Presenting Joseph Smith’s Book of Abraham: A Biblical Perspective
The Book of Abraham, included in the Mormon Pearl of Great Price, is widely recognized as a key example of Joseph Smith’s fabrications. Even official LDS sources acknowledge serious historical and textual problems with the book. According to a 2014 statement from LDS.org:
None of the characters on the papyrus fragments mentioned Abraham’s name or any of the events recorded in the Book of Abraham. Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists agree that the characters on the fragments do not match the translation given in the Book of Abraham, though there is not unanimity, even among non-Mormon scholars, about the proper interpretation of the vignettes on these fragments. Scholars have identified the papyrus fragments as parts of standard funerary texts that were deposited with mummified bodies. These fragments date to between the third century B.C.E. and the first century C.E., long after Abraham lived. (Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham, LDS.org, July 8, 2014)
From a Christian standpoint, this admission raises serious concerns. The Bible presents Abraham as a historical figure, living around 2000 B.C., chosen by God and called “the father of all who believe” (Romans 4:11–12). God’s Word affirms the divine inspiration and reliability of Scripture:
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17 — “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
- Proverbs 30:5 — “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
- Psalm 119:160 — “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
The historical evidence shows that the papyri Smith claimed to “translate” were common Egyptian funerary documents, written centuries after Abraham’s life. This contradicts the Bible’s record, where God communicated directly with Abraham and made covenants with him (Genesis 12:1–3; Genesis 15:1–6).
Furthermore, the Christian understanding of revelation emphasizes that God communicates truth accurately and consistently. Deuteronomy 4:2 warns: “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.”
The Book of Abraham, by contrast, represents a human fabrication layered onto a falsely claimed “ancient source.” This undermines its credibility as divine revelation and highlights the danger of trusting new revelations that contradict the historic Word of God.
In light of the Bible’s clarity and historical reliability, Christians are called to measure all claims of revelation against God’s true Word. Jesus Himself said:
- John 10:27–28 — “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
God’s Word is trustworthy, unlike human inventions. The Book of Abraham serves as a cautionary example of placing human tradition or speculation above the divine truth revealed in Scripture.
