This page is under construction. This page is similar to other pages and pertained to facsimile #2 in an earlier version of the CES Letter
Joseph's "Translation" vs Egyptology
For several reasons it is unrealistic to expect Joseph's translation of the Facsimiles to exactly parallel modern Egyptological views.
Egyptologists to not universally agree on the meaning of the iconography.
As a seer who translated with God's assistance, Joseph Smith's translations would reflect eternally valuable insights, which would probably be different than the modern interpretation of the symbols.
The Book of Abraham reports that the original Egyptian leaders believed in the true God (Abraham 1:25-26) leading to the conclusion that later gods were a perversion of those principles. If the religious Egyptian iconography experienced a similar perversion, then Joseph's translation would not correlate to modern translations.
Each of the three Egyptian representations in the facsimiles that Joseph Smith said were associated with Abraham actually was associated with him by ancient Egyptians. This reality does not prove the Prophet to be a prophet, but it is a curious instance where Joseph was correct.
Critics are quick to point out understandable inconsistencies with Joseph Smith's explanations of the Facsimiles. However, they do not attempt to deal with these significant instances of consistency. No plausible explanations have been posed for explaining away the many striking consistencies in the Book of Abraham with nonbiblical traditions regarding Abraham.
While people from different backgrounds may disagree regarding Joseph Smith’s translation of the Book of Abraham and the papyri, it would be unfortunate to make assumptions regarding the things we don’t know and then condemn Joseph Smith or the Book of Abraham based upon those assumptions.
The author of The CES Letter fails to inform his readers that since the 1960s the Church has known and freely admitted that the papyri fragments currently in possession of the Church do not contain the text of the Book of Abraham. Hugh Nibley's early work on the fragments demonstrated this. Click here
See:
A Method for Studying the Facsimiles – by John Gee
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