The more we learn, the more we realize how much we don't know, and must rely on faith to be taught through God's Word. If we read with faith, God will fill our hearts and minds with His truth.
Thanks Dr. Muhlestein, great thoughts. I agree that it's sad that we've focused on the issues of translation so much that we neglect the text. However, I'm also very thankful for your work on helping eliminate the issues.
I heard that the verses referring to the facsimiles were likely 19th century scribe editions as they were squeezed in between the translation and in one verse it even says that the pictures were included as an example of false gods- suggesting that it was Joseph using and referencing the pictures rather than the references being in the text from Abraham
"Ye blind guides, which strain at gnat, and swallow a camel." How appropriate is that rebuke of the Savior. What is the bigger picture that has been ignored since the research of Dr. Hugh Nibley? What is the theme of Egyptian funerary texts? It is the death, resurrection, and ascension to the throne of god to dwell in his presence. It is no coincidence that the Book of Abraham was published in the Times and Seasons during the same period that Joseph Smith was developing the Temple endowment in Nauvoo. The theme of the funerary texts in Joseph Smith's possession is the very theme in the Nauvoo temple with emphasis on salvation for the dead. That is why it is called the Book of the Dead. The "passion play" of Abraham in the Book of Abraham is the very myth of Osiris and his death by Seth and his ascension to the throne as judge in the underworld. The funerary texts were a catalyst to the establishment of the temple endowment through the translation of the Book of Abraham.
I have friends who are members of the Community of Christ (RLDS). I'm wondering if John Gee and Kerry Muhlestein have made any headway with them. Or if they've ever tried to open channels with them because they are really foundering.
I watched a dissertation on the Book of Abraham, and the evidence brought forth was that people mentioned in the Book of Abraham actually existed. People obviously other than Abraham. In the second facsimile you displayed the detractors of the church say it was a weding. Look at the black character in the facsimile. Josepph Smith identified him as a slave. Look at a slaves clothing. Now look at the person the black person is holding hands with. Same clothing. Joseph Smith also identified him as a slave. Abviously they are of the same class. That would mean the women was marrying a slave. Ridiculous. Joseph Smith was obviously right, and the detractors wrong
It seems to me that it is simple to refute the claim that the Book of Abraham came from funerary text. Ask those making the claim to show you where in the writings in the Book of Abraham there is funerary text. As one who has read the Book of Abraham, I have not read anything that read as I would image a funerary text might read. It is easy to make such claims, but one making these claims are obligated to provide evidence supporting their claims.
That’s not really the point that critics make. They don’t say that hidden somewhere in Joseph Smith’s translation of the Book of Abraham is funerary text; rather, they claim that Joseph smith wrote an entirely different book than what was contained in the scrolls. This fact is proven by all modern egyptologists, and acknowledged by the church to be true. The scrolls were not the Book of Abraham. The Book of Abraham is a creation of Joseph Smith, separated completely from their parent scrolls, thus they would not contain any funerary text. If Joseph Smith had translated them correctly, they would read as funerary text complimenting the funerary facsimiles.
The more we learn, the more we realize how much we don't know, and must rely on faith to be taught through God's Word. If we read with faith, God will fill our hearts and minds with His truth.
Thanks Dr. Muhlestein, great thoughts. I agree that it's sad that we've focused on the issues of translation so much that we neglect the text. However, I'm also very thankful for your work on helping eliminate the issues.
This is very interesting. I’m sure I’ve had some of these assumptions myself. Thank you for your work!
I heard that the verses referring to the facsimiles were likely 19th century scribe editions as they were squeezed in between the translation and in one verse it even says that the pictures were included as an example of false gods- suggesting that it was Joseph using and referencing the pictures rather than the references being in the text from Abraham
"Ye blind guides, which strain at gnat, and swallow a camel." How appropriate is that rebuke of the Savior. What is the bigger picture that has been ignored since the research of Dr. Hugh Nibley? What is the theme of Egyptian funerary texts? It is the death, resurrection, and ascension to the throne of god to dwell in his presence. It is no coincidence that the Book of Abraham was published in the Times and Seasons during the same period that Joseph Smith was developing the Temple endowment in Nauvoo. The theme of the funerary texts in Joseph Smith's possession is the very theme in the Nauvoo temple with emphasis on salvation for the dead. That is why it is called the Book of the Dead. The "passion play" of Abraham in the Book of Abraham is the very myth of Osiris and his death by Seth and his ascension to the throne as judge in the underworld. The funerary texts were a catalyst to the establishment of the temple endowment through the translation of the Book of Abraham.
I have friends who are members of the Community of Christ (RLDS). I'm wondering if John Gee and Kerry Muhlestein have made any headway with them. Or if they've ever tried to open channels with them because they are really foundering.
I watched a dissertation on the Book of Abraham, and the evidence brought forth was that people mentioned in the Book of Abraham actually existed. People obviously other than Abraham.
In the second facsimile you displayed the detractors of the church say it was a weding. Look at the black character in the facsimile. Josepph Smith identified him as a slave. Look at a slaves clothing. Now look at the person the black person is holding hands with. Same clothing. Joseph Smith also identified him as a slave.
Abviously they are of the same class. That would mean the women was marrying a slave. Ridiculous. Joseph Smith was obviously right, and the detractors wrong
It seems to me that it is simple to refute the claim that the Book of Abraham came from funerary text. Ask those making the claim to show you where in the writings in the Book of Abraham there is funerary text. As one who has read the Book of Abraham, I have not read anything that read as I would image a funerary text might read. It is easy to make such claims, but one making these claims are obligated to provide evidence supporting their claims.
That’s not really the point that critics make. They don’t say that hidden somewhere in Joseph Smith’s translation of the Book of Abraham is funerary text; rather, they claim that Joseph smith wrote an entirely different book than what was contained in the scrolls. This fact is proven by all modern egyptologists, and acknowledged by the church to be true. The scrolls were not the Book of Abraham. The Book of Abraham is a creation of Joseph Smith, separated completely from their parent scrolls, thus they would not contain any funerary text. If Joseph Smith had translated them correctly, they would read as funerary text complimenting the funerary facsimiles.
@@CominsjcWow...you really missed the point of this video, didn't you?