He first looks at how the book of abraham came to exist and how the papyri ended up with joseph smith. The use of biblical figures in egyptian religion, a survey, in achievements and problems of modern egyptology. A model for evaluating the prophetic nature of the prophets ideas about the ancient world, byu studies quarterly 55. 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. Today we explore the book of abraham in radio free mormon style. Muhlestein, who holds a phd in egyptology from ucla, is an associate professor of ancient scripture at byu. These are excellent lectures about joseph smith and the book of abraham in the pearl of great price. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of abraham. That is pretty significant information for a few pages of text. I do not know of anyone who has really investigated the way abraham. He soon announced, much to our joy we found that one of the rolls contained the writings of abraham. Book of abraham learning about the book of abraham.
The book of abraham, joseph smith, revelation, and you. The book is broken up into a well written explanation of abrahams significance and importance to three of the worlds major religions and though different, explains how much they have in common in abraham. The book of abraham, it is hardly necessary to say, is a pure fabrication. I return herewith, under separate cover, the pearl of great price. Smith translated the papyrus and published it under the title, the book of abraham. Ritners response to the book of abraham essay general. Kerry muhlestein the book of abraham, revelation, and you dec 2018 ensign close. The book of abraham is replete with important and rich doctrines for latterday saints.
The book of abraham missing scrolls, catalyst theories, and bad apologetics part 3. Russian academy of sciences, center for egyptological studies, 2011, 24659. The source of the book of abraham is an occultic book. They would not, we could not make of the book of abraham an object of serious study. It lays down, in quite a dramatic and beautiful way, some of the most distinctive doctrines of the restored gospel. As an undergraduate he spent time at the byu jerusalem center for near eastern studies in the intensive hebrew program. Some questions and answers all faculty publications 2010 kerry m. The book of abraham and unnoticed assumptions kerry.
The book of the sacred magic of abramelin, the mage as delivered by abraham the jew unto his son lamech as a grimoire of the 15th century book. The book of the sacred magic of abramelin, the mage as. Understanding the book of abraham cd kerry muhlestein. John laurence gee born 1964 is a professional egyptologist ph. But the book of abraham contains many anachronisms. Kerry muhelstien on the book of abraham sign in to follow this. The essay makes some remarkable statements, including an admission that the papyri and heiroglyphics including those found on the facsimiles have nothing at all to do with the text that joseph produced as the book of abraham.
Mormon fascination with the ancient world stems largely. The church recently released an essay discussing the book of abraham, its origin, translation and historicity. Understanding the book of abraham by kerry muhlestein. In these videos he claimed that new findings in the science of egyptology were proving a link between the joseph smith papyri especially with the facsimiles, the beliefs. In fact, i have sat down numerous times and tried to come up with theories or hypotheses that could account for all the facts we have at our disposal. Mar 06, 20 6 see kerry muhlestein, abraham, isaac, and osirismichael. The book of abraham is a book of lds scripture that joseph smith translated from a collection of ancient egyptian papyri the church purchased. Book of abraham a different perspective the knowledge of the egyptian language among egyptian scholars in the 1830s was in its infancy.
Religious studies center, brigham young university. Human sacrifice and the book of abraham 477 thus in our first seal we find both the stepped and hourglass altars present along with a god holding a knife of some sort note also the presence of a bird which is very similar to the bird in facsimile 1 of the book of abraham this second seal was cataloguedcataloguercatalogued by jeremias 170 p 399. Hugh nibley, an approach to the book of abraham, 599. For more on all of this see kerry muhlestein, european views of egyptian magic and mystery. By kerry muhlestein professor of ancient scripture. There is some evidence that suggests he used the urim and thummim, or possibly his seer stone. This very same papyrus, it is claimed, was acquired by joseph smith in 1835.
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. 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 only reasonable explanation is that joseph smith used the facsimiles as visual cues to fabricate the parts of the book of abraham story that were not already described in the book of. Some questions and answers, religious educator 11, no.
In 1835 joseph smith began translating some ancient egyptian papyri that he had obtained from an exhibitor passing through kirtland, ohio. In this interview by faith matters, terryl givens sits down with latterday saint egyptologist, dr. A faithful, egyptological point of view, in no weapon shall prosper. It makes reference to chaldeans, who didnt exist until many years after abraham. Professor of ancient scripture, brigham young university. The story then recommences nearly a thousand years after the building of the tower of babylonia when abram is born in the amorite kingdom of mesopotamia, in c. Mann, born into a rabbinic family, educated at distinguished institutions, and seasoned by years of service as an orthodox rabbi. Both variations of the first category of answers miss a crucial implication. Just because were short on time, usually you kind of start out by telling a joke or an interesting story or something, but i think were just going to start moving so that we have time for some questions. This site identifies the major challenges raised about mormon views. Approaching understandings in the book of abraham by. The important bit is whether joseph smith was an inspired translator, which can affect.
According to mormon writers, the book of abraham was supposed to have been written on papyrus by abraham about 4,000 years ago. What are the issues, and how do they impact ones faith in. Kerry muhlestein is a professor and former associate chair of the department of ancient scripture at brigham young university, where he has taught about the first vision for over two decades. Givens g asks muhlestein m about what is at stake in the controversy about the book of abraham. Interconnected since the time of abraham, we jews and muslims share much in common. I can point out all kinds of evidence that supports the book of abraham, such as the text providing two place names, jershon and olishem, that were unknown in joseph smiths day but have since been attested to exist in abraham s day, and these places lie where the text of the. Later the key was lost, but joseph smith supernaturally translated or decoded it. Sweeping events leading to the discovery of the joseph smith papyri, in prelude to the restoration. In the book of abraham we learn significant things about abraham, about the abrahamic covenant, about the nature of mankind and our premortal existence and about our relationship with god. Byu professor kerry muhlestein has made a series of video defending joseph smiths literal translation of the mormon scripture, the book of abraham, from some ancient egyptian papryi. The chaldeans first appeared in the 9th century bce, years before abraham supposedly lived. The former reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints, since 2001 renamed the community of christ, avoids this issue by treating the book of abraham as. The origin of the book of abraham ranks among the biggest problems for many who begin to question our faith.
They cannot repudiate the book of abraham without raising the question of joseph smiths ability to translate the book of mormon. It is good to learn about the egyptian and world history relating to the settings and stories in this scripture. James, the testament of abraham, texts and studies, ii, no. This page deals primarily with the question of the source of the book of abraham now available online at. Questions and answers kerry muhlestein book of abraham. From the beginning, the book was loved by the saints. The relationship between the book of abraham and the. Kerry muhlestein, professor of ancient scripture at brigham young university, phd in egyptology at ucla in 2003.
By kerry muhlestein professor of ancient scripture, brigham young i university have spent almost two decades studying the book of abraham and its history. What are the issues, and how do they impact ones faith in the restoration. Having faith in and through the book of mormon brant gardner duration. Kerry muhelstien on the book of abraham page 2 general. Easy to criticize book of abraham in a video based on false assumptions. 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. The book of abraham has close affinities to a large number of apocryphal and egyptian writings to which joseph smith could have had no access. The existence of papyri connected with the book of abraham furthers interest in this volume of scripture. 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. In this fascinating discussion on three cds, respected scholar and egyptologist kerry muhlestein takes his listeners on a guided tour through the book of abraham. This small collection of eleven papyri fragments came to be known as the joseph smith papyri. Find books like i am abraham lincoln from the worlds largest community of readers.
For some, a problem has arisen because egyptologists long taught that the egyptians did not engage in human sacrifice. Muhlestein, kerry and megan hansen, the work of translating. While much research has been conducted into the doctrines and also the origins of the book of abraham, clearly much more remains to be done. There are still questions about the translation of the book of abraham for which we have no answers. However, it was actually the book of abraham published in 1878 that omitted the words. Abraham claims that his story starts out near a place called olishem abraham 1. An interview with egyptologist kerry muhlestein posted by stephen smoot 0 comments kerry muhlestein, associate professor of ancient scripture at brigham young university. We are proud to serve the lds community all across canada. The recent web posting on the book of abraham by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints hereafter the lds church represents new reflection on a document whose authenticity as verifiable history is now officially acknowledged to be in serious dispute. Six years prior to acquiring the egyptian mummies and papyri, joseph had completed the translation the book of mormon which was reportedly inscribed with strange characters called altered egyptian. Do other egyptologists question your support of the book.
Translation and historicity of the book of abraham a. Dan vogel and brent lee metcalfe, joseph smiths scriptural. If one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 90. I have tried to propose theories from a nonbelieving perspective and from a believing perspective.
Kerry muhlestein, egyptian papyri and the book of abraham. Stenhouse published his book, the rocky mountain saints. His book was republished four times by the year 1905. He is also the director of research for that department. Wonderful book for individual reading or your small adult study group. The messiah does not appear at all at any of the judgments, but the whole book still moves well within the spirit of jewish thought generally. Kerry muhlestein, associate professor of ancient scripture at brigham young university.
M posits, correctly, that some things we argue about are not very important, and some are. He first looks at how the book of abraham came to exist and how the papyri ended up with. Free curbside pickup now available in most stores 8773248551 help orders. The book of abraham looms large in the minds of many who are in the midst of faith wrestles. Such critics thus call into question his ability to translate ancient records. He taught courses in hebrew and religion part time at byu and the uvsc extension center, as well as in. In 1835, after beginning the translation of some ancient egyptian papyri that he had obtained from an exhibitor passing through kirtland, ohio, joseph smith ann.
Understanding the book of abraham by kerry muhlestein goodreads. He claims that the book of abraham was put in secret code as the book of breathings so that the egyptians would not destroy it. Goodreads members who liked i am abraham lincoln also liked. 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 of abraham and unnoticed assumptions fairmormon.
A more careful examination reveals that these claims are based on false assumptions and bad information. Terryl givens new video on book of abraham with kerry. Explores the joseph smith papyrus and demonstrates that joseph smiths claim that he had translated the book of abraham from it was a fabrication. Apologist kerry muhlestein continues to mislead about the.
The book of abraham gospel topic page clearly outlines the things we know, and, more importantly, the things we dont know about the book of abraham, muhlestein added. Kerry muhlestein on the book of abraham mormon discussions. Byu professor kerry muhlestein has created a series of videos defending the book of abraham. Mormon challenges why are there anachronisms in the book. With the book of abraham now confirmed as a perhaps wellmeaning, but erroneous invention by joseph smith, the lds church may well devote some reflection to the status of the text. Until now, no one has done much more than play around with the bedizening treasury of the pearl of great price. Kerry muhlestein is the author of i saw the lord 4. He currently teaches at brigham young university byu and serves in the department of near eastern languages. Are you, kerry muhlestein, qualified book of abraham challenge. An autobiographical narrative gives voice to the honest and unpretentious recollections of abraham m. Terryl givens new video on book of abraham with kerry muhlestein post by apologeticsislying. Kerry muhlestein, the explanationdefying book of abraham, in a reason for faith. Translation and historicity of the book of abraham response.
This suggests that a main source of the text is the kjv. This was the second edition of the pearl of great price published before canonization by the lds church in 1880. I wish to use this book as an example to discuss an important issue. Life after death experience nde with steve gardipee, vietnam war story. An interview with egyptologist kerry muhlestein egyptology and the book of abraham. Having said that, there also exists profound ignorance between jews and muslims. Many critics have claimed that joseph smiths translation of egyptian papyri and his interpretation of egyptian drawings do not match with what egyptologists would say about these things. The inspiration and basis for the text of the book of abraham is p. The relationship between the book of abraham and the joseph. Joseph smith tells us that facsimile 1 in the book of abraham depicts a priest of egypt attempting to sacrifice 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. December 2018 ensign article by kerry muhlestein, professor of ancient scripture, brigham young university.
These challenges are presented succinctly and responded to succinctly by scholars alert to underlying questionable assumptions often held by nonmormons and mormons alike. A full and complete history of the mormons, which republished deverias study of the book of abraham facsimiles. The book of abraham, revelation, and you although academic research can provide helpful information, revelation from god is the most trustworthy and valid source of knowledge. Proceedings of the international conference held in moscow on september 29october 2, 2009, ed. The long lost book of joseph thoughts on things and stuff. Kerry muhlestein the book of abraham, revelation, and. Therefore, if abraham was truly the author of the book of abraham, it would be called the book of abram and no reference to the name abraham would be in it. 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. Joseph smiths interpretation of these cuts is a farrago of nonsense from beginning to end. We do not know the exact process by which joseph smith translated the book of abraham, besides that it was done by the power of god. One byu professor, kerry muhlestein, has devoted a good portion of his academic career over a decade investigating the saga of the book of abraham. He is known for his scholarly writings in support of the book of abraham. While we do not know how much the prophet translated, we do know that some of his translation was published in serial form and eventually canonized.