He talks about lds apologetics how lds members defend the book of abraham. In the old testament, male pronouns he and his are mentioned 6. Looking for an apologist to discuss book of mormon for. Farms fair shields mormon apologetics farms and fair and shields apologize for the book of mormon and the book of abraham. Mormon scholars who encourage ongoing belief in and devotion to lds church truth and authority claims through nuance, metaphor, symbolism, humanities, poetry, recontextualization, the redefining of words, etc. Those involved in evangelizing mormons know that young missionaries, when faced with difficulties in their scriptures, are quite likely to turn to farms materials for help, even.
Problems book of abraham and mormon apologetics thursday, feb 17, 2005, at 11. Mar 15, 2003 in the name of the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms, the institute for the study and preservation of ancient religious texts institute supports study and research on the book of mormon, the book of abraham, the old testament and the new testament, studies of the early formative period of the christian tradition, ancient temples, and other related subjects. Joseph made up the translation for the facsimiles and the rest of the book of abraham, yet because of. Nibley 19102005 taught at byu from 1946 until 1994 and produced an astonishing body of scholarship, mostly in defense of the book of mormon, the book of abraham, and lds theology. The book of abraham and other mormon scripture that not only contradicts the bible but, given mormon claims for them, are proven fraudulent. The book of abraham is a work produced between 1835 and 1842 by joseph smith based, he. Jun 25, 2012 it seems the mi hasnt had its heart in it for years.
The journal of book of mormon studies, once published under farms, continues to be published by the willes center. Ravi zacharias was invitited to speak at the mormon tabernacle to an audience of 7,000 people. The book of abraham papyri were thought to have been lost in the 1871 great chicago fire. This research primarily concerned the book of mormon, the book of abraham, the old testament, the new testament, early christian history, ancient temples, and other related subjects. In the name of the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms, the institute for the study and preservation of ancient religious texts institute supports study and research on the book of mormon, the book of abraham, the old testament and the new testament, studies of the early formative period of the christian tradition, ancient temples, and other related subjects. Bill reel once again joins us and we proceed to lay out the following.
Here are some articles where these lds apologists defend the book of abraham. The above donut chart shows percentages of the book of abraham section of letter to a ces director that fairmormon is in agreement, disagreement, and neutral on if one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 90. Critics say it is a work of fiction created by smith, while some mormon apologists defend its authenticity. The unceasing mormon defense of salvation by works, a doctrine the bible declares is cursed by god. The papyri which joseph smith said he translated the book of abraham from have been exposed to be nothing more than funeral texts from ancient egypt at least eight egyptologists and semitists have studied the papyri and. Contemporary book of mormon apologetics really began with two lengthy series of articles from 1950 to 1952 by nibley on the book of mormon, published in 1952 as the book lehi in the desert and the world. Critics have charged that book of mormon theology is too modern. Hauglids essay, i would like to note here that i appreciate mr. The book of abraham, it is hardly necessary to say, is a pure fabrication. Nov 10, 2015 rather, we should raise the bar and hasten the work in mormon apologetics.
How the text of the book of mormon was brought to us was a witness to the prophets status as seer and translator as is the book of abraham. Jun 11, 2009 at that time, church president gordon hinckley said, farms represents the efforts of sincere and dedicated scholars. I found something which was refreshing to read from an lds member, dr. He has been a prominent book of abraham apologists, publishing in farms and other byu outlets. A farms anthology, warfare in the book of mormon ricks and hamblin 1990, argues that the book of mormon accurately depicts premodern war practices in the ancient near east, as well as in mesoamerica. This page seeks to show that book of mormon concepts can plausibly fit into the fabric of ancient revealed truths known to jewish prophets and early christians truths which were muddled for centuries and restored beautifully in the book of mormon.
Ive approached mike ash to participate, and he has politely declined im waiting to hear back on his reasons. In sifting through arguments pro and con for mormonism, i have found the following. The role of apologetics in mormon studies interpreter. In 1997, the group became a formal part of brigham young university byu, which is owned and operated by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. In case fair farms decide not participate, do any of you know anyone who is a believer in book of mormon.
How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of mormonism. The book of mormon purports to be an inspired and accurate translation of an ancient historical narrative covering more than a thousand years. Lds apologists are members of the church that defend. Joseph smith said that the fragments were associated with the book of abraham. Among the early book of abraham relatedmanuscripts that have survived from the days of joseph smith are a number of papers collectively referred to as the kirtland egyptian papers kep. However while the text is part of the original article, the links are not. Death blow to mormonism the book of abraham is a fake. The book contains several doctrines that are unique to mormonism such as the idea that god organized eternal elements. The book of abraham missing scrolls, catalyst theories, and bad apologetics part 2 today we explore the book of abraham in radio free mormon style. Mormon handbook the book of abraham since abraham lived before moses, who authored the torah the first five books of the old testament, it would make the papyrus older than the book of genesis. While translating the book of mormon, he used the urim and thummim rather. Smith then gave 3 examples of what she considers high quality mormon apologetics.
Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 7, no. The problems encountered here are devastating to the credibility of mormonism. A portion of the papyri used by joseph smith as the source of the book of abraham. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of. They are now referred to as the joseph smith papyri.
In this chapter we will examine another book of the mormon scriptures called the book of abraham. Find out about its teachings of men becoming gods, temples, the book of mormon, and joseph smith who claimed to have seen god the father. This full issue is brought to you for free and open access by the all journals at byu scholarsarchive. This is a great resource to show how farms spins damaging information to keep mormons under the illusion that all is well in mormonism. Yeah sure, just as soon as mormon apologetics admit that the book of abraham is a fraudyour getting close to doing sobut come on just come clean and admit it. Hendricks, director of mormon research group farms. The book of mormon mistakenly has jesus including peters appended comments as if they were part of moses words in deuteronomy.
Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies wikipedia. Joseph smiths interpretation of these cuts is a farrago of nonsense from beginning to end. However, in 1966 several fragments of the papyri were found in the archives of the metropolitan museum of art in new york and in the lds church archives. However, we have an opportunity here to verify or not verify the book of abraham through facsimile no. Thousands of mormons left the church as the result of this discovery, while thousands more are completely unaware of this important piece of evidence. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Nowadays, mormon apologetics seems close to nonexistent relative to ten years ago. Please add your farms or fair story or comments in the box below. I received an email today from a fellow ill call enochville, who provided some good clarification with regards to apologists. Explores the joseph smith papyrus and demonstrates that joseph smiths claim that he had translated the book of abraham from it was a fabrication.
The book of mormon has been criticized for its lack of significant female characters in the narrative. Temple worship in the lost 116 pages by don bradley, as well as many other very interesting subjects. Maxwell institute for religious scholarship when ispart changed names. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of abraham. The book of abraham is a book of lds scripture that joseph smith translated from a collection of ancient egyptian papyri the church purchased. Farms stands for the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies. Yet, the author of the book of mormon unquestionably was relying on acts 3. This fact he tries to deny when he says, the book of abraham is not like the book of mormon. Each coloured link within the article will lead you to a related topic on a different page on this site. Mormons apologists now argue the papyri are later transcriptions and copies of the ancient scrolls written by abraham. Thousands of years ago, the prophet nephi learned that one purpose of the book of mormon was to establish the truth of the. Review of books on the book of mormon 19892011 volume 15number 1 article 25 112003 vol.
Fairmormon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing welldocumented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. In 2010, the foundation for ancient research was dissolved. Moreover, hugh nibley, the patron saint of farms, argued at length in such essays as new approaches to book of mormon study, which first appeared in 1953 and was then incorporated into his collected works via the 1989 anthology the prophetic book of mormon, that the proper way to examine the provenance of a disputed text is, first, to. An inspired translation of the writings of abraham. Ive also approach fair, and am waiting to hear back. So the farms author agrees that joseph smith was clueless as to the true meaning and purpose of the documents. Many laypeople in the lds church look to farms as the final authority on matters regarding the book of mormon and other lds scriptures such as the book of abraham. While allowing some degree of academic freedom to its scholars, farms was committed to the conclusion that lds scriptures are authentic, historical texts written by prophets of god.
Apologetics and underdetermination aka how fairmormon works. Joseph smith began the translation in 1835 after obtaining some egyptian papyri. Like the book of mormon and the bible revision, both of which were dictated by. This december, he and robin jensen, from the church history department, released the joseph smith papers volume dedicated to the book of abraham. Well firstly, joseph smith, the prophet, translated the papyri. The author of this article may or may not agree with the views expressed on those pages. Mormonism, also known as the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, claims to be the restoration of the true gospel and a revelation of the true god. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient. The book of abraham was not translated, it was fabricated. I remember active engagement from mormon academics from various backgrounds, consistent publications, debate, amongst other activities. The problem was that excavations at the hill in new york identified by joseph smith as cumorah failed to uncover any trace of the two million people who supposedly died there a mere 1600 years ago. Lds apologist undermines the book of abraham mormon chronicle. In the last chapter, we saw some of the problems mormonism faces with the book of mormon and archaeology. Aug 08, 2018 years ago, when i joined this site, the field of mormon apologetics was active.
Updated 122395 includes the smithsonian letter on the book of mormon. Rhodes never comments on how his english translation of the egyptian texts supports or does not support the book of abraham. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of. Sorry somehow this posted before i was far from complete lol and that is reflected in the title my apologies. Second, the critics do not deal with the issues arising from the book of abraham that latterday saints care about. The foundation for ancient research and mormon studies functions as a research and publication center that focuses on scholarly analysis of the book of mormon, the book of abraham, the old testament, the new testament, early christian history, and ancient temples. A collection of short articles from the farms newsletter in the 1980. Hauglid has acknowledged that most of my concerns and questions presented in the book of abraham section of the ces letter are legitimate questions and concerns. Brian hauglid is a professor of ancient scripture at byu. Ashments book, the use of magical papyri to authenticate the book of abraham. Mm community, im looking to do a podcast series for mormon stories on book of mormon historicity and dna. Apologetics research resources on religious cults and. A translation and commentary, which was the second volume in the series entitled studies in the book of abraham by the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms at brigham young university.
Its validity as scripture depends on its being historically authentic. Established in 1979 as a private organization, farms is a group of mormon scholars dedicated to studying and defending the mormon faith. The translation was published serially in the times and seasons beginning march 1, 1842, at nauvoo, illinois. Aug 03, 2012 for those interested in the temple, topics will include book of abraham, i presume by john gee, and piercing the veil. Answers about mormons and mormon beliefs lds faq latter. Accompanying this release and renewed interest in the topic.
Share this video so that more people can be set free from the tangled lies of joseph smith. While allowing some degree of academic freedom to its scholars, farms was committed to the conclusion that lds scriptures are authentic, historical texts written. The state of mormon apologetics general discussions. Disproves lds claims that joseph smith received the book of abraham through revelation and proves that joseph smiths source for his translation was a pagan egyptian text, the book of breathings. It refutes many of the antimormon assaults on the book of abraham. Unlike controversial and less respected mormon apologists, mr.
Three difficult questions for mormons catholic answers. Contributors to an anthology on king benjamins sermon welch and ricks 1998 draw parallels to festivals, ceremonies, and orations of the. Index of articles on mormons, mormonism,the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, joseph smith, book of mormon, book of abraham, modern revelation, archeology, science, history, faith, christianity, judaism, apologetics, nature of god, council of gods, faith, dna and the book of mormon, cataclysm of 3rd nephi, signs in the sky. His visit and speak at the mormon tabernacle generat. Thirdly, the book of abraham provides justification for important mormon doctrines, including the exaltation of man, plurality of gods, priesthood, and premortal existence not found in any of the other canonized scriptures of the lds. Peterson is a professor of islamic studies and arabic in the department of asian and near eastern languages at brigham young university and currently serves as editorinchief of byus. At that time, church president gordon hinckley said, farms represents the efforts of sincere and dedicated scholars. Abraham refers to a picture in the text of the book of abraham abr. It is evident that the writings of abraham while he was in egypt, of which our printed book of abraham is a copy, must of necessity be older than. This is true too of their defenses of the book of abraham and the book of mormon. The book of mormon only mentions one hill cumorah, as does joseph smith, said professor garloy p.
Fairmormon faithful answers to criticisms of the lds church. Apologetics research resources on religious cults and sects. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms. They are as busy as bees with this mission impossible task.
The maxwell institute is still doing apologetics at some level, although the word itself and the idea behind it have fallen out of favor. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence. Farms hopes that this information will help interested people to come unto christ and to understand and take more seriously these ancient witnesses of the atonement of jesus christ, the son of god. It seems the mi hasnt had its heart in it for years. Farms and mormon apologetics how they spin damaging. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies byuorg. Those that are interested in the ongoing farmsmaxwell institute situation. Fairmormon and these unofficial apologists have done more to destroy my testimony than any antimormon source ever could. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies. The book of abraham is part of the pearl of great price, which mormons consider scripture.
The prophet had 11 witnesses of the plates and there were witnesses to the translation as well. The foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms was an informal collaboration of academics devoted to latterday saint historical scholarship. The book of mormon also makes a strong point for gods spiritual and eternal unity see alma 11. Book of abraham and related manuscripts the joseph smith papers. The book of abraham issues translation problems mormonthink. We have actual evidence that joseph smith was lying to mormons when he invented his new scripture the book of abraham. Cuts 1 and 3 are inaccurate copies of well known scenes on funeral papyri, and cut 2 is a copy of one of the magical discs. I would like to share it with you all thanks so much, enochville, to offer a small bit of closure to the raging post on fair farms and lds apologetics of last week. By mighty curelom, january 4, 2005 in book of abrahammighty curelom, january 4, 2005 in book of abraham. In some circles they are known as professional branch of mormon apologetics. Lds apologetics and the battle for mormon history christian. I think i have proof that mormonism is not true youtube. Rhodes published his ninetysevenpage book, the hor book of breathings.
Smith once called the book of mormon the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion smith, 1902, 4. That mormon leaders, writers, and apologists should be trusted when they have a history of deception. Why doesnt the translation of the egyptian papyri found in 1967. If the events it records did not happen, and if it is actually modern rather than ancient in origin, then the book of mormon cannot be the word of god. Even before the book of abraham was published in 1842, joseph smith and other. What is the story on the book of abraham of the church of jesus christ of. Rather, we should raise the bar and hasten the work in mormon apologetics.