Seven years later, joseph finished translating the scroll and called it the book of abraham an accompanying book of joseph was never translated. John dehlin june 18, 2014 best of mormon stories, book of mormon, church history, ex mormon stories, top 10 exmormon, top 10 truth claims, top 25, top mormon faith crisis stories 167 comments in february 2012, jeremy runnels experienced a crisis of faith, which subsequently led to a faith transition in the summer of 2012. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of mormonism. The antiquity of the bible, unlike the book of mormon or the book of abraham, is beyond dispute. The story of the book of abraham is complex and enigmatic, but in a nutshell, after completing the translation of the book of mormon, joseph smith received some ancient papyri from a find in egypt. An introduction to the book of abraham byu studies. Hauglids essay, i would like to note here that i appreciate mr. I have studied the book of abraham, and the truth of it has been made known to me in a way i cant deny. After finishing the book of mormon translation, smith is said to have given his brown seer stone to oliver cowdery, but he occasionally used his white stone to gain revelations, including his translation of what later became known as the book of abraham. Ancient records written by abraham that came into the possession of the church in 1835.
What parts of the mormon experience were most important or useful to you. A temple rises in the shadow of the vatican, the gay policy revisited, the book of abraham revealed. The book of abraham, mormons believe, is abrahams own account of part of his life. The mormon church hoped the book of abraham would vindicate joseph smith as a true prophet of god. At the time that joseph smith translated the book of mormon, he.
It contains information on the book of mormon, book of abraham, archeology and many other issues. A twohundredyear era of peace followed that visit of christ. He talks about the idolatry of the egyptianlike society he lived in, and about barely escaping sacrifice to the egyptian gods by a priest. The pearl of great price contains inspired translations of the bible by joseph smith, along. May 23, 2014 in part 2 of our interview with sandra tanner, sandra discusses challenges that she and her late husband had with joseph smiths first vision, the book of mormon, the book of abraham, along with. Why we left personal accounts of leaving mormonism. Jul 20, 2014 jeremy runnells on the book of abraham. Indeed, there is much overlap between the content found in the book of abraham and the stories of abraham found in the joseph smith translation of the bible, which is considered sacred scripture by the rlds church.
A careful study of the book of abraham provides a better measure of the book s merits than any hypothesis that treats the text as a conventional translation. Hauglid has acknowledged that most of my concerns and questions presented in the book of abraham section of the ces letter are legitimate questions and concerns. Brent metcalfe early years, mark hofmann, the salamander letter, the bombings, the book of abraham, and life after mormonism. The book of mormon makes its appearance in world history in 18291830, when joseph smith dictated its contents and published it. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would prefer were kept. The book of abraham is a book of lds scripture that joseph smith translated from a collection of ancient egyptian papyri the church purchased. Includes color photos of the surviving joseph smith papyri, articles by mormon and non mormon egyptologists, and free download of a 240page book that surveys the history of the book of abraham controversy. His book was republished four times by the year 1905. The latest egyptologist to not this is lanny bell in the ancient egyptian books of breathing, the mormon book of abraham, and the development of egyptology in america, in egypt and beyond.
The book of abraham is the possibly the best known of these books and certainly the most controversial. As a personal friend and research assistant for both steve christensen and mark hofmann, brent metcalfe watched the whole episode unfold right before his eyes. The book of abraham is a book of ancient scripture translated by the prophet joseph smith from ancient papyri. Under either scenario, neither the core story of the book of abraham, its authenticity, our theology, nor the validity of the prophetic calling of joseph smith are threatened.
Jeremy runnells and his letter to a ces director john dehlin june 18, 2014 best of mormon stories, book of mormon, church history, exmormon stories, top 10 exmormon, top 10 truth claims, top 25, top mormon faith crisis stories 167 comments. However, in 1966 several fragments of the papyri were found in the archives of the metropolitan museum of art in new york and in the lds church archives. Criticism of mormonismonline documentsquestions and. Both lds and nonlds scholars agree the pieces of papyrus scroll we have today were those possessed by joseph smith and used to produce the book of abraham. That is from long after the supposed time of abraham. Neither of us felt that proof of human sacrifice in egypt was necessary for the support of the book of abraham s story about abraham s near sacrifice since abraham made it clear that the priest who nearly sacrificed him represented an amalgamation of ancient near eastern religions see abraham 1. Official response of the mormon church to the book of abraham. Jun 26, 2007 the lost book of abraham is an awardwinning documentary that investigates the remarkable claim that mormon founder joseph smith translated a lost book of scripture from an egyptian papyrus scroll. As with the book of mormon and other translation projects that joseph smith worked on, the book of abraham cannot be defended in any way as the result of provable or scientific information about abraham or the ancient world. Translation and historicity of the book of abraham. The book of abraham was canonized in 1880 by the lds church as part of the pearl of great price. Mormon stories interview with brent metcalfe on the book of.
The book of abraham issues translation problems mormonthink. Book of abraham mormon stories mormon stories podcast. Facsimile 2 posted on april 12, 2015 november 26, 2015 by wes trexler facsimile 2 is actually a representation of a hypocephalus. Sandra discusses challenges that she and her late husband had with joseph smiths first vision, the book of mormon, the book of abraham.
The lost book of abraham is an awardwinning documentary that investigates the remarkable claim that mormon founder joseph smith translated a lost book of scripture from an egyptian papyrus scroll. There are no gold plates to examine, no manuscripts to view, of the supposed ancient text joseph said he translated. I asked my children about some book of mormon stories such as ammon and the sheep, nephis boat, and realized that my children werent familiar with these stories. Eldon tanner, sent out for the translation, expecting it to prove smiths true translation abilities. The book of abraham tells a story of abrahams life, travels to canaan and egypt, and a vision he received.
The text in the book of abraham refers to the facsimile. It is now included in the pearl of great price, one of the books that members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints consider scripture in addition to the bible, the book of mormon, and the doctrine and covenants. Joseph smith also incorrectly identifying fraudulent plates the kinderhook plates as ancient and authentic. In spite of this omission, as someone who has always viewed the book of abraham with fondness, i am very grateful to gee for this work. Chandler exhibited them in the united states in 1835. An inspired translation of the writings of abraham. In the book of abraham, god teaches abraham about the sun, the moon, and the stars. Did lincoln begin to insert book of mormon principleseven direct book of mormon languageinto his speeches and policies.
A mormon apologist has informed me that many of the original references to abraham in the first publishing of the book of abraham were abram, but that they were changed to abraham when it was published by the latter day saints publication, the millennial star, in england. The story that tells of how, in a covenant land, a wicked people may expect the humbling power of national calamities to befall them. Jeremy runnells and the book of abraham rational faiths. Thompson egyptology and the book of abraham boston sunstone symposium november, 1993.
In the last chapter, we saw some of the problems mormonism faces with the book of mormon and archaeology. Joseph smith began the translation in 1835 after obtaining some egyptian papyri. A range of articles and resources to assist the investigation of joseph smiths controversial claim that he discovered and translated a lost record of the biblical patriarch abraham. Latterday saint biblical scholars have made significant contributions to our understanding of the role of apocryphal and pseudepigraphic materials for biblical studies. Stenhouse to transact church business in washington, dc, and to ascertain what policy president abraham lincoln would pursue in regard to the mormons. I was hoping you would have spoken more about the book of mormon and abraham. I think i have proof that mormonism is not true youtube. They are now referred to as the joseph smith papyri.
History of the book of abraham in 1835, joseph smith, founder of the original mormon church the church of christ purchased several egyptian papyrus scrolls and fragments from the owner of a traveling road show which exhibited egyptian mummies and documents. Although when the lds church put the papyri on display at brigham young university. Lilas mormon stories podcast episode can be found here. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 7, no. Mummies, manuscripts, and mormonism salt lake city. Other traditions speak about a man named pharaoh as the book of abraham does. Other traditions having to do with abraham speak about a man named pharaoh. The book of abraham, one of the central texts of mormonism, is a poor translation of egyptian papyri. Joseph of course had read such things in the book of mormon the story of the covenant land of america. The book contains several doctrines that are unique to mormonism such as the idea that god organized eternal. All the stories together here have helped many people leave mormonism.
That version, according to him, is what is used today, but he had no. For purposes of this exercise, i want to admit everything the church says about the translation process of the book of mormon i. No mormon, including joseph smith, has given any indication of there being a book of abraham prior to july 1835. Thus, it forms a doctrinal foundation for the lds church and mormon fundamentalist denominations of the latter day saint movement. Book of abraham f or many mormons, an examination of the book of abraham and its true history becomes the most significant stumbling block to joseph smith s claim as a prophetic translator of ancient languages. Because the creation story in book of abraham 45 reflects these two stories together, then the book of abraham text must postdate the time when the biblical texts were brought together. This some people includes the mormon church, which under the direction of apostle n. Mormon stories admin august 20, 2014 church history, general authorities, top 10 church history, top 10 exmormon, top 10 truth claims, top 100, top mormon faith crisis stories 79 comments. The book of abraham, with its illustrations, is now included in the pearl of great price, one of the mormon churchs five books of scripture. The authors of criticism of mormonismonline documentsquestions and answers on mormon storiesbook of abraham makes the following claim. For instance, on a webpage previously housed at byu, a farms author avoids the most obvious question that any lds person would have regarding facsimile 2. Lecture at the lds institute, utah valley state college, on june 14, 1995. The book of abraham skinny frequently, when reading a discussion on the lds problem of the book of abraham, the apologists and critics beat around the bushconfusing the reader. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of abraham.
Joseph smith also incorrectly identifying fraudulent plates the kinderhook plates as ancient and authentic the authors of criticism of mormonismonline documentsquestions and answers on mormon storiesbook of abraham makes the following claim. While christians claim joseph dreamed up the book of abraham, joseph never said that. The truth of the book of abraham is ultimately found through careful study of its teachings, sincere prayer, and the confirmation of the spirit. Dec 23, 2015 the false translation of the book of abraham, therefore, casts serious doubt on the book of mormon as well, forever debilitating josephs claim he was a true, inspired prophet of god. In this chapter we will examine another book of the mormon scriptures called the book of abraham. Egyptian papyri and the book of abraham religious studies. Abraham lincoln and the mormons mary jane woodger in early june of 1863, brigham young sent mormon convert and journalist thomas b.
The book of abraham and muslim tradition book of mormon central. Translation and historicity of the book of abraham response. This is why mormon apologists have had to come up with the bizarre notion that joseph merely used the papyri to channel gods revelationbecause the book of abraham is nowhere close to a translation of the egyptian characters found on the papyri. Abraham, first called abram, was called of god to leave his native country and go to a promised land which would be shown to him. Upon cursory inspection, joseph smith declared that the scrolls contained the literal writings of abraham while he was in egypt. The book of abraham, it is hardly necessary to say, is a pure fabrication. I know that anyone who earnestly wants to know if the book of abraham is true can also receive this same witness and knowledge from god. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of. The book of abraham is a work produced between 1835 and 1842 by joseph smith based, he. Ashments book, the use of magical papyri to authenticate the book of abraham.
Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of. The translation was published serially in the times and seasons beginning march 1, 1842, at nauvoo, illinois. The pearl of great price is composed of several smaller books the book of moses, the book of abraham, joseph smithmatthew, joseph smithhistory, and the articles of faith. Jul 31, 2016 the book of abraham is in the lds pearl of great price, which is a canonical part of our standard works. The book of abraham papyri were thought to have been lost in the 1871 great chicago fire. Brent reveals a noteworthy discovery made from his research around 22.
Fragments of the original text were found and studied by renowned historians with credentials and experience. Mormon stories podcast founder contemplates excommunication. The lds church has admitted in its official essay the book of abraham translation has nothing to do with what is on the papyri. The records and some mummies were discovered in egyptian catacombs by antonio lebolo, who willed them to michael chandler. Evidence for the book of abraham daniel c peterson youtube.
What are your views about these books and how some. Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism. The story of abraham is wellknown to both jews and christians. Abraham lincoln and the mormons religious studies center. Jeremy runnells was offered an opportunity to discuss his own doubts with a director of the church educational system ces and was assured that his doubts could be resolved. As part of our series on meetings with mormon general authorities, we interview scott duke. Joseph smiths interpretation of these cuts is a farrago of nonsense from beginning to end. Joseph smith and the lds church for over 170 years have claimed that the book of abraham is a translation of a portion of the papyri scrolls purchased by the church in 1835 kirtland, ohio, and that this portion contains the writings of abraham written by abrahams own hand. What became of the papyrus scrolls that the book of abraham was translated from. We have actual evidence that joseph smith was lying to mormons when he invented his new scripture the book of abraham. Brent metcalfe early years, mark hofmann, the salamander letter, the bombings, the book of abraham, and life after mormonism mormon stories admin august 20, 2014 church history, general authorities, top 10 church history, top 10 exmormon, top 10 truth claims, top 100, top mormon faith crisis stories 79 comments.
The above donut chart shows percentages of the book of abraham section of letter to a ces director that fairmormon is in agreement, disagreement, and neutral on if one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 90. I am happy for this opportunity to respond in some way to stephen thompsons study of egyptological character of the book of abraham. The book contains important teachings about the creation. The book of abraham narrative clearly demonstrates the manner in which the lds church works diligently to massage or reinterpret inconvenient facts to continue. Mormon handbook the book of abraham since abraham lived before moses, who authored the torah the first five books of the old testament, it would make the papyrus older than the book of genesis. The book of abraham is consistent with various details found in nonbiblical stories about abraham that circulated in the ancient world around the time the papyri were likely created. And beyond that, he has doubts about the foundational scriptural texts for mormons, the book of mormon and the book of abraham. Except the lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea except he doth visit them with death. The book of abraham tells a story of abrahams life, travels to canaan and egypt, and a vision he received concerning the universe, a premortal existence, and the creation of the world. Sandra and jerald tanner part 1 of 4 the early years duration. Lesko upon his retirement from the wilbour chair of egyptology at brown university june 2005, ed. Moroni, the last of the nephite prophethistorians, sealed up the abridged records of these people and hid them in about a.
The book of mormon records the visit of jesus christ to people in the americas following his resurrection. Ces letter is one latterday saints honest quest to get official answers from the lds church on its troubling origins, history, and practices. Thousands of mormons left the church as the result of this discovery, while thousands more are completely unaware of this important piece of evidence. Upon joseph smiths assassination in 1844, the artifacts were passed to his mother, and then to his widow, who sold them to a collector by the name of abel combs. If you take away the knife then you take away the story. It is evident that the writings of abraham while he was in egypt, of which our printed book of abraham is a copy, must of necessity be older than. Book of abraham mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Two views of the mormon book of abraham bible query. After having the book, did he actually change his opinion of the mormons and begin to treat them kinder than any american president had up until that time. Members of the mormon church raised money and bought the entire collection. I think i benefited from the structure and framework of the church as a young person. These experts discovered the fragments to be scraps.
Wright his academic and research site response to stephen e. Bruce porter exposes what you need to know about the book of abraham. Cuts 1 and 3 are inaccurate copies of well known scenes on funeral papyri, and cut 2 is a copy of one of the magical discs. If the book of mormon and the book of abraham are not true. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. Ces letter my search for answers to my mormon doubts. Unlike controversial and less respected mormon apologists, mr. Below youll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as book of abraham nothing to show right now it appears whatever you were looking for is no longer here or perhaps wasnt here to begin with. Evidences of the divine authenticity of the book of abraham bonus features duration. The standard works, or the mormon books of scripture, include the king james version of the bible, the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price. In 1835, a traveling roadshow of egyptian mummies and ancient scrolls arrived in kirkland.