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You are here: Home / FAIR Conference – Home / August 2022 FAIR Conference

August 2022 FAIR Conference

Summary

2022 FAIR Conference: Strengthening Faith Through Scholarship

The 2022 FAIR Conference brought together scholars, historians, and experts to address key topics in Latter-day Saint apologetics, history, and doctrine. This annual event provided faith-building insights and responses to challenges facing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Speakers explored Book of Mormon archaeology, religious freedom, family and marriage in the gospel, and modern faith challenges. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of scriptural insights, historical evidence, and ways to defend their beliefs against common criticisms. The conference also tackled contemporary issues, including responses to Under the Banner of Heaven, LGBTQ+ discussions, and the role of women in the Church.

Through a combination of scholarship and faith, the 2022 FAIR Conference offered attendees valuable tools to navigate complex topics and strengthen their testimony.

Wednesday, August 3

Thursday, August 4
Friday, August 5
Kerry
Kerry Muhlestein

Keys to Understanding Isaiah

Abstract

In Keys to Understanding Isaiah, Kerry Muhlestein draws on decades of scholarship to provide strategies for engaging with one of the most complex and profound prophetic books in scripture. He addresses common obstacles to understanding Isaiah, including ancient symbolism, cultural references, and dual fulfillment prophecies. Muhlestein highlights the centrality of the Abrahamic covenant and Christ’s role in Isaiah’s writings, offering a hopeful, Christ-centered approach that empowers modern readers to uncover the richness of Isaiah’s teachings and apply them in their lives.

Bio

Kerry Muhlestein received his B.S. from BYU in Psychology with a Hebrew minor. He received an M.A. in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from BYU and his Ph.D. from UCLA in Egyptology, where in his final year he was named the UCLA Affiliates Graduate Student of the Year. 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 has been teaching about Isaiah for almost three decades and has been teaching classes specifically on Isaiah for several years and has written a verse-by-verse commentary on Isaiah. He and his wife, Julianne, are the parents of six children, and together they have lived in Jerusalem while Kerry has taught there on multiple occasions.

Bruce
Bruce Young

Living and Sharing the Essence of the Gospel in the DR-Congo

Abstract

Bruce Young shares some of the challenges and joys of this high-baptizing mission. [watch on YouTube]

Bio

Bruce Young taught English literature at Brigham Young University for 38 years, specializing in Shakespeare, Renaissance literature, and C. S. Lewis, along with an interest in the philosopher Emmanuel Levinas. After retiring last year, he and his wife, Margaret Blair Young, prepared for missionary service in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They returned from their six-month mission a few days ago. Bruce has published on Shakespeare and other subjects, including a book titled Family Life in the Age of Shakespeare. Together they have produced two feature films, Heart of Africa and Heart of Africa 2: Companions. They have four children and ten grandchildren, including five bonus grandchildren who joined the family as a group in 2017.

Neal
Neal Rappleye

Ishmael and Nahom in Ancient Inscriptions

Abstract

In Ishmael and Nahom in Ancient Inscriptions, Neal Rappleye explores archaeological evidence that supports the historicity of the Book of Mormon. Drawing on recent discoveries from South Arabia, he examines inscriptions referencing Nahom (NHM) and Ishmael dating to the 7th and 6th centuries BC—aligning with the Book of Mormon’s timeline. Rappleye evaluates arguments for and against the significance of these findings and explains how they strengthen the plausibility of Lehi’s Arabian journey.

Bio

Neal Rappleye is involved in on-going research on many facets of the Book of Mormon’s historical context, including ancient Jerusalem (especially around the 7th century BC), ancient Arabia, the ancient Near East more broadly, pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and the 19th century witnesses to the discovery and translation of the Book of Mormon plates. He’s published with BYU Studies, The Interpreter Foundation, Book of Mormon Central, Greg Kofford Books, and Covenant Communications.

Lynne
Lynne Wilson

Restoring a Kingdom of Priests and Priestesses

Abstract

Lynne Wilson explores priesthood power in relation to Joseph Smith’s restoration of a kingdom of priests and priestesses. [watch on YouTube]

Bio

Lynne Hilton Wilson earned her Ph.D. in Theology and American Religious History from Marquette University.  Her doctoral dissertation compared Joseph Smith’s understanding of the Spirit with his contemporaries. Her master’s degree focused on New Testament studies. She attended BYU as an undergraduate and studied nursing and music. She returned to BYU has as an adjunct professor of Religion, and to teach at Education Week. She is presents regularly at the Mormon History Association, Society of Biblical Literature, and the like. She has served in the Church Education System for the past 35 years.  Currently she teaches Institute.  Previous Publications include Christ’s Emancipation of New Testament Women, Nativity Narratives, Learning the Language of the Lord: A Guidebook to Personal Revelation, To Witness Easter, and articles in BYU Studies, the Interpreter, Religious Educator, and the BYU Religious Studies Center. She is co-founder of BookofMormonCentral.org. She and her husband, Elder Dow R. Wilson live in Palo Alto, California. They have seven children (all with red hair), and eight grandchildren (blond, ginger, and brown).

Dan
Dan Galorath

Decisions Determine Destiny: My Road to Christ

Abstract

Decisions Determine Destiny, My Road to Christ

Bio

Dan Galorath is founder and CEO of Galorath Inc., a software and solutions company focusing on “The Future. Delivered”. He has received lifetime achievement awards for his work in program management, measurement, planning, estimation, and project control. Galorath also serves on several business and charitable boards. As an adult convert to the church, Dan views the internet and social media as a means to declare unto every soul the mission of Jesus Christ and the plan of redemption which are clearly made known in the Book of Mormon. He lives in the Ponte Vedra Florida area and currently serves in the Presidency of the Florida Jacksonville Mission.  He previously served in the presidency of the California Los Angeles mission.

Craig
Craig Foster

What Under the Banner of Heaven Gets Wrong

Abstract

Craig Foster draws upon his extensive background in polygamy since Joseph Smith to point out the flaws in the recent Hulu series, Under the Banner of Heaven. [watch on YouTube]

Bio

Craig L. Foster earned a MA and MLIS at Brigham Young University. He is also an accredited genealogist and worked as a research consultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City for over thirty years before retiring in December 2021. He has published multiple books and articles about different aspects of Mormon history, including co-editing the Persistence of Polygamy series with Newell G. Bringhurst and co-authored American Polygamy: A History of Fundamentalist Mormon Faith with Marianne T. Watson. Craig is also on the editorial board of the John Whitmer Historical Association Journal.

Tarik
Tarik D. LaCour

Taking the Best Arguments for Atheism Seriously

Abstract

Tarik LaCour breaks down and refutes the best arguments in favor of atheism. [watch on YouTube]

Bio

Tarik D. LaCour is a Ph.D student in philosophy and MA student in neuroscience at Texas A&M. Primary research interests are in philosophy of neuroscience, philosophy of mind, moral psychology and epistemology. He is a traditional Latter-day Saint and author of the blog Mad Dog Naturalist. He has interest in developing rigorous apologetic arguments rooted in an empirical philosophical approach and plans on continuing his contributions to Latter-day Saint apologetics.

Steven_L_Mayfield-Photo
Steve Mayfield

The Mormon Murders, Murder Among the Mormons, and the Hofmann Forgeries

Abstract

In this riveting presentation, Steve Mayfield—one of the foremost experts on the Hofmann forgeries—examines Mark Hofmann’s fraudulent documents, the resulting murders, and their profound impact on Latter-day Saint history. Mayfield provides unique insights from his decades of research, including behind-the-scenes details about the Netflix documentary Murder Among the Mormons. He explores the implications of Hofmann’s actions for Church history, apologetics, and the ongoing efforts to authenticate historical documents.

Bio

Steven L. Mayfield was born and raised in the San Francisco area. He served an LDS mission in Colorado and Nebraska. He has served in the Church as Stake Young Adult President, Elder’s Quorum counselor and instructor, Sunday School teacher, and ward clerk. Steve received a B.S. degree in police science from Weber State College (University) in 1980. His law enforcement career includes FBI file clerk (San Francisco, 1973-1977), Deputy Sheriff Jefferson County Colorado (1981-1990), and since 1994 as a crime scene investigator for the Salt Lake City Police Department. For more than the last ten years Steve has worked under the direction of George Throckmorton, and has assisted him in a number of historical/questioned document cases (non-law enforcement) including “The John D. Lee Lead Scroll.”

Steve has been involved with the Mormon History Association, Sunstone, Utah State Historical Society, and is the producer (and sometimes host) of Mormon Miscellaneous, a talk/interview/call-in program hosted by Van Hale over radio station KTKK in Salt Lake City. Steve does not consider himself a historian or writer, but a “documentation collector,” which includes newspaper and magazine articles, television videos, and tape recordings of radio news and programs on mostly Mormon issues. His large collection of material is in the process of being donated to the L. Tom Perry Library and Archives at Brigham Young University.

Thursday, August 4

Wednesday, August 3
Friday, August 5
Jed
Jed Woodworth

Saints Volume 3 and the Problem of Doubt

 

Abstract

How Saints Volume 3 establishes authority to speak to questions of faith and doubt; and also understanding that being ok with ambiguity is part of the plan. [watch on YouTube]

Bio

Jed Woodworth, a historian with the LDS Church History Department in Salt Lake City, is the coeditor (with Reid L. Neilson) of Believing History: Latter-day Saint Essays, a collection of essays written by Richard Lyman Bushman. Between 2002 and 2004, Woodworth assisted Bushman in the research and editing of Bushman’s landmark biography, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. Formerly a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Woodworth specializes in American educational history. He wa a dissertation on Horace Mann and the politics of American school reform when this was written.

Kent
Kent P. Jackson

Was Joseph Smith Influenced by Outside Sources in his Translation of the Bible?

Abstract

Comparing and contrasting the KJV, JST and Clarke to examine this question. [watch on YouTube]

Bio

Kent P. Jackson is a professor emeritus of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He has a B.A. in ancient studies from BYU and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern studies from the University of Michigan. He joined the faculty of Brigham Young University in 1980.

His research interests include Latter-day Saint scripture, doctrine, and history, with emphasis on the intersection of the Latter-day Saint faith and the Bible. He has authored or edited Joseph Smith’s Commentary on the Bible, Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts, The Book of Moses and the Joseph Smith Translation Manuscripts, Joseph Smith’s Translation of the Bible: The Joseph Smith Translation and the King James Translation in Parallel Columns and Understanding Joseph Smith’s Translation of the Bible.

Professor Jackson is a former associate dean of Religion and former associate director of the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.

Matthew
Matthew McBride

The Life and Faith of William Paul Daniels

 

Abstract

In The Life and Faith of William Paul Daniels, Matthew McBride tells the remarkable story of Daniels, a South African convert who joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 20th century. Though priesthood and temple blessings were denied to him due to his ancestry, Daniels remained steadfast in faith, serving his community through hospitality, scripture study, and quiet leadership. McBride draws on historical records to explore how Daniels’ Christlike perseverance challenges us to build Zion and strengthen fellowship within the Church today.

Bio

Matthew S. McBride is director of the Publications Division of the Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He earned an MA in American history from the University of Utah. Matt is the author of A House for the Most High: The Story of the Original Nauvoo Temple (2007) and coeditor of Revelations in Context: The Stories behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants (2016). His article on the origins of the women’s missionary program in the church won the Mormon History Association’s Best Article Award for 2018. He was previously the digital content manager for the Publications Division, and prior to that, director of web development and director of digital publishing for Deseret Book Company.

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Special Panel Discussion

Special panel discussion – “Read it from Reddit: Candid Responses to Critics” 

Participating are Brian Hales, Cassandra Hedelius, Mike Ash and Sarah Allen [watch on YouTube]

Gary
Gary Lawrence

How Comfortable Conversations About the Gift of Agency Lead to Interest in the Gospel

Abstract

In this talk, Gary Lawrence draws on his expertise as a public opinion researcher and his deep understanding of gospel principles to explore how comfortable conversations about agency can lead others to develop interest in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of framing discussions in natural, relatable ways and offers practical tools for planting seeds of faith that the Holy Ghost can nurture. Lawrence also addresses societal issues that impact agency and provides insights on how to navigate these conversations with patience and love.

Bio

Gary Lawrence is a public opinion researcher in Orange County, California.  He received a B.A. in political science from BYU and a Ph.D. from Stanford in the study of attitudes — how they are formed, how they are measured, and how they are changed.  He served a mission in Germany, has been an early morning seminary teacher, a bishop, and a member of various public affairs task forces in which he has conducted many focus groups for the Church.  Gary is the author of four books: How Americans View Mormonism, Mormons Believe … What?!, The War in Heaven Continues, and The Magnificent Gift of Agency. He and his wife, Jan, have been ordinance workers in the Newport Beach temple for 17 years.  They have four children and seven grandchildren and recently celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary.  

Brent
Brent Andrewsen

Foundational to Our Faith: “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”

Abstract

In this presentation, Brent Andrewsen examines the doctrinal and institutional significance of The Family: A Proclamation to the World within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a practicing attorney and member of the Sunday School general presidency, Andrewsen outlines the Proclamation’s historical context, its prophetic origins, and its enduring relevance in a time of shifting social norms and legal challenges to traditional family structures. Emphasizing that the document is both doctrinally binding and divinely inspired, he affirms its role in defining eternal gender, marriage, and family relationships. Andrewsen critiques efforts to marginalize or relativize the Proclamation and argues for its continued use as a doctrinal standard and spiritual safeguard. Framing the Proclamation as a prophetic response to both cultural confusion and divine foresight, he urges Church members to teach, defend, and live its principles in both public and private spheres.

Bio

Brent Andrewsen is the chairman of Sutherland Institute Board of Directors, an independent research and educational institution and think tank, whose mission is to advance civility, sound ideas, and principled public policy supporting faith, family and free enterprise. Brent also serves as the chairman of Skyline Research Institute and is the former chairman of the Board of Directors at Kirton McConkie. He has an AV PreeminentTM peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is recognized as one of Utah’s Legal Elite for estate planning, a Mountain States Super Lawyer for estate planning and non-profits, and a Best Lawyer for trusts/estates and non-profits/charities. He was also honored by Utah Business magazine as a 40 Under 40 Rising Star. Brent earned his B.A. in political science from BYU and a J.D. cum laude from the Washington & Lee University Law School.

Carol
Carol Rice

Teaching and Communicating the Doctrine of the Family to the Rising Generation

 

Abstract

coming soon…

Bio

Carol Rice is the president of Skyline Research Institute and the Director of Communications for Public Square Magazine, a joint project of the Elizabeth McCune and the John A. Widstoe Foundation. As a communication, marketing, and outreach director over the past two decades, she has provided specialized communication and messaging training for non-profits and non-governmental organizations, including at the United Nations. She has worked extensively with prestigious storytelling organizations, including the Timpanogos Storytelling Institute, the National Storytelling Network, and the International Storytelling Center. Carol earned a BA in marriage and family relations with an emphasis in family advocacy from BYU-I. She and her husband Scott live in Alpine, Utah.

Cassandra
Cassandra Hedelius

Compassion and Evidence: The Wisdom of Church Guidelines for Transgender Individuals and Their Families

Abstract

Cassandra delves into a series of studies that illustrate the wisdom of recent church guideline changes. [watch on YouTube]

Bio

Cassandra Hedelius serves on the board of FAIR. She has a JD from the University of Colorado and has practiced domestic and business law. She is currently raising and homeschooling her three children.

Friday, August 5

Wednesday, August 3
Thursday, August 4
Paul
Paul Hoybjerg

Respecting Human Dignity – Tools to Build Bridges and Celebrate Differences

 

Abstract

In Respecting Human Dignity – Tools to Build Bridges and Celebrate Differences, Paul Hoybjerg emphasizes the Christian imperative to foster sincere and respectful relationships with people of all backgrounds, faiths, and orientations. Drawing on personal experiences as a lawyer and community advocate, Hoybjerg shares five principles for effective bridge-building: respecting the reasons we connect, embracing our role, understanding organizations, seeking meaningful opportunities, and celebrating differences. He inspires listeners to reflect Christ’s love in every interaction and demonstrates how these efforts can transform communities and deepen personal faith.

Bio

Paul Hoybjerg is the founding partner of Hoybjerg Law. His firm specializes in advocating for individuals who have been injured in vehicle collisions, motorcycle/trucking accidents, dog bites, slip-and-fall incidents, as well as victims of abuse. Hoybjerg Law has offices in California, Utah, and Idaho. Mr. Hoybjerg has been published in MA, UT, CA, and nationally syndicated magazines. He has been interviewed and presented on multiple podcasts and has appeared on Fox and NBC. He co-founded the Courts & Clergy Lawyers Auxiliary in Sacramento, which combines the efforts of lawyers from the Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint faiths. Mr. Hoybjerg sits on the board of directors for the Sacramento County Bar Association. Mr. Hoybjerg has used his connections to build bridges with domestic violence centers, minority & religious organizations, and the LBGT community. Mr. Hoybjerg is passionate about helping restore and respect the human dignity of each individual.

Ty
Ty Mansfield

Loving Truth and Truly Loving: Mapping the Problems and Possibilities in the Latter-day Saint/LGBTQ+ Conversation

Abstract

In his 2022 FAIR Conference address, Loving Truth and Truly Loving: Mapping the Problems and Possibilities in the Latter-day Saint LGBTQ+ Conversation, Ty Mansfield draws on his clinical and theological expertise to explore how Latter-day Saints can faithfully engage with issues of sexuality, gender identity, and belonging. Rejecting both secular individualism and superficial sentimentalism, Mansfield proposes a covenantal framework rooted in restored doctrine, emphasizing spiritual transformation over cultural accommodation. He critiques prevailing narratives that conflate identity with desire and challenges the reduction of marriage to emotional companionship, advocating instead for a priesthood-centered view of marriage and community that fosters sanctification. Using metaphors like the “triangle of covenant marriage” and the “cone of Zion,” Mansfield calls for a vision of celestial society where sexual and gender minorities are not marginalized but integrated as essential members of the body of Christ. His presentation urges greater theological depth, compassionate listening, and a recommitment to Zion ideals in the face of cultural pressures and doctrinal confusion.

Bio

Ty Mansfield received his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy and has a private practice specializing in marital and sexual health and work with sexual and gender minorities. He is also adjunct faculty in Religious Education and the School of Family Life at BYU. Ty is a co-founder and past president of North Star, a faith-based ministry for Latter-day Saint sexual and gender minorities and is currently serving as a member of the board of directors. He is part of the Reconciliation and Growth Project, a dialogue group between LGBTQ affirmative and religious conservative mental health professionals who have developed an ethical mental health treatment protocol for working with individuals experiencing conflict between their faith and their sexuality and/or gender identity. He is also part of the 4 Options Survey research team, a similarly ideologically diverse collaborative effort looking at healthy and sustainable life paths for sexual minorities. In addition to his work with sexuality and gender, Ty is a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and a co-author with Jacob Hess, Carrie Skarda, and Kyle Anderson of the recent book The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Danielle, have five children and live in Spanish Fork, UT.

Ben
Ben Spackman

First Things, Faith, and Reading Scripture Literally: Why It Matters

Abstract

In this intellectually rich and theologically nuanced presentation, Ben Spackman addresses the interpretive challenges Latter-day Saints face when reading Genesis, particularly in the context of scientific knowledge and evolving revelation. He outlines how scripture operates within a framework of accommodated revelation—delivered in culturally familiar terms—and explores how prophetic interpretation often shifts over time. Spackman argues that scripture must be read “on its own terms,” considering genre, ancient Near Eastern context, and the intent of the original authors. Drawing from the writings of Joseph Smith and other modern prophets, he affirms that revelation continues to unfold and should not be constrained by past understandings. Ultimately, Spackman encourages a more faithful and informed approach to scripture that embraces both theological insight and intellectual integrity, equipping Latter-day Saints to reconcile apparent tensions between Genesis and modern science.

Bio

Ben Spackman is a PhD candidate in American Religious History at Claremont, and the 2022-23 Mormon Studies Fellow at the University of Utah. His dissertation examines the intellectual roots of LDS creationism and evolution in the 20th century. Prior to his work at Claremont, he received a master’s degree and did PhD work in Old Testament languages and literature at the University of Chicago. He is a guest editor of a special edition of BYU Studies dedicated to biological evolution and LDS faith, and writes at BenSpackman.com

Jeffrey
Jeffrey Thayne

Moral Intuitions and Persuasion: Exploring the Psychology of Conversion and Deconversion

Abstract

The formation of individual moral intuition influences which arguments we find most persuasive, and eventually influence our perception of community norms. [watch on YouTube]

Bio

Dr. Jeffrey Thayne graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology. He completed his doctorate in Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences at Utah State University. He runs the popular Latter-day Saint Philosopher blog and spends time engaging in worldview apologetics (articulating and exploring the worldview assumptions that inform our faith). He currently resides in Rexburg, Idaho with his wife and two children.

Angela
Angela Fallentine

Why Marriage, Why Family? Introducing a New Framework

Abstract

In her 2022 FAIR Conference address, Why Marriage, Why Family?, Angela Fallentine examines the critical role of families in shaping resilient societies. Drawing on international policy experience and humanitarian research, she introduces the concept of “family literacy”—the ability to perceive and interpret social, cultural, and policy issues through a family-centered lens. Fallentine highlights the consequences of neglecting family structures in public life, education, and humanitarian aid, particularly in conflict zones. She presents five core principles of family literacy and introduces initiatives from thefamilyproclamation.org that equip individuals and institutions to better support families. Arguing that society’s future hinges on rediscovering the centrality of the family, Fallentine offers a compelling framework for cultural renewal grounded in scripture, scholarship, and real-world application.

Bio

Angela Fallentine is a policy advisor and research analyst on the family at the United Nations and also serves as the vice-president of Skyline Research Institute. Her policy work focuses on women, peace, and security, international family policy, and family skills programs for refugees and internally displaced populations. She previously worked in international and government relations in Washington, D.C. and Canada. Angela received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Utah State University and a master’s degree from Harvard University, where her public policy research focused on strengthening families in humanitarian settings in the Middle East. She and her husband John live in the greater New York City area.

Barrett
Barrett Burgin

Five Pillars for a New Wave of Latter-day Saint Cinema

Abstract

In this deeply personal and philosophically reflective presentation, filmmaker and therapist Barrett Burgin examines the intersections of faith, mental illness, and meaning-making within the framework of Latter-day Saint theology. Drawing on his own experience with religious delusion and psychiatric hospitalization, Burgin explores how the restored gospel provides a redemptive structure for those navigating psychological suffering. He contrasts secular and spiritual models of mental health, proposing that the Latter-day Saint paradigm—centered in covenant, community, and divine purpose—offers a unique healing narrative that reorients despair toward discipleship. Employing symbolic interpretation, scriptural exegesis, and narrative theology, Burgin argues that madness and miracles often co-exist, and that the gospel enables us to find meaning in affliction without romanticizing or dismissing it. His presentation invites greater empathy, theological depth, and spiritual imagination in how Church members respond to those experiencing mental and emotional crises.

Bio

Barrett Burgin is an award-winning filmmaker, best known for his films The Next Door (2016), Out of the Ground (2017), Father of Man (2019), and most recently CRYO (2022), which released in theaters and on digital in June. Burgin has also written extensively about the potential of Latter-day Saint Cinema, as well as the intersections between videogames, ritual, new media, the afterlife, immortality, and technology.

Dan Peterson
Dan Peterson

Reflections of a Latter-day Saint Movie Maker

Abstract

 [watch on YouTube]

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.

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Speakers

Angela Fallentine, Barrett Burgin, Ben Spackman, Brent Andrewsen, Bruce Young, Carol Rice, Cassandra Hedelius, Craig Foster, Dan Galorath, Daniel Peterson, Gary Lawrence, Jeffrey Thayne, Kent P. Jackson, Kerry Muhlestein, Lynne Wilson, Matthew McBride, Neal Rappleye, Scott Gordon, Tarik D. LaCour, Ty Mansfield.

Please note that this list is compiled from the information available and may not include all speakers from the conference. 

Topics

Latter-day Saint apologetics, defending faith, Book of Mormon archaeology, biblical studies, family and marriage in the gospel, religious freedom, responses to Under the Banner of Heaven, LGBTQ+ and transgender issues in the Church, Church growth in the DR-Congo, Latter-day Saint cinema, atheism and faith, understanding Isaiah, gospel scholarship, historical and doctrinal questions, human dignity and the divine nature, inscriptions related to Ishmael and Nahom, the role of women in the Church, temple worship and symbolism, prophetic teachings and modern revelation.

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 2022, the John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award recipient was Sarah Allen.

Sarah Allen

Sarah Allen is on the research team at Scripture Central and is also a Senior Researcher for FAIR. She responds to anti-Mormon material on the FAIR blog and is a co-host of the Me, My Shelf, & I podcast. She volunteers with the Cavalry missionary group and loves books, Irish history, and true crime podcasts. She is also the 2022 recipient of the John Taylor: Defender of the Faith award.

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