These are excellent lectures about joseph smith and the book of abraham in the pearl of great price. Kerry muhlestein, associate professor of ancient scripture at brigham young university. His book was republished four times by the year 1905. He first looks at how the book of abraham came to exist and how the papyri ended up with. An interview with egyptologist kerry muhlestein posted by stephen smoot 0 comments kerry muhlestein, associate professor of ancient scripture at brigham young university. Mann, born into a rabbinic family, educated at distinguished institutions, and seasoned by years of service as an orthodox rabbi. They cannot repudiate the book of abraham without raising the question of joseph smiths ability to translate the book of mormon. 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.
A more careful examination reveals that these claims are based on false assumptions and bad information. 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. 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. Stenhouse published his book, the rocky mountain saints. 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. What are the issues, and how do they impact ones faith in. 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. I return herewith, under separate cover, the pearl of great price. Both variations of the first category of answers miss a crucial implication. 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. This small collection of eleven papyri fragments came to be known as the joseph smith papyri. Having faith in and through the book of mormon brant gardner duration. John laurence gee born 1964 is a professional egyptologist ph.
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. 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. Dan vogel and brent lee metcalfe, joseph smiths scriptural. Muhlestein, kerry and megan hansen, the work of translating. M posits, correctly, that some things we argue about are not very important, and some are.
According to mormon writers, the book of abraham was supposed to have been written on papyrus by abraham about 4,000 years ago. Kerry muhlestein on the book of abraham mormon discussions. The book of abraham, it is hardly necessary to say, is a pure fabrication. Terryl givens new video on book of abraham with kerry. The relationship between the book of abraham and the. In this interview by faith matters, terryl givens sits down with latterday saint egyptologist, dr.
Religious studies center, brigham young university. 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. A faithful, egyptological point of view, in no weapon shall prosper. This suggests that a main source of the text is the kjv. Understanding the book of abraham by kerry muhlestein goodreads. Some questions and answers all faculty publications 2010 kerry m. In 1835 joseph smith began translating some ancient egyptian papyri that he had obtained from an exhibitor passing through kirtland, ohio. 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.
We are proud to serve the lds community all across canada. Having said that, there also exists profound ignorance between jews and muslims. Sweeping events leading to the discovery of the joseph smith papyri, in prelude to the restoration. Professor of ancient scripture, brigham young university. 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. This very same papyrus, it is claimed, was acquired by joseph smith in 1835. It lays down, in quite a dramatic and beautiful way, some of the most distinctive doctrines of the restored gospel. A full and complete history of the mormons, which republished deverias study of the book of abraham facsimiles. Kerry muhlestein, professor of ancient scripture at brigham young university, phd in egyptology at ucla in 2003. He currently teaches at brigham young university byu and serves in the department of near eastern languages. 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. Mormon challenges why are there anachronisms in the book. Givens g asks muhlestein m about what is at stake in the controversy about the book of abraham.
Byu professor kerry muhlestein has created a series of videos defending the book of abraham. Kerry muhlestein the book of abraham, revelation, and. The chaldeans first appeared in the 9th century bce, years before abraham supposedly lived. Interconnected since the time of abraham, we jews and muslims share much in common. 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. Kerry muhlestein, egyptian papyri and the book of abraham. Smith translated the papyrus and published it under the title, the book of abraham. Joseph smiths interpretation of these cuts is a farrago of nonsense from beginning to end. The book of abraham and unnoticed assumptions fairmormon.
An interview with egyptologist kerry muhlestein egyptology and the book of abraham. 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. Book of abraham a different perspective the knowledge of the egyptian language among egyptian scholars in the 1830s was in its infancy. By kerry muhlestein professor of ancient scripture. The relationship between the book of abraham and the joseph. Translation and historicity of the book of abraham a.
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. The book of abraham and unnoticed assumptions kerry. But the book of abraham contains many anachronisms. He first looks at how the book of abraham came to exist and how the papyri ended up with joseph smith. What are the issues, and how do they impact ones faith in the restoration. A model for evaluating the prophetic nature of the prophets ideas about the ancient world, byu studies quarterly 55. It makes reference to chaldeans, who didnt exist until many years after abraham. Approaching understandings in the book of abraham by. Mar 06, 20 6 see kerry muhlestein, abraham, isaac, and osirismichael. 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. Kerry muhelstien on the book of abraham page 2 general. Muhlestein, who holds a phd in egyptology from ucla, is an associate professor of ancient scripture at byu.
The existence of papyri connected with the book of abraham furthers interest in this volume of scripture. I do not know of anyone who has really investigated the way abraham. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of abraham. However, it was actually the book of abraham published in 1878 that omitted the words. The book of abraham missing scrolls, catalyst theories, and bad apologetics part 3. The origin of the book of abraham ranks among the biggest problems for many who begin to question our faith. Hugh nibley, an approach to the book of abraham, 599. Some questions and answers, religious educator 11, no.
Terryl givens new video on book of abraham with kerry muhlestein post by apologeticsislying. 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. He soon announced, much to our joy we found that one of the rolls contained the writings of abraham. 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. 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. 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. 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. Do other egyptologists question your support of the book. There is some evidence that suggests he used the urim and thummim, or possibly his seer stone. Mormon fascination with the ancient world stems largely. Proceedings of the international conference held in moscow on september 29october 2, 2009, ed. I have tried to propose theories from a nonbelieving perspective and from a believing perspective.
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. This site identifies the major challenges raised about mormon views. Explores the joseph smith papyrus and demonstrates that joseph smiths claim that he had translated the book of abraham from it was a fabrication. The source of the book of abraham is an occultic book. By kerry muhlestein professor of ancient scripture, brigham young i university have spent almost two decades studying the book of abraham and its history. Kerry muhlestein is the author of i saw the lord 4. 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. 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 book of abraham is replete with important and rich doctrines for latterday saints. 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. 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. Kerry muhlestein, the explanationdefying book of abraham, in a reason for faith. Book of abraham learning about the book of abraham. As an undergraduate he spent time at the byu jerusalem center for near eastern studies in the intensive hebrew program.
Such critics thus call into question his ability to translate ancient records. 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. Easy to criticize book of abraham in a video based on false assumptions. That is pretty significant information for a few pages of text.
Wonderful book for individual reading or your small adult study group. He taught courses in hebrew and religion part time at byu and the uvsc extension center, as well as in. 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. If one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 90. Kerry muhlestein the book of abraham, revelation, and you dec 2018 ensign close. These challenges are presented succinctly and responded to succinctly by scholars alert to underlying questionable assumptions often held by nonmormons and mormons alike. Are you, kerry muhlestein, qualified book of abraham challenge. 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. Questions and answers kerry muhlestein book of abraham. From the beginning, the book was loved by the saints. The church recently released an essay discussing the book of abraham, its origin, translation and historicity. December 2018 ensign article by kerry muhlestein, professor of ancient scripture, brigham young university. The book of abraham looms large in the minds of many who are in the midst of faith wrestles.
Ritners response to the book of abraham essay general. 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. Goodreads members who liked i am abraham lincoln also liked. The long lost book of joseph thoughts on things and stuff. 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. 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 use of biblical figures in egyptian religion, a survey, in achievements and problems of modern egyptology. He is also the director of research for that department. Today we explore the book of abraham in radio free mormon style. The inspiration and basis for the text of the book of abraham is p.
Understanding the book of abraham cd kerry muhlestein. 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. 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. The book of the sacred magic of abramelin, the mage as. It is good to learn about the egyptian and world history relating to the settings and stories in this scripture. For more on all of this see kerry muhlestein, european views of egyptian magic and mystery. For some, a problem has arisen because egyptologists long taught that the egyptians did not engage in human sacrifice. Apologist kerry muhlestein continues to mislead about the. Kerry muhelstien on the book of abraham sign in to follow this.
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. An autobiographical narrative gives voice to the honest and unpretentious recollections of abraham m. The book of abraham, joseph smith, revelation, and you. 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. This was the second edition of the pearl of great price published before canonization by the lds church in 1880. 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. 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. 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.
Free curbside pickup now available in most stores 8773248551 help orders. Joseph smith tells us that facsimile 1 in the book of abraham depicts a priest of egypt attempting to sacrifice abraham. Russian academy of sciences, center for egyptological studies, 2011, 24659. Later the key was lost, but joseph smith supernaturally translated or decoded it. They would not, we could not make of the book of abraham an object of serious study. The important bit is whether joseph smith was an inspired translator, which can affect. The book of abraham is a book of lds scripture that joseph smith translated from a collection of ancient egyptian papyri the church purchased. Find books like i am abraham lincoln from the worlds largest community of readers. 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. Abraham claims that his story starts out near a place called olishem abraham 1. There are still questions about the translation of the book of abraham for which we have no answers. He is known for his scholarly writings in support of the book of abraham.
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