Joseph Smith's Book of Abraham: Evidence and Critique

There is no historical or archaeological evidence to support the existence of the Book of Abraham as purported by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saints, or Mormon, Church. This article will explore the claims, controversies, and evidence surrounding the Book of Abraham, examining why it is considered fictional propaganda and not a legitimate ancient document.

Credit Where It's Due: The Bible's Mention of Abraham

The name 'Abraham' is indeed mentioned in the Bible, first appearing in Genesis, chapter 11, verse 26, as 'Abram' the son of Terah. His story is further chronicled throughout various scriptures, including Hebrews 11:8, and he is revered by both Jews and Arabs as an important patriarch. For instance, Jews trace their bloodline through Sarah, Abraham's wife, while Arabs trace their lineage through Hagar, Sarah's handmaid. However, the connection to the Book of Abraham, as proposed by Joseph Smith, is not substantiated by historical or religious texts.

The Claims by Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith, in his capacity as a religious leader, claimed to have translated the Book of Abraham from ancient Egyptian scrolls. These scrolls were purchased from an Egyptian mummy case, purportedly belonging to an Egyptian priest named Abra. According to Smith, he received divine inspiration to translate these scrolls into English. The Book of Abraham purportedly contained a detailed account of the life of Abraham, including his interactions with Egyptian priests and his journey to the stars.

The Lack of Evidence

The lack of evidence supporting the Book of Abraham can be attributed to several factors. First, at the time of Joseph Smith's claims, scholars were still in the process of deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799 by Napoleon's army, provided the key to understanding ancient Egyptian language. Before the Rosetta Stone, the hieroglyphs remained a mystery, making it easy for Joseph Smith to claim a translation without the ability of scholars to disprove it.

Post-Rosetta Stone Analysis

Once the hieroglyphs were correctly translated, scholars were able to examine the scrolls that Joseph Smith had claimed to be the Book of Abraham. The results were startling. The scrolls were not about Abraham at all but rather belonged to the Egyptian Book of the Dead, a funerary text used in ancient Egypt. This discovery, along with other analyses, led to the conclusion that the Book of Abraham, as presented by Joseph Smith, was a misinterpretation or forgery.

Critique and Conclusion

Given the lack of historical or archaeological evidence supporting the Book of Abraham, it is clear that Joseph Smith's claims were based on unfounded assumptions and wished-for divine inspiration rather than concrete evidence. The story lacks credibility in the face of modern scholarship and can be seen as a prime example of how religious movements can arise despite a lack of factual support.

References and Further Reading