BYU Professor defends the book of Abraham

Summary of YouTube Video Transcript

Key Concepts:

• Book of Abraham
• Joseph Smith Papyri
• Fact Similes (1, 2, 3)
• Egyptology
• Book of Breathings
• Lion Couch Scene
• Four Sons of Horus
• Colab
• Anachronisms
• Peer Review
• Confirmation Bias

1. Main Argument and Claims:

The video critiques Dr. Carrie Muhlestein's (Dr. Muin) defense of the Book of Abraham, specifically his claims regarding the Joseph Smith Papyri and their connection to the Book of Abraham. The video argues that Dr. Muin is stretching the truth and omitting relevant information to divorce the existing papyri from the Book of Abraham. It challenges Dr. Muin's interpretations of the fact similes and his assertions about connections between Egyptian practices and Abraham.

2. Analysis of Dr. Muin's Claims:

• Separation of Papyri: Dr. Muin claims the surviving papyri (including Facsimile 1) were not part of the "long scroll" from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Abraham. The video refutes this by pointing out that Joseph Smith translated Facsimile 1, published it with its translation, and the Book of Abraham directly references it.
• Interpretation of Facsimile 1 (Lion Couch Scene): Dr. Muin interprets the scene as Abraham struggling on an altar. The video counters that the arms were added later, and non-LDS egyptologists identify the figure on the left as Anubis, the jackal-headed god, in a mummification scene.
• Association of Abraham with Lion Couch Scenes: Dr. Muin claims ancient Egyptians associated Abraham with lion couch scenes. The video questions the evidence for this claim, noting the inability to find supporting sources. It also points out Dr. Muin's contradictory argument that text and vignettes are often mismatched.
• Crocodile and Pharaoh: Dr. Muin claims Joseph Smith "hit head-on" the association between the king of Egypt (Pharaoh) and the crocodile during Abraham's time. The video argues this is an anachronism, as the title "Pharaoh" was not used until much later.
• Facsimile 2 and the Four Quarters of the Earth: Dr. Muin claims Joseph Smith correctly identified the four figures as representing the four quarters of the earth. The video counters that egyptologists identify them as the Four Sons of Horus and that directions are not the same as regions.
• Colab: Dr. Muin claims Joseph Smith got the definition of Colab "just right." The video argues that Colab is a similar sounding but different word from a different language that meant something completely different.
• Overall Accuracy of Translations: The video asserts that egyptologists find none of Joseph Smith's translations of the fact similes to be accurate.

3. Evidence and Examples:

• Facsimile 1: The video highlights the fact that Joseph Smith translated Facsimile 1 and published it, demonstrating its connection to the Book of Abraham.
• 19th-Century Restoration: The video points out the 19th-century restoration of Facsimile 1, specifically the arms on the lion couch scene, and how they differ from the original depiction.
• Anubis: The video identifies the figure on the left of Facsimile 1 as Anubis, the jackal-headed god, based on standard egyptological interpretations.
• BYU Publication: The video references Dr. Muin's own publication in the BYU Religious Educator, where he acknowledges the frequent mismatch between text and vignettes in Egyptian scrolls.
• Contacting Egyptologists: The video details the process of contacting three egyptology professors at UCLA and their responses, which largely contradicted Dr. Muin's claims.
• Robert Ritner: The video cites Robert Ritner's book, "The Joseph Smith Egyptian Papyri," as a critical analysis of the Book of Abraham and its connection to the papyri.
• Professor Kakuni: The video quotes Professor Kakuni's email stating she doesn't agree with any of Dr. Muin's claims and that the ancient Egyptians had no concept of Abraham.

4. Step-by-Step Processes/Methodologies:

• Critique of Dr. Muin's Claims: The video systematically examines each of Dr. Muin's claims, presenting counter-arguments and evidence from egyptology.
• Verification of Claims: The video attempts to verify Dr. Muin's claims by searching for supporting sources and consulting with experts in the field.
• Peer Review: The video emphasizes the importance of peer review in science and how it helps prevent bias and unjustified claims.

5. Notable Quotes:

• "Anyone who tells you that Joseph Smith is translating from the text around fim one on the small fragment that we have is just flying in the face of the historical accounts that tell us the source is the long scroll." - Dr. Carrie Muin
• "What this document really is is an extended prayer on behalf of a deceased Egyptian priest...Abraham is not mentioned once." - Robert Ritner
• "I watched the three videos and I don't agree with any of it. The ancient Egyptians had no concept of Abraham so I don't know where he gets these comparisons and no most egyptologists do not agree despite what Carri says." - Professor Kakuni

6. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Fact Simile: A reproduction of a drawing or image from the Joseph Smith Papyri.
• Book of Breathings: A common Egyptian funerary text.
• Lion Couch Scene: A depiction of a figure lying on a couch, often associated with mummification or resurrection.
• Four Sons of Horus: Canopic jars representing the four sons of Horus.
• Colab: A term used in the Book of Abraham, defined as the first creation nearest to the celestial.
• Anachronism: Something out of its proper time period.
• Hypocephalus: A type of Egyptian funerary amulet.
• Peer Review: The evaluation of scientific work by others working in the same field.
• Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses.

7. Logical Connections:

The video builds its argument by first establishing the connection between the surviving papyri and the Book of Abraham. It then systematically deconstructs Dr. Muin's claims about the interpretation of the fact similes and the alleged connections between Egyptian practices and Abraham. The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity in scholarship and challenging Dr. Muin to reconsider his approach.

8. Data and Statistics:

• Joseph Smith translated 12 characters on the first fact simile, and according to egyptologists, he got none of them right.
• Joseph Smith translated 11 figures on the second fact simile, and again, egyptologists say that none of the names are correct.
• Joseph Smith translated six figures from the last fact simile, and according to egyptology, none of the figures represented who Joseph said they were.

9. Conclusion:

The video concludes that Dr. Muin's defense of the Book of Abraham is based on stretching the truth and omitting relevant information. It argues that his interpretations of the fact similes are not supported by egyptological evidence and that his claims about connections between Egyptian practices and Abraham are unsubstantiated. The video challenges Dr. Muin to be honest and courageous in addressing the issue, rather than defending the indefensible. The video suggests that Dr. Muin is prioritizing his faith over objective scholarship.