An Egyptologist Translates the Book of Abraham - Dr. Robert Ritner Pt 1 | Ep. 1339

For more than a century, the Book of Abraham has been revered by Mormons, and denounced by credible Egyptologists as a product of Joseph Smith’s imagination. Its first scholarly analysis was published in the New York Times in 1912. The article was never adequately addressed by LDS Church leadership, and the issue faded until 1966, when the Book of Abraham papyri fragments were found in the archives of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

While many Mormons have heard the opinions of pseudo-Egyptologists and Book of Abraham apologists, few have heard the opinions of a world-class Egyptologist about the historicity and credibility of the Book of Abraham – until now.

In a joint production of Mormon Stories Podcast and Radio Free Mormon, we interview Dr. Robert Ritner, Professor of Egyptology at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. A HUGE thank you to Bruce MacArthur for making this interview possible.

The Joseph Smith Egyptian Papyri: A Complete Edition by Robert K. Ritner

"Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham," Gospel Topics Essay

"Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham--A Response," by Robert K. Ritner, University of Chicago Oriental Institute

"Facsimile 1 Examined", comparing the Joseph Smith translation to what it actually says in Egyptian

"The Four Sons of Horus, Facsimile 2 Figure 6," by John Gee

Mormon Stories interview with Shannon Caldwell Montez

The Four Sons of Horus

"Lion Couch Scene in the Book of Abraham: Evidence of Authenticity," produced by FAIR

"The Book Of Abraham – Missing Scrolls, Catalyst Theories, and Bad Apologetics" on Radio Free Mormon

Robert Ritner's Curriculum Vitae

"Public Response to Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham," linked from Dr. Ritner's homepage at the University of Chicago

Radio Free Mormon