Roots and Fruits

 

THE BOOK OF ABRAHAM
TRANSLATED FROM THE PAPYRUS, BY JOSEPH SMITH

A Translation of some ancient Records, that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of Egypt.—The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus. See History of the Church, vol. 2, pp. 235, 236, 348—351.

Many have criticized the Book of Abraham because of the way the Prophet got the papyri and the things he is said to have read from them.  There are people who make a living having anti-Mormon "ministries" and this book is second only to the Book of Mormon as a prime target.

In the Church, we study the standard works every four years.  This year we are studying the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  Next year we will study the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History. Portions of the Pearl of Great Price will be studied then.  Following that will be the Old Testament and the Books of Abraham and Moses.  The fourth year we will study the New Testament and include Joseph Smith Matthew (Matthew 24.) 

As I have been through this course of study many times, I have come to realize one thing about all scripture:

We should worry less about the roots of the books and more about the fruits of the books!

As I study the Book of Abraham and Genesis 11 - 25, I am going to be looking at the fruits - the doctrine that is infused into the narrative and the role of Abraham as the father of the Covenant. The chronology is less important than the theology.

Let's look at the fruits together!

 

©Gebara Education 2016