The book of mormon itself does not address almost any of the major doctrines of mormonism that we know today life did not begin at birth, as is commonly. The linkage between ulisu and olishem would be consistent with the book of abraham, and may be considered evidence in favor of the historicity of the book of abraham, especially if we are willing to abandon existing positionings for the citystate ur. Critical appraisal of the book of abraham wikipedia. Sep 18, 2019 in any case, this plain of olishem was near abrahams homeland of ur of the chaldees according to the book of abraham. An ancient inscription was found recently dated to 2250 b. This is a great, informative article with a lot of interesting information in it, including that there was a city mentioned in the book of abraham, olishem, that no one in joseph smiths day had ever even heard of, near the location of ur. The added geographical olishemulisum and cultural details an egyptian presence at abrahams homeland in the book of abraham make a. While the preliminary reports are encouraging, the evidence upon which the archaeologists base their identifications has not yet been published. The god of elkenah in hieroglyphs and in the book of abraham. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of abraham. For my own part, im satisfied that scholars have answered the common objections to the book of abraham. The region of the ancient ulisum matches well with some geographic interpretations of the book of abraham. 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. Olishem is a name from the book of abraham, which matches the phonetics and time period of the known site of ulishum.
Wonderful book for individual reading or your small adult study group. Elkenah possessing, acquiring zibnah to sell if zbn. It is not yet in the same category, though, as another o name given us in the book of abraham, olishem, which goes the extra mile by providing us not only with plausible meaning but also with apparent archaeological finds not only establishing olishem as a place name in the right place for the book of abraham account. Oylum hoyuk in modern turkey on the kilis plain, approximately 45 miles 73 km north of aleppo, syria. 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. The book of abraham translated from the papyrus, by joseph smith.
He likely invented the name from hebrew olah burnt sacrifice or evil and shem name. Olishem plain of, in egyptian controlled area of nw syria bofabraham 1. It sounds exactly the same and is in the right spot. Oct 30, 2016 for my own part, im satisfied that scholars have answered the common objections to the book of abraham. A translation of some ancient records that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of egypt. The lds church issued a new article on the book of abraham on its official website in 2014, arguing that it does not matter that the text of the book of abraham does not match the text of the papyri joseph smith said he had translated. Analysis of olishem as evidence for the antiquity of the book of. His book was republished four times by the year 1905. The book of abraham, joseph smith, revelation, and you. It isnt clear from the text whether the plain itself was olishem, or whether some city or region in the area to which the plain was adjacent was olishem, or if the plain takes its name from a major city on the plain.
There are two wellknown stories from mythology concerning. His methodology should be applied to the book of abraham as much as that is possible. Aug 02, 2005 the book is broken up into a well written explanation of abrahams significance and importance to three of the worlds major religions and though different, explains how much they have in common in abraham. The name holi, which i could not find an etymology for, resembles the root oli in olishem, oliblish, and olimlahnames found in the book of abraham. I can point out all kinds of evidence that supports the book of abraham, such as the text providing two place names, jershon and olishem, that were unknown in joseph smiths day but have since been attested to exist in abrahams day, and these places lie where the text of the book of abraham says they should. Mormon challenges why are there anachronisms in the book.
This article examines claims by turkish archaeologists to have discovered the city of abraham that may be the olishem mentioned in the book of abraham. The book of abraham in the ancient world religious. The meaning of the twin book of abraham manuscripts. The book of abraham discusses a hill on which human sacrifices were performed in the land of ur at the head of the plain of olishem. Book of abraham name olishem discovered an inscription by akkadian ruler naram sin gives the name of a field called ulisim in northwest syria, where today stands a city oylum, near ebla. The book of abraham has close affinities to a large number of apocryphal and egyptian writings to which joseph smith could have had no access. Although the initial work is promising, the identification is not yet certain. Evidence suggests that elements of the book of abraham fit comfortably in the ancient world and supports the claim that the book of abraham is an authentic record. The difference between egyptologists translation and joseph smiths interpretations has caused considerable controversy. It makes reference to chaldeans, who didnt exist until many years after abraham.
Asterisk denotes a featured version, which includes an introduction and annotation book of abraham and facsimiles, 1 march16 may 1842 times and seasons, 1 march 1842 times and seasons, 15 march 1842 times and seasons, 16 may 1842 history, 18381856, volume c1 2 november 183831 july 1842 history, 18381856, volume c1 2. Abraham claims that his story starts out near a place called olishem abraham 1. Joseph smith and the lds church for over 170 years have claimed that the book of abraham is a translation of a portion of the papyri scrolls purchased by the church in 1835 kirtland, ohio, and that this portion contains the writings of abraham written by abrahams own hand. Many have used the same arguments they level against the book of abraham to attack the bible. But the book of abraham contains many anachronisms. By truth, january 25, 2005 in book of abrahamtruth, january 25, 2005 in book of abraham. Notes worthy of a brief note is how all four sons of horus or geb names in the book of abraham reflect business affairs. Some critics of the church have viewed the book of abraham as a serious weakness that can be used to undermine respect for joseph smith. Published serially from 1 march 1842 to 16 may 1842 and canonized by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints on 10 october 1880, the book of abraham has been valued by latterday saints for its important teachings on the nature of the abrahamic covenant, the premortal existence of humanity, the creation. The book of abraham is a work produced between 1835 and 1842 by the latter day saints lds movement founder joseph smith that he said was based on egyptian papyri purchased from a traveling mummy exhibition. Jun 30, 20 for additional information about the joseph smith papyri and the book of abraham online, with arguments from both faithful lds and critical perspectives. The book of abraham is a book of lds scripture that joseph smith translated from a collection of ancient egyptian papyri the church purchased. Joseph smith was learning hebrew at the time he was producing the book of abraham, and obviously using that knowledge in his text kokaubeam really is hebrew for stars.
A translation of some ancient records, that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of egypt. An added layer of support comes from the book of abrahams mention of the plain of olishem, which apparently was a part of the land of. Book of abraham and facsimiles, 1 march16 may 1842, page 704. A careful study of the book of abraham provides a better measure of the books merits than any hypothesis that treats the text as a conventional translation. The book speaks of the plain of olishem, a name not mentioned in the bible. Purporting to be the writings of abraham while he was in egypt, called the book of abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus. 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. Book of abraham manuscript, circa julycirca november 1835. This is a name that no one had heard of during joseph smiths day.
The book is broken up into a well written explanation of abrahams significance and importance to three of the worlds major religions and though different, explains how much they have in common in abraham. The book of abraham in the ancient world religious studies. Translation and historicity of the book of abraham a. 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. Not coincidentally, ancient aramnaharaim was under the influence of egypt during the days of abraham. The book of abraham actually has a lot of teachings that help align the church to joseph smiths teachings.
The writings of abraham while he was in egypt, called the book of abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus. According to the book of abraham, olishem was located in chaldea, which is to. The book of abraham expands upon the nature of the priesthood in the latter day saint movement, and it is suggested in the work that those who are foreordained to the priesthood earned this right by valor or nobility in the premortal life. Quick answers about the book of abraham in latterday saint religion, one of the most interesting but also problematic aspects of our faith is joseph smiths inspired production of the book of abraham, a text said to have been translated from ancient egyptian scrolls that joseph acquired in 1835, originally found buried with egyptian. Abraham names a spot nearby as the plains of olishem see abraham 1. This video discusses many items that are in the book of abraham that joseph smith could not have known when he published the record.
In 1985, a latterday saint archaeologist named john m. An ancient inscription, not discovered and translated until the 20th century, mentions. Explores the joseph smith papyrus and demonstrates that joseph smiths claim that he had translated the book of abraham from it was a fabrication. For additional information about the joseph smith papyri and the book of abraham online, with arguments from both faithful lds and critical perspectives. A range of articles and resources to assist the investigation of joseph smiths controversial claim that he discovered and translated a lost record of the biblical patriarch abraham. Published serially from 1 march 1842 to 16 may 1842 and canonized by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints on 10 october 1880, the book of abraham has been valued by latterday saints for its important teachings on the nature of the abrahamic covenant, the premortal existence of humanity. The book of abraham mentions the plain of olishem abraham 1. I was recently contacted by a member of the church who was ready to abandon his testimony after listening to a seminar at byu from the neal a. This name ulisim perfectly matches olishem from the book of abraham.
Books by john abraham author of how to get the death you. A portion of the papyri used by joseph smith as the source of the book of abraham. In this article, egyptologist robert ritner responds to that article. It covered a lot of territory and there were some outstanding aspects brought forth, although they were primarily from the critics.
Analysis of olishem as evidence for the antiquity of the book. It was titled positive evidences for the book of abraham. Egyptologists study the three facsimiles included in the book of abraham as. He began his portion of abrahams account where phelps left off and produced a draft of the text of what is now referenced in latterday saint scripture as abraham 1.
On this evidences video i want to talk about the book of abraham. In any case, this plain of olishem was near abrahams homeland of ur of the chaldees according to the book of abraham. Two professors in january 2019 shared their insights on the book of abraham based on their years of study in preparing a major volume on the subject for the joseph smith papers project. Stenhouse published his book, the rocky mountain saints. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. John abrahams most popular book is bollywood body by design.
I figured that if my theories about olishem are correct, i should be able to find some kind of connection between holi and the odyssey. The book of abraham tells a story of abrahams life, travels to canaan and egypt and a vision he received concerning the universe and the creation of the world. Analysis of olishem as evidence for the antiquity of the. Mormon challenges why are there anachronisms in the book of. Critics frequently attack the book of abraham in the pearl of great. While the bible never mentions such a place, scholars have recently discovered and inscription of the name olishem dating to about 2250 bc in northwestern syria just where we would expect to find it according to joseph smith. But those responses dont matter unless one has some reason to at least suspect that the. To help me better understand the apologist and the critics positions i am asking for your input. The latter has been identified with the olishem of abraham 1. Translation and historicity of the book of abrahamgospel topics essays. Book of abraham page 5 pearl of great price central. Kenneth kitchen has done a marvelous job of dealing with these attacks in his book on the reliability of the old testament. Deseret book and byu religious studies center, 2017.
The book of abraham issues translation problems mormonthink. Includes color photos of the surviving joseph smith papyri, articles by mormon and nonmormon egyptologists, and free download of a 240page book that surveys the history of the book of abraham controversy. Perhaps the most vital tool in the arsenal of critics of the church seeking to undermine the book of abraham and the calling of joseph smith as a prophet involves three puzzling book of abraham manuscripts, known as book of abraham manuscript a, b. An added layer of support comes from the book of abrahams mention of the plain of olishem, which apparently was a part of the land of chaldea. Kerry muhlestein, professor of ancient scripture at brigham young university, phd in egyptology at ucla in 2003. Earth remainsand olishem and potiphars hill, though unrecognized, still bear their solemn witness. An inscription by akkadian ruler naram sin gives the name of a field called ulisim in northwest syria, where today stands a city oylum, near ebla. The book of abraham also indicates that abrahams homeland was in that area. Nov 08, 2017 john gees introduction to the book of abraham. The book of abraham clarifies several teachings that are obscure in the bible. Egyptian papyri and the book of abraham religious studies. There are two possibilities for the location of ur, and one is near a place called haran. A lifetime of book of abraham scholarship distilled into a valuable book for a broad audience it was a pleasure to read john gees recently published an introduction to the book of abraham salt lake city and provo, ut.