned Springs’: Scientific Testing of the More Recent, Anthrax Theory” (in International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2012); and “Joseph Smith Jr., the Question of Polygamous Offspring and DNA Analysis” (in Craig Foster and Newell Bringhurst’s The Persistence of Polygamy Vol. 1, 2010). A complete list of his publications is available at www.JosephSmithDNA.com
Abstract
Janiece Johnson’s 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, “Restoring the Tapestry of the Restoration: Early Mormon Women’s Witness,” employs the metaphor of a deteriorating medieval tapestry to illustrate how the narratives of early Latter-day Saint women have faded from collective memory. Johnson contends that while significant efforts have been made to preserve and highlight certain aspects of Church history, the contributions and testimonies of women remain underrepresented. By spotlighting voices like Laura’s—whose defense of Mormonism was preserved thanks to a perceptive editor—Johnson underscores the importance of recovering these overlooked threads.
Bio
Janiece Johnson is a transplanted Bay Area, California, native who loves history, design, art, good food, and traveling. She has master’s degrees in American Religious History and Theology from Brigham Young University and Vanderbilt’s Divinity School respectively. She finished her doctoral work at the University of Leicester in England. Janiece has published work on gender and American religious history—specializing in Mormon history and the prosecution for the Mountain Meadows Massacre. She is a co-author of The Witness of Women: First-hand Experiences and Testimonies of the Restoration (Deseret Book, 2016) and general editor of the recently published Mountain Meadows Massacre: Collected Legal Papers (University of Oklahoma Press, 2017). A visiting professor in Religious Education at BYU-Idaho for the last three years, Janiece will begin as a research fellow for the Maxwell Institute’s Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies at BYU this fall.
Abstract
In his 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, “Book of Mormon Geographical References: Internal Consistency Taken to a New Level,” Tyler Griffin explores the intricate internal geography of the Book of Mormon. He emphasizes that, while the Church does not endorse specific real-world locations for Book of Mormon events, the text itself contains a complex and consistent geographical framework. Griffin highlights how this internal consistency supports the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, suggesting that such detailed coherence would be improbable for a 19th-century author without divine inspiration.
Bio
Tyler J. Griffin was born and raised in Providence, Utah in the beautiful Cache Valley. After serving a mission in Brazil Curitiba, he returned home and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering. He married Kiplin Crook and began teaching seminary in Brigham City, Utah. After six years in that assignment, he transferred to the Institute adjacent to Utah State University where he worked for the next seven years. One of his assignments there was working in the Seminary Preservice program (teaching and training potential seminary teachers) for four years. He also developed an online home study seminary program. His masters and doctorate degrees are both in Instructional Technology. He and his wife have 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls). He has been at BYU since August 2010.
Abstract
In this insightful and candid presentation, Brant Gardner examines the historical and cultural context behind Joseph Smith’s use of a seer stone in the translation of the Book of Mormon. Drawing on folklore, anthropology, and apologetics, Gardner explains how common 19th-century beliefs—such as treasure seeking, divining, and seer stones—shaped Joseph’s approach to revelation. He addresses modern discomfort with the translation method, the persistence of presentism, and the critique that there is “no archaeological evidence” for the Book of Mormon. Gardner argues that the Book of Mormon functions as a kind of spiritual seer stone, revealing hidden truths and transforming lives.
Bio
Brant A. Gardner holds a Masters in Anthropology from the State University of New York Albany, specializing in Mesoamerican Ethnohistory. He is the author of the six-volume Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon, and Traditions of the Fathers: The Book of Mormon as History, all published by Greg Kofford Books.
He has contributed articles to the journal Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl and to the anthology Symbol and Meaning Beyond the Closed Community. He has presented several papers at the FairMormon Conference over the years, and contributed articles to the FARMS Review and Interpreter.
Abstract
Gerrit Dirkmaat’s 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, “Lost Teachings of the Prophets: Recently Uncovered Teachings of Joseph Smith and Others from the Council of Fifty Record,” explores newly released minutes from the Council of Fifty—a secretive political and religious body established by Joseph Smith in early 1844. These documents, meticulously recorded by William Clayton, offer unprecedented insights into the concerns, strategies, and doctrinal discussions of early Church leaders during a tumultuous period in Nauvoo.FAIR
Dirkmaat highlights how the Council’s records reveal Joseph Smith’s growing disillusionment with the American political system, leading to his own presidential candidacy. The minutes capture candid conversations about governance, religious freedom, and the establishment of a theocratic society. Notably, they include teachings and deliberations that had remained unpublished until the release of these records, shedding light on the Prophet’s vision for the Church’s role in society and its interactions with secular authorities.
This presentation underscores the significance of the Council of Fifty minutes in understanding the complexities of early Latter-day Saint leadership and the evolving relationship between the Church and the broader political landscape of 19th-century America.
Bio
Gerrit J. Dirkmaat is an assistant professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He received his PhD in American History from the University of Colorado in 2010 where he studied nineteenth-century American expansionism and foreign relations. His dissertation was titled “Enemies Foreign and Domestic: US Relations with Mormons in the US Empire in North America, 1844–1854.” He worked as a historian and writer for the Church History Department from 2010 to 2014 as historian on several volumes of the Joseph Smith Papers project. Since taking his position at BYU, he continues to work on the Joseph Smith Papers as a historian and writer. He currently serves as Editor of the academic journal Mormon Historical Studies, published by the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, and on the Church History editorial board for BYU Studies. He is the author of dozens of scholarly articles and is the co-author, along with Michael Hubbard MacKay, of the book From Darkness Unto Light: Joseph Smith’s Translation and Publication of the Book of Mormon, published by Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2015. He and his wife Angela have four children.
Dan Peterson
What Difference Does It Make?
Abstract
In his 2017 FAIR Conference presentation, What Difference Does It Make?, Daniel C. Peterson examines the profound emotional and existential challenges faced by individuals who lose faith in the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Drawing from personal correspondence and philosophical reflections, Peterson illustrates how disillusionment can lead to despair, highlighting the case of a young returned missionary whose loss of belief preceded his tragic suicide.
Peterson argues that while professional counseling is invaluable, a return to faith and trust offers a more fundamental remedy for the psychological turmoil stemming from spiritual disaffection. He references atheistic philosophers like Bertrand Russell and Albert Camus to underscore the bleakness of a worldview devoid of eternal meaning, contrasting it with the hope and purpose found in religious conviction.FAIR
Ultimately, Peterson contends that faith provides a vital framework for interpreting life’s challenges, fostering resilience, and imbuing existence with significance. His presentation serves as both a cautionary tale and a reaffirmation of the sustaining power of belief.
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
coming soon
Please note that this list is compiled from the information available and may not include all speakers from the conference.
Topics
Book of Mormon translation process, seer stone translation, Book of Mormon geography debates, Book of Mormon names and linguistics, Book of Mormon archaeology, Book of Mormon witnesses evidence, strengthening testimony through the Book of Mormon, Kirtland bank failure, LDS Church financial history, Joseph Smith and the Council of Fifty, women witnesses in early Mormonism, Joseph Smith teachings on government, LDS temples and Masonic rites, Freemasonry and Mormonism, masonic temple parallels, evolution and LDS doctrine, primitive Christianity and Mormon beliefs, interpreting the Book of Genesis, symbolic meaning of scriptural names, ancient temple symbolism, faith and reason in Latter-day Saint 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.
In 2017, the John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award recipient was Marion Allen.
Marion Allen
Marion Allen has served FAIR with grace and determination for years, running the online and conference bookstore.
