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Current events...     Hot Topics "Big Love" and the temple— Errors and mistakes in the HBO series Big Love. FAIR looks at a high profile attempt by non-Mormon screenwriters at creating Mormon dialogue. (Don't worry—Latter-day Saints take their temple covenants seriously. We won't discuss details about temple ordinances, but we can certainly talk about everything else that was wrong with the episode.) Latter-day Saints and California Proposition 8— The passage of California Proposition 8 during the November 2008 election has generated a number of criticisms of the Church regarding a variety of issues including the separation of church and state. FAIR examines this event and how it relates to Latter-day Saints. Featured articles...     Current Features Improvement Era - Online Index 1900 - 1909, Vol. 4 - 12 1910 - 1919, Vol. 13 - 22 1920 - 1929, Vol. 23 - 32 1930 - 1939, Vol. 33 - 42 1940 - 1949, Vol. 43 - 52 1950 - 1959, Vol. 53 - 62 1960 - 1970, Vol. 63 - 73 The Charles Larson "restoration" of Book of Abraham Facsimile 1 in "...by his own hand upon papyrus"—The book "...by his own hand upon papyrus" presents a "restoration" of Book of Abraham Facsimile 1 (p. 65), which purports to be "based upon the modern study of Egyptology, and similar scenes in numerous existing papyri." However, the recent availability of high-definition images of the papyri on the Church History website now provides the opportunity to compare the Larson restoration with the original. There are a number of discrepancies which indicate that the restoration contains a number of significant inaccuracies. We examine those inaccuracies in this article. Old Favorites...     Old Favorites Hiding Church history—Where has the Church hidden its history? We show you here. DNA evidence and the Book of Mormon The Book of Abraham: Frequently-Asked Questions The Kirtland Egyptian Papers Joseph Smith and polygamy Book of Mormon historicity Book of Mormon geography Blacks and the priesthood Mormonism and science Criticisms of Joseph Smith's First Vision Mormonism and history Responses to anti-Mormon questions...     Lists of questions from anti-Mormon ministries Countercult ministries love to have people ask questions about us. Rather than being sincere attempts to understand Latter-day Saints, these questions are designed to provoke a response. Here are FAIR's responses to some of the more popular lists. 58 Questions All Mormons Should Ask Themselves, (Contender Ministries) 50 Questions to Ask Mormons, (Contender Ministries, Tower to Truth Ministries) 15 contradictions in LDS scriptures, Many conservative Protestant critics have reproduced a table which purports to show how LDS scripture contradicts itself. "Top 10 Things Jesus Would Say to Mormons", (Dr. Craig Bloomberg) Facts Mormons Won't Tell You When They Call at Your Door (Macgregor Ministries) Critical Media...     A FAIR Response to Critical Films and Videos Search for the Truth DVD—Although the producers of this video state that it was produced out of love, the numerous mischaracterizations, misrepresentations, errors, and outright falsehoods found on the DVD make it difficult for believing Latter-day Saints to see that expression of love as sincere. But that didn't stop the purveyors of this "love" from leaving a copy on your doorknob... September Dawn—"When an independent film company produced a grossly distorted version of the Mountain Meadows Massacre two years ago, the Church ignored it. Perhaps partly as a result of that refusal to engender the controversy that the producers hoped for, the movie flopped at the box office and lost millions." (The Publicity Dilemma, LDS Newsroom, March 9, 2009.) The God Makers—This classic 1982 film represents an appeal to ridicule, by taking beliefs or doctrines of the church and presenting them in a manner which makes them appear so strange and bizarre that nobody could possibly accept them...unless, of course, you really do aspire to become an "eternally pregnant goddess." Notable for one of the cheesiest cartoon sequences ever viewed on YouTube.     A FAIR Analysis of Critical Works Is a particular book "anti-Mormon"? FAIR analyzes and responds to critical works that attack the Church. Our current featured analysis is: An Insider's View of Mormon Origins by Grant Palmer. The book, written by a former CES instructor, attempts to explain many otherwise clearly described events of the restoration by reinterpreting them as spiritual rather than physical events. The book has become very popular among critics of the Church, since it concludes that Joseph Smith deliberately enhanced and added fabricated detail to his later accounts of events such as the First Vision, the Priesthood restoration, the Three and Eight Witnesses and the visit of the angel Moroni. Although the stated purpose of the book is to "increase faith," it is clearly intended to demonstrate the Joseph Smith employed dishonesty in order to secure his position as head of the church. See our detailed claim-by-claim examination of this book to find out more.     A FAIR Analysis of "Faith Promoting" Works Occasionally "faith promoting" works attempt to defend the faith on the basis of faulty arguments. FAIR analyzes and responds to cases of "friendly fire." DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD) (DVD and seminar series) Special features...     Special Features FAIR Study Aids—Resources for Latter-day Saints interested in an apologetic and/or scholarly perspective on the Sunday School curriculum. New articles...     New and Updated Articles New articles are added to the FAIR Wiki each week. Some of our recent additions and updates: Book of Abraham/Astronomy/Kolob-Sun—Response to criticisms regarding the idea that the Sun "borrows" its light from Kolob. Book of Abraham/Astronomy/Revolution Time—Response to criticisms regarding the idea that the revolution of the earth is governed by that of Kolob. Video: How to receive answers to your prayers—FAIR member George Cobabe gives an excellent analysis of a vital principle of the Gospel, receiving answers our prayers.

About FAIR Sign up for the FAIR Journal—Receive our free monthly e-mail newsletter for defenders of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can unsubscribe at any time. Join & Support FAIR—FAIR is a volunteer organization. People become involved with FAIR because they want to. There are six ways you can join FAIR: Pick the level of involvement that is right for you. Ask the Apologist—Have a question? This is the place to ask. One or more of our FAIR volunteers will respond. You may even find your answer added to the FAIR Wiki. Who are we? The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR) was formed in late 1997 by a group of Mormons in an attempt to defend their faith from detractors who frequented online message boards. Incorporated as a non-profit organization in November 1997, FAIR put up its first Web site in March 1998 and the FAIR Wiki in 2006. FAIR is staffed completely by volunteers. It is not owned, controlled by, or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided on this site are the sole responsibility of FAIR and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief, or practice. If you would like to be a part of FAIR, we invite you to support FAIR in any way you are able. FAIR only succeeds through the efforts of our gracious volunteers. For more information about FAIR, visit the FAIR Web site. FAIR Editors