On this episode, we wrap up our logical deconstruction of the Book of Abraham. We focus our petrifying gaze on the lds.org essay titled, ‘Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham,’ the LDS Church’s official statement on this challenging piece of Mormon scripture. Is it merely more apologetics, or is there something special with this essay compared with other apologetic arguments for the ‘historical plausibility’ of the Book of Abraham? No, it’s just delicately worded apologetics we discussed at length last week. What more can we learn from this essay? What would it look like for the Brighamite LDS Church to disavow an historically authentic interpretation of this book and other Mormon scripture? We use the RLDS as an analogue to muse on what the Church has to lose when it comes to moving into an unorthodox and progressive stance on scripture and doctrine.
Links:
Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham https://www.lds.org/topics/translation-and-historicity-of-the-book-of-abraham?lang=eng
Book of Abraham and Kirtland Egyptian material http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/site/book-of-abraham-and-egyptian-material
Kirtland Egyptian language and grammar http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/grammar-and-alphabet-of-the-egyptian-language-circa-july-circa-november-1835/7
Original printing of Book of Abraham and Facsimile 1 http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/book-of-abraham-and-facsimiles-1-march-16-may-1842/1
Book of Abraham MormonThink http://www.mormonthink.com/book-of-abraham-issues.htm#theegyptionpapyriwerenotall
Lucy Mack Smith Book of Abraham ‘translation’ method http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/intro/introduction-to-book-of-abraham-manuscripts
Roger Launius The Reorganized Church, the Decade of Decision, and the Abilene Paradox https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/issues/V31N01.pdf
Community of Christ FY2017 Budget http://www.cofchrist.org/common/cms/resources/Documents/FY17-Budget-ENGLISH.pdf
Community of Christ D&C 163 https://www.cofchrist.org/doctrine-and-covenants-section-163
Current LDS Membership Statistics http://www.cumorah.com/index.php?target=church_growth_articles
Current LDS Income Statistics http://www.churchistrue.com/blog/lds-membership-statistics-report-2017/
LDS Self-reported Membership Statistics https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/topic/church-growth
Show Links:
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