Church History Matters 034 Q&R with Dr. Kerry Muhlestein! Tough Book of Abraham Questions
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Oct 24, 2023 Dr. Kerry Muhlestein, an esteemed Egyptologist specializing in 2nd Century BC religious ideas, discusses the cultural interplay of Jews, Greeks, and Egyptians. He explores how this multicultural backdrop informs Joseph Smith's interpretations of the Abraham facsimiles. The conversation dives into the temple themes present in Facsimile #2, critiques from Egyptologist Dr. Robert Ritner, and the top three intellectual evidences suggesting ancient connections to the Book of Abraham. Insights into the complexities of ancient texts and their modern implications abound.
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Interpreting Facsimiles
- Joseph Smith's explanations of the facsimiles are not translations of symbols, but explanations of their meaning.
- Symbols can have multiple interpretations, making a single explanation insufficient.
Egyptology's Blind Spot
- Egyptologists lack a complete understanding of how Egyptians interpreted symbols, especially during the second century BC.
- Multicultural influences during this period further complicate interpretations.
Cultural Reinterpretation
- Jesus reinterpreted an Egyptian story about a rich man and Lazarus, placing Lazarus in Abraham's bosom instead of with Osiris.
- Jews in ancient synagogues incorporated Greek zodiacs into their mosaic floors.