Reason 8 of 10
The Book of Abraham does not match its papyri
Joseph Smith presented the Book of Abraham as a translation of Egyptian papyri. Fragments of those papyri were found in 1966, and the Church's own essay says they do not mention Abraham and do not match the translation.
What the Church says
In 1835 Joseph Smith bought Egyptian papyri that came with mummies and published the Book of Abraham from them in 1842; it is now part of the Pearl of Great Price. Fragments of the papyri were rediscovered in 1966. The Church's essay states plainly what scholars found.
None of the characters on the papyrus fragments mentioned Abraham’s name or any of the events recorded in the book of Abraham.
The Church's own words Gospel Topics essay, "Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham" · source
These fragments date to between the third century B.C.E. and the first century C.E., long after Abraham lived.
The Church's own words Gospel Topics essay, "Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham" · source
The Church's explanations
The essay offers possibilities: that the text came by revelation rather than by translating the surviving characters, or that the relevant part of the papyri is lost. Those are possibilities offered after the evidence went the other way. Joseph Smith presented the work as a translation of these papyri, and the one thing we can check does not say what he said it says.
Why this matters for trust
The Bible gives a simple standard: when a prophet speaks in the LORD's name and the thing does not happen or is not true, the LORD has not spoken it. God's word is tested and true, and he warns against adding to his words.
21You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?” 22When a prophet speaks in Yahweh’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (WEB) · context
5“Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6Don’t you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6 (WEB) · context
What Latter-day Saints answer
Latter-day Saints answer that the translation may have been revealed rather than read from the characters, so the papyri need not match.
Why that answer falls short
If the papyri were only a catalyst, it is hard to see why Joseph Smith presented the book as a translation of them. And the same method that produced the Book of Abraham produced the Book of Mormon, whose plates no one can examine. Where Joseph Smith's work can be checked, it fails the check.
Sources
- Gospel Topics essay "Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham" (churchofjesuschrist.org).