FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Question: How does the Church view apologists and apologetics?
Question: How does the Church view Mormon apologists?
The Church and its leaders are rightly cautious about officially endorsing any material that has not been approved by the correlation process of the Church
How does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints view apologists?How does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints view apologists?
- Does the Church avoid mentioning the work of LDS apologists in any public forum sponsored by the Church?
- Does the Church avoid endorsing any LDS apologetic scholarship?
Does the Church avoid mentioning the work of LDS apologists in any public forum sponsored by the Church?
No. For example, the work of pioneer apologist Hugh Nibley has been repeatedly cited even in general conference. [1]
The Church's official website also links to various apologetic individuals and groups. For example, their section on DNA and the Book of Mormon refers to the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, the FARMS Review, and work by Dr. Daniel Peterson, Dr. John Butler, and Dr. Jeff Lindsay. [2] FairMormon's response to an anti-Mormon DVD was also given prominent attention at lds.org. [3]
Does the Church avoid endorsing any LDS apologetic scholarship?
The Church and its leaders are rightly cautious about officially endorsing any material that has not been approved by the correlation process of the Church. For most secular undertakings—such as those involving science and history—the Church gives no official endorsement nor takes any official position.
Apologists prefer it this way. For example, FairMormon can and does make mistakes. If they are brought to our attention, we strive to correct them. But, the Church cannot be held responsible for any errors that we, as private members, might make. The Church and its leaders focus on preaching the gospel of Christ and administering the saving ordinances. Interested private members may seek to explain and defend their faith with the best tools at their disposal, but the truth of that faith does not depend on the soundness of their arguments.
Notes
- ↑ See, for example: Gordon B. Hinckley, "Come and Partake," Ensign (May 1986): 46.off-site; D. Todd Christofferson, "The Redemption of the Dead and the Testimony of Jesus," Ensign (November 2000): 9.off-site; Boyd K. Packer, "We Believe All That God Has Revealed," Ensign (May 1974): 93.off-site. Other references to Nibley can be found by searching the on-line database.
- ↑ "DNA and the Book of Mormon," lds.org (16 February 2006). off-site.
- ↑ "Response to DVD," lds.org (29 March 2007). off-site. The FairMormon response is at the top of the column on the left.