The annual FAIR Conference will meet August 1 & 2, 2013 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Utah. At least 20 scholars this year will address important issues that have been highlighted by the national media or are confronting Latter-day Saints, including women’s issues, historical controversies surrounding Joseph Smith, the loss and rekindling of faith as well as other challenging aspects of Mormon history and doctrine.

Among the presenters is Neylan McBaine, associate creative director at Bonneville Communications, who will moderate a panel of distinguished Mormon women. They will discuss some of the recent controversies relating to women in the LDS Church. The conference will also include a panel of Mormons who left the Church for a period of time and later returned. They will discuss the factors that led to their exit and the way in which they decided to return. Professor Daniel C. Peterson and Seth Payne will both discuss what members of the Church can do to be more effective in defending the Church against attacks by its critics. And humorist Robert Kirby will talk about why it is important for Mormons to laugh at themselves.

“For the first time in over a decade, we are holding the conference in a new location,” said Scott Gordon, President of FAIR. “Last year we sold out and now have moved to a new location. Those who have attended in the past will experience many of the same things that have brought them back each year. But they will also be in for a few surprises.”

Members of the media are invited to visit with these and other conference participants, as well as to attend this important and informative conference in August.
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of LDS doctrine, belief and practice. Along with the annual conference, which is open to everyone, FAIR also sponsors a website that includes answers to difficult questions. FAIR has an “Ask the Apologist” option where people can pose questions to apologists and FAIR also sponsors MormonVoices which responds to public discussions and comments from public figures that misrepresent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For details on the FAIR Conference, including how to purchase tickets, visit the FAIR website.