Abraham
Overview
The Book of Abraham, canonized in the Pearl of Great Price, represents a cornerstone of distinctive Latter-day Saint theology. Claimed by Joseph Smith to be a translation of ancient Egyptian papyri acquired in 1835, the text expands significantly upon the biblical narrative of Genesis. Chapters 1 and 2 detail Abraham's desire for the 'patriarchal order' of the priesthood, his near-sacrifice by idolatrous priests in Chaldea, his miraculous deliverance by Jehovah, and the origins of Egypt—including a lineage-based curse restricting the priesthood. Chapter 3 shifts to a grand cosmological vision delivered via the Urim and Thummim, introducing 'Kolob' (the star nearest to God's throne) and the doctrine of the pre-mortal existence of mankind. It asserts that human spirits ('intelligences') are eternal and uncreated, co-eternal with God. It also depicts a 'Council in Heaven' where a Redeemer was chosen and a plan was established to test these spirits in a 'second estate' (mortal life). Chapters 4 and 5 provide a revised creation account that explicitly uses the plural 'Gods' (e.g., 'the Gods organized and formed the heavens and the earth'), teaching creation ex materia (organizing existing matter) rather than creation ex nihilo. For believers, this text is foundational for doctrines regarding eternal progression, the nature of God, the pre-mortal life, and the necessity of priesthood authority.
Key Figures
- Abraham: The narrator and protagonist, depicted as a seeker of priesthood authority, a visionary astronomer, and a pre-mortally chosen 'noble and great' leader.
- Jehovah/The Lord: The divine being who rescues Abraham, makes covenants with him, and reveals the cosmos and pre-mortal spirit world.
- The Gods: A plural council of divine beings who plan, organize, and execute the creation of the earth and humanity (Chapters 4-5).
- One like unto the Son of Man: The pre-mortal Jesus Christ who volunteers in the Council in Heaven to execute the Father's plan ('Here am I, send me').
- The Second (Satan): A pre-mortal spirit who was angry, rebelled, and failed to keep his 'first estate', drawing many after him.
- Pharaoh: King of Egypt, described as a righteous man who imitated the patriarchal order but was cursed pertaining to the priesthood due to his lineage.
- Egyptus: Daughter of Ham who discovered Egypt; the text traces the preservation of the 'curse in the land' through her lineage.
- Priest of Elkenah: An idolatrous priest of Pharaoh in Chaldea who attempts to offer Abraham as a human sacrifice.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Plurality of Gods (Polytheism/Henotheism)
Assertion
The creation of the world was planned and executed by a council of multiple Gods rather than a single, triune God.
Evidence from Text
And then the Lord said: Let us go down. And they went down at the beginning, and they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth. (4:1)
Evangelical Comparison
The Book of Abraham marks a definitive shift in Mormon theology from the monotheism found in the Book of Mormon to explicit polytheism/henotheism. Chapters 4 and 5 repeatedly use the phrase 'the Gods' dozens of times to describe the creators of the universe. In Evangelical theology, based on passages like Deuteronomy 6:4 ('The Lord our God, the Lord is one') and Isaiah 43:10 ('Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me'), God is absolutely one in essence, existing eternally as three distinct persons (Trinity). The Book of Abraham's depiction of a council of Gods organizing the earth fundamentally contradicts the biblical doctrine of Theology Proper.
Pre-mortal Existence and Eternality of Souls
Assertion
Human spirits (intelligences) have no beginning and no end; they are co-eternal with God.
Evidence from Text
...if there be two spirits, and one shall be more intelligent than the other, yet these two spirits... have no beginning; they existed before, they shall have no end, they shall exist after, for they are gnolaum, or eternal. (3:18)
Evangelical Comparison
Abraham 3:18-23 introduces the concept of 'intelligences'—eternal, uncreated entities that eventually become human spirits. The text asserts that these spirits 'have no beginning' and are 'gnolaum, or eternal.' God is depicted merely as the most intelligent among them ('I am more intelligent than they all'). This obliterates the orthodox Creator-creature distinction. Biblical Christianity teaches that God alone is eternal (Psalm 90:2) and that all things, including human souls, were created by Him out of nothing (Colossians 1:16, Zechariah 12:1).
Creation Ex Materia
Assertion
The earth was not created out of nothing, but was 'organized' from pre-existing 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; (3:24)
Evangelical Comparison
The text explicitly states that the Gods 'organized and formed' the heavens and the earth using existing 'materials' (3:24, 4:1). This aligns with the Mormon doctrine that matter is eternal and cannot be created or destroyed, only reorganized. Evangelical theology holds to Creation Ex Nihilo (creation out of nothing), based on Hebrews 11:3 and Genesis 1:1, affirming God's absolute sovereignty over all existence. If matter is co-eternal with God, God is not the absolute sovereign of the universe but merely a master architect.
Priesthood Lineage and Curse
Assertion
The right to hold the priesthood is passed down through literal lineage, and certain lineages (descendants of Ham/Egyptus) are cursed and denied this right.
Evidence from Text
Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham... (1:27)
Evangelical Comparison
Abraham 1 establishes that the priesthood is a literal, patriarchal inheritance ('the right belonging to the fathers'). It also introduces a curse upon the lineage of Ham and Egyptus, stating that Pharaoh could not have the right of Priesthood (1:26-27). Historically, this text was the primary scriptural justification for the LDS Church's ban on Black members holding the priesthood or receiving temple ordinances until 1978. Evangelicals reject mediating human priesthoods entirely, affirming the 'priesthood of all believers' (1 Peter 2:9) and the breaking down of all racial and lineage barriers in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
The Two Estates and Eternal Progression
Assertion
Mortal life is a 'second estate' test; those who pass it will have glory added upon them forever.
Evidence from Text
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. (3:26)
Evangelical Comparison
The text outlines a system of eternal progression: spirits who kept their 'first estate' (pre-mortal life) are 'added upon' (given mortal bodies), and those who keep their 'second estate' (mortal life) will have 'glory added upon their heads for ever and ever' (exaltation/godhood). This creates a works-based paradigm of spiritual progression. Evangelical theology teaches that humanity fell in Adam, is spiritually dead, and is saved solely by the imputed righteousness of Christ through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:1), not by successfully passing a sequential cosmic test.
Foreordination of the Noble and Great
Assertion
God chose specific pre-mortal spirits to be rulers and leaders before they were born based on their pre-mortal goodness.
Evidence from Text
And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers... Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born. (3:23)
Evangelical Comparison
In Abraham 3, God observes that certain pre-mortal spirits are 'good' and 'noble and great,' and chooses them to be rulers based on these inherent qualities. This introduces a meritocracy that predates mortal birth. Biblical election and predestination (Ephesians 1:4-5, Romans 9:11) are explicitly stated to be according to God's sovereign grace and purpose, not based on any foreseen merit, goodness, or works of the individual, ensuring that no one can boast.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The Book of Abraham replaces biblical monotheism with a council of Gods, replaces creation ex nihilo with the organization of eternal matter, and replaces the Creator/creature distinction with the doctrine that human souls are uncreated and co-eternal with God.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between Evangelical Christianity and the Book of Abraham is foundational, touching on Theology Proper, Anthropology, and Cosmology. Evangelicals hold to strict monotheism and the ontological distinction between the Creator and the created. God alone is eternal, self-existent, and sovereign, having created all matter and spiritual beings ex nihilo (out of nothing). The Book of Abraham shatters this paradigm. It introduces a plurality of Gods who 'organize' pre-existing, eternal matter. Furthermore, it elevates human anthropology to a divine level by asserting that human 'intelligences' are uncreated, eternal entities ('gnolaum') that have no beginning. This implies that God is not the absolute source of all reality, but rather the most advanced being among a species of eternal intelligences. This fundamentally alters the nature of worship, the definition of God, and the purpose of salvation, shifting it from a rescue of fallen creatures to a system of eternal progression for co-eternal peers.
For All Ages
Imagine you are building a Lego castle. In the Bible, God is so powerful that He didn't just build the castle; He actually created the plastic, the colors, and the very idea of Legos out of thin air. He is the only God, and He made everything. But in the Book of Abraham, it says there was a whole team of 'Gods' who built the castle, and the Lego pieces were already there forever. It also says that before you were born, you were like a little eternal spark that has always existed, just like God has always existed. Christians believe this is wrong because the Bible says God is the only one who has always existed, and He made us and everything else out of nothing.
Friction Points
Theology Proper (Strict Trinitarianism / Monotheism)
The text explicitly teaches that a plurality of 'Gods' planned and executed the creation of the earth.
Theology Proper (Creator/Creature Distinction)
The text asserts that human spirits/intelligences are uncreated and co-eternal with God, and that matter is eternal.
Sola Fide / Sola Gratia
Salvation/Exaltation is framed as a reward for 'keeping estates' (obedience and performance) to have glory added forever.
Universal Priesthood
The text establishes a literal, lineage-based priesthood and explicitly curses a specific lineage from holding it.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"God / The Gods"
In This Text
A council of exalted, eternal beings who organize matter and direct the progression of lesser intelligences.
In Evangelicalism
The one, eternal, uncreated, Triune Creator of all things visible and invisible.
"Create"
In This Text
To organize or form pre-existing, eternal materials into a new state.
In Evangelicalism
To bring into existence out of nothing (ex nihilo) by the word of God's power.
"Intelligence"
In This Text
The eternal, uncreated core identity of a person that existed before becoming a spirit.
In Evangelicalism
Mental capacity or wisdom; not an ontological entity.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Eternal progression and exaltation; having 'glory added upon their heads for ever and ever' (3:26).
How Attained: By keeping one's 'first estate' (pre-mortal obedience) and 'second estate' (mortal obedience to laws and ordinances).
Basis of Assurance: Personal righteousness, obtaining priesthood ordinances, and continuous obedience.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The Book of Abraham completely bypasses justification by faith. The narrative of human existence is framed not as a fall requiring a substitute, but as a progressive test where individuals must 'prove themselves' to see if they will 'do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' (3:25). This is the antithesis of Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 3:20.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee. (2:3)
- Arise, and take Lot with thee (2:6)
- Let her [Sarai] say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister (2:24)
Implicit Obligations
- Seek for the blessings of the fathers and ordination to the priesthood (1:2)
- Be a follower of righteousness and desire great knowledge (1:2)
- Keep the commandments of God to become a rightful heir (1:2)
- Reject the idolatry and false gods of one's family and culture (1:5-7)
- Keep your 'first estate' and 'second estate' to receive eternal glory (3:26)
Ritual Requirements
- Ordination to administer the blessings of the fathers (Priesthood) (1:2)
- Building altars and offering sacrifices to the Lord (2:17, 2:20)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- If the papyri Joseph Smith used to translate the Book of Abraham have been translated by modern Egyptologists and found to be standard Egyptian funeral texts with no mention of Abraham, how does that impact your view of Joseph Smith's translation of the Book of Mormon?
- In Abraham 4, it repeatedly says 'the Gods' organized the earth. How do you reconcile this with Isaiah 43:10, where God says, 'Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me'?
- Abraham 3 teaches that we are eternal intelligences that have always existed. If we are co-eternal with God, in what sense is He our Creator?
- If our mortal life is a test to see if we will 'do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' (Abraham 3:25), how do you find peace knowing that we all fall short of doing 'all things'?
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 from the penalty of false religion, we are helpless under the penalty of sin. Christ intervenes, not just to unloose our bands, but to take our place on the altar of sacrifice.
The Willing Redeemer
While the LDS context of a pre-mortal council differs from orthodox Trinitarianism, the core concept of Christ's willing submission to the Father to rescue humanity is a powerful bridge. Jesus willingly humbled Himself to accomplish our redemption.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The doctrine of the 'two estates' (Abraham 3:25-26) frames mortal life entirely as a test to 'prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.' This places an immense psychological burden on the believer to perform perfectly. If eternal glory is contingent on keeping the second estate through obedience, the believer can never have true assurance of salvation, leading to chronic anxiety, perfectionism, or eventual burnout.
Abraham 1:21-27 explicitly ties priesthood authority to literal bloodlines and establishes a curse that denies the priesthood to the descendants of Ham/Egyptus. Historically, this text was the primary justification for denying Black Latter-day Saints the priesthood and temple ordinances until 1978. Even today, the presence of this text in canonized scripture forces believers to reconcile a God who institutes racial/lineage bans, creating cognitive dissonance and lingering spiritual trauma regarding worthiness and race.