The Book of Abraham quote cited in the criticism above has inspired both kinds of nonsense, including the interpretation found on the web site where this criticism appeared. What is Kae-e-vanrash? Creedal Christian critics who believe in a God without "body, parts, or passions" exploit this difference in perspective to make LDS beliefs seem blasphemous or bizarre. It may also mean to take and adopt as one’s own, especially said of abstractions or ideas, as in “the composer borrowed his harmonic structure from Bach’s Fugue in D Major.” So what does it mean for the sun to “borrow” its light from Kolob? The difference between Egyptologists' translation and Joseph Smith's interpretations have caused considerable controversy. The explanation for Facsimile 2, Figure 5 states that the Sun is said to "borrow it light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash": Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-on-dosh; this is one of the governing planets also, and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand Key, or, in other words, the governing power, which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars, as also Floeese or the Moon, the Earth and the Sun in their annual revolutions. 13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. The Book of Abraham speaks of "light" which is "borrowed" from Kolob, which is a "governing power" over other planets. Rates of rotation are largely arbitrary, and of little comment or concern from a fundamental point of view. Among the misguided interpretations is the unjustified suggestion that Abraham taught that the photons leaving the surface of the sun originally came from Kolob. This planet receives its power through the medium of Kli-flos-is-es, or Hah-ko-kau-beam, the stars represented by numbers 22 and 23, receiving light from the revolutions of Kolob. This is the light of Christ. Is the Throne of God at the center of the Galaxy (in which case it would take 220,000,000 years to orbit the Earth) or at the center of the Universe (in which case, observations limit the rotation of the Universe to be very small indeed, maybe even zero) or is it somewhere else altogether? A portion of the papyri considered by some to be source of the Book of Abraham. The Moon is next, with an orbital period of 27.32 days. . Kolob is the greatest” Abraham 3:16 It is largest of a group of huge governing stars. Book of Abraham Insight #15 The Book of Abraham is noteworthy for its description of so-called Abrahamic astronomy. The Book of Abraham quote cited in the criticism above has inspired both kinds of nonsense, including the interpretation found on the web site where this criticism appeared. Abraham 3:9 And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob, which Kolob is after the reckoning of the Lord’s time; which Kolob is set nigh unto the throne of God, to govern all those planets which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest. Farewell to Eden: Coming to terms with Mormonism and Science, https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/index.php?title=Book_of_Abraham/Kolob&oldid=183418. Is it a revelation from God to Abraham explaining the structure of the universe as it would be seen by the astronomers of our day? Copyright © 1997-2021 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Abraham learns of Kolob through revelation. Joseph Smith provided this explanation in Book of Abraham, Facsimile 2, Figure 5: one of the governing planets also, and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand Key, or, in other words, the governing power, which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars, as also Floeese or the Moon, the Earth and the Sun in their annual revolutions. We have disagreement among theorists on these points. No portion of this site may be reproduced without the express written consent of The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc. Any opinions expressed, implied, or included in or with the goods and services offered by FairMormon are solely those of FairMormon and not those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What does it mean here? answering to the measuring of the time of Oliblish, which is equal with Kolob in its revolution and in its measuring of time. Joseph Smith provided this explanation in Book of Abraham, Facsimile 2, Figure 5: one of the governing planets also, and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand Key, or, in other words, the governing power, which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars, as also Floeese or the Moon, the Earth and the Sun in their annual revolutions. They say rates of rotation are arbitrary. Only the Book of Abraham includes all those who live on earth, have lived on earth, and will live on earth as having an existence before this mortal birth. 1 p 36. A very large star near to such an object would likely be the fastest of all the large bodies in its system. Unfortunately, they are never couched in modern scientific terms and their meanings are often very obscure. Is the Book of Abraham a fraud? 8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; 9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; 10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. We would expect a certain amount of randomness in nature, would we not? -Book of Abraham The Lost Book of Abraham (full video) (Institute for Religious Reseach) BookofAbraham.info Egyptology and the Book of Abraham Stephen E. Thompson, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Spring, 1995 (This is not a coincidence, but the result of tidal dissipation.) Is Kae-e-vanrash a term for nuclear reactions, gravitation, cosmic rays? In determining the Book of Abraham is "not central," Dr. Gee seems to overlook the close relationship between the Book of Abraham and the temple. Chapter 3 of the Book of Abraham, along with Facsimile 2, contains this astronomical portrait, which is not always easy to understand. Kolob is said to be the planet nearest to the throne of God, "which Kolob is set nigh unto the throne of God, to govern all those planets which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest." This may have been a way to teach the Egyptians that Elohim, who dwells near Kolob, rules over than the sun-god, Amen-Re, Abraham did not teach the Egyptians that photons leaving the Sun came from Kolob. Learn how →. 9 And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob, which Kolob is after the reckoning of the Lord’s time; which Kolob is set nigh unto the throne of God, to govern all those planets which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest. Kolob plays no real role in LDS doctrine or discourse. Kolob is said to be the planet nearest to the throne of God, "which Kolob is set nigh unto the throne of God, to govern all those planets which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest." Soon after this, some of the Saints at Kirtland purchased the mummies and papyrus, a description of which will Doctrine & Covenants 88:7–13, in wording strongly reminiscent of our Book of Abraham quote, states “7 ...this is the light of Christ. Kolob is a star or planet described in the Book of Abraham, a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement. ( Abraham 3:2-3 ). Until someone can make a convincing case that their interpretation of these things is the only reasonable one, any faith-promoting proof from Abraham’s astronomy is a flimsy house of cards and any faith-destroying attack on some straw-man interpretation is misguided. Or should we remember that “The Lord said unto me: Abraham, I show these things unto thee before ye go into Egypt, that ye may declare all these words.” Abraham 3:15, so that, as John Gee has suggested [1], this is simply the teaching that would be easiest for the Egyptians to understand — one that would teach them that Elohim, who dwells near Kolob, rules over than the sun-god, Amen-Re? The scripture is saying that you have a range of planets, some slower or faster than others in the rotation on their axes until you go inward in the star system towards Kolob, presumably somewhere where it gravitationally dominates in the system. That's really not acceptable: it put the statement "Kolob is the star closest to where God lives" in Wikipedia's voice, rather than attributing it to those who actually assert it. The solar rotation period, by the way, is about 24.5 days at its equator and a little longer as one approaches the solar poles, not that that matters to anything. One day in Kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth. Question: Do the statements in the Book of Abraham regarding Kolob's revolution time make any sense? So what if they are? Kolob is the star that governs all the others. So 1000 years is a day in Kolob, not a year in Kolob, according to the regular English usage of the terms. And yet from it, from the Book of Abraham in particular, we derive and flesh out some of our most interesting concepts: the Pre-existence, the War in Heaven, the nature of Godhood and more. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. Several Latter Day Saint denominations hold the Book of Abraham to have been translated from an Egyptian papyrus scroll by Joseph Smith, the founder of the movement. The problem is, that the Book of Abraham cosmology is so ambiguous that not even LDS people, let alone critics of the Church, can claim to know what it is actually trying to say, so any criticism automatically creates a straw-man. No portion of this site may be reproduced without the express written consent of The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc. Any opinions expressed, implied, or included in or with the goods and services offered by FairMormon are solely those of FairMormon and not those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are many scriptures or statements by the prophets that seem to have scientific implications. Joseph Smith did not provide a full description or explanation of Kolob nor did he assign the idea particular significance in relation to the Church’s core doctrines. In a similar way, there are many intelligences, or moral agents, some greater than others. (Abraham 3:18-19, italics added), In an effort to make the Church look bizarre, many critics mock the idea of "God living on the planet Kolob." Copyright © 1997-2021 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved. It is understandable how critics could interpret it this way, as meaning Kolob's rotation on its axis, because this is the way some reasonable people believe about this passage even in the Church. https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/index.php?title=Book_of_Abraham/Astronomy/Kolob-Sun&oldid=186176. The only other mention comes from a 19th century hymn, which uses Kolob in its first line to describe the glorious life of those who return to God: [2]. The suggestion that Abraham must have taught that the photons leaving the surface of the sun originally came from Kolob is completely unjustified. Mormons do not believe that God lives on Kolob, "Kolob" is the name given to the star closest to the throne of God in Abraham 3:3, Kolob plays no real role in LDS doctrine or discourse. . Joseph Smith names 3 plus 12 other huge governing stars in his explanation of facsimile #2 in the Book of Abraham Fig. This planet receives its power through the medium of Kli-flos-is-es, or Hah-ko-kau-beam, the stars represented by numbers 22 and 23, receiving light from the revolutions of Kolob." Does it refer to a material or a means? to "The Book of Abraham also contains the only reference in Mormon canon to the star Kolob, which is the star closest to where God lives." 2 EXPLANATION OF THE ABOVE CUT Fig. 'To revolve' means to go around a central point and may be applied to any point that moves around another point. The Book of Abraham says that it is a “grand Key,” or “governing power.” What does that mean? Video produced by Pedro Olavarria and used with permission. To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here. In Abraham 3:4, we read, 4 And the Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim, that Kolob was after the manner of the Lord, according to its times and seasons in the revolutions thereof; that one revolution was a day unto the Lord, after his manner of reckoning, it being one thousand years according to the time appointed unto that whereon thou standest. One researcher has shown evidence for both a geocentric and also a more literal interpretation, the one being a symbol of the other. Within it, Abraham talks of many things in the heavens, including the stars and Kolob, planets and stars being above one another, and these planets and stars having different times. FairMormon Answers Wiki Table of Contents. Abraham 3:9. The introduction to the Book of Abraham still maintains it was “Translated From The Papyrus, By Joseph Smith” (Pearl of Great Price, The Book of Abraham, Introduction). As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made", A “medium” can mean a material through which some signal propagates or a means or channel through which something is achieved. Of course, since Kolob is still far above the Sun, it "moveth in order more slow" (Abraham 3:5). The Book of Abraham uses the term 'revolution,' and it is clearly being used in the technically correct sense. So the Book of Abraham is really the book of scripture Abraham's astronomical statements are far more reasonable than the some claim and fit into a picture that makes sense in the cosmic world view of Abraham's contemporaries, The Book of Abraham cosmology is so ambiguous that not even LDS people, let alone critics of the Church, can claim to know what it is actually trying to say. Therefore, it is difficult to see how a "year" in Kolob, or its rotation around the parent body is a "day" to the Lord, or a day in Kolob. We are left to wonder. Where is the permeation? It is introduced in an effort to teach Abraham that there is a hierarchy in all things. Furthermore, this 'reckoning of time' is a prime distinguisher in terms of 'greatness.' Yes, one could say in response that "revolution" is not the usual English term for rotation on an axis, at least in modern scientific terms, so why should we go in favor of this interpretation for either the word year or the word day? Pearl of Great Price Central, Insight #15: The Book of Abraham's reference to "light" is not referring to photons leaving the surface of the sun, A figurative and abstract description such as this cannot be forced into conformance with science, To “borrow” means to receive with the intention of returning, "This is the light of Christ. [1] Se lo menciona en el Libro de Abraham, uno de los libros canónicos de varias denominaciones mormonas. So what's the point of the criticism, and where does it not make sense from a cosmological or scientific point of view? [1]. 'To rotate' means to spin on an axis, like a top or like a planet. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God. 11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; 12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—. Once again, a critic of Joseph Smith's revelations has chosen to interpret difficult and ambiguous phrasing in a way that serves his ultimate goal — to set up straw man that is easily demolished. Kolob is rarely discussed in modern Mormon religious contexts, but it is periodically a topic of … . Kolob is the slowest of them all, taking a thousand years to rotate on its axis. According to this work, Kolob is the heavenly body nearest to the throne of God. Now, if we take the center of the Galaxy as a possible model of what is happening, the closest stars to the Galactic Nucleus are moving at incredibly fast speeds in the central parsec of the Galaxy. There are many scriptures or statements by the prophets that seem to have scientific implications. Let's read that scripture again very carefully: Now the set time of the lesser light is a longer time as to its reckoning than the reckoning of the time of the earth upon which thou standest. But Abraham's astronomical statements are far more reasonable than the some claim and fit into a picture that makes sense in the cosmic world view of Abraham's contemporaries, a conclusion that was also reached in John Gee's 2009 FAIR conference talk, "The Larger Issue". What is the "grand Key" called "Kae-e-vanrash"? And the Book of Abraham is not in contradiction to that. Fox News, "21 Questions Answered About Mormon Faith," (18 December 2007). Learn how →. 3:9, 16). 7 Which truth shineth. Now, the Kirtland Egyptian Papers controversy is out of scope here, but suffice it to say that it is the view of some that there is no good reason to ignore this material just because it is not in the scriptures, when it has bearing on the subject at hand, and adds critical details. So there is an interesting paradox in his list of six "central" points of doctrine 8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; 9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; 10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. “And I Abraham…saw the stars, that they were very great, and that one of them was nearest unto the throne of God…and the name of the great one is Kolob, because it is near unto me, for I am the Lord thy God: I have set this one to govern all those which belong … The wording of Joseph Smith’s explanation of Figure 5 in Facsimile 2 of the Book of Abraham is, in fact, very difficult to interpret. William W. Phelps, "If You Could Hie to Kolob," Hymn #284. Now, back to the criticism above, and we quote again: LDS doctrine regarding astronomy is permeated with references to time being measured, or 'reckoned' according to a star's or planet's rate of rotation. The Book of Abraham speaks of "light" which is "borrowed" from Kolob, which is a "governing power" over other planets, The light of Christ is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the light of the stars, The light of Christ proceeds from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space, and governs all things. Book of Abraham, Facsimile 2, Figure 5 Kolob… signifies the first great grand governing fixed star which is the farthest that ever has been discovered by the fathers which was discovered by Methusela and also by Abraham. This is false as God does not live on Kolob. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. D&C 130 may have the answer. "Kolob" is the name given to the star closest to the throne of God in Abraham 3:3. Kólob es una supuesta estrella o planeta cercano al trono de Dios, perteneciente a las creencias del movimiento mormón, en particular de La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días. We are not mentioned. LDS Church leader and historian B. H. Roberts (1857–1933) interpreted Smith's statements to mean that our solar system and it… The Earth rotates on its axis once per day and so a point on the surface of the earth revolves about the axis at the same rate. This is one possibility for how a very large star could be swift in its orbital motion. We are a volunteer organization. Because in the context, it is speaking of a "day" to the Lord. This is the fastest motion in the heavens. First, to “borrow” means to receive with the intention of returning, especially said of a material object or substance. The Book of Abraham says that it is a “grand Key,” or “governing power.” What does that mean? It is not; it is simply the star … Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial or the residence of God. What does it mean here? Kolob in its motion . Or is it a more spiritual medium such as priesthood or faith, or an organizational structure, or a means used for administrative communications? What, in fact, is meant by 'light' in this context? FAIR is controlled and operated by the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR). Thus, "Kolob" is introduced in a rather peripheral way in an effort to teach about the supremacy of God: Howbeit that he made the greater star; as, also, if there be two spirits, and one shall be more intelligent than the other...And the Lord said unto me: These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all. These verses from Abraham admit a variety of interpretations. As was stated at the beginning, LDS theorists have differing points of view on the meanings of these passages in the Book of Abraham. . The light and power of God extend from his throne to govern all things in the universe. Doctrine & Covenants 88:7–13, in wording strongly reminiscent of our Book of Abraham quote, states “7 ...this is the light of Christ. – Pearl of Great Price, The Book of Abraham, Translated from Papyrus by Joseph Smith, 1878 edition. What is it about it that doesn't make sense? which seems to say that Kolob's orbital period about the throne of God is 1000 years, and that it is used by God as his unit of time. Various LDS theorists have differing points of view on this. That is the whole point. Does anyone have a convincing explanation of what they ARE talking about? The word "day" when applied to normal usage refers to the earth or another body rotating on its axis. Where does The Book of Abraham currently fit within the modern LDS doctrinal conscious? Kolob is a term found within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, only in the Pearl of Great Price in the Book of Abraham. Though the technical distinction is often blurred today, even by astronomers, at the time of Joseph Smith the two terms denoted technically different things. In this case, it seems pretty straight forward that the word "revolution" refers to the rotation on the axis. These verses from Abraham admit a variety of interpretations. Kolob is said to be the planet nearest to the throne of God, "which Kolob is set nigh unto the throne of God, to govern all those planets which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest." The Church answered this question as posed by Fox News succinctly: 'Kolob' is a term found in ancient records translated by Joseph Smith. So the picture is geocentric (nothing wrong with that — Relativity tells us that one point is as good as another), and clearly refers to the revolution of the heavenly bodies about the Earth. Joseph Smith - Mormon prophet Book of Abraham … Remember that God does not live on Kolob. And the critics just do it to mock. But where is the throne of God? Yet other faithful theorists disagree with Gee's conclusions, such as Michael Rhodes, and others, but still great respect is had for Gee's points of view. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made", A “medium” can mean a material through which some signal propagates or a means or channel through which something is achieved. Does the Sun intend to repay the light it borrowed? We invite you to give back. So, anyway, if we say that it is swifter than the rest of the twelve fixed stars, in which way is it swifter? FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ([1]). Until someone can make a convincing case that their interpretation of these things is the only reasonable one, any faith-promoting proof from Abraham’s astronomy is a flimsy house of cards and any faith-destroying attack on some straw-man interpretation is misguided. It may also mean to take and adopt as one’s own, especially said of abstractions or ideas, as in “the composer borrowed his harmonic structure from Bach’s Fugue in D Major.” So what does it mean for the sun to “borrow” its light from Kolob? We are a volunteer organization. [4]. The Book of Abraham is a 1835 work produced by Joseph Smith [1] that he said was based on Egyptian papyri purchased from a traveling mummy exhibition. We have only a few references in a few scriptures in Abraham where this is even mentioned, and only one in one verse of D&C 130. This planet receives its power through the medium of Kli-flos-is-es, or Hah-ko-kau-beam, the stars represented by numbers 22 and 23, receiving light from the revolutions of Kolob. Many people confuse this with thinking that this is where God actually lives. Furthermore, this 'reckoning of time' is a prime distinguisher in terms of 'greatness.' Just because the critics mock it doesn't mean it wasn't a valuable teaching tool for the Lord to teach Abraham a principle. The suggestion that Abraham must have taught that the photons leaving the surface of the sun originally came from Kolob is completely unjustified. . Among the misguided interpretations is the unjustified suggestion that Abraham taught that the photons leaving the surface of the sun originally came from Kolob. This criticism falls apart on close inspection. Or is it a more spiritual medium such as priesthood or faith, or an organizational structure, or a means used for administrative communications? The translations of the facsimiles and more. While the Book of Abraham calls Kolob a "star", it also calls planets "stars", and therefore some Latter Day Saint c… Kolob is a star or planet from the Book of Abraham - originally described in an ancient egyptian scroll - translated by Joseph Smith. This clearly specifies this one thousand year period as Kolob's day. This is because the Galactic Nucleus (called "Sagittarius A*" pronounced "Sagittarius A Star" because the Galactic Center is in the constellation Sagittarius) is a super-massive black hole with extreme gravity that can easily swing huge stars around it at incredible speeds like a gigantic sling. Here we are faced with the fact that it is saying "One day in Kolob." The explanation for Facsimile 2, Figure 5 states that the Sun is said to "borrow it light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash": Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-on-dosh; this is one of the governing planets also, and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand Key, or, in other words, the governing power, which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars, as also Floeese or the Moon, the Earth and the Sun in their annual revolutions. If we take the star S2 (Sagittarius #2) around the Galactic Nucleus as a model, which is the closest, S2 has "the fastest known ballistic orbit, reaching speeds exceeding 5000 km/s (11 000 000 mph) or 2% of the speed of light . Other stars, in ever diminishing order, were placed in increasing distances from this center. The light and power of God extend from his throne to govern all things in the universe. FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . is swifter than the rest of the twelve fixed stars; going before, being first in motion, being delegated to have power over others to regulate others in their time . The biggest issue at hand is that the authors of the web page where the above criticism of the Book of Abraham was found have pretended to know the meaning of these scriptures to be able to set up yet another straw man to refute. Is Kolob mentioned in the New Testament and if not, how come? It applies only to an extended body. And, finally, what are we to understand about the nature of Book of Abraham astronomy?
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