areas near temples) may be receiving an anti-Mormon DVD and
book on your doorstep tomorrow. I am involved with an organization
called FAIR (Foundation for Apologetic and Information Research) that
has the purpose of defending against such attacks by providing
information to help answer questions that people might have after
being
exposed to them. Someone in FAIR managed to get a copy of the DVD a
couple of weeks ago, and we've been working feverishly to put together
a
set of Web pages specifically aimed at refuting the half-truths and
disinformation contained in it. It is now available at
http://www.josephsmithdvd.org/ if you're interested in looking at it,
or
if you know anyone that would be.
I'm attaching the official announcement from FAIR that has more
information.
- Trevor
THE FAIR JOURNAL SPECIAL EDITION March 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On 25 March 2007, Evangelical Christians are distributing a new
anti-Mormon DVD to thousands of homes across the United States. The
video asks viewers to compare Joseph Smith with Jesus Christ and
Christianity with Mormonism. The video has excellent production values
but, unfortunately, its contents are not of a similar quality.
Though it purports to be an objective Christian evaluation of the
teachings, history, and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, it contains much that is inaccurate and very little
that is balanced. Rather than focus on what they believe, the video's
producers have taken it upon themselves to describe and interpret LDS
beliefs and teachings, often in ways that would be objectionable or
unrecognizable to Latter-day Saints.
While they profess love in the DVD, the letter that accompanied
pre-release copies of the video, given to select non-Mormons, speaks
volumes. It says, in part:
CAUTION: This video is to be viewed by CHRISTIANS ONLY until AFTER
the nation-wide distribution which is scheduled for March 25, 2007.
In-other-words, do not allow any Mormon people to view the video or
learn of our intended evangelistic outreach until after March 25,
2007.
Why such extreme caution? If the leadership of the Mormon cult
learns of our plans, they will publicly instruct their people not
to watch the video and many Mormons will blindly obey.
This DVD contains many of the same anti-Mormon claims that misguided
critics have been repeating for years. The issues raised have been
repeatedly addressed by faithful Latter-day Saints, but the video does
not address or take those responses into account.
Though the critics have tried to keep the production and distribution
of this video a secret, we were able to obtain a copy about a week
ago. FAIR volunteers watched the DVD and have prepared a
point-by-point response to the claims it makes. This has been a
collaborative effort; we express our thanks to those volunteers who
spent many hours watching the DVD, researching information, and
responding to the various claims. We used special wiki software for
the collaboration, which means that multiple people could work on the
responses at the same time. But given the nature of wiki software, we
may continue to make refinements to our responses.
In one way, we are grateful to the producers of the DVD as it has
motivated us to address, yet again, the oft-repeated criticisms from
this small but vocal countercult group. Our response to the DVD
provides an easy reference guide for Latter-day Saints and other
interested parties who wish to investigate the DVD's claims.
To view the responses to this DVD, and to see the work of our FAIR
volunteers on this project, go to this URL:
Feel free to forward this special FAIR Journal on to other
individuals, mailing lists, Blogs, or message boards.
If you have received this FAIR Journal and are not currently on the
FAIR Journal mailing list, but would like to join, click here:
http://www.fairlds.org/Join_FAIR/Sign_Up_For_the_FAIR_Journal.html
-Scott Gordon
FAIR President
------------------------------
For more information about FAIR or if you have concerns about other
criticisms of the LDS church, visit the following Websites:
If you would like to be involved in translating any of these articles
for us, please contact Scott Gordon at
http://www.fairlds.org/contact.php
If you would like to join FAIR and become a FAIR volunter click here:
http://www.fairlds.org/Join_FAIR/FAIR_Apologetics_List_Application.php
------------------------------
PUBLISHING NOTES
FAIR is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided
in the FAIR Journal and on the FAIR Web site (http://www.fairlds.org)
are the sole responsibility of FAIR, and should not be interpreted as
official statements of LDS doctrine, belief or practice.
If someone has forwarded this e-journal to you and you would like to
join, you should go to www.fairlds.org and click on the "Join &
Support FAIR" link.
If you are interested in apologetics and would like to participate
actively in FAIR you should consider joining our apologetics e-mail
list. Visit www.fairlds.org and click on the "Join & Support FAIR"
link to join this list as well.
If you manage your own e-mail list, and wish to include some of these
thoughts or articles on your list, contact us at
webmaster@fairlds.org. We have a fairly liberal policy of using our
material as long as you contact us first to gain permission, clearly
identify that your source was FAIR, and add a link to the FAIR Web
site (www.fairlds.org).
--------------------------------
FAIR JOURNAL ARCHIVES
For past issues of the FAIR Journal, go to
http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/journal
--------------------------------
Copyright (c) 2007 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and
Research (FAIR). All rights reserved.
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