Conclusion
Book of Abraham Conclusion
There are three general approaches to the Book of Abraham, two by believers and one by unbelievers. 
The author of The CES Letter is guilty of ignoring the reconstructions available to believers. In his presentation, he has cherry-picked those authorities that support his conclusions while overlooking counterevidence and showing no nuance in his narrow interpretations. His sweeping declarations are often based on little or no supporting evidence.
Many bright, qualified scholars accept the Book of Abraham as an authentic ancient text including Egyptologists, Semitists, experts in ancient Near Eastern history and culture, and experts in Mormon history. It could be argued that the alleged deficits portrayed in The CES Letter include many half-truths and even some misrepresentations of the historical record.
The CES Letter’s report of the Book of Abraham as a “smoking gun” is less compelling because the research reflects such high biases. Little or no attempt is made to address plausible interpretations that contradict the views expressed. The role of a prophet as he translates by the gift and power of God is not seriously considered.
Hugh Nibley explained: "Observers wishing to enter the debate on the Book of Abraham should plan to do some real homework. There is a large bibliography, and there are dozens of theories to master, not to mention a large body of evidence. Included are: (1) the texts of the "Joseph Smith Papyri" identified as belonging to the Book of the Dead, (2) the content and nature of mysterious "Sen-sen" fragment, (3) the so-called "Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar" attributed to Joseph Smith, (4) statements by and about Joseph Smith concerning the nature of the Book of Abraham and its origin, (5) the original document of Facsimile 1 with its accompanying hieroglyphic inscriptions, (6) the text of the Book of Abraham itself in its various editions, (7) the three facsimiles as reproduced in various editions of the Pearl of Great Price, (8) Joseph Smith's explanation of the facsimiles, (9) the large and growing literature of ancient traditions and legends about Abraham in Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, Greek, Slavonic, etc., and (10) the studies and opinions of modern scholars on all aspects of the Book of Abraham. "
The author of The CES Letter has failed to demonstrate any rigor on his part in approaching the Book of Abraham. His comments reveal a superficiality that fundamentally fails to appreciate the complexity of the issue. The lack of depth supports that it is agenda driven and less useful.
What's more, the author of The CES Letter has cherry-picked those authorities that support his conclusion while overlooking those that challenge him, has ignored counter-evidence, has shown no depth or nuance in his thinking, and has made sweeping conclusions based on little or no supporting evidence. He has failed to take seriously the important advice from Egyptologist John Gee:
"If you decide you want to enter the debate [on the Book of Abraham], you ought to do some real homework. There is a large bibliography, and there are dozens of theories to master, not to mention a large body of evidence. . . . You have to pay attention to what Latter-day Saints say about the papyri. It is they who have traced the history of the papyri, dug up what information is known about Antonio Lebolo, identified Joseph Smith Papyri X-XI as a Book of Breathings, and done much basic work on hypocephali, and they are the people who have access to the original documents. They know their own history much better than others do."
See:
New Light on the Joseph Smith Papyri
Additional Book of Abraham Resources:
Top Websites:
Questions About the Book of Abraham by Jeff Lindsay
Top Essays:
“Book of Abraham,” from LDS.org Essay
“Introduction to the Book of Abraham Manuscripts” JosephSmithPapers.org Essay
“Thoughts on the Book of Abraham” by Brian M Hauglid
A Method for Studying the Facsimiles – by John Gee
“The Book of Abraham: Dealing with the Critics,” (PDF) (2003 FAIR Conference) by Michael D. Rhodes
Ancient Affinities within the LDS Book of Enoch Part One, Jeffrey M. Bradshaw and David J. Larsen
Ancient Affinities within the LDS Book of Enoch Part Two, Jeffrey M. Bradshaw and David J. Larsen
Revisiting the Forgotten Voices of Weeping in Moses 7: A Comparison with Ancient Texts, Jeffrey M. Bradshaw,Jacob A. Rennaker, and David J. Larsen
The Book of Abraham and Muslim Tradition by Brian M. Hauglid
“Look unto Abraham Your Father” – by Brian M. Hauglid
A Faint but Interesting Christian Voice from the Dust of Egypt – by John W. Welch
A New Resource on the Book of Moses – by Brian M. Hauglid
A Powerful New Resource for Studying the Book of Abraham – by E. Douglas Clark
An Egyptian Context for the Sacrifice of Abraham – by Kerry Muhlestein, John Gee
And I Saw the Stars – The Book of Abraham and Ancient Geocentric Astronomy by John Gee, William J. Hamblin, Daniel C. Peterson
Approaching Understandings in the Book of Abraham – by Kerry Muhlestein
Astronomy and the Creation in the Book of Abraham by Michael D. Rhodes, J. Ward Moody
Cedars and Stars: Enduring Symbols of Cosmic Kingship in Abraham’s Encounter with Pharoah by E. Douglas Clark
Egyptian Society during the Twenty-sixth Dynasty by John Gee
“A Note on Chiasmus in Abraham 3:22-23” by Julie M. Smith
Enoch Translated – by John W. Welch
Enoch Translated – by John W. Welch
Facsimile 3 and Book of the Dead 125 by John Gee
Notes and Communications: Two Notes on Egyptian Script – by John Gee
On Elkenah as Canaanite El – by Kevin L. Barney
Out of the Dust: Ancient Semitic in Egyptian Pyramids? – by Paul Y. Hoskisson, Michael D. Rhodes
Some Puzzles from the Joseph Smith Papyri – by John Gee
Telling the Story of the Joseph Smith Papyri – by John Gee
The Book of Abraham: Ask the Right Questions and Keep On Looking – by Larry E. Morris
The Book of Abraham: Divinely Inspired Scripture – by Michael D. Rhodes
The Book of Breathings in Its Place – by Kerry MuhlesteinBook Notes –
The Facsimiles and Semitic Adaptation of Existing Sources by Kevin L. Barney
The Religious and Cultural Background of Joseph Smith Papyrus I – by Kerry Muhlestein
“The Larger Issue,” (2009 FAIR Conference) by John Gee
“Egyptian Influence in Ancient Israel,” (PDF) (2001 FAIR Conference) by John Gee
“Encirculing Astronomy and the Egyptians: An Approach to Abraham 3” by Kerry Mulestein
“Egyptian Papyri and the Book of Abraham: Some Questions and Answers” by Kerry Mulestein
“Teaching the Book of Abraham Facsimiles” by Michael D. Rhodes
“Abraham’s Creation Drama,” [Transcript] (1999), by Hugh Nibley
“Introduction to the Egyptian Materials” JosephSmithPapers.org Essay
Jeremy Runnells and the Book of Abraham by Brian Hauglid
Top Podcasts:
Marginal Characters in the Book of Abraham Manuscripts. by John Gee
Mormon FAIR-Cast 62: “A Most Remarkable Book: Evidence for the Book of Abraham”
Facsimile 1 of the Book of Abraham– Evidence and Insights from the DVD Most Remarkable Book
The Book of Abraham- Interview with Brian Hauglid– Fair Mormon Podcast part 1
The Book of Abraham- Interview with Brian Hauglid– Fair Mormon Podcast part 2
FAIR Conversations, Episode 7: Brian M. Hauglid p.1, Brian M. Hauglid, 0:50:15A
FAIR Conversations, Episode 8: Brian M. Hauglid p.2, Brian M. Hauglid, 0:55:52
Mormon FAIR-Cast 62: “A Most Remarkable Book”, Tyler Livingston, 0:09:59
Mormon FAIR-Cast 139: “The Book of Abraham and the Prophetic Power of Joseph Smith,” Martin Tanner, 0:19:54
Top Videos:
“Joseph Smith and Ancient Egypt,” by John Gee (25min)
“Respondent to John Gee, Kerry Mulestein, and Brian M Hauglid” by John S. Thompson (15min)
Where did the book of Abraham come from? A Most Remarkable Book
How can Jewish Scripture be Associated with Egyptian text in the Book of Abraham?
Evidence for the Book of Abraham: Most Remarkable Book
Lion Couch Scene in the Book of Abraham: Evidence of Authenticity
Council of gods in the book of Abraham: A Most Remarkable Book
The Apocalypse of Abraham: An Ancient Witness for the Book of Moses by Jeffrey Bradshaw
Book of Abraham evidence. Facsimile 2 fig. 6
Could Joseph Smith have written the book of Abraham?
How can we know the book of Abraham is true?
Did the Church try to hide the Joseph Smith Papyrus when it was found?
Could any scripture come from Egypt? By Allen Richardson
The Missing portion of the Abraham papyrus or Lacana: Evidence of the book of Abraham
What is the book of Breathings and book of the Dead?
Biblical Characters associated with Osiris and Egyptian Gods
Did the Egyptians Know about Abraham? Evidence of the Book of Abraham
Egyptology, an Evolving Field- Book of Abraham
Most Remarkable Book: Evidences of the Divine Authenticity of the book of Abraham- Bonus Features
Challenge 1: Papyri Found and It Doesn’t Relate? Book of Abraham
Challenge 2: Facsimile 1 Not About Abraham? Book of Abraham
Challenge 3: The Three Facsimile Translations Wrong? Book of Abraham
Challenge 4: Joseph Smith’s Attempt at an Egyptian Grammar. Book of Abraham
Challenge 5: Translating Without Knowing Egyptian? Book of Abraham
Challenge 6: The Joseph Smith papyri were made nearly 2,000 years after Abraham. Book of Abraham
Challenge 7: Anachronisms? Book of Abraham
Challenge 8: Evidences. Book of Abraham
Challenge 9: Other Egyptologists Opposed? Book of Abraham
Challenge 10: Main Summary: More and More Questions? Book of Abraham
Challenge 11: What value is the Book of Abraham text itself? (extra)
Challenge 12: Are Egyptologists Joining the Mormon Church Book of Abraham YouTube original
Challenge 13: Are You, Kerry Muhlestein, Qualified Book of Abraham
Challenge 14: hat About the Internet Videos That Prove You’re Wrong Book of Abraham
Authentic Ancient Names in the book of Abraham by John Tvedtnes
The Microcosmic Egyptian Temple
An Odor of Sanctity: The Egyptian Incense
The Role of Violent Rituals in the Egyptian Temple
The book of Abraham: Dealing with the critics by Dr. Michael Rhodes
Some Puzzles from the Joseph Smith Papyri by John Gee
Abraham Upon the Altar: The Role of Violent Rituals in the Egyptian Temple
A Most Remarkable Book: Evidence for the Divine Authenticity of the book Abraham- DVD preview
Facsimile 3 in the book of Abraham
pt 1, Some Puzzles from the Joseph Smith Papyri
pt 2, Some Puzzles from the Joseph Smith Papyri
pt 3, Some Puzzles from the Joseph Smith Papyri
pt 4, Some Puzzles from the Joseph Smith Papyri
pt 5, Some Puzzles from the Joseph Smith Papyri
pt 1, Facsimile 3. The book of Abraham
pt 2, Facsimile 3, The book of Abraham
pt 3, Facsimile 3, The book of Abraham
pt 1, Egyptian Influence in Ancient Israel
pt 2, Egyptian Influence in Ancient Israel
pt 3, Egyptian Influence in Ancient Israel
pt 4, Egyptian Influence in Ancient Israel
pt 1 An Odor of Sanctity: The Egyptian Incense
pt 2 An Odor of Sanctity: The Egyptian Incense
pt 3 An Odor of Sanctity: The Egyptian Incense
pt 1, The Role of Violent Rituals in the Egyptian Temple
pt 2, The Role of Violent Rituals in the Egyptian Temple
pt 3, The Role of Violent Rituals in Egyptian Temples
pt 1 Investigating the Kirtland Egyptian Papers
pt 2 Investigating the Kirtland Egyptian Papers
pt 3, Investigating the Kirtland Egyptian Papers
pt 4, Investigating The Kirtland Egyptian Papers
pt 5, Investigating the Kirtland Egyptian Papers
pt 6 Investigating the Kirtland Egyptian Papers
pt 7 Investigating the Kirtland Egyptian Papers
pt 1, rebuttal to Lost Book of Abraham, by a faithful LDS
pt 2, rebuttal to Lost Book of Abraham, by a faithful LDS