Joseph & Translation Pt. 2
Facsimile #1 & What Joseph Meant by "Translation"
CES Letter Core Question
The CES Letter repeatedly compares Joseph's "translation" to that of Egyptologists. Did Joseph use the term "translation" in the same way we think of it?
The CES Letter adopts questionable assumptions about Joseph Smith and "translation" and then judges him based upon those assumptions.
No one has proposed that Joseph Smith was familiar with the ancient Egyptian written language or that his "translation" would parallel that of modern translators.
Joseph Smith never translated a document as modern Egyptologists translate hieroglyphics. Compare these "translations" of Joseph Smith:
The Book of Mormon was translated with seer stones we call the Urim and Thummim, as well as another seer stone he found in his youth.
A parchment shown in vision originally written by John was translated (D&C 7).
The Joseph Smith Translation resulted from a study of the King James Bible. It is a “translation” that came as pure revelation. The physical text in front of him served as a catalyst only.
The Book of Abraham was “translated” after Joseph Smith acquired some Egyptian papyri. The “translation” process is not described, but likely included one of the following:
Joseph Smith by the power of God, translated a text that was written on the long scroll of papyri by Abraham. That scroll is now missing so there is no way to submit its contents to modern Egyptologists.
As Joseph opened his mind to God because of his curiosity about the text on the papyri, he received revelation about an ancient text not on the papyri but written by Abraham.
If Joseph “translated” the hieroglyphics on the facsimiles with the gift and power of God, what might we expect?
The resultant “translation” could be exactly as modern Egyptologists would produce. Since Egyptologists tell us the text is a pagan funerary document, God’s willingness to facilitate the translation through the Holy Spirit would be surprising.
The “translation” could be tied to the original meaning 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 religious symbols experienced a similar perversion, then which of the meanings would Joseph produce through the Spirit?
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 CES Letter assumes that Joseph Smith “translated” the Egyptian papyri in the same manner that a modern Egyptologist might, but it is a questionable assumption. Click here
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