Jeff Lindsay | Nov 10, 2017 wrote:If Gee’s book had been available then, it would have greatly helped.
It would have been like receiving first aid -- a much needed bandage or a patch on a suffering wound, not a cure or a magic potion to make the problem go away! The book has shortcomings and is only an Introduction about the problems.
Jeff Lindsay | Nov 10, 2017 wrote:In my case, after prayerful consideration in which I reviewed my testimony of the Book of Mormon but pled great confusion over the Book of Abraham, I felt that I needed patience and further seeking of knowledge.
I can understand how an Introduction to the Book of Abraham opens up a slew of questions that threaten devastating consequences on a testimony that is not immediately aided by careful prayer and some apologetic first aid. A brief introduction to the controversies of the Book of Abraham is all it takes to stir up a great amount of confusion in any testimony! Suddenly, it seems that logic in and of itself becomes illogical and the contradictions stare you in the face. I too have experienced those thoughts and feelings with the Book of Abraham. It’s ironic because the book was tendered by Smith for the sole purpose to shore up faith and demonstrate proof that God can translate through prophets but in the end the book challenges faith and presents so many problems and questions. Patience is required in order to hold on to that testimony and wait for sure footed answers.
Jeff Lindsay | Nov 10, 2017 wrote: That knowledge soon came when I got my hands on a book by H. Donl Peterson, The Story of the Book of Abraham (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1995), another excellent resource, where I learned what ought to be common knowledge among all Latter-day Saints, but isn’t:
That’s a great book, 1995, 26 years ago. I own it too. It takes us on a complete adventure in following along how the mummies and the papyrus were first discovered and how they made their way to Kirtland and what happened to them after the church lost possession of all the artifacts. The book is a must have for anyone who has serious interest in studying the origins of the Book of Abraham. However, you’ll agree, and also acknowledge that the black and white photos of papyri fragments at the end of the book are just as outdated as many points made in the book from a scholarly apologetic point of view but remains an important addition to scholarly work in tracking down the papyrus and piecing the story together into an interesting and easy to follow format.
Do recall the last chapter; the title in and of itself reminds readers that there are definitely open-ended questions that remain unanswered: “21 CONCEPTS, CHALLENGES, AND TESTIMONY”. Peterson ends the chapter by bearing his testimony in stating that he “knows that God lives and Jesus is the Christ”. But he makes it clear saying, “I will be interested in this work as new information surfaces and this publication raises new questions”. Indeed, Peterson admits that there are questions that remain unanswered. He, however, remains faithful and assures his readers that “younger professors with excellent credentials are fielding the questions and providing excellent answers as intelligent young scholars, armed with testimonies, continue to probe for answers.”
What answers might those be? I can think of one right off the top of my head! What’s the king’s name in Facsimile No. 3? Have any of the up and coming bright and intelligent apologists who are armed with testimonies been able to come up with the king’s name? The answer remains the same, they have not.
Peterson ends the book by stating that he anxiously awaits the day when the complete text of the Book of Abraham is revealed. No doubt this also includes the Book of Joseph which Smith promised to translate but never got around to it. With so many questions looming and so much controversy surrounding the Book of Abraham, Peterson ends on this note: “My major concern now is to live the truths that have already been revealed.”
I think this is Peterson’s way of admitting that he doesn’t have answers to the controversies and will continue to walk by faith and live the gospel while realizing he is never going to know the answers to questions that arise out of the Book of Abraham in this lifetime.