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2001 FAIR Conference Proceedings (10 CDs)

Ten conference presentations:

1) S. Kent Brown - "Arabia and the Book of Mormon" This presentation outlines the trek of Lehi and Sariah, external evidences for an Arabian trek, and internal evidences for a desert journey.

2) L. Ara Norwood - "Benjamin or Mosiah? Resolving an Anomaly in Mosiah" This presentation outlines why a change may have been made to Mosiah 21:28 along with anti-Mormon reactions to this change and previous Mormon explanations about it. He takes a deeper look at the presence of parallel passages of the same event in the Book of Mormon as well other factors that may help explin this anomaly.

3) Daniel C. Peterson - "The Divine Source of the Book of Mormon in the Face of Alternative Theories Advocated by LDS Critics" (The Book of Mormon Translation Process)

Daniel Peterson makes a preliminary logical analysis of different hypotheses in the production of the Book of Mormon. He begins with what he terms "Subjective Explanations" which would include hypothesis of: 1) Individual Hallucination (by Joseph Smith), or 2) Collective Hallucination (by Joseph Smith, the Witnesses, etc.)

Next, he discusses the idea that there was some sort of objective reality present in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, but that it was an artifact of fraud which would include hypothesis of: 1) Individual Deceit (practiced by Joseph Smith, unaided) or 2) Collective Deceit (by Joseph Smith, the Witnesses, etc.)

Finally, Peterson presents a category of an objective reality with "supernatural" explanations. Included are: 1) Supernatural but Demonic, 2) True scripture, but not Ancient, and 3) Historically Authentic Scripture.

4) Scott Woodward - "DNA andthe Book of Mormon

5) John Gee - "Egyptian Influence in Ancient Israel"

The Book of Mormon mentions Egyptian its background; in its writing and language. In the past, many people have criticized the notion that ancient Israel was even mixed up with the Egyptians.

Brother Gee provides evidence to refute the critics based on iconography and artifacts found at several sites in Palestine during 19 different time periods including periods that coincide with the time of Lehi.

Brother Gee presented a slide show, however the actual slides were not video taped due to copyright restrictions. The slides discussed by Dr. Gee show artifacts and iconography with Egyptian scarab beetles, Egyptian iconography with Ancient Israelite inscriptions, winged solar disks, ankhs, Egyptian winged cobras, royal Egyptian crowns, lotus flowers, fish in classic Egyptian style, etc.

6) Ross Baron - "Feeding hte Multitudes: Becoming Fishers of Men

7) Louis Midgley - "Naturalistic Terms: Some Reflections on a Motto and Type of Historical Explanation" The adjective "naturalistic" is typically used to describe explanations, categories or terms that explain away or deny prophetic truth claims or miracles, however they might be understood. How has this term been applied to reports in the New Testament, about Jesus of Nazareth, or about the Book of Mormon?

8) Benjamin McGuire - "Nephi and Goliath: A Reappraisal of the Use of the Old Testament in First Nephi"

9) Matthew P. Roper - "Right on Target: Boomarang Hits on the Book of Mormon" Brother Roper explored those arguments against the Book of Mormon that actually support the truthfullness of the book.

He discusses the "Land of Jerusalem," old world steel in the Book of Mormon, cement, Book of Mormon proper names such as Alma, Jershon, and Shilum; Book of Mormon place names such as Nahom, and Book of Mormon agricultural evidences such as sheum and barley.

10) Brant Gardner - "A Social History of the Early Nephites"

Brant examines the New World in an attempt to find a similar time, context, and contemporary culture with which to better see the text of the Book of Mormon. Before suggesting an answer, however, it is incumbent upon us to know when we have found a plausible big picture. How do we know when we have found something that approaches probability rather than sheer coincidence? If we suggest that such nineteenth-century-sounding elements such as tents, scalping, democracy, and infant baptism are coincidence--and we do--how may we judge such a statement objectively?

Title: 2001 FAIR Conference Proceedings (10 CDs)

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