As a product, on one level, of the early 19th century United States, the Prophet Joseph Smith "shared the idealism and passion for freedom and human rights that were the motivating principles" of the American Revolution, said Daniel C. Peterson Aug. 5 in the closing presentation of the FAIR Conference. FAIR, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Apologetics, is a volunteer organization that seeks to counter criticisms against Mormonism, though it is not affiliated with and does not speak for the Church.
A prominent defender of Mormonism and a perennial speaker at the annual conference, Brother Peterson addressed the topic "Mormonism, Islam and the Question of Other Religions."