Robert Ritner Gives the Final Word on the Missing Scroll!

[_Kishkumen]

Hey Kish (Good to see you back amogst us. Hope all is well)

The whole Book of Abraham discussion is insane.

Short, to the point, and completely accurate. (in my opinion)

Peace,
Ceeboo

Thanks, Ceeboo! Good to see you as well, old friend.

[_sock puppet]

I'm having a hard time deciding who to trust on this issue. On one hand we have Robert Ritner, one of the most pre-eminent scholars of Egyptology in the entire world. On the other hand we have Will Schryver.

I just don't know.

Whose calling and election has been made sure?

[_Doctor Scratch]

Well, what do you know? It looks like I called it!

[_DarkHelmet]

If that happens, there will probably be a lengthy process of de-emphasis first, so the members don't notice the change too much. Maybe it has already begun?

When was the Book of Abraham last referenced extensively in a speech in General Conference?

The Book of Abraham is the primary source for LDS teachings about the premortal life, the "council in heaven," and the purpose of life. I doubt they would de-emphasize the content of the book, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them back away from the book as a translation of the papyrus. Instead, they'll just move to the "catalyst" theory or something like that, which of course, a lot of apologists have already done.

They could always move the parts of the Book of Abraham that they like to the D&C. If they do go with the catalyst theory, that makes the Book of Abraham just another revelation, like the rests of the D&C, so it fits. They can quietly toss out the parts about ham being cursed.

[_sock puppet]

But whatever Gee, Schryver and DCP actually SAY, we know that this will make it just that little bit less likely that the Book of Abraham will continue to be given the kind of highly committed defense it has received in the past.

You could be right. This could be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back of the Book of Abraham. Could we see it decanonized before long?

If that happens, there will probably be a lengthy process of de-emphasis first, so the members don't notice the change too much. Maybe it has already begun?

When was the Book of Abraham last referenced extensively in a speech in General Conference?

Maybe they could prepare triple combinations for sale, Bible, Book of Mormon, and D&C. The Church could explain it that it is easier than a quad to lug around, and handles 99.9% of your scriptural needs.

How they would explain excluding it from the scripture apps for smartphones, however, will require more delicate dancing.

[_DarkHelmet]

The whole Book of Abraham discussion is insane.

Indeed. you have to wonder why someone like Ritner has allowed himself to get tangled up with this thing. It has to be a surreal experience for him, like an expert on astronomy debating with The Flat Earth Society. Why does Ritner even care about this relatively small group of people that believe these crazy theories?

[_stemelbow]

I love "Final Word" pronouncements. They are so cute in all of this, come to think of it. I wonder if the final word will ever come. I guess we'll wait to see when these things get published. Will the critics of Ritner be silenced? Doubt it.

[_Carton]

Well, what do you know? It looks like I called it!

You did? Good job, Doctor! You're a true prophet. Show me. I might put it in my signature.

[Guest]

The whole Book of Abraham discussion is insane.

Indeed. you have to wonder why someone like Ritner has allowed himself to get tangled up with this thing. It has to be a surreal experience for him, like an expert on astronomy debating with The Flat Earth Society. Why does Ritner even care about this relatively small group of people that believe these crazy theories?

Yeah, it does make you wonder. Why would Ritner get involved in this argument going on between a handful of Mormons? Does seem a bit odd. Where's Kevin Graham? I want to hear more about how Ritner got involved. Sounds like it could be quite a story.

[_Fence Sitter]

What evidence is there that if the missing scroll portions were shown to be long enough to contain the Book of Abraham that the Book of Abraham is actually on those missing portions?