It has been proven that when Joseph Smith translated the "Book of Abraham" it was not the writings of Abraham as he claimed, but a copy of Egyptian Papyri. The Egyptian text was part of the Egyptian burial rites and is nothing close to Joseph Smiths translation.
(History of the Church, vol. 2, pg. 236, "... with W.W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery as scribes, I commenced the translation of some of the characters or hieroglyphics, and much to our joy found that one of the rolls contained the writings of Abraham, another the writings of Joseph of Egypt ...")
Mormons, what does this mean to you?
Here is an interesting article about the translation process:
http://www.mormonismi.info/jamesdavid/js...
2007-08-17 06:19:19 · 5 answers · asked by Apollo's Revenge 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
http://www.carm.org/lds/ldspapyri.htm
2007-08-17 14:44:15 · update #1
You don't need god to tell you that Smith was fooling everyone. Smith's translation is a joke; a travesty of 'scholarship' still maintained by the Maxwell institute and anyone who believes Smith was an inspired prophet.
Smith is the one who lied and deceived. That's his true legacy - one of deception, misrepresentation and sexual predation. Someone explain how this is the hallmark of a "Great Man"?
2007-08-17 10:54:46 · answer #1 · answered by Dances with Poultry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's always been recognized as Egyptian papyri (that's just what they used for paper). Abraham wrote on the papyri mny things. Out of all that Joseph Smith originally had, only a fraction has survived. There will never be a way to prove or disprove what was on the missing pieces.
Tthe link provided isn't working.
2007-08-17 14:16:10 · answer #2 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mormons will never accept facts that are damaging to the church. No matter what.
Even if you show them that their scripture does not match with the bible they will think you are lying or confused. I am always in the wrong with a Mormon yet there is never any information to prove it. Go figure...
(Very smart of the church to set it up that way.)
2007-08-17 13:31:37 · answer #3 · answered by alana 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where is this so-called "proof." Someone's interpretation of something does not make something as a "proof." Any statistician could tell you that a manipulation of the variables being research and studied could get you different outcomes. Nothing has been 'proven" as you state. however, there is a way to know for your self if something is true or not. As stated in James 1:5 in the Bible, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..."
Ask God for the answer about Mormons. If you have a sincere heart and real intent, God will manifest the truth to you.
2007-08-17 13:24:43 · answer #4 · answered by Kerry 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Its just your word against ours isn't it?
So let us believe in Joseph Smith, and you believe what ever you may. That means please do not bore me again with what you so called evidence.
If people will be true to God because of evidence, the Isrealites wouldn't be running around the wilderness for 40 years.
2007-08-17 15:03:16 · answer #5 · answered by Wahnote 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋