Podcast Episode 8 Book of Abraham and JST

Faith Crisis and Reconstruction Podcast Series, Episode 8: Book of Abraham and JST

In this episode, I discuss apologetic aspects of the Book of Abraham (BoA) and Joseph Smith Translation. The LDS Gospel Topics Essay on the Book of Abraham provides background on the papyrus that Joseph Smith used to translate the Book of Abraham. It does not date back to Abraham’s time nor does it include any information on it related to Abraham or the Book of Abraham text. The LDS Gospel Topics Essay suggests two possibilities to resolve this issue: the lost scroll theory and the catalyst theory. We discuss these theories as well as insights into the Joseph Smith Translation project. My personal belief is that the Book of Abraham is not ancient but should be seen as modern, revealed, inspired scripture uncorrelated to Abraham or ancient happenings.

Topics:

Michael Chandler’s traveling mummies
Kirtland Egyptian Papers (KEP) project
Brian Hauglid and Robin Jensen: LDS scholars overseeing Joseph Smith Papers project over BoA
KEP Papyri as Egyptian funerary text
KEP Facsimiles — the BoA images in LDS scripture
BoA potential source material
Missing Scroll Theory
Catalyst Theory
Midrash
Kinderhook Plates
FairMormon take on Joseph Smith Translation
Thomas Wayment research on Adam Clarke in JST
Terryl Givens on Book of Moses
Universalism in the JST and D&C
My take on logical inconsistencies in the restoration — Why would God do that?