![FairMormon Logo](https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_fair_logo_primary.png)
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) |
SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→The stories and worldviews we find in the translated text of our Book of Abraham coincide nicely with what we find from ancient Abrahamic lore) |
||
Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
*Ibn al-Tayyib 7:1—2, p. 253 ' | *Ibn al-Tayyib 7:1—2, p. 253 ' | ||
*Ibn Kathir 11, p. 455 | *Ibn Kathir 11, p. 455 | ||
− | + | *Ishäq ibn Bishr 161B:3, p. 312 John Chrysostom, p. 193 | |
*Jubilees 11:4, 7, 16, pp. 14, 15 | *Jubilees 11:4, 7, 16, pp. 14, 15 | ||
*Judith 5:7, p. 4 | *Judith 5:7, p. 4 | ||
Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
*Anonymous Christian Chrom‘cle 10, pp. 228—29 | *Anonymous Christian Chrom‘cle 10, pp. 228—29 | ||
*Apocalypse ofAbraham 1:2; 25:1, pp. 52, 59 | *Apocalypse ofAbraham 1:2; 25:1, pp. 52, 59 | ||
− | *Book ofJasher 9:6—8, 19; 11:32, 42—45, 47, | + | *Book ofJasher 9:6—8, 19; 11:32, 42—45, 47, pp. 138—39, 141, 142 |
− | pp. 138—39, 141, 142 | ||
*Book of the Cave of Treasures 23a.2, p. 190 | *Book of the Cave of Treasures 23a.2, p. 190 | ||
*Book of the Rolls 119a, p. 208 | *Book of the Rolls 119a, p. 208 | ||
Line 77: | Line 76: | ||
*Apocalypse of Abraham 1:1; 25:1; 26:1, pp. 52, 59, 60 | *Apocalypse of Abraham 1:1; 25:1; 26:1, pp. 52, 59, 60 | ||
*Augustm'e, City of God 16.12, pp. 200—201 | *Augustm'e, City of God 16.12, pp. 200—201 | ||
− | *Book | + | *Book of Iasher 9:7; 11:20-22, 29, 32—33, 42—48, 53, pp. 138, 140—42 |
− | 53, pp. 138, 140—42 | ||
*Cutenu Severi 5, p. 241 | *Cutenu Severi 5, p. 241 | ||
*Chronicles ofJerahmeel 33:1, 5, pp. 129, 130 | *Chronicles ofJerahmeel 33:1, 5, pp. 129, 130 | ||
− | *Conflict of Adam and Eve III, 24:9; IV, 1:2, | + | *Conflict of Adam and Eve III, 24:9; IV, 1:2, pp. 221, 222 |
− | pp. 221, 222 | ||
*Epiphanius, Panarion 1.1: | *Epiphanius, Panarion 1.1: | ||
*Anac. 1.3.3; | *Anac. 1.3.3; | ||
*Proem 2.3.5, pp. 197, 198 | *Proem 2.3.5, pp. 197, 198 | ||
− | + | *Falasha Story 3, p. 486 | |
*George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38 | *George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38 | ||
*George Syncellus 1, 5, pp. 224, 225 | *George Syncellus 1, 5, pp. 224, 225 | ||
− | + | *Ibn al—Athir 6, pp. 423—24 | |
*Ibn Isha‘q 7, p. 305 | *Ibn Isha‘q 7, p. 305 | ||
− | + | *Ibn Kathir 13, 16, pp. 455—56 | |
*Isha'q ibn Bishr 165B27—8, p. 318 | *Isha'q ibn Bishr 165B27—8, p. 318 | ||
*Jacob of Edessa 4, p. 212 | *Jacob of Edessa 4, p. 212 | ||
Line 98: | Line 95: | ||
*Mz'drush Rubbuh Genesis 38:13, p. 91;Numbers 19:1; 29:33, p. 111 | *Mz'drush Rubbuh Genesis 38:13, p. 91;Numbers 19:1; 29:33, p. 111 | ||
* Pesiktu Rubbuti 33:3a—b, pp. 80—81 | * Pesiktu Rubbuti 33:3a—b, pp. 80—81 | ||
− | *Qur’an 6:74; 19:42; 26:86; 60:4, pp. 292, 293, | + | *Qur’an 6:74; 19:42; 26:86; 60:4, pp. 292, 293, 295, 296 |
− | 295, 296 | ||
*Revelation ofMoses, p. 180 | *Revelation ofMoses, p. 180 | ||
*Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 14, p. 168 | *Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 14, p. 168 | ||
Line 148: | Line 144: | ||
*Kebra Nagast 12, p. 277 | *Kebra Nagast 12, p. 277 | ||
*Petrus Comestor, pp. 267-68 | *Petrus Comestor, pp. 267-68 | ||
− | + | *Philo of Alexandria, De Abrahamo 188, p. 41 | |
*Pseudo-Philo 4:16, p. 21 | *Pseudo-Philo 4:16, p. 21 | ||
*Other Musllm' Traditions: ProphetAbraham 3, pp. 459—60 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 3, 5, p. 165 | *Other Musllm' Traditions: ProphetAbraham 3, pp. 459—60 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 3, 5, p. 165 | ||
Line 160: | Line 156: | ||
*Bede, Commentarium in Pentateuchem, p. 214 Bede (7.), | *Bede, Commentarium in Pentateuchem, p. 214 Bede (7.), | ||
*Quaestiones super Genesim, pp. 214—15 | *Quaestiones super Genesim, pp. 214—15 | ||
− | + | *Commentarium in Genesim, p. 205 | |
*Expositio super septem vz’siones, commentm'g on Rev. 6:4, p. 218 | *Expositio super septem vz’siones, commentm'g on Rev. 6:4, p. 218 | ||
*Falasha Story 4, pp. 486—87 | *Falasha Story 4, pp. 486—87 | ||
Line 176: | Line 172: | ||
*Al-Bukha‘n’ 579, p. 329 | *Al-Bukha‘n’ 579, p. 329 | ||
*Al-Kisä’i 135, p. 393 | *Al-Kisä’i 135, p. 393 | ||
− | + | *Al-Maqdisi 53-54, pp. 355—56 | |
*Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 4:2, p. 352; News 1, | *Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 4:2, p. 352; News 1, | ||
p. 353 | p. 353 | ||
Line 189: | Line 185: | ||
*Angelomus Luxoviensis, Commentarium in Genesim, pp. 239—40 | *Angelomus Luxoviensis, Commentarium in Genesim, pp. 239—40 | ||
*Anonymous Christian Chronicle 6, p. 228 | *Anonymous Christian Chronicle 6, p. 228 | ||
− | + | *Asatz'r 5:27, p. 469 | |
*Augustine, City of God 16.15; | *Augustine, City of God 16.15; | ||
*Quaestiones in Heptateuchum, pp. 202—3, 204 | *Quaestiones in Heptateuchum, pp. 202—3, 204 | ||
Line 196: | Line 192: | ||
*Sunhedrz'n 93a, pp. 121—22; | *Sunhedrz'n 93a, pp. 121—22; | ||
*A‘bodah Zarah 3a, p. 122 | *A‘bodah Zarah 3a, p. 122 | ||
− | + | *Book of [usher 12:6, 23, pp. 144, 145 | |
*Bede, Hexaemeron 3—4, pp. 213—14 Bede (.7), | *Bede, Hexaemeron 3—4, pp. 213—14 Bede (.7), | ||
*Quaestiones super Genesz'm, 214—15 | *Quaestiones super Genesz'm, 214—15 | ||
*Catena Severi 8, p. 242 | *Catena Severi 8, p. 242 | ||
*Chronicles of Ierahmeel 33:4—5; 34:12, pp. 130, 132 | *Chronicles of Ierahmeel 33:4—5; 34:12, pp. 130, 132 | ||
− | + | *Commentarium in Genesim, p. 205 | |
*De computo, p. 226 | *De computo, p. 226 | ||
*Expositio super septem vz'siones, commenting on Rev. 1:13, p. 218 | *Expositio super septem vz'siones, commenting on Rev. 1:13, p. 218 | ||
Line 209: | Line 205: | ||
*Herveus Burgidolensis, p. 260 | *Herveus Burgidolensis, p. 260 | ||
*Hugh of St. Victor, p. 259 | *Hugh of St. Victor, p. 259 | ||
− | + | *Ibn al-Athir 10, p. 425 | |
− | + | *Ibn al-Jawzi 2, pp. 419—20 | |
*Ibn Isha‘q 13, p. 307 | *Ibn Isha‘q 13, p. 307 | ||
*Ibn Kathir 26, p. 457 | *Ibn Kathir 26, p. 457 | ||
− | + | *Ioannes Zonaras, p. 261 | |
*Isha‘q ibn Bishr 168A:17; 1683:5—6, p. 323 | *Isha‘q ibn Bishr 168A:17; 1683:5—6, p. 323 | ||
*Jacob of Edessa 8, p. 212 | *Jacob of Edessa 8, p. 212 | ||
*Jerome, Quaestiones Hebraicae in Genesim, commentm'g on Genesis 11:28; 12:4, pp. 194—96 Judith 8:27, p. 5 | *Jerome, Quaestiones Hebraicae in Genesim, commentm'g on Genesis 11:28; 12:4, pp. 194—96 Judith 8:27, p. 5 | ||
*Ka‘b al-Ahba‘r 11, p. 300 | *Ka‘b al-Ahba‘r 11, p. 300 | ||
− | *Mz'drash Rabbah Genesis 34:9; 38:13; 39:3; 42:3, 7; 44:4, 7; 48:1, pp. 90, 91, 92, 96, 97, 98, 100; Exodus 44:5; 49:2, p. 104; | + | *Mz'drash Rabbah Genesis 34:9; 38:13; 39:3; 42:3, 7; 44:4, 7; 48:1, pp. 90, 91, 92, 96, 97, 98, 100; Exodus 44:5; 49:2, p. 104; Leviticus 11:7; 36:4, pp. 105, 106—7; Numbers 2:12; 12:8, pp. 107, 110; Deuteronomy 9:4, p. 112; |
− | |||
− | Numbers 2:12; 12:8, pp. 107, 110; | ||
− | Deuteronomy 9:4, p. 112; | ||
*Ruth Proem 7:1, p. 112; | *Ruth Proem 7:1, p. 112; | ||
*Ecclesiastes 4:81, p. 114; | *Ecclesiastes 4:81, p. 114; | ||
Line 227: | Line 220: | ||
Song of Songs 1:13.1; 225.1; 326.2; 3:11.1; 8:8.2, pp. 115, 116—17, 118 | Song of Songs 1:13.1; 225.1; 326.2; 3:11.1; 8:8.2, pp. 115, 116—17, 118 | ||
*Nicophorus Gregoras, p. 276 | *Nicophorus Gregoras, p. 276 | ||
− | + | *Other Mushm' Traditions: Yusuf, p. 463 | |
− | + | *Pesikta Rabbati 33:4a, p. 81 Petrus Comestor, pp. 267—68 | |
− | + | *Pseudo-Philo 6:16, p. 24 | |
*Qiqel and Yahya 11, p. 489 | *Qiqel and Yahya 11, p. 489 | ||
*Qur’an 21:68; 37:97, pp. 294, 296 | *Qur’an 21:68; 37:97, pp. 294, 296 | ||
Line 235: | Line 228: | ||
*Rashi, regardm'g Genesis 11:28, p. 125 | *Rashi, regardm'g Genesis 11:28, p. 125 | ||
*Ra'wandi 3, 8, 10, pp. 415, 416, 417 | *Ra'wandi 3, 8, 10, pp. 415, 416, 417 | ||
− | + | *Rupertus Tuitensis, Commentarium in Ioamzem 4, pp. 257—58 | |
*Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 25, 29, pp. 172, 173 | *Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 25, 29, pp. 172, 173 | ||
− | + | *Study (Midrash) ofAbraham Our Father 3, p. 179 | |
*Tanna debe Eliyahu 1—3, 6, pp. 74—75, 76 | *Tanna debe Eliyahu 1—3, 6, pp. 74—75, 76 | ||
*Targum Ionatlzrm Genesis 11:28; 14:1; 16:5, | *Targum Ionatlzrm Genesis 11:28; 14:1; 16:5, | ||
Line 247: | Line 240: | ||
====Terah was behind the attempt to kill Abraham (Abraham 1:7, 30)==== | ====Terah was behind the attempt to kill Abraham (Abraham 1:7, 30)==== | ||
*Al-Nisa'bu‘ri 15:4, p. 401 | *Al-Nisa'bu‘ri 15:4, p. 401 | ||
− | + | *Book of Iasher 11:51, p. 143 | |
*Falasha Story 3, p. 486 | *Falasha Story 3, p. 486 | ||
*lsha‘q ibn Bishr 163828, p. 315 | *lsha‘q ibn Bishr 163828, p. 315 | ||
Line 265: | Line 258: | ||
*Isha‘q ibn Bishr 168A:14; 168B26, pp. 322, 323 | *Isha‘q ibn Bishr 168A:14; 168B26, pp. 322, 323 | ||
*Philo the Epic Poet, p. 6 | *Philo the Epic Poet, p. 6 | ||
− | + | *Ra'wandi 10, p. 417 | |
*Story _ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 29, p. 173 | *Story _ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 29, p. 173 | ||
*Study (Mz'drnsh) of Abraham OurFather 3, p. 179 | *Study (Mz'drnsh) of Abraham OurFather 3, p. 179 | ||
− | + | *Tamza debe Eliyahu 4, p. 75 | |
====When his life was in danger, Abraham prayed (Abraham 1:15)==== | ====When his life was in danger, Abraham prayed (Abraham 1:15)==== | ||
*Al-Baidäwi 4:7, p. 431 | *Al-Baidäwi 4:7, p. 431 | ||
− | + | *Al-Kisä’i 138, p. 393 | |
*Al-T_abari 252—70:31, p. 341 | *Al-T_abari 252—70:31, p. 341 | ||
* Al—Tarafi 90—93, pp. 377—78 | * Al—Tarafi 90—93, pp. 377—78 | ||
*Al—Tha‘labi 2:10—11, pp. 364—66 | *Al—Tha‘labi 2:10—11, pp. 364—66 | ||
*Ibn al-Jawzi 2, pp. 419—20 | *Ibn al-Jawzi 2, pp. 419—20 | ||
− | + | *Ibn Kathir 26, p. 457 | |
*Philo the Epic Poet, p. 6 | *Philo the Epic Poet, p. 6 | ||
*Ra‘wand1‘4—5, pp. 415—16 | *Ra‘wand1‘4—5, pp. 415—16 | ||
Line 294: | Line 287: | ||
*Chronicles of Iorahmecl 34:13; 35:3, pp. 133, 134 | *Chronicles of Iorahmecl 34:13; 35:3, pp. 133, 134 | ||
*Falasha Story 4, pp. 486—87 | *Falasha Story 4, pp. 486—87 | ||
− | + | *Ibn al—Athir 10—11, pp. 425—26 | |
*Ibn al-Iawzi 2, pp. 419—20 | *Ibn al-Iawzi 2, pp. 419—20 | ||
*Ibn Isha’q 13—14, pp. 307—8 | *Ibn Isha’q 13—14, pp. 307—8 | ||
Line 338: | Line 331: | ||
*Pesikta Rabbati 33:4a, p. 81 | *Pesikta Rabbati 33:4a, p. 81 | ||
*Phflo the Epic Poet, p. 6 | *Phflo the Epic Poet, p. 6 | ||
− | + | *Pirqe de Rabbi Eliezer 26, pp. 45-46 | |
− | + | *Pseudo-Philo 6:9; 23:5; 32:1, pp. 22, 24—25 | |
*Rabanus Maurus, pp. 232—33 | *Rabanus Maurus, pp. 232—33 | ||
*Ra‘Wandi 4, 8, pp. 415, 416 | *Ra‘Wandi 4, 8, pp. 415, 416 | ||
Line 349: | Line 342: | ||
*Targum Neofiti 1 Genesis 15:7, p. 69 | *Targum Neofiti 1 Genesis 15:7, p. 69 | ||
*Book of the Cave of Treasures 23b.1; 24a.1, pp. 190, 191 | *Book of the Cave of Treasures 23b.1; 24a.1, pp. 190, 191 | ||
− | + | *Book of the Rolls 119b, 120a, pp. 208—9 Catena Severi 6—7, p. 242 | |
*Chronicles ofJerahmeel 34:9, 11, p. 132 | *Chronicles ofJerahmeel 34:9, 11, p. 132 | ||
*Conflict ofAdam and Eve III, 24:8; 25:2, p. 221 | *Conflict ofAdam and Eve III, 24:8; 25:2, p. 221 | ||
Line 358: | Line 351: | ||
*Ibn Isha‘q 2, 7, pp. 304, 305 | *Ibn Isha‘q 2, 7, pp. 304, 305 | ||
*Ibn Kathir 17, 19, p. 456 | *Ibn Kathir 17, 19, p. 456 | ||
− | *Isha‘q ibn Bishr 165B:11,' 166A:13—14, 17, | + | *Isha‘q ibn Bishr 165B:11,' 166A:13—14, 17, pp. 318, 319 |
− | pp. 318, 319 | ||
*Jacob of Edessa 6—7, p. 212 | *Jacob of Edessa 6—7, p. 212 | ||
*John Malalas, p. 206 | *John Malalas, p. 206 | ||
*Jubilees 12:12, p. 17 | *Jubilees 12:12, p. 17 | ||
* Kebra Nagast 13, pp. 277—78 | * Kebra Nagast 13, pp. 277—78 | ||
− | *Michael the Syrian 2.3.4, 2.6.6, 3.1.1, pp. 262, 263 | + | * Michael the Syrian 2.3.4, 2.6.6, 3.1.1, pp. 262, 263 |
− | *Other Mushm' Traditions: Prophet Abraham 5, pp. 460—61 | + | * Other Mushm' Traditions: Prophet Abraham 5, pp. 460—61 |
− | *Philaster of Brescia, p. 199 | + | * Philaster of Brescia, p. 199 |
====The altar (furnace) and the idols were destroyed (Abraham 1:20)==== | ====The altar (furnace) and the idols were destroyed (Abraham 1:20)==== | ||
Line 401: | Line 393: | ||
*Catena Severi 6—7, p. 242 | *Catena Severi 6—7, p. 242 | ||
*George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38 | *George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38 | ||
− | + | *George Syncellus 3, 5, pp. 224, 225 | |
*Jacob of Edessa 6—7, p. 212 | *Jacob of Edessa 6—7, p. 212 | ||
− | + | *Iubilees 12:14; 22:22, pp. 17, 20 | |
*Michael the Syrian 2.3.4, 2.6.6, pp. 262, 263 | *Michael the Syrian 2.3.4, 2.6.6, pp. 262, 263 | ||
*Other Mushm' Traditions: ProphetAbraham 5, 9, pp. 473—74 | *Other Mushm' Traditions: ProphetAbraham 5, 9, pp. 473—74 | ||
Line 415: | Line 407: | ||
*Ibn al-Tayyib 7:6, pp. 254—55 | *Ibn al-Tayyib 7:6, pp. 254—55 | ||
*Midrash Rabbah Leviticus 25:6, p. 105; Numbers 4:8, p. 109 | *Midrash Rabbah Leviticus 25:6, p. 105; Numbers 4:8, p. 109 | ||
− | + | *Mishnah Aboth 5:2, p. 62 | |
====Abraham held the priesthood (Abraham 1:2; 2:9, 11; Facsimile 2, figure 3; Facsimile 3, figure 1)==== | ====Abraham held the priesthood (Abraham 1:2; 2:9, 11; Facsimile 2, figure 3; Facsimile 3, figure 1)==== | ||
Line 423: | Line 415: | ||
*Kebra Nagast 105, p. 280 | *Kebra Nagast 105, p. 280 | ||
*Midrash Rabbah Genesis 46:5; 55:6, pp. 100, 101; Leviticus 25:6, p. 105; Numbers 4:8; 10:1, p. 109; Song of Songs 5215.1, p. 117 | *Midrash Rabbah Genesis 46:5; 55:6, pp. 100, 101; Leviticus 25:6, p. 105; Numbers 4:8; 10:1, p. 109; Song of Songs 5215.1, p. 117 | ||
− | + | *Pesz‘kta Rabbati 40:6a, p. 81 | |
− | + | *Philo of Alexandria, De Abrahamo 98, p. 41 | |
====Abraham was linked to Noah (Abraham 1:19; Facsimile 2, figure 3)==== | ====Abraham was linked to Noah (Abraham 1:19; Facsimile 2, figure 3)==== | ||
Line 432: | Line 424: | ||
* Book of Iasher 9:5—6, 10—11, 19; 12:61, pp. 138, 139, 148 | * Book of Iasher 9:5—6, 10—11, 19; 12:61, pp. 138, 139, 148 | ||
*Book of the Bee 30, p. 273 | *Book of the Bee 30, p. 273 | ||
− | + | *Ibn al-Tayyib 7:3, p. 253 | |
*Iubilees 21:10, p. 19 | *Iubilees 21:10, p. 19 | ||
*Qur’an 37:83, p. 296 | *Qur’an 37:83, p. 296 | ||
Line 443: | Line 435: | ||
====Abraham sought God earnestly (Abraham 2:12)==== | ====Abraham sought God earnestly (Abraham 2:12)==== | ||
*Al-Kisa‘fi' 51, pp. 386—87 | *Al-Kisa‘fi' 51, pp. 386—87 | ||
− | + | *Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 4:1, p. 352 | |
*Al-Rabghu'zi 16, p. 438 | *Al-Rabghu'zi 16, p. 438 | ||
*Al-T_abari 252—7028—10, p. 336 | *Al-T_abari 252—7028—10, p. 336 | ||
Line 573: | Line 565: | ||
*Ibn Isha‘q 4, p. 304 | *Ibn Isha‘q 4, p. 304 | ||
*Ioannes Zonaras, p. 261 | *Ioannes Zonaras, p. 261 | ||
− | + | *lubilees 12:19, p. 17 | |
====There was advance planning for the creation (Abraham 4:31-55; Moses 3:4-5)==== | ====There was advance planning for the creation (Abraham 4:31-55; Moses 3:4-5)==== | ||
Line 634: | Line 626: | ||
*Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 3:1, pp. 351—52 | *Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 3:1, pp. 351—52 | ||
*Al-Rabghu’zi 9, p. 436 | *Al-Rabghu’zi 9, p. 436 | ||
− | *Al—T_abar1' 215; 216; 252—7025, 42, pp. 333, 335, | + | *Al—T_abar1' 215; 216; 252—7025, 42, pp. 333, 335, 343 |
− | 343 | ||
*Al-Tha‘labi 1:1; 3:1, pp. 357—58, 367 | *Al-Tha‘labi 1:1; 3:1, pp. 357—58, 367 | ||
*Anonymous Christian Chronicle 16, p. 229 | *Anonymous Christian Chronicle 16, p. 229 | ||
Line 679: | Line 670: | ||
*Catena Severi 2, p. 241 | *Catena Severi 2, p. 241 | ||
*Jacob of Edessa 2, p. 211 | *Jacob of Edessa 2, p. 211 | ||
− | + | *Iubilees 11:11—13, p. 15 | |
*Michael the Syrian 2.6.2, p. 263 | *Michael the Syrian 2.6.2, p. 263 | ||
− | *Midrash Rabbah Genesis 25:3; 40:3; 64:2, | + | *Midrash Rabbah Genesis 25:3; 40:3; 64:2, pp. 90, 94, 102 |
− | pp. 90, 94, 102 | ||
*Other Musllm' Traditions: Turkish 4, p. 459 | *Other Musllm' Traditions: Turkish 4, p. 459 | ||
*Philo of Alexandria, De Abrahamo 91, p. 40 | *Philo of Alexandria, De Abrahamo 91, p. 40 |
The stories and worldviews we find in the translated text of our Book of Abraham coincide nicely with what we find from ancient Abrahamic lore. Joseph Smith demonstrated extensive knowledge of these areas, which he then integrated into a theologically rich whole. He could only have received this information through revelation, since there were no resources available to him on many of these traditions. Following is a listing of the traditions along with some of the Abrahamic lore that supports the tradition
139, 142
*Apocalypse of Abraham 1:1; 25:1; 26:1, pp. 52, 59, 60
pp. 228, 230—31
p. 461
p. 353
318—2421—2; 346—47zl—2, pp. 335, 340—42, 345, 346, 349—50
Song of Songs 1:13.1; 225.1; 326.2; 3:11.1; 8:8.2, pp. 115, 116—17, 118
pp. 66, 67
57a, pp. 162—63
Index A: Thematic 0 541
*Ibn al-Athir 3, 6, pp. 422, 423—24
*Ibn Kathir 17, 19, p. 456
pp. 335—36, 338—39, 347—48
===Believes are the seed of Abraham and are blessed through him (Abraham 2:10-11)
451—52
149, 150, 151
====Abraham was knowledgable about astronomy, which he learned from ancient records and from God (Abraham 1:31, 3:1-18; Facsimile 2 and 3)
pp. 86—87
pp. 476—77
Index A: Thematic 0 545
pp. 56, 57, 58
58—59
The book of Abraham is consistent with various details found in nonbiblical stories about Abraham that circulated in the ancient world around the time the papyri were likely created. In the book of Abraham, God teaches Abraham about the sun, the moon, and the stars. “I show these things unto thee before ye go into Egypt,” the Lord says, “that ye may declare all these words.” Ancient texts repeatedly refer to Abraham instructing the Egyptians in knowledge of the heavens. For example, Eupolemus, who lived under Egyptian rule in the second century B.C.E., wrote that Abraham taught astronomy and other sciences to the Egyptian priests. A third-century papyrus from an Egyptian temple library connects Abraham with an illustration similar to facsimile 1 in the book of Abraham.44 A later Egyptian text, discovered in the 20th century, tells how the Pharaoh tried to sacrifice Abraham, only to be foiled when Abraham was delivered by an angel. Later, according to this text, Abraham taught members of the Pharaoh’s court through astronomy.45 All these details are found in the book of Abraham.Other details in the book of Abraham are found in ancient traditions located across the Near East. These include Terah, Abraham’s father, being an idolator; a famine striking Abraham’s homeland; Abraham’s familiarity with Egyptian idols; and Abraham’s being 62 years old when he left Haran, not 75 as the biblical account states. Some of these extrabiblical elements were available in apocryphal books or biblical commentaries in Joseph Smith’s lifetime, but others were confined to nonbiblical traditions inaccessible or unknown to 19th-century Americans.
The existence of human sacrifice in ancient Egypt has been variously debated and denied. While Egyptologists generally admit that the practice existed in the formative periods of Egyptian society, opinions among Egyptologists for later time periods range from claiming that "there is no certain evidence for the practice of human sacrifice . . . from the Old Kingdom onwards" to asserting that there is "indisputable evidence for the practice of human sacrifice in classical ancient Egypt." However difficult it may be for modern societies to accept that a practice we detest, such as human sacrifice, occurred in past civilizations we admire, further research and discoveries necessitate a reassessment of the possibility of this practice within Egyptian culture. While there is not a universally accepted definition of human sacrifice, for the purposes of this paper we will define human sacrifice as the slaying of a person in a ritual context.
Of interest in this publication is the citation of Dr. Robert Ritner (the most vocal critic of the Book of Abraham) in support of human sacrifice in ancient Egypt.
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.
Donate Now