The Philosophy of a Future State
The Philosophy of a Future State
CES Letter Core Question
Did Joseph Smith steal ideas found in Abraham chapter 3 from a novel by Thomas Dick?
The Latter-day Saint scientist and author Erich Robert Paul offered an important discussion on Joseph Smith's cosmology in comparison with other 19th century cosmologies, and specifically discussed the Book of Abraham and Thomas Dick, in his 1992 book published by University of Illinois Press.
Paul writes:
Although [Fawn Brodie] implies that Joseph Smith derived his notion of Kolob from Dick's idea of the throne of God, Dick views God as omnipresent, universal, and ethereal, which would preclude Joseph Smith's idea of a universal center upon which God, as being, dwells. Joseph Smith, and many others, shared Dick's and the eighteenth-century philosophes' view of the perfectibility of man. But Joseph Smith argued for the ultimate divine perfectibility of humans, a concept Dick rejected. On such crucial doctrines of eternal progression, creation ex nihilo, and the eternal nature of matter, there is also wide divergence of belief. Moreover, Dick espoused a dualistic metaphysics, while Joseph Smith became a strict monist.
Theologically, Dick claimed that humans are utterly contingent upon God, while Joseph Smith eventually argued that humans are necessary. On the nature of evil, sin, and the fall, the two also held polar views. After an exhaustive analysis of the external evidence and doctrinal issues dealing with God, man, salvation, and other theological and metaphysical views, at least one contemporary writer, Edward T. Jones, concluded there are so few similarities in their thinking that Brodie's assertion must be rejected.
Paul concludes that it is "unlikely that Joseph Smith benefited significantly from Dick's ideas," and that the Prophet otherwise "likely did not use available literary materials" such as Dick "as primary sources for his own version of pluralism." Paul concludes:
The idea that Joseph Smith may have borrowed from cultural sources cannot, of course, be totally discounted–––or confirmed. Yet asserting indigenous sources requires at the very least an explanation for both his deviations from the available sources and his integration of his pluralistic ideas with his scriptural writings. In the pluralist concept Joseph Smith seems to have deviated significantly from the mainstream of those writing on the subject, whether evangelical or deistic.
The author of The CES Letter fails to do just this, and as such his conclusions should only be accepted with great skepticism. As Paul explains:
The mere availability of pluralist views is in itself not an adequate argument for Joseph Smith's coherent system of beliefs. Ideas by themselves do not form an integrated and consistent system without the dimensions of a broader conceptual structure.
If Joseph Smith was slavishly cribbing from Dick, as the author of The CES Letter asserts, then he must explain the Prophet's departure from Dick. He must also account for the entirety of the cosmological vision in the Book of Abraham, and not merely cherry-pick the parts thereof that seem to support his argument.
See:
Book of Abraham/Plagiarism accusations/Thomas Dick
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
The CES Letter improperly represents the Joseph Smith Translation in order create the appearance of a contradiction.
The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible is more of an inspired commentary to expand the text and enlighten the readers.
The Joseph Smith Translation does not purport to be a restoration to the original texts. The CES Letter creates a straw man argument by embracing an unjustified expectation. It expects the text to be restorative and then demonstrates that it is not.
The reasons for similarity between several chapters in the Book of Mormon and the Bible are unknown, but could simply be because the material on the gold plates was similar or because God (through the seer stone) interjected that material into the translation.
No witnesses reported Joseph using a Bible in translating the Book of Mormon, but that he might have implemented similar texts would not be surprising.
It appears that The CES Letter’s expectations are unduly narrow and reflect a misunderstanding of the Joseph Smith Translation text and history.
Additional resources:
Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (JST) by Robert J. Matthews
Insights Available as We Approach the Original Text – by Kerry Muhlestein
Joseph Smith and the Origins of the Book of Mormon – by L. Ara Norwood
Joseph Smith and the Text of the Book of Mormon – by Robert J. Matthews
Joseph Smith Translation (Bible Dictionary)
How Joseph Smith Translated the Book of Mormon: Evidence from the Original Manuscript – by Royal Skousen