Posted in Book of Abraham Critics Evidence Origins Scholarship Scripture Translation

A Highlight from Dan Vogel’s Book: A Clever Explanation for the Most Obvious Evidence of Scribes Using an Existing Translation in Making the Book of Abraham Manuscripts

In my previous posts reviewing Dan Vogel’s recent Book of Abraham Apologetics (Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books, 2021), including Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, I’ve noted that…

Continue Reading...
Posted in Book of Abraham Books Critics Evidence Scholarship Scripture

Just Started Dan Vogel’s New Book: Already Chagrined by the Treatment of Champollion

I just began reading the latest book on the Book of Abraham, Dan Vogel’s Book of Abraham Apologetics: A Review and Critique (Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books, 2021). After…

Continue Reading...
Posted in Ancient Near East Book of Abraham Critics Egyptian Evidence history Origins Scholarship Translation

The Willard Richards Book of Abraham Manuscript 2: Live Dictation of Abraham 3 in 1842, or Copying Existing Text?

In an important publication from the Joseph Smith Papers Project, The Joseph Smith Papers, Revelations and Translations, Volume 4: Book of Abraham and Related Manuscripts, eds. Robin Scott Jensen and…

Continue Reading...
Posted in Book of Abraham Origins Scholarship Translation

Points to Consider in the Concoted “Egyptian” Characters in the KEP

Update, Dec. 24 and 26, 2019: The statement describing the papyri originally occurs in a letter signed by Oliver Cowdery, so it is his, not Joseph’s description. Perhaps because it…

Continue Reading...
Posted in Antiquity Book of Abraham Critics Egyptian Evidence history Origins Scholarship Scripture Translation

More on the Meaning of the Kirtland Egyptian Papers: Recent Explorations Based on Comments at Interpreter

One of the best things about finally having a reply from the Joseph Smith Papers Project on the issue of alleged flaws in scholarship in their volume on the Book…

Continue Reading...
Posted in Book of Abraham Critics Scholarship Translation

Back and Forth with the Book of Abraham: Fascinating Circular Footnotes

One of the things I love about blogging and writing occasional articles for The Interpreter, Meridian Magazine or other places is the ability to get rapid feedback from those with…

Continue Reading...
Posted in Book of Abraham Critics Scholarship The Church

Viva Dialog! The JSP Team Responds to My Complaints About Their Volume on the Book of Abraham

A few of you may have noticed that the Joseph Smith Papers team has publicly responded to my unfortunate complaints about bias and flawed scholarship in their volume on the…

Continue Reading...
Posted in Uncategorized

An Alphabet TO the Book of Abraham: What Did Joseph Mean?

Here’s another look at some minor issues around the Book of Abraham and some of the gaps in the treatment in The Joseph Smith Papers, Revelations and Translations, Volume 4:…

Continue Reading...
Posted in Uncategorized

Further Thoughts on John Gee’s Article at The Interpreter

John Gee’s recent article at The Interpreter on the Joseph Smith Papers volume on the Book of Abraham points to some genuine problems that merit attention. On the other hand,…

Continue Reading...
Posted in Uncategorized

John Gee’s Troubling Review of the Joseph Smith Papers Volume on the Book of Abraham

Update, Aug. 29, 2019: There has been an important and welcome update to John Gee’s recent article, “The Joseph Smith Papers Project Stumbles,” at The Interpreter that clarifies and to…

Continue Reading...