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2003 FAIR Conference Proceedings (15 WMV Presentations on 8 Discs)

15 Windows Media Video Presentations on 8 discs at a group discount:

1) Matthew Roper, "NephiÆs Neighbors: Some LDS Perspectives on Book of Mormon Peoples and Pre-Columbian Populations."

LDS scholars overwhelmingly agree that there were other indigenous people in the New World when the Lehites arrived. Critics claim that such a belief is contrary to the official LDS position (at worst), or contrary to all the teachings of early General Authorities (at best). Matt RoperÆs presentation demonstrates that many early LDS were open to the possibility that there were already people in the Americas prior to the coming of Book of Mormon peoples.

2) Margaret Young, "Black Latter-day Saints: A Faith-FULL History."

8) Margaret Blair Young, "Black Latter-day Saints: A Faith-FULL History."

Margaret YoungÆs inspiring presentation relates several stories of early black Latter-day Saints and their struggles as well as dedication to the Gospel.

Margaret Blair Young teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. An accomplished author, she has won numerous awards from the Utah Arts Council, including Best Short Story Collection for Elegies and Love Songs (which also captured Best Short Story Collection of the Year from the Association of Mormon Letters); Best Novel of the Year in 1992 for Salvador, and Best Novel of the Year in 1995 for Merry's Daughters.

She has also written three plays, two of which have been produced at BYU, including Dear Stone and I Am Jane. Margaret also teaches at the Spanish Institute at BYU. She says working on Standing on the Promises: One More River to Cross was "totally different than anything I've ever written. I felt completely inspired with each page, and everything else I've written prepared me for this."

3) John Tvedtnes, "The Charge of Racism in the Book of Mormon."

Some critics have claimed that the Book of Mormon teaches "racism," as demonstrated in the use of such terms such as "black" and "white." John Tvedtnes dispels such misreadings and explains how the Nephites would have understood such terminology.

4) Trent Stephens, "Evolution and Latter-day Saint Theology: The Tree of Life and DNA."

"Creationism" or evolution? Trent Stephens explains the ChurchÆs officially neutral position on the issue, and why faithful Latter-day Saints can accept evolution and still remain faithful believers in the scriptures.

5) Brant Gardner, "Monotheism, Messiah, and MormonÆs Book."

The 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon refers to Mary as the "Mother of God." Current editions have been changed to read the "Mother of the Son of God." Critics claim that Joseph SmithÆs views developed as time passed. Brant Gardner argues that the original 1830 usage was correct based on Lehite terminology.

6) Roger Ekins, "Defending Zion."

During the early years of Mormons in Utah, many newspapers throughout the country wrote scathing editorials about the Latter-day Saints. Roger Ekins recounts some of these nasty editorials as well as the rebuttals written by George Q. Cannon.

7) George Potter and Richard Wellington, "Lehi in The Wilderness: 81 New Evidences Documenting the Book of Mormon Is a True History."

Potter and Wellington have both spent many years living in, and investigating, the terrains of Arabia. Their presentation (complete with video footage) shows the plausibility of NephiÆs account of their travels through the wilderness, and the unlikelihood that Joseph Smith could have known about such details.

8) Michael Ash and Kevin Barney, "LDS Apologetics 101."

What are some of the tactics used by critics of the Church? What are their motives, and how should we respond to them? What are the sources from which LDS apologists can cull information for counter-arguments? Ash and Barney give outlines and basic suggestions to those who are beginning their journey into LDS apologetics.

9) Jeffrey Meldrum, "The Children of Lehi: DNA and the Book of Mormon."

Some critics claim that current DNA research proves the Book of Mormon to be fiction. Jeffrey Meldrum examines such arguments and shows how they are not only premature in determining Book of Mormon historicity, but why DNA evidence might never be able to prove the Book of Mormon true or false.

10) Michael Rhodes, "The Book of Mormon: Dealing with the Critics."

Ever since the rediscovery of the Joseph Smith Papyri, critics have charged that Egyptology has found the Book of Abraham to be fraudulent. Mike Rhodes demonstrates the weakness of such arguments and shows how the critics have failed to give Joseph Smith credit in areas where Joseph got it right.

11) Roger Keller, "The Grace of Apologetics."

A one-time Protestant minister himself, Roger Keller recognizes that God loves and inspires those outside the LDS faith. Apologetics, he explains, should be about dialogue not about arguing. Keller relates some of his experiences and offers suggestions when dialoging with those with whom we disagree.

12) Gene Sessions, "Shining New Light on the Mountain Meadows Massacre."

What happened at Mountain Meadows and why? Was Brigham Young at fault? Gene Sessions answers these questions and more in this hard-hitting and balanced presentation.

13) Craig Foster, "The Unchanging Ways of Anti-Mormons."

Some things never change. Craig Foster shows that many of the charges made by anti-Mormons today are simply rehashes of anti-Mormon arguments of yesterday—and of early romance novels!

14) Armand Mauss, "The Church, the Race Issue, an Misplaced Apologetics."

Was Brigham Young a racist? Why was the priesthood withheld from black members until 1978? Armand Mauss deals with these, and other difficult questions regarding the early LDS ban on the priesthood, in this thought-provoking presentation.

15) Daniel Peterson, "Reflections on the Passing Scene."

Perennial favorite, Dan Peterson reflects on his experiences with critics, and atheists, and how he continues to find evidence for the reality of God and the truthfulness of the Gospel.

Panel Discussion: Final Questions and Answers

Final audience questions for FAIR Conference speakers.

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Note: An AutoStart Windows Media Video (WMV) is a CD disk that you simply insert into a computer with a CD drive and Windows Media Player to watch video presentations. Free versions of the necessary software can be downloaded from this site: Windows Media Download Center

Title: 2003 FAIR Conference Proceedings (15 WMV Presentations on 8 Discs)

Your Price: Only $43.60

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