On this episode, we wrap up our logical deconstruction of the Book of Abraham. We focus our petrifying gaze on the lds.org essay titled, ‘Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham,’ the LDS Church’s official statement on this challenging piece of Mormon scripture. Is it merely more apologetics, or is there something special with this essay compared with other apologetic arguments for the ‘historical plausibility’ of the Book of Abraham? No, it’s just delicately worded apologetics we discussed at length last week. What more can we learn from this essay? What would it look like for the Brighamite LDS Church to disavow an historically authentic interpretation of this book and other Mormon scripture? We use the RLDS as an analogue to muse on what the Church has to lose when it comes to moving into an unorthodox and progressive stance on scripture and doctrine. Links: Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham https://www.lds.org/topics/translation-and-historicity-of-the-book-of-abraham?lang=eng Book of Abraham and Kirtland Egyptian material http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/site/book-of-abraham-and-egyptian-material Kirtland Egyptian language and grammar http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/grammar-and-alphabet-of-the-egyptian-language-circa-july-circa-november-1835/7 Original printing of Book of Abraham and Facsimile 1 http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/book-of-abraham-and-facsimiles-1-march-16-may-1842/1 Book of Abraham MormonThink http://www.mormonthink.com/book-of-abraham-issues.htm#theegyptionpapyriwerenotall Lucy Mack Smith Book of Abraham ‘translation’ method http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/intro/introduction-to-book-of-abraham-manuscripts Roger Launius The Reorganized Church, the Decade of Decision, and the Abilene Paradox https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/issues/V31N01.pdf Community of Christ FY2017 Budget http://www.cofchrist.org/common/cms/resources/Documents/FY17-Budget-ENGLISH.pdf Community of Christ D&C 163 https://www.cofchrist.org/doctrine-and-covenants-section-163 Current LDS Membership Statistics http://www.cumorah.com/index.php?target=church_growth_articles Current LDS Income Statistics http://www.churchistrue.com/blog/lds-membership-statistics-report-2017/ LDS Self-reported Membership Statistics https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/topic/church-growth Show Links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason Comeau http://aloststateofmind.com/ Show Artwork http://weirdmormonshit.com/ Legal Counsel http://patorrez.com/