In Parts 1 and 2 of this series Mike, John, and Nemo explored the history and controversies over whether the Book of Abraham is a literal translation of Egyptian as claimed by Joseph Smith. 

Now for Part 3 they are back to look at what the text of the Book of Abraham actually says, including many prime LDS doctrines. What have been the consequences of believing those doctrines? Does the Book of Abraham merit being considered “revelation” and therefore binding to believing Saints today?

LDS Discussion Essay on Book of Abraham

Episode Show Notes

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Today we’re going through various apologetics and theories around the Book of Abraham to reconcile it being considered scripture along with what we know the literal interpretation of these things to be. What problems do these apologetics create in other areas for believers?  Do these theories hold water without a strong bias to believe in spite of all evidence? Do some apologists even admit it?

LDS Discussion Essay on Book of Abraham

Episode Show Notes

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For many, the Book of Abraham is one of the most problematic subjects within Mormonism due to our ability to translate Egyptian after Joseph Smith released the Book of Abraham. We want to give a brief overview of the history of the Book of Abraham, looking at the facsimiles and manuscripts, and then review the church's response to how this can all be reconciled. 

For a very brief history of how the Book of Abraham came to be, we quote from the official LDS essay:  

In the summer of 1835, an entrepreneur named Michael Chandler arrived at Church headquarters in Kirtland, Ohio, with four mummies and multiple scrolls of papyrus. Chandler found a ready audience... By the time the collection arrived in Kirtland, all but four mummies and several papyrus scrolls had already been sold. A group of Latter-day Saints in Kirtland purchased the remaining artifacts for the Church. After Joseph Smith examined the papyri and commenced "the translation of some of the characters or hieroglyphics," his history recounts, "much to our joy [we] found that one of the rolls contained the writings of Abraham."

LDS Discussions Essay Overview of the Book of Abraham.

Episode Show Notes

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Join John, Mike & Elisha Lee as they discuss common problematic apologies around the practice of polygamy in early Church History. From lies being called “carefully worded denials” and attempts to differentiate between “plural marriage” which God approved of or “spiritual wifery” which was not, and the fact that this is still current doctrine and what women have to look forward to in eternity and the harms caused past and present from this doctrine.

Special Guest: Elisha Lee

LDS Discussion Essay on Polygamy Apologetics

Episode Show Notes

LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:

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In part 5 of our 6-part series on polygamy within the LDS Discussions project, we discuss "The Happiness Letter," which was the letter Joseph Smith wrote to Nancy Rigdon to try to convince her to become one of his plural wives.

Special Guest: Nemo the Mormon

LDS Discussion Essay on the Happiness Letter

Episode Show Notes

LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:

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Join Mike (LDS Discussions), Elisha, and John for Part 2 as they look at the techniques of influence that Joseph Smith used to propose to his plural wives.

Helen Mar Kimball's age reduction digital illustration by Adam Worthington https://www.knowbrotherjoseph.com/

Special Guest: Elisha Lee

LDS Discussion Essay on Plural Marriage Proposals

LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:

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Join Mike (LDS Discussions), Elisha, and John as they look at the techniques of influence that Joseph Smith used to propose to his plural wives.

Special Guest: Elisha Lee

LDS Discussion Essay on Plural Marriage Proposals

Episode Show Notes

LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:

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Today’s episode continues the discussion on Polygamy with the (in)famous revelation still canonized in Mormon/LDS scripture as Section 132 of the Doctrine & Covenants. Mike sets up the historical & personal context of the timing of this revelation and the problematic ideas presented in it as coming from God including how God views women, redefining adultery and other moral issues, and the various rules and justifications given by God to practice polygamy.

Mike goes on to show that Joseph admits himself that polygamy is something he wanted, and despite being the receiver of the various specific rules defined by God, he nevertheless proceeds to break every one of them.

Finally, Mike goes over the many apologetics around this section of the Doctrine & Covenants and the problems with most of the arguments attempting to justify the revelation, Joseph’s polygamy, and the resulting polygamy among many of the branches of Mormonism, some continuing to this day.

Special Guest: Elisha Lee

LDS Discussion Essay on Polygamy

Episode Show Notes

LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:

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Mike and John discuss the timeline and cultural context surrounding Joseph Smith at the time he claims to receive the revelation on polygamy which became canonized and is still considered scripture for many modern Mormon branches, some who still practice it today, and even ones who don't, like the largest Mormon branch headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

LDS Discussions Essay on Polygamy

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Join Mike and John as they discuss Mormonism’s early connection with Masonry through Joseph Smith and the unique problems it creates for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to grapple with today.

LDS Discussion Essay on the Mormon Temple Endowment & Masonry

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