Mormon Stories Podcast Book of Abraham & "God Making" in Nauvoo - John Turner Pt. 28 | Ep. 2104
Jan 16, 2026
Join historian John Turner, author of "Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet," as he explores the fascinating origins of the Book of Abraham. Turner discusses Joseph Smith's translation of Egyptian papyri, examining its impact on core Mormon doctrines like premortal existence and exaltation. Listeners will learn how the Book of Abraham shaped ideas about God becoming God, alongside its implications for cosmology and the role of intelligences in pre-earth life. Turner connects these themes to controversial aspects of Mormon history and theology.
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I Can Keep A Secret Till Doomsday
- John G. Turner recounts Joseph's line: "I can keep a secret till doomsday."
- The quote illustrates Joseph's capacity for secrecy during controversial matters like polygamy.
Red Brick Store As Translation Hub
- John G. Turner describes the Red Brick Store's upper rooms as Joseph's translating and meeting spaces.
- The building hosted the papyri work and public presentations of the Book of Abraham.
Papyri Were A Catalyst, Not A Source
- Joseph Smith used the Egyptian papyri as a catalyst for new theology rather than as a literal textual source.
- Egyptologists and the Joseph Smith Papers Project find no textual connection between the papyri and the Book of Abraham.
