A Type of Christ by Autumn Dickson Doctrine and Covenants 93 teaches us about the character of God and our Savior who came to the earth. Here is just a little of what is taught to us. Doctrine and Covenants 93:12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace; There is a quote in the Institute Manual that provides some more clarification. President Lorenzo Snow taught: When Jesus lay in the manger, a helpless infant, He knew not that He was the So...
Aug 25, 2025•7 min
The Destroying Angel by Autumn Dickson There is a reference to an Old Testament record found in Doctrine and Covenants 89, and it can give us insight about the power of the Word of Wisdom in our day. Doctrine and Covenants 89:21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen. When Moses was working to free the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, the last plague involved a destroying angel that would enter i...
Aug 21, 2025•8 min
This podcast series features past FAIR Conference presentations. This presentation is from our 2025 conference held earlier this month. If you would like to watch all the presentations from the conference, you can still purchase the video streaming . This audio podcast version has been edited to make it easier for listening. If you would like to watch the full presentation, it is available here . Daniel C. Peterson is the president of the Interpreter Foundation, which publishes the online period...
Aug 20, 2025•42 min
The Word of Wisdom (D&C section 89) by Mike Parker (Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class . The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.) Class Notes Additional Reading Paul H. Peterson and Ronald W. Walker, “ Brigham Young’s Word of Wisdom Legacy ,” BYU Studies 42, n...
Aug 19, 2025•41 min
For the Weakest Saint by Autumn Dickson The Word of Wisdom is a gift. Some view this advice as ridiculous and unnecessary. Honestly, it reminds me of when my son thinks it’s ridiculous and unnecessary for him to wear shoes and a helmet when he rides his dirt bike. Sure, he may ride his dirt bike and never get seriously injured. Maybe it even feels better to ride his dirt bike without a helmet, but it is worth protecting yourself. As I read the Word of Wisdom this week, this verse stuck out to me...
Aug 19, 2025•11 min
Accepting Christ’s Gift by Autumn Dickson I love when the scriptures give us more insights into how the relationship between the atonement of Jesus Christ and our works come together. I think it’s a relationship that needs to be studied thoroughly if we are to understand how to enjoy Celestial Glory. For while we believe in worthiness and the necessity of following after Christ, we also believe that we were given a gift. Here is a verse that can add another layer to our understanding of the rela...
Aug 15, 2025•7 min
“I Don’t Have a Testimony of the History of the Church” by Davis Bitton at the 2004 FAIR Conference I don’t have a testimony of the history of the Church. That is why I can be a historian and also a believing Latter-day Saint. I will expand on this idea, but first let me address some related questions. Do all well-informed historians become anti-Mormons? The critics would have you believe that they are disinterested pursuers of the truth. There they were, minding their own business, going about ...
Aug 15, 2025•1 hr 2 min
“The Olive Leaf”; the divine natures of God and man (D&C sections 88, 93) by Mike Parker (Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class . The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.) Class Notes Additional Reading Diana L. Mahony and Marla D. Corson, “ Light-Mindedness versu...
Aug 14, 2025•46 min
by Scott Gordon at the 2025 FAIR Conference History of FAIR In 1997, I logged in to America Online Mormonism message board 1 expecting to find friends. Instead, I found critics. I was quickly surprised by the sheer volume of vitriol and criticism of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Common claims included: You can’t add to the Bible (referencing, of course, the Book of Revelation ) You preach a different gospel (quoting from Galatians ), You believe Jesus is the brother of Satan (...
Aug 13, 2025•11 min
Receiving Joy by Autumn Dickson There are eternal truths in this world that spill over in the world to come. Whether we fight against those truths determines what we’re going to enjoy. The Lord said this: Doctrine and Covenants 88:32 And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. This verse is actually speaking about ...
Aug 12, 2025•8 min
Prophecy of war; expulsion from Independence; Zion’s Camp (D&C sections 87, 90, 100–101, 103, 105) by Mike Parker (Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class . The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.) Class Notes Additional Reading Elder Graham W. Doxey, “ Missouri My...
Aug 09, 2025•44 min
Holy Places and Tares by Autumn Dickson I want to talk about two different themes from the sections assigned this week, standing in holy places and the parable of the wheat and tares. I’m not sure whether the Lord purposefully put these two themes right next to each other, but now it’s caught my attention and won’t leave me alone. Here are just a couple of excerpts from the Lord regarding these themes. In the parable of the wheat and tares, the Lord says this. Doctrine and Covenants 86:6 But the...
Aug 06, 2025•6 min
Steadying the Ark by Autumn Dickson There is a reference to an Old Testament story found in the sections for this week. Let’s talk about the background and then read the verse. In 2 Samuel, the Israelites are bringing the ark of the covenant back into Israel after an enemy nation had captured and released it. An oxen shook the ark of the covenant while they were crossing a river, and Uzzah touched it and tried to steady it even though no one was allowed to touch the ark. He was struck dead immed...
Aug 05, 2025•9 min
Renewal by Autumn Dickson There is a promise found in Section 84. And though it is specifically in relation to priesthood ordinations, I believe the promises we find there can apply to all of us. Here it is. Doctrine and Covenants 84:33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. There’s a lot of good stuff here. Sanctification by the Spirit is a huge part ...
Aug 02, 2025•5 min
The priesthood & its quorums (D&C sections 84, 107; Official Declaration 2) by Mike Parker (Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class . The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.) Class Notes Additional Reading Ronald K. Esplin and Sharon E. Nielsen, “ The Record of...
Aug 01, 2025•48 min
A Legitimate Question by Autumn Dickson When I was growing up, I remember being worried about receiving revelation. How could I differentiate between His voice and my own internal voice? I know I wasn’t the only one who asked this question and as I’ve become an adult and occasional leader over the youth, I have heard that same question frequently. I am not perfect at it, but I have learned to recognize a distinct feeling in my head when the Lord is trying to say something to me. When I start to ...
Jul 31, 2025•13 min
Much is Required by Autumn Dickson Rather than talking about a specific verse from this week, I want to talk a bit more about context so that the verses we read are more powerful. Hearing the Lord speak about gospel principles is wonderful, but sometimes understanding the stories behind the principles He chooses to talk about make a big difference because it makes it more relatable. So let’s talk a bit about what’s happening in the lives of the people who the Lord is speaking to. It is no secret...
Jul 21, 2025•9 min
A Recycled Revelation by Autumn Dickson This week I’m talking a lot about context rather than any specific verses which is not usually my norm. However, I think that delving into the context of these sections is really important and can make the scriptures feel more rich. Just as we learn from the stories in our other books of scripture, we can learn more about the revelations from the Lord by studying when they were given. So here is some context for what we read this week. Section 81 was origi...
Jul 17, 2025•10 min
by Junior Banza and Jeffrey Bradshaw at the 2024 FAIR Conference Introduction to the Session “Faith and Growth of the LDS Church in the DR Congo” – Dan Peterson That’s fun to do this, because if you’re an academic, if you’re a professor, you talk for a living. So, you’re glib; you don’t have to know anything about what you’re talking about, but you can sound really convincing. So that’s what I’m going to try to do here. I’ve been asked to chair this session, I guess because I’m the president of ...
Jul 16, 2025•38 min
The office of high priest; the United Firm (D&C sections 78, 80–83, 85, 92, 104) by Mike Parker (Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class . The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.) Class Notes Additional Reading Max H. Parkin, “ Joseph Smith and the United Firm: The...
Jul 15, 2025•34 min
Be of Good Cheer by Autumn Dickson The Doctrine and Covenants are interesting as a book of scripture. They are different from other books of scripture. So many of the scriptures that we read are stories from which we can draw lessons or sermons given by the people in those stories. The Doctrine and Covenants is simply the voice of the Lord as He directs His restored gospel. He reveals things a bit at a time as the people are prepared to receive. And though He is revealing much, He is not reveali...
Jul 14, 2025•7 min
The Vision of the three degrees of glory (D&C section 76) by Mike Parker (Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class . The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.) Class Notes Additional Reading Philo Dibble, “ Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith ,” Juvenile Instruc...
Jul 12, 2025•44 min
“Authentic Ancient Names and Words in the Book of Abraham and Related Kirtland Egyptian Papers” by John Tvedtnes at the 2005 FAIR Conference Over the last century a number of scholars have looked at names and other transliterated words in the Book of Abraham and in the Kirtland Egyptian Papers in an attempt to determine their authenticity. In some cases it can be demonstrated that the name is actually attested in Ancient Near Eastern documents. For unattested names it is sometimes possible to po...
Jul 09, 2025•57 min
Equal in Earthly Things by Autumn Dickson In Doctrine and Covenants 78, the Lord is establishing a practical system to help the Saints live the Law of Consecration. Here is some of what the Lord said regarding the Law of Consecration. Doctrine and Covenants 78:4-6 4 For a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my church, to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven; 5 That you may be equal in the bonds of ...
Jul 08, 2025•8 min
Hear Him by Autumn Dickson In Section 76, we receive an immense amount of information that had been lost over time. If you grew up with the Plan of Salvation, it may not feel that way but this was all very new. Though it was hard for some Saints to accept it at the time, we rejoice in this doctrine that the Lord restored. I am so grateful to know it. And though we received this immense amount of information from the Lord, we also read this at the end of the vision. Doctrine and Covenants 76 115 ...
Jul 05, 2025•8 min
A Glorious God by Autumn Dickson For those of us who grew up with the concept of the Plan of Salvation and its many kingdoms, the vision recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76 is nothing new. Because of our familiarity with it, I think it can be easy to miss the majesty and goodness that is God. One of the things I love about the doctrine we received in this section is that it upholds the idea that God is good and perfect and just. As Latter-day Saints, we don’t just claim that God is a perfect j...
Jul 04, 2025•10 min
Purpose Drives Revelation by Autumn Dickson Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon paused work on the translation of the bible and were called to go and preach the gospel in order to dispel some of the hatred and persecution being heaped up against the church. After a conference held with the elders, Joseph and Sidney were called once again to work on the translation of the bible. Doctrine and Covenants 73:3 Now, verily I say unto you my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, saith the Lord, i...
Jun 30, 2025•9 min
Joseph Smith’s “new translation” of the Bible (D&C sections 71, 73–75, 77, 86, 91, 113) by Mike Parker (Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class . The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.) Class Notes Additional Reading Kent P. Jackson. “ Was Joseph Smith Influenced ...
Jun 27, 2025•40 min
Bishops and Consecration by Autumn Dickson Hello friends! Just a quick PSA. My normal format up to this point has been to post one message a week. The Lord has pointed me in a different direction, and I will now be sharing two shorter messages posted throughout the week. Thanks for sticking with me as I work to figure out my new posting schedule! In Section 72, the Lord is calling a bishop (Newel K. Whitney) to serve in Ohio because the other bishop (Edward Partridge) is in Missouri. At that tim...
Jun 26, 2025•10 min
“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Joseph Smith: Defending the Faith” by David L. Paulsen at the 2004 FAIR Conference Scott asked me if I would share with you some of my work defending our LDS understanding of God and to that end I have prepared a bibliography. There’s two sets of materials being passed out, one is a packet. There is a copy of the bibliography in that packet and then there’s two individual sheets and you should either get the packet or the pair of two separate sheets and you’ll find...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 7 min
