Abraham
Overview
The Book of Abraham, published by Joseph Smith in 1842 and canonized in the 1851 Pearl of Great Price, fundamentally alters traditional Judeo-Christian theology by introducing radical new doctrines under the guise of an ancient patriarchal record. The text begins with Abraham in Chaldea, seeking the priesthood of the fathers. He is nearly offered as a human sacrifice to Egyptian gods by an idolatrous priest but is miraculously delivered by Jehovah. The narrative then provides an origin story for Egypt, explicitly stating that the lineage of Pharaoh (through Ham) was cursed pertaining to the priesthood, a doctrine that historically underpinned the LDS Church's racial priesthood ban until 1978. As Abraham travels toward Egypt, he receives the Urim and Thummim and is given a grand vision of the cosmos, introducing 'Kolob' as the governing star nearest to God's throne. The text then shifts into a profound theological departure from biblical orthodoxy: it reveals that human 'intelligences' or spirits are co-eternal with God, having no beginning or end. Abraham witnesses a pre-mortal 'Council in Heaven' where a Jesus-figure and a Lucifer-figure offer competing proposals to become the savior of a new world. The text concludes with a radical rewriting of the Genesis creation account, replacing the singular Creator God with a plurality of 'Gods' who do not create ex nihilo (out of nothing), but rather 'organize' pre-existing matter to form the earth and mankind. This text serves as the foundational bedrock for many of Mormonism's most distinct and unbiblical doctrines, including the plurality of gods, eternal progression, and the pre-mortal existence of souls.
Key Figures
- Abraham: The narrator and protagonist, depicted as a seeker of priesthood authority, a survivor of attempted human sacrifice, and a prophet who receives advanced astronomical and cosmological knowledge.
- Jehovah / The Lord: The divine figure who rescues Abraham, reveals the cosmos, and presides over the pre-mortal council.
- The Gods: A plural group of divine beings who counsel together, go down, and organize the heavens, the earth, and mankind from pre-existing materials.
- One like unto the Son of Man: A pre-mortal figure (understood as Jesus) who volunteers in the heavenly council to be sent to earth, saying 'here am I, send me.'
- The Second: A pre-mortal figure (understood as Lucifer/Satan) who also volunteers but becomes angry when rejected, failing to keep his 'first estate' and leading many away.
- Priest of Elkenah/Pharaoh: An idolatrous priest in Chaldea who practices human sacrifice and attempts to kill Abraham on Potiphar's Hill.
- Pharaoh: The King of Egypt, described as a righteous man who established a patriarchal government but was denied the priesthood due to his lineage from Ham.
- Egyptus: The daughter of Ham who discovered the land of Egypt while it was under water, preserving the 'curse in the land.'
- Adam: The first man, identified as the first father who held the right of the firstborn, and to whom the priesthood keywords were revealed.
- Sarai: Abraham's wife, whom he is instructed by God to call his sister to preserve his life in Egypt.
- Terah: Abraham's father, who repents of idolatry during a famine but later returns to it in Haran.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Plurality of Gods (Polytheism/Henotheism)
Assertion
The creation of the universe and mankind was carried out by a council of multiple Gods working together.
Evidence from Text
And then the Lord said, let us go down; and they went down at the beginning, and they organized and formed (that is, the Gods) the heavens and the earth... And the Gods said, let there be light, and there was light.
Evangelical Comparison
The Book of Abraham represents a definitive shift in Mormon theology from the modalism/trinitarianism of the early Book of Mormon to explicit polytheism (or henotheism). By rewriting Genesis 1 to say 'the Gods' organized the earth, the text denies the absolute uniqueness of Yahweh. Evangelical Christianity rests on the foundational truth of Deuteronomy 6:4 and Isaiah 44:8 ('Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any'). The biblical 'Let us make man in our image' (Gen 1:26) is understood by orthodox Christians as an intra-Trinitarian dialogue within the one Godhead, not a committee of separate, distinct Gods as depicted in this text.
Pre-mortal Existence and Co-eternality of Souls
Assertion
Human spirits (intelligences) were not created out of nothing, but have always existed, having no beginning and no end, and lived with God before birth.
Evidence from Text
these two spirits, notwithstanding one is more intelligent than the other, have no beginning; they existed before, they shall have no end, they shall exist after, for they are gnolaum, or eternal... I now, therefore, have come down unto thee, to deliver unto thee the works which my hands have made... over all the intelligences thine eyes have seen from the beginning
Evangelical Comparison
This doctrine fundamentally alters the Creator-creature distinction. In Evangelical theology, God is the only uncreated, eternal being (1 Timothy 1:17). Everything else, including angels and human souls, was created ex nihilo (out of nothing) by Him (Colossians 1:16, Zechariah 12:1). The Book of Abraham asserts that human 'intelligences' are co-eternal with God ('they have no beginning'). This diminishes the sovereignty and aseity of God, reducing Him to a master organizer of pre-existing entities rather than the absolute source of all existence.
Creation Ex Materia (Organizing Pre-existing Matter)
Assertion
The earth was not created out of nothing, but was organized from pre-existing, chaotic materials.
Evidence from Text
we will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell
Evangelical Comparison
The text explicitly states that the Gods took existing 'materials' to 'organize and form' the earth. This aligns with Joseph Smith's later teachings that matter is eternal. Evangelical Christianity affirms creation ex nihilo based on passages like Hebrews 11:3 ('things which are seen were not made of things which do appear') and Romans 4:17 ('calleth those things which be not as though they were'). If matter is co-eternal with God, God is subject to the laws of that matter, which denies His absolute sovereignty and omnipotence.
Mortal Probation (The Estates)
Assertion
Earth life is a test to see if pre-mortal spirits will obey all commands to earn eternal glory.
Evidence from Text
we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; and they who keep their first estate, shall be added upon... and they who keep their second estate, shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.
Evangelical Comparison
The concept of the 'estates' creates a theological framework where salvation (exaltation/glory) is earned through performance. The 'first estate' was a pre-mortal test of loyalty, and the 'second estate' (mortal life) is a test to see if humans will 'do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.' This is a pure works-righteousness paradigm. Evangelical Christianity teaches that humans are fallen and incapable of doing all things commanded (Romans 3:10-20). Salvation is not a reward for passing a probationary test, but a free gift of grace received through faith in Christ's finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5).
Priesthood Lineage and the Curse of Ham
Assertion
Certain lineages (specifically descendants of Ham/Egyptus) are cursed and inherently denied the right to hold the Priesthood.
Evidence from Text
Pharaoh being a righteous man... seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers... but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood. Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood
Evangelical Comparison
This text provided the scriptural foundation for the LDS Church's historical ban on ordaining men of Black African descent to the priesthood (lifted in 1978). It ties spiritual authority and blessing to literal bloodlines and racial descent. Evangelical Christianity, rooted in the New Covenant, teaches that the Levitical/lineal priesthood has been fulfilled and abolished in Christ (Hebrews 7). Now, every believer in Christ, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or social status, is part of a 'royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9) and is one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The Book of Abraham replaces the uncreated, Triune God of the Bible with a council of plural Gods who organize co-eternal matter and spirits, fundamentally changing the nature of God, the nature of man, and the nature of salvation.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological chasm between the Book of Abraham and Evangelical Christianity is absolute, primarily concerning Theology Proper (the doctrine of God) and Anthropology (the doctrine of man). Evangelicalism is strictly monotheistic, affirming one eternal, uncreated Triune God who created all things ex nihilo (out of nothing). The Book of Abraham introduces explicit polytheism ('the Gods went down... organized and formed'), denying God's unique aseity. Furthermore, it elevates humanity by claiming human 'intelligences' are co-eternal with God ('they have no beginning... they are gnolaum, or eternal'). This destroys the ontological distinction between the Creator and the creature. If man is co-eternal with God, God is merely the most advanced being in the universe, not the transcendent ground of all being. Soteriologically, the text replaces the covenant of grace with a probationary system ('prove them herewith') where eternal glory is contingent upon absolute obedience ('do all things whatsoever'), directly violating Sola Fide.
For All Ages
Imagine you are building a Lego castle. In the Bible, God is so powerful He created the Legos out of nothing, and He is completely different from the Legos. He is the only God. In this book, the Legos (which represent matter and human spirits) have always existed, just like God. God didn't make them out of nothing; He just organized them. Also, this book says there were many 'Gods' working together like a team of builders, instead of just one true God. Finally, it says we were alive as spirits before we were born, and we are on earth taking a test to see if we can earn a reward, whereas the Bible says God gives us salvation as a free gift because we could never pass the test on our own.
Friction Points
Theology Proper (Monotheism vs. Polytheism)
The text explicitly replaces the singular Creator God of Genesis with a plurality of 'Gods' who counsel together and organize the earth.
Anthropology / Creation Ex Nihilo
The text asserts that human spirits (intelligences) and matter are eternal and uncreated, denying God's absolute sovereignty as the sole uncreated being.
Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone)
The text frames mortal life as a probationary test to 'prove' if humans will 'do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' to earn added glory.
Universal Priesthood / Impartiality of God
The text establishes a racial/lineal restriction on priesthood authority, claiming the lineage of Ham/Pharaoh is cursed and denied priesthood rights.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"God / The Gods"
In This Text
A plural council of exalted beings who organize pre-existing matter and preside over co-eternal intelligences.
In Evangelicalism
The one, singular, uncreated, eternal, Triune Creator of all things visible and invisible.
"Create / Organize"
In This Text
To take pre-existing, eternal materials and form them into an earth or bodies.
In Evangelicalism
To bring into existence out of nothing (ex nihilo) by the sheer power of God's word.
"Estate"
In This Text
Stages of eternal progression; the first estate is pre-mortal spirit life, the second estate is mortal physical life.
In Evangelicalism
Generally refers to one's condition, property, or status; not used as a framework for pre-mortal/mortal probationary periods.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Having 'glory added upon their heads for ever and ever' (understood in LDS theology as Exaltation or becoming like God).
How Attained: By keeping the 'first estate' (pre-mortal obedience) and the 'second estate' (mortal obedience), specifically by doing 'all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.'
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on one's performance in the probationary state and possession of the proper priesthood ordinances.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text is entirely antithetical to Sola Fide. It explicitly states the purpose of earth life is to 'prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things.' This is a covenant of works. In contrast, Galatians 3:10 warns that relying on the works of the law brings a curse, and Romans 3:20 states that no flesh will be justified by deeds. True assurance comes from faith in Christ's finished work, not our ability to pass a behavioral test.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy fathers house, unto a land that I will shew thee.
- Arise, and take Lot with thee.
- See that ye do on this wise: let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister.
Implicit Obligations
- Seek for the blessings of the fathers and the right to be ordained to the priesthood.
- Be a follower of righteousness and desire great knowledge.
- Keep the commandments of God to be a rightful heir.
- Reject the idolatry and false gods of the surrounding culture.
- Keep your 'second estate' by doing 'all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' to earn eternal glory.
Ritual Requirements
- Ordination to the Priesthood to administer blessings.
- Building altars and offering sacrifices to the Lord.
- Possession and use of the Urim and Thummim for revelation.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When you read the creation account in Abraham 4 where 'the Gods' organize the earth, how do you reconcile that with Isaiah 44:8 where God says, 'Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any'?
- If human intelligences have no beginning and are co-eternal with God, in what sense is God truly our Creator and the sovereign Lord of the universe?
- How does the fact that modern Egyptologists translate the Joseph Smith Papyri as standard funerary texts, with no mention of Abraham, affect your view of Joseph Smith's translation claims?
- The text says earth life is to 'prove' us to see if we will do 'all things' commanded. Do you feel you are successfully doing 'all things'? How does that compare to the promise of rest and grace found in Ephesians 2:8-9?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
Deliverance from the Altar of Sacrifice
Just as Abraham was helpless on the altar and needed divine intervention to save his life, we are helpless under the penalty of sin and spiritual death. We cannot save ourselves. Christ intervened, taking our place on the altar of the cross, delivering us from death.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The doctrine that mortal life is a 'second estate' designed to 'prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' places an impossible burden of perfection on the believer. It creates constant anxiety about whether one has done enough to earn 'glory added upon their heads,' stripping away the peace and assurance of salvation found in the biblical Gospel.
The concept of pre-mortal existence, where some were 'noble and great ones' chosen before birth, creates a spiritual caste system. Believers may struggle with anxiety over whether they were truly valiant in the pre-mortal life, or feel immense pressure to live up to a supposed pre-mortal foreordination, rather than resting in their identity as adopted children of God through Christ.