Christ Reveals Additional Scripture

Sola Scriptura: A fundamental Protestant teaching stating that scripture is the sole authority in matters of faith and practice.
- Key Teaching: God would not amend the Bible with new revelations.
Restoration Perspective: Challenges the idea of sola scriptura, arguing for a broader definition of scripture.
- Scripture vs. Bible: In unrestored Christianity, scripture and Bible are synonymous. In Restored Christianity, while the Bible is certainly scripture, not all of it qualifies as scripture.
Doctrine and Covenants 68:3: Revelation to Joseph Smith that defines scripture as encompassing the Lord’s will, mind, word, voice, and power.
- Implication: Scripture is not confined to one book (e.g., not everything in the Bible is scripture).
Joseph Smith's Revision of the Bible:
- Noted that Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon are not inspired writings.
Nature of Divine Revelations and Scripture:
- Lord's revelations to Joseph expanded beyond the Bible alone.
- Emphasized that these revelations aren't perfect or static, even when finished.

Controversy: Ongoing debate regarding the Book of Abraham and its origins.
- Overview: Understanding the complexity surrounding the Book of Abraham is essential, alongside its contributions to the foundations of the Restoration.
Historical Context:
- Egyptian papyrus scroll from around 60 AD found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Joseph Smith acquired scrolls in the summer of 1835; whereabouts are now unknown (likely destroyed in the Chicago Fire of 1871).
Translation Debate:
- Uncertainty about the origins of the Book of Abraham prompts various interpretations regarding its translation.
- Hypotheses:
- Joseph made up the Book of Abraham.
- He translated from writings on missing scrolls or received it by revelation catalyzed by the Egyptian documents.
Importance of Seeking Knowledge:
- Belief in the truth of the Book of Abraham should not rest solely on knowing its origins.
- Encouragement to internalize its teachings rather than focusing exclusively on its origins.

Autobiographical Nature: The Book of Abraham is viewed as the beginning of Abraham’s autobiography.
- Context: Does not mean Abraham authored the papyri—writings are often copied and passed down.
Main Narrative:
- Abraham seeks greater knowledge and righteousness, highlighting his desire for priesthood ordinances and an eternal family.
- He is saved from being sacrificed to the Egyptian gods by a divine intervention.
- Covenant with God: He is promised a land and priesthood blessings to bless all nations (Abraham 2:9-10).
Revelations:
- Received revelations about the cosmos and God's plan.
- Describes the pre-mortal existence and the creation process—reaffirming that "the Gods" organized the heavens and earth (Abraham 4:24-31).
- Presents the idea of God selecting spirits as leaders in the pre-earth life.
Seer Stones:
- Abraham had a Urim and Thummim for divine revelations regarding the universe's workings.

Discovery History: Italian explorer uncovered mummies and papyri near Thebes, Egypt, between 1817-1821.
- Joseph Smith encountered these artifacts in 1835 through Michael Chandler.
Purchasing and Use:
- The Church purchased the scrolls and mummies, with Joseph claiming they contained sacred records from Egypt.
- Empirical Evidence: Joseph's journal entries and testimonies from individuals like John Whitmer support his involvement with the Egyptian texts.
Publication and Acceptance:
- The Book of Abraham was first published in 1842, and later included in the 1851 Pearl of Great Price, accepted as scripture by the Saints in 1880.
Current Status of Papyri:
- Most original papyri now missing; remaining fragments returned to the Church from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1967.
- The Church has published related documents for study and interpretation.

Scholarly Viewpoint: Rejection of the Book of Abraham as divinely revealed texts began in the 1860s, gaining ground after the Church acquired papyrus fragments.
- Criticism: Egyptologists argue that the fragments do not correspond with the Book of Abraham, positing it cannot be true.
Vice of Assumptions: Claims for the Book of Abraham have heavily relied on assumptions about the relationship between the text and hieroglyphs.
- Importance of Context: Details from ancient Egyptian culture that could mislead interpretations of the text.
Focus on Content Over Origin: Stressing the importance of the teachings within the Book of Abraham over the controversies of how it came to be.
- Encouragement to dig into the content and personal spirituality derived from the text, rather than solely debating its origins.

Philosophy of Not Knowing: Acceptance of uncertainty as a natural part of faith and understanding, modeled by various biblical prophets.
- Examples include Jacob, Nephi, Alma, and Adam whose statements about their knowledge demonstrate humility in their understanding.
Cultural Reflection:
- Urges followers not to judge past realities based on contemporary perspectives.
- Asserting that not having all pieces of the historical puzzle does not reflect poorly on faith or intellect.
Encouragement to Trust:
- Encouragement to remain humble and trust in divine guidance while acknowledging the journey toward knowledge.
- Developing responses like “I don’t know” or “I know some things, but not everything” reflects an understanding of humility.

Personal Study: Encouragement to balance examining the origins and translation of sacred texts with time spent immersing in the texts themselves.
- Spiritual Witness: Seeking personal connection and understanding through prayer and spiritual practice reinforces the sacredness of the teachings.
Validating Content: Affirmation of the truths within the Book of Abraham regarding human existence and divinity, endorsing the text's transformative potential despite the unknowns surrounding its origins.