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A report from the floor at FAIR 2026 (Wednesday evening)

A report from the floor at FAIR 2026 (Wednesday evening)

Last updated on: August 5, 2026 at 8:16 pm by Dan Peterson

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A report from the floor at FAIR 2026 (Wednesday evening) 2026-08-05T20:16:25-06:00 Dan Peterson

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An aerial view at twilight of St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican (Wikimedia Commons public domain image)

I published a new article this morning in Meridian Magazine: “Who Gets to Decide Who Is a Christian?” Given the way current events are looking, I’m going to go out on a limb and wager that that may not be the worst news that you’ll hear today.

The St. George Utah Temple is the oldest temple still in use by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the first built by the Saints in Utah after their exodus from the United States. Bruce and Marie Hafen are, respectively, a former president and former matron of the St. George Utah Temple. (LDS.org)

Now available on the website of the Interpreter Foundation; Reprint: Adam, Eve, the Book of Moses, and the Temple: The Story of Receiving Christ’s Atonement, written by Bruce C. Hafen and Marie K. Hafen

Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article originally appeared in Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses — Inspired Origins, Temple Contexts, and Literary Qualities Volumes I and II, edited by Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, David R. Seely, John W. Welch, and Scott Gordon. For more information, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/ancient-threads-in-the-book-of-moses/.

“The description for this conference states, ‘Because we believe that the Book of Moses includes authentic history, the possibility of evidence for that belief interests us as scholars,’ in other words, the papers throughout this book have been prepared by scholars who believe in the general historicity of the Book of Moses, and their research has found evidence that supports that belief. I’d like to begin by offering some context and support for their approach. I see clear parallels between our current interest in the historicity of the Book of Moses and what happened some years ago with research about the Book of Mormon.”

The “key art” poster for our ongoing Becoming Brigham mini-documentary series

Have you watched the newest episode of Becoming Brigham yet? It went up early on Monday morning: “To See God Face to Face — Becoming Brigham, Episode 28″

And were you aware that you can subscribe to Becoming Brigham, and at no cost? That way, you’ll be notified of every new installment when it appears. Just go to the official website of the project and click on the relevant button there. Moreover — the gifts just keep on coming! — for a limited (and now dwindling) time, you can enjoy a free showing of the 2021 Interpreter Foundation dramatic film Witnesses via that same official website.

Jackie Robinson in 1950 (Wikimedia Commons public domain photograph)
I’m proud to say that he grew up not far from where I did, and that he attended UCLA, as I did — although well before my time — and that he played for the Dodgers, my favorite team. They have a great heritage.

I grew up a Dodgers fan in greater Los Angeles, and I’m pleased to note that my hometown team continues to grow stronger and stronger. Here’s an exclusive report from the Babylon Bee: “Dodgers Acquire Kal-El Of Krypton”

And, while we’re at it, here’s some additional crack sports reporting from the Babylon Bee: “WNBA Coaches Stumped As To What The ‘W’ Stands For”

And don’t miss this important announcement: “New Progressive Bible Features Perforated Pages For Easy Removal Of Parts You Don’t Like”

The Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point (fair use)

As I write, I’m sitting in the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point. We set up our table and I decided to simply stick around waiting for the FAIR Conference to begin rather than to be going back and forth on I-15 between here and my house, burning up time and polluting the air. Incidentally, in my judgment, this is a very good venue.

It has already been good to be here, to see old friends and meet new people, to browse through the bookstore, to see the other display arrayed on the same “deck” with our own, to be reminded of the intelligence and energy that are being invested by good people in sustaining and defending the Kingdom of God, in commending and defending the Restoration.

The program for this evening featured two speakers:

Scott Gordon, who has been the remarkable president of FAIR for a quarter of a century and who teaches both for BYU Pathway and California’s Shasta College: “Unmasking the Strategies of the Enemy” — Throughout the history of the restored Church, critics, ideologies, and social movements from many directions have challenged faith in prophetic leadership and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This presentation examines historical and modern attacks on the Church—from evangelical criticisms and historical revisionism to contemporary cultural and political pressures—and explores how disciples of Christ can remain centered on the gospel without becoming spiritually distracted or divided.
Anthony Sweat, who currently serves as the chairman of the Department of Church History and Doctrine: “The Restoration Continues: Let us Continue in it!” — This presentation will explore more deeply doctrinal aspects related to the ongoing Restoration including concepts like the unique work of the Church in the latter days, the Church being “true,” the the work of uniting God’s family through sealing, and what is implied by the “Restoration of all things.”

Elder Edwin Q. Cannon baptizing converts from the Nigerian village of Ikot Eyo on 4 March 1979. Elder Cannon had been my mission president in German-speaking Switzerland, and he was called, with his wife, Janath, and with one other senior missionary couple (Rendell and Rachel Mabey, who, prior to the Cannons, had also presided over Switzerland), to open official missionary work in Nigeria and Ghana.

But it’s time, alas, for a brief recitation of two new horrors visited upon the world through religion and religious believers. I draw, of course, upon the seemingly inexhaustible Christopher Hitchens Memorial “How Religion Poisons Everything” File™:

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