Thoughts on the book of abraham religious studies center. Explores the joseph smith papyrus and demonstrates that joseph smiths claim that he had translated the book of abraham from it was a fabrication. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of. Egyptian papyri and the book of abraham religious studies. Grant palmer reveals stunning lds church insider information posted. Yet, i do not believe that mitt romney is a closet racist. That sense, i take it, is not the sense you mean or church authorities mean. Palmer, author of the book an insiders view of mormon origins stated that his work was influenced in part by his original acceptance of the salamander letter as being valid and supportive of his view. Joseph first translated the book of abraham by the power of god. 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. Email from my tbm sister about the book of abraham. The introduction to the book claims that it is a record that was originally written by abraham himself.
Mormon historian grant palmer meets with a general. O gods of the necropolis gods of the caverns gods of the south north west and east grant salvation to the osiris hor the justified born by taikhibit comment. Death blow to mormonism the book of abraham is a fake. They are now referred to as the joseph smith papyri. The book of abraham supports the concept of polygamy as abraham took another wife as directed by the lord. The statistics given in this presentation became outdated as more ancient. The man who wrote the lds essay on the book of abraham was. Elsewhere, in another place, rhodes has written an article giving his spin on the book of abraham and i have given mine as a historian. In 1912, a letter about the book of abraham was published by arthur cruttenden mace, assistant curator in the department of egyptian art in new yorks metropolitan museum of art. 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. The web site originally claimed to be operated by active members of the church with an interest in objectively presenting the truth about mormonism. This page deals primarily with the question of the source of the book of abraham now available online at.
However, it was actually the book of abraham published in 1878 that omitted the words. In more recent times the halfdozen leading egyptologists who have been asked to examine the facsimiles agree that. I am a nonbeliever who slowly is moving toward my old lds faith again. Was joseph smith a man ahead of his time, able to decipher egyptian writings in a time when scholarship was just starting to get a clue on the topic. Criticism of mormonismwebsitesmormonthinkthe book of. According to 34 year veteran ces teacher and author of an insiders view of mormon origins, grant palmer, 100% of the book of abraham motifs come directly from four sources. The mission president said he received my book from the ga.
In the past i have been provocative here but that is history. Criticism of mormonismwebsitesmormonthinkthe book of abraham. The book of abraham is in the lds pearl of great price, which is a canonical part of our standard works. This is still the best and most objective look at the book of abraham issue and very easy to read.
Admittedly, the photographs are less than ideal, and i had only a handheld magnifying glass to aid me, but i was nonetheless able to glean. Apr 28, 2018 in this video i discuss joseph smiths procurement of egyptian papyri and mummies in july 1835 and explore the documents he produced while translating what he called the book of abraham. Grant palmer closed his thirtyfouryear career teaching for the lds church educational system with the final thirteen years as a chaplain and the lds institute director at the salt lake county jail. What is really sad is the negative campaigning agai. Many people have asked why the translation of the papyri by modernday egyptologists do not match what joseph said they mean. If the book of mormon and the book of abraham are not true. When napoleon invaded egypt in 1798, he brought with him a small army of scientists and artists, whose published reports of the wonders of egypt in the many volumes of the french series description of egypt published between 1809 and 18 soon fueled a wave of egyptomania among europeans. Palmer stated that the salamander letter caused him to explore joseph smiths mystical mindset.
Hauglid after eleven joseph smith papyri fragments were returned to the church in 1967, critics concluded that joseph smith had fabricated the book of abraham. It does not talk of him taking another wife or lying about it. On the sense im gesturing at one can revere joseph smith as a great prophet even if the book of mormon and book of abraham are, for example, not historical documents. Mar 19, 2011 first off, some information, what is the book of abraham. Well at least the conclusion that the book of abraham has parts of standard funerary texts that were deposited with mummified bodies. Presented as part of the farms book of abraham lecture series, 1999.
The writings of abraham were not on the scroll, but joseph used the scroll to tap into the revelatory spirit, channeling an actual ancient record abraham did write. How gods land grant to abraham affects world affairs and the end times, and how you can partner with god in this coming event toberty, paul on. This witness is received through the third member of the godhead called the holy ghost, holy spirit or spirit. This claim is false the book of abraham does not discuss abraham s practice of polygamy. Criticism of mormonismwebsitesmormonthink fairmormon. Historicity of the book of abraham, the lds church suggests the relationship of these documents to the book of abraham is not fully understood.
Hugh, nibley august 1968, the joseph smith egyptian. Abrahamic lore in support of the book of abraham, farms videotape and audiotape with transcript paper tve99a. Jul 31, 2016 the book of abraham is in the lds pearl of great price, which is a canonical part of our standard works. Two of the links i sent him were from mormonthink, one about lying and the other about the book of abraham. The book contains important teachings about the creation. Grant palmer is an author of mormon books, a former ces director and most importantly a friend.
A couple of years ago i heard rumors of each mormon apostle. This web page is dedicated to the accomplishments of grant palmer and his dealings with the mormon church. This claim is false the book of abraham does not discuss abrahams practice of polygamy. Joseph smiths interpretation of these cuts is a farrago of nonsense from beginning to end. Well the book was derived from a set of egyptian papyri purchased by the joseph smith in 1835 from a traveling mummy show.
September 25, 2017 grant palmer has passed away last night. Grant palmer an insiders view of mormonism youtube. The book of abraham papyri were thought to have been lost in the 1871 great chicago fire. Book of abraham essay unleashed the relationship between those fragments and the text we have today is largely a matter of conjecture. The book of abraham narrative clearly demonstrates the manner in which the lds church works diligently to massage or reinterpret inconvenient facts to continue to defend its most extraordinary truth. The book of abraham is a work produced between 1835 and 1842 by joseph smith based. The lost book of abraham examining a remarkable mormon claim. The lost book of abraham full video institute for religious reseach. Jeremy runnells, john dehlin, jerald and sandra tanner, grant palmer and lee baker. The book of abraham simply makes it clear that abraham did not choose this path on his own, but like moses was obeying a direct command from god, who may grant exceptions to his laws if he pleases. The bible records abrahams lie to pharaoh, and then god rewards the lie. Brown did not believe the book of abraham was what the church said it was journal.
He has been very helpful to me and to the group at. Rediscovering the book of mormon, edited by john sorenson and melvin thorne, appeared in 1991. The statistics given in this presentation became outdated as more ancient texts supporting the book of abraham came to our attention. This page contains the latest information concerning the private legal action related to the fraud case brought against the the corporation of the president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints corporation sole, thomas s.
The following very interesting memorandum was received on 5th april 20 from grant h. Three meetings with a lds general authority, 2012 20 by grant palmer. Book of abraham facsimiles compared interpretation of joseph smith vs modern egyptologist. The book of mormon documentary examines and compares genetic evidence identifying the dna fingerprints of the jewish populations and american indian populations, and presents the testimony of several dna experts in seeking to answer the question, are israelites the principal ancestors of native american indians. An essay on the book of abraham is now in the topical guide of the. Having the text of the book of abraham included in that context would be as out of place as reading from a car parts catalog during the sealing ceremony. Grant palmer is an author of mormon books, a former ces director and most.
To a latterday saint, a testimony is a personal witness of a gospel truth. I spoke at the sacrament meeting today for the first time in five years. Kerry muhlestein, egyptian papyri and the book of abraham. The man who wrote the lds essay on the book of abraham was a fraud. The book of abraham by common consent, a mormon blog. Three meetings with an lds general authority, 201220. Includes color photos of the surviving joseph smith papyri, articles by mormon and nonmormon egyptologists, and free download of a 240page book that surveys the history of the book of abraham controversy. Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of astronomy, in the kings court. This 50minute video gives a good introduction to the critics arguments regarding the book of abraham. Grant is a renowned lds historian, and is author of an insiders view of mormon origins, which is referred to in the following memorandum.
Grant was employed by the lds church as a church education system ces teacher for 34 years and retired in 2001. Grant palmer is an author of mormon books, a former ces director and most importantly a friend of mine. This was the second edition of the pearl of great price published before canonization by the lds church in 1880. This is by far our most favorite video on the church issues.
A fairmormon analysis of claims made on the critical website mormonthink. Three meetings with a lds general authority, 201220. A journal of mormon thought, spring, 1995 by his own hand upon papyrus. Grant waited 6 months before releasing this report to the public because he wanted to make sure this is what the ga believed. F or many mormons, an examination of the book of abraham and its true history becomes the most significant stumbling block to joseph smiths claim as a prophetic translator of ancient languages. A faithful, egyptological point of view, in no weapon shall prosper. Never in a million years did i expect my dad to actually ask for such material. A fairmormon analysis of claims made on the critical website summary. For those who have devoutly believed in the book of mormon and the other lds scriptures, such as the book of abraham, as the word of god, coming to the realization that these books are not what they claim to be can cause ripple effects throughout their belief system. The kep shouldnt condemn joseph as it was a completely separate endeavor.
A mormon defends the book of abraham recovery from mormonism. Religious studies center, brigham young university. Sep 20, 2018 i wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to some exmormons who opened my eyes starting on april 1, 2018. How gods land grant to abraham affects world affairs and the end times, and how you can partner with god in this coming event. They authors have since abandoned the pretense that any of them are active in the church. Brown did not believe the book of abraham was what the church said it was journal entry of. 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. The book of abraham is a book of lds scripture that joseph smith translated from a collection of ancient egyptian papyri the church purchased. The third was to grant palmers insiders view, which was the tipping point for me. Grant palmer reveals stunning lds church insider information. The book of abraham, it is hardly necessary to say, is a pure fabrication. The book of abraham issues translation problems mormonthink. It introduces what scholars call a catalyst theory to hypothesize how smith created the text through revelation from god, being inspired by the papyri artifacts.
Mormon historian grant palmer meets with a general authority of the lds church. The book of abraham is a book of ancient scripture translated by the prophet joseph smith from ancient papyri. Mitt romney and other mormons today, just like his father did in the 60s, continue to hear and receive negative messages about the character and disposition of people of african descent, despite the church changing its official stance on race in 1978. The stipulation was hed have to always do what hes told, and keep mum about the transaction. In a visually appealing format for better understanding. We will examine some of the more important claims put. Part 3, ancient records offer new support for the book of abraham, looks at some. I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to some exmormons who opened my eyes starting on april 1, 2018.
Disproves lds claims that joseph smith received the book of abraham through revelation and proves that joseph smiths source for his translation was a pagan egyptian text, the book of breathings. The pearl of great price contains inspired translations of the bible by joseph smith, along. An essay concerning the book of abraham was added on. It was the very first book that i personally bought that made me question the churchs truth claims. Distilled from his personal and teaching experiences, this tender testament to the incomparable jesus describes a savior who walked the halls with him, succoring those in need. I return herewith, under separate cover, the pearl of great price. In this video i discuss joseph smiths procurement of egyptian papyri and mummies in july 1835 and explore the documents he produced while translating what he called the book of abraham. The egyptian papyri found in the metropolitan museum of new york in 1966, including facsimile 1 of the book of abraham, were given to the church in 1967. He has been very helpful to me and to the group at mormonthink almost since its foundation when i asked him some questions about his book an insiders view of mormon origins. This was followed in 1992 by reexploring the book of mormon, edited by john welch, and in 1997 by book of mormon authorship revisited.
Book of abraham latest video by dan vogel 1, may 2018. The evidence for ancient origins, edited by noel reynolds. A mormon defends the book of abraham recovery from. 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. 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. First off, some information, what is the book of abraham. For those who are not familiar with the book of abraham, it is a book of lds scripture that joseph smith claims to have translated from egyptian scrolls that he purchased from a traveling salesman. Although no formal training in egyptology, joseph smith created a translation of part of the papyri, and the work was published called the the book of abraham. Part 2 deals with the content of the book and joseph smiths comments on three egyptian drawings that have been attached to the published book of abraham. The book echoes and evidences of the book of mormon parry, peterson, and welch, 2002, 10 provides a much more legible photograph of the testimony of three witnesses in the handwriting of oliver cowdery. 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.
Mormon historian grant palmer meeting with general. Translation and historicity of the book of abraham. A couple of years ago i heard rumors of each mormon apostle receiving a million bucks for signing on to become an apostle. The ga often went to the website for information and there discovered my book. Joseph smiths family owned an 1830 edition and this is the source of chapter 1 of the book of abraham.
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