A Celebration of Stories and Second Chances
From its modest beginnings in 1949, when postwar publishers gathered in Frankfurt to rebuild and share new ideas, the Frankfurter Buchmesse has grown into the world’s most important international book fair. Over the decades, it has transformed from a regional gathering of German publishers into a global platform where stories are launched, partnerships are forged, and the future of publishing is shaped. That journey of steady growth, vision, and innovation is what makes the fair so influential today.
Now celebrating its 77th year, the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 is set to host more than 7,500 exhibitors from across the globe. It offers far more than book displays: visitors can explore groundbreaking titles, attend insightful discussions with leading authors and thinkers, witness the latest in publishing technology, and discover how books continue to evolve across media and cultures. It’s not just a fair — it’s a creative crossroads where tradition meets tomorrow.
The Imagination Peoples the Air
Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025
Adding to the excitement, the Philippines takes center stage as the Guest of Honour for 2025, presenting the theme “The Imagination Peoples the Air” — a powerful nod to the nation’s storytelling spirit inspired by José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. With over a hundred Filipino authors, artists, and events bringing the country’s rich literary heritage and contemporary voices to Frankfurt, this year’s fair celebrates not only books but also the vibrant diversity of global storytelling.
Amid this extraordinary celebration of ideas and imagination, Kravitz & Sons is proud to see Biblical and Non-Biblical Evidences for the Book of Mormon that Shows Its Validity as Scripture: A Layman’s Thesis by Joseph Dean DeBarthe showcased on this prestigious global stage — a compelling study that bridges faith, history, and evidence in pursuit of understanding divine truth.
A Journey of Faith, Service, and Discovery
Joseph Dean DeBarthe is a man whose life reflects devotion — to his faith, his service, and his search for truth. A fourth-generation member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Community of Christ), DeBarthe combines spiritual conviction with intellectual curiosity.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Computer Information Systems from Central State University in Warrensburg, Missouri, and spent over three decades serving his country — eight years and nine months in the U.S. Navy, followed by twenty-three years as a civilian member of the military. His career took him across continents, from Europe and Asia to Central America, where he absorbed diverse cultures and perspectives that now enrich his theological reflections.
A Bold Examination of Faith’s Foundations
In Biblical and Non-Biblical Evidences for the Book of Mormon that Shows Its Validity as Scripture: A Layman’s Thesis, DeBarthe approaches one of Christianity’s most debated texts with clarity, humility, and conviction. This book is not written for scholars, but for seekers — for those willing to examine the evidence and ask the hard questions about scripture, inspiration, and authenticity.
DeBarthe confronts misconceptions about the Book of Mormon, particularly the belief that Joseph Smith, Jr. authored it without divine inspiration. With logic and faith intertwined, he demonstrates how both biblical references and historical evidence support the Book of Mormon as a legitimate continuation of scriptural truth. Quoting Ezekiel 37:19, he explores how the Bible itself acknowledges the existence of other written scriptures — particularly those connected to the tribe of Joseph.
Through accessible language and a tone of compassion, DeBarthe urges readers to pray, question, and discern — not from bias, but from openness to the Holy Spirit. He acknowledges the divisions that have long plagued Christianity and calls for unity, reminding believers that the true enemy is not one another, but deception and disunity.
Why It Belongs on the Global Stage
In a world often divided by doctrine, Biblical and Non-Biblical Evidences for the Book of Mormon stands as a courageous work of reconciliation and truth-seeking. Its presence at the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 underscores the fair’s mission to promote open dialogue, intellectual freedom, and spiritual exploration.
Joseph Dean DeBarthe’s work resonates deeply in this setting — not because it offers all the answers, but because it dares to ask the right questions. By combining biblical analysis, historical insight, and personal conviction, he opens a pathway for believers and skeptics alike to engage with faith on a deeper, more authentic level.
At this year’s fair, DeBarthe’s book serves as a reminder that true faith is never afraid of examination — because the more it is tested, the stronger it becomes.
