The Book of Abraham
By Jim Robertson
Over the years there has been a lot of talk or rumors regarding
the Book of Abraham as recorded in one of the four standard works
of the Mormon Church, the "Pearl of Great Price." Joseph Smith
said that the parchment he found in one of the two mummies he
purchased from a traveling sideshow contained the writings of
Abraham. He said God had given him the power and ability to translate
this parchment written in Egyptian. He felt safe in saying he
could translate it because, at that time, nobody knew how to read
Egyptian.
These parchments were thought to have been lost during the great
fire of Chicago when Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicked over the lantern.
In 1967, the parchment was rediscovered in the basement of the
New York Metropolitan Museum. I remember this so clearly because
at the time we were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. A large ceremony took place showing the parchment being
officially given back to the Mormon church. Pictures of the presentation
were on TV and in the newspapers. Judy and I jumped up and down
with joy because now we were going to prove to the world that
the LDS church was true. However, as is the case with all Mormons,
we were kept very busy with our church jobs and didn't have time
to think about this great discovery. I now know this to be one
of the ways to keep the members from doing any research because
they are so busy.
After having left the Mormon church some years later, we went
back and began to do some research on this "great discovery."
We began to learn that when the Rosetta Stone was discovered,
it gave scientists the ability to build an Egyptian alphabet and
to be able to read the strange hieroglyphics of the Egyptian language.
Several Egyptologists were given the opportunity to read and translate
these parchments that once belonged to Joseph Smith, including
a Mormon elder by the name of D. J. Nelson. After conferring with
some of the professors of Egyptology, including Dr. Klaus Baer
at the University of Chicago, we learned that Nelson was accurate
in his translation. He, along with several Egyptologists, concluded
that these parchments had absolutely nothing to do with Abraham
at all. Instead they all agreed it was a document called the Book
of Breathings. Egyptians believed in reincarnation and this
was a tool, buried with all Egyptians, to get them from this life
to the next.
So the Pearl of Great Price, or the Book of Abraham that
the Mormons believe to be a book given to them from God, turns
out to be a pagan ritual that has nothing to do with Abraham or
with Christianity. In fact, a second book, called the "Book of
Moses," was written by Smith and added to the Pearl of Great
Price. He claimed that this book came to him by direct revelation
about the time he began rewriting the Bible.
So we found that Joseph Smith had completely made up the notion
that these books were written by the Abraham and Moses of the
Bible. Instead, they were documents and practices that were completely
removed from any relationship with the Old or New Testament of
the Bible and that added to the overwhelming evidence that Joseph
Smith was a false prophet and not to be believed or followed.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) We cannot affiliate ourselves
with a false prophet or we condemn ourselves, just as Joseph Smith
is condemned. Read Galatians 1:6-9.
We have just received a new video called The Lost Book of Abraham
that does a very good job of documenting all of these details.
Our Thursday night support groups just finished reviewing it and
were very complimentary about how well it is done. It can be ordered
from our web site, by phone, by letter or in person.
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The Lost Book of Abraham -- A Movie
Review by Joe Cross
The video The Lost Book of Abraham is a new documentary
produced by the Institute for Religious Research and sheds light
on why this issue is so important to anyone contemplating the
claims of Joseph Smith. The Book of Abraham consists of many essential
doctrines unique to the Mormon Church, such as the existence of
numerous Gods and the pre-existence of human spirits in the heavenly
realms. Joseph Smith stated that he could translate some ancient
writings of Abraham, the biblical patriarch, allegedly written
"by his own hand upon Papyrus."
 Several
leading Egyptologists, including Dr. Robert Ritner of the University
of Chicago, tackle head-on the Mormon claim that The Book of Abraham
is an accurate translation of the manuscripts received by Joseph
Smith in 1835. In 1844, after Joseph Smith was killed, the manuscripts
were passed on to his widow who eventually sold them and lost
track of their location. For well over 100 years it was assumed
that these manuscripts were forever lost or destroyed. Then, in
1966, these very manuscripts turned up in a New York Museum and
were officially presented to the Mormon Church in 1967. Egyptologists,
schooled in the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic and hieratic language,
translated them and discovered them to be the common Egyptian
Book of Breathings. The conclusion reached unanimously
by Egyptologists today has led Mormon scholars to some very creative
explanations regarding how Joseph Smith arrived at the text that
he did. One such explanation offered by Mormon scholars, mentioned
in the documentary , is that Joseph Smith was using the manuscript
only as a mnemonic device. In other words, Joseph Smith was not
really "translating" the manuscripts, rather the figures and facsimiles
on the manuscripts brought to mind "revelation from God" through
which he was divinely given The Book of Abraham text.
As the video quickly points out, that while this offers a clever
spin on the disparity that exists, such an explanation ignores
the claims made by Joseph Smith himself regarding his translation
of the figures and facsimiles on the manuscript. Within his personal
diary, and through the testimony of associates, Smith claimed
repeatedly that he was "translating" the figures and facsimiles.
In addition, Joseph Smith provided a supplement to his translation
called the "Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar." He called this work
an "educational tool" intended to inform the public regarding
the alphabet, numbering system, and grammar used by the ancient
Egyptians. Since there was no knowledge of this language at that
time, many accepted his "educational tool" as just another demonstration
of Joseph Smith's divine ability to unlock the mysteries of the
ancient Egyptian language.
Modern Egyptologists who have examined Smith's "Egyptian Alphabet
and Grammar" have reached the same conclusion as with his Book
of Breathings translation. The alphabet, grammar, and numbers
presented by Smith bear zero resemblance to any ancient Egyptian
language or numbering construct, and clearly had relevance only
within Joseph Smith's fertile imagination.
This documentary doesn't need to stretch when it concludes that
the implications it has on Joseph Smith's other claims are devastating.
If he is shown to be shamelessly fraudulent with one text, why
should we trust him with another, like the Book of Mormon?
Especially when no ancient Book of Mormon manuscripts have
ever been found that can be examined to vindicate his claim as
being a divinely gifted prophet and seer.
The video, The Lost Book of Abraham, is a powerful project
that should have been completed a long time ago. The facts it
presents are accurate, organized, educational, and highly intriguing.
I would recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about The
Book of Abraham, its contents, and its true source.
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Financial Needs
It's a common scenario with churches, missions and ministries
these days. It's the summer months; it's 9/11; it's the increased
ministerial demand to reach the lost, disciple and train others.
We are seeing an increase in the numbers of those who are coming
to us to leave Mormonism and those who want to learn how to reach
their Mormon friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and fellow
students with the message of the biblical Jesus.
Our financial outlook this year is troubling. This could turn
out to be one of the few years of the 29 years of this ministry
that we don't at least break even.
If you have the means, we could sure use as significant a special
gift as possible from each of you who support Concerned Christians.
The need is almost $16,000.00 - We need your help more then
ever before.
We trust God for His provision.
We depend on you to be His instrument.
Electronic Donations
If you currently contribute a regular monthly donation (or want
to start), now you can donate to Concerned Christians with ease.
Call (480) 833-2537, write (P.O. Box 18, Mesa, AZ 85211) or e-mail
bob@concernedchristians.org.
The form you need to fill out to start donating by automatic electronic
transfer will be sent to you immediately. Automatic
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An Answer to the Pentagram Controversy by
Bob Betts
In our August/September edition of "The Cross," Jim Robertson
wrote his cover article about the controversial symbols found
inside and/or outside Mormon temples. We have received numerous
inquiries from Mormons and Christians alike specifically addressing
the inverted pentagram. They argue that the 5-pointed star, inverted
or not, was historically used by Christian churches long before
they appeared on Mormon temples. So, what's the big deal?
Without going into too much detail, the 5-pointed star WAS once
used by the early Church to represent the five wounds of Christ.
That popular usage began around the time of Constantine (4th century
A.D.). However, it decreased in popularity and ceased to be a
Christian symbol around the time of the Inquisition (14th century
A.D.). In the 19th century, a contemporary of Joseph Smith, the
French-born Alphonse Louis Constant (1810-1875), otherwise known
as Eliphas Levi (an adopted Jewish pseudonym), instituted the
inverted pentagram in a circle, as a symbol of evil. This is the
same symbol found on the Nauvoo temple. According to the story
recounted in History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 196-197,
Joseph Smith told the architect of the Nauvoo temple, "I wish
you to carry out my [italics in the original text] designs.
I have seen in vision the splendid appearance of the building
illuminated, and will have it built according to the pattern shown
me."
 Did
Joseph Smith receive yet another false vision? Would God have
given Joseph a vision to use an evil symbol on the temples? The
use of the inverted 5-pointed star, as a Christian symbol, ceased
centuries earlier. Yet, the current LDS defense that it is a harmless
old Christian symbol is hollow in light of Joseph's and his family's
historically renowned involvement in the occult. The occult symbols
found inside and/or on Mormon temples are more in line with Smith's
use of magic and masonry.
Now, here's the big deal. The entire reason you find no crosses
on any LDS building throughout the world is, as Mormons will tell
everyone, they want to remember Christ's life, not His death.
The cross is an avowed offence to the Mormon church. If, however,
the 5-pointed star represents the 5 wounds of Christ as Mormons
claim, this makes it akin to the cross as a representation of
Christ's death.
Why would God show Joseph to put the inverted 5-pointed star
on the Nauvoo temple, when it represents the same offence as the
cross? Why the inverted pentagram, but NOT the cross?
The argument used by the Mormons against the use of the cross
is, "If your brother was murdered by someone using a gun, would
you wear a symbol of a gun on a necklace around your neck?" Here
the Mormon argument crumbles if, as claimed, the inverted, 5-pointed
star in their architecture represents the same message as the
cross. It is hypocritical for the Mormon church to defend the
use of the inverted pentagram on their temples as a traditional
Christian symbol representing Christ's death, but refuse to use
the traditional cross as a similar symbol.
Incidentally, the apostle Paul defended the cross of Christ,
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians
1:18
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From the Mail Bag
 Dear
Jim,
I want to say a huge thank you for the class you taught at my
church. What a blessing you are! Your ministry touched my heart
in a very real way. I had to hold back the tears. The Mormons
are so deceived and it affects my life too, as I began to doubt
my own Christian faith and belief, being tricked by their lifestyles.
I can't even imagine what you and Judy go through in reaching
these lost people and how emotional it must be. Thank you both
for being there. And thank you for your great staff who have answered
my questions and have spent hours on the phone with me. Thank
you for giving back to a community that so desperately needs you.
May God continue to bless and direct you.
Glendale, AZ
Dear Concerned Christians,
I always enjoy "The Cross." Thanks so much for letting us all
know how hard you work and all the people you touch with your
ministry. God bless you and your staff for their commitment. Our
prayers are with you.
Mesa, AZ
Dear Bob Betts,
Since hearing Jim's message here in Benson, God has laid on my
heart the importance of prayer. I now walk and pray 7 days a week
for my dad & mom. I talk to them every week to try to reach them
with the truth, but talk is very difficult. Mom goes to the temple
once a week and on Sundays; all I hear is about the LDS church.
My parents see no difference between the Jesus of the Bible and
the Jesus of Mormonism. Yet, God is giving me the opportunity
to pray with them on the phone each day. I thank him daily for
lifting me up, the only saved member of my whole family.
Benson, AZ
Dear Jim,
Thank you so much for your newsletter! I am always excited to
get it and see what new information you have to share. I have
learned and continue to learn sooo much about Mormonism through
these newsletters and your web site and your books. I'm going
to be sending you my "story" as a Mormon someday soon. Thank you
so much and may God bless you always.
Deadwood, SD
Dear Concerned Christians,
Thank you for the book, "Out Of Mormonism." I've read a lot of
books on this subject and finally there's one I won't mind passing
on to my mother and sister who are still caught up in the LDS
church. I was a member for 40 years. God bless you!
Pleasanton, CA
Jim,
Thank you so much for coming and speaking to our Junior High Youth.
The kids have been very interested in learning more about their
friends, neighbors and relatives who are Mormon. I know you cleared
up a lot of the questions they had. You might even have raised
a few for them to ponder. May Christ bless you and the ministry
in the work you do.
Mesa, AZ
Dear Friends,
We have really appreciated Jim's presentations at our "Rally in
the Valley" each February. May God continue to use you through
the power of the Holy Spirit, to open the eyes and hearts of those
caught up in the web of Mormonism, to clearly see Jesus as their
only Savior.
Chicago, IL
Dear Concerned Christians,
I would like to volunteer to work in your ministry in any way
possible. I have no money as finances are tight right now, but
I do have time and would love to volunteer some of it. I desire
to see the hearts of the Mormons turn to Christ, but as one person
acting alone, it's almost impossible to make an impact. Please
call me.
Scottsdale, AZ
Dear Friends,
I received your "The Cross" today and have read it twice. Thank
you so much for keeping me on your mailing list, even though I
can't afford to donate. It is so hard for my 73 year old heart
to understand how so many can get "sucked" into Mormonism. I praise
God for you and your ministry.
Buckeye, AZ
 Dear
Jim & Judy,
It sure was good to get a note from you. We want to start being
monthly supporters of Concerned Christians. We now live in New
Mexico and it's much cooler here and better for our health. Please
send the newsletter by e-mail so you can save money on postage.
We would be glad to be a contact in our area for anyone who needs
to be a part of a support group like yours because by experience,
we know how difficult it is to leave Mormonism. Thank you so much
for your ministry in Christ.
Albuquerque, NM
Dear Jim & Judy,
It is our great privilege to add to our monthly commitment to
Concerned Christians because we know running a ministry isn't
easy without the funds. May God richly bless you as you continue
to share with the Mormons and educate the Christians.
Pine, AZ
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Technical E-mail Difficulties
When we have notified those of you who receive "The Cross" newsletter
by e-mail, we have received a number of them back each time as
undeliverable. The reasons for the returns are varied. Perhaps
we recorded your e-mail address incorrectly or you have a full
mailbox or you've changed your e-mail address without notifying
us. Perhaps our server or yours is temporarily down. Whatever
the case, if our message to you is returned to us, we automatically
revert you to snail-mail. So, you know that if you receive a hard
copy of the newsletter, one of the above scenarios is probably
the reason. You can either notify us with the correct e-mail address
and we'll try again, or we'll leave you on the snail mail list.
Sorry for the technical difficulties. They're mostly out of our
control. We thought you should be made aware of the situation.
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An Ex-Mormon Tells His Story by Duane
Strohmeyer
I was born and raised a Mormon in Snowflake, Arizona. Snowflake
is a very small town in northeastern Arizona, whose population
is primarily LDS. It is also the location of Arizona's second
and newest temple. I was baptized into the Mormon church at the
age of 8, ordained a teacher priest at 13, the first office of
the Aaronic priesthood, and I participated in the usual LDS church
activities as a youth.
 In
1987 I married my Christian wife, who is from Pinetop, Arizona,
a neighboring town. Her great grandfather was a Mennonite minister.
When the family learned that she was marrying a Mormon, they began
praying for us both. We have two beautiful daughters and in 1990
we moved to Mesa, Arizona. After moving, I intermittently attended
the LDS church with my daughters in tow, but we were not really
active. Then, in 1996, the girls and I started attending on a
fairly regular basis. My wife was willing to go to church, but
objected to attending the Mormon church. So we started attending
a Nazarene church near our home. One Wednesday the pastor led
me through the sinner's prayer and I was baptized a short time
later on November 2, 1997. But I still believed God was a man
with a body of flesh and bones and that Jesus was the brother
of Lucifer. Not too long after I had been baptized, I was in a
Christian bookstore. I happened to go to the cult section and
saw that it was full of "anti-Mormon" books. I was so mad; I found
the manager and took her back to the cult section. I asked her,
"do you think that Satan would do anything he could to destroy
the one true church?" She replied, "Definitely!" I said, "Well
doesn't it look like he's at work here?" I turned and walked out.
I had been baptized a Christian, attended church services and
Bible studies at a Christian church, and was still mentally a
Mormon.
However, God began working in my life through people. I have
a friend who attends another Christian church who also happens
to be an ex-Mormon. He asked me to come over to his house to watch
a video. It turned out to be the "God Makers" video. I left his
house thinking much of it was surely wrong. However, months later
I found the "God Makers" book in a different Christian bookstore.
After reading it I was finally ready to mentally leave the Mormon
church.
I am currently teaching classes on Mormonism in my Nazarene
Church and occasionally elsewhere. I am a volunteer with Concerned
Christians and serve on their board. My thanks to Concerned Christians,
and all who help financially and prayerfully in the support of
this organization.
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