E-Mail I have Received from Visitors

Please send us your e-mail to "info [at] bookofabraham.com". I promise to read every message that is sent to me. If I like the post I will most likely post it here for others to read. To prevent having to answer the same basic personal questions I have written my "story" and have posted it here.

Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 19:32:23 EDT
From: Brianterrill2003@aol.com
Subject: I think you are a fraud

I think you are a fraud. I don't put my trust in the arm of flesh, especially when that flesh bashes a religion. Those learned scholars (as you and they like to think of themselves) are the ones with the wrong information. I don't need a so called "egyptologist" to tell me if the Book of Abraham is true or not, I got God.

Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 15:39:41 -0400
From: "david d. draper"
Subject: Your story

I read you story, just great, I am the oldest of 9 children. One phrase particularly eloquent is, "He purchased the investment with the currency of youth."

That is well said. I think it is "criminal" to take young men and make them tell others about GOLDEN PLATES. It makes the young man a fool as well as a liar (which might explain why LDS leaders are such idiots and liars).

Date: Mon, 07 Nov 2005 05:15:01 -0500
From: caesarmoridon@hotmail.com
Subject: Why?

May I ask why you feel that this site is necessary? You obviously had issues with your mission president, So did I, did it shake you that much to realize they are men that are subject to mistakes? Did you not know that the Turks are know for violent crime and riotous living? What is your deal? You obviously feel you wasted 2 of your prime years of life. So that is sad. I am sorry that you felt offended by your mission president. What does his wealth have to do with it anyway? That is just a side question. I cannot believe though that poorly written and completely erroneous book was the reason you left this church. You left it because you wanted too. Why did you want too. You suggested that your family relationship was strained by your leaving this church. Does that surprise you? Hello, Do you know any Catholic's, do you think they would react differently? I had a good friend who was part of a devout family of Catholics, 2 masses a week. He left his church and was disowned. Have you seen fiddler on the Roof? I am really curious about why the website and not just going and enjoying a non-Mormon life of sex drugs and rock-and-roll. Or join some other church or just live life however you want. Why try to destroy this church? Do you think you will succeed? Do you think you are saving someone from a fate worse than death, being a Mormon? I do not mean to be demeaning, I don't, I just want to understand your psyche. What makes you an anti-Mormon as opposed to a past-Mormon or inactive-Mormon or etc.. you get the point. Hope to hear from you, but if you don't write oh well, that might be better. Good luck with your life what ever you choose, God bless and leave the Church of Jesus Christ alone. Thanks. -Caesar

MY RESPONSE:
This e-mail message is a "textbook" response from someone wishing to reinforce a preconceived notion that the LDS church is true. Caesar refuses to consider that his factual position might be wrong. Rather than debate the issues at hand, Caesar immediately resorts to an ad hominem attack. Launching a personal attack must seem easier than confronting the church's doctrinal problems. I am accused of:

- Leaving the church because I couldn't maintain LDS standards.
- "enjoying a non-mormon life of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll."
- Trying to "destroy this church."
- Being a rabid anti-mormon.

Just for the record, I'm not anti-mormon...I'm pro-truth. If someone wants to stay active in the mormon church, that's fine. My problem with the church is that they actively, knowingly withhold important information about church history from rank and file members. I'm not trying to destroy the church (the church seems to be doing that job all by themselves). I'm just trying to level the playing field by giving information to those who want to learn more about Mormon scripture. The Book of Abraham is still canonized LDS scripture isn't it?

I'd write more, but that big shot of black-tar heroin I just slammed is starting to affect my typing ability...and I really need to hurry...my Satan-worship sacrament starts in 20 minutes and I still have to find my blood-stained robes :^)

Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2006 18:15:33 -0700
From: "Brian Stutzman"
Subject: Proverbs: God Hates a Liar

I found your website while preparing some info for a sunday school class lesson. I find it full of errors and far from the truth. In Proverbs it says God hates liars. I fear for you.

3 big errors...Joseph never said it was a translation as a word for word translation. Indeed, he talks about how their minds were filled with understanding... meaning revelation. #2.. There is no proof that the scrolls found after the Chicago fire were the ones that Joseph used. Some were lost or burned. How do you know that the lost ones weren't the ones he used? #3. While the account of Moses was 4000 years ago, no one said the papyra was 4000 years ago. I have a 10 year old bible that has 2000 year old stories of Jesus. Never did anyone say Abraham wrote the scrolls, rather it is an account or copy of Abrahams writings.

You have been told this truth before, I am sure, but you continue to "lie in wait to decieve" Why?

MY RESPONSE:
Well, it's obvious that Brian hasn't actually read the content of this website...I imagine he read the introduction page, tucked his tail between his legs and ran for the safety of FAIR or maybe LDS.org. That's fine, I'm not trying to persuade anyone to adopt my belief that the Book of Abraham is a fraud...I'm just sharing information about LDS scripture.

One thing that is clear from the historical record: Joseph Smith loved to brag about having Abraham's actual signature. He also loved to tease people with facts from the upcoming "translation" (not revelation). He worked for years on this supposed translation. I mean, come on, when Smith wrote the introductory title page for this book of "scripture" he stated:

"A translation of some ancient records, that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of Egypt. The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand upon papyrus."
Joseph Smith, from the title page of the Book of Abraham"

I don't know how clearer it could be. I mean, there it is...right on the title page. Of course the Brighamite branch of Mormonism has changed the introduction on the latest edition due to embarrassment, but what else would one expect?

Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:12:15 EST
From: Lwr675@aol.com
Subject: Abraham

My Husband & I are also "born of the covenant" and Married in the Memphis Temple. I Believe that the scripts Mrs. Smith sold to the museum are not the ones Joseph translated. He had several scrolls stored in closets with mummies that had been moved place to place with his family. I cry inside when I think that you grew up in the gospel and now deny it. I know tha Book of Mormon is true. And I know there were mistakes made by Joseph. I make many mistakes too. I do however know devine revelation from self revelation, or word of the devil when I am not following the commandments. I pray you will study more and pray more. The truth will prevail. Sometimes a little FAITH is required. I am not an active member, nor my husband. I guess we are roller-coaster members. I love the gospel, it is true although we are MAN and make mistakes. The Books of Moses and Abraham are indeed true.

Lisa & Jason Lowery

MY RESPONSE:
Well, this e-mail is a little strange. The author "loves the gospel" but is inactive. I don't mean to be flippant, but if one "loves the gospel" you would think that they would attend church services. But, hey, I'm not trying to judge...I didn't like the boring Mormon church services either. 3 hours long. Man, I could read "War & Peace" in that time... and what's worse, it's the exact same material every week. It's no wonder that Utah leads the nation in per capita anti-depressant use.

Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 14:19:33 -0600
From: "M. Robison"
Subject: Book of Abraham

Hi. I just want to tell you how refreshing it is for me to read your story. I must tell you that I was married in the SLC temple 8 years ago. My husband and I are very happy together, but I have found a lot of information on the scriptures that have me feeling very deceived. I agree with your story 110%. My household growing up was almost like yours only I grew up in Utah.

I also am not anti-Mormon (my husband is still very active) I'm just frustrated with how naive I have been most of my life, then I do a little homework on this subject and I find facts. All of my life throughout the church, I was always told to stay away from books that are anti-mormon, and only seek out books that are approved by the LDS faith. Well HELLO!! That is like the 12th century when Catholic preists wanted to keep the people ignorant from reading so that they could preach whatever they wanted to and say that it was from God. Like I said, I am not against anything, but I am all about truth. Whether that means Judaism, Catholocism, Mormonism, Buddism whatever! Realize people that if you don't get an answer from someone else, it is OK to search yourself. Don't settle for a vague answer. But if you are happy with being an active Mormon then live your life that way, do what makes you happy. I do love that email from that guy. You are so right, that is such a typical response!!!

Thanks again!

Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 19:39:09 -0400
From: bengii@comcast.net
Subject: why?

why are all your quotes are out of context?????????

why do you claim to know the dates of things thousands of years ago based on no evidace???????????????

why do you seek to destroy a religon that has so much happiness into the world??????????????

why do you spend so much time on disproving a specific religion not any other??????????? I think it is because you know this one is true.

why do you need to do what you do, don't you have a life of some sort???????????????????????????????????????????????

pray with a sirious heart and you will feel the spirit as i do every day.

MY RESPONSE:
Well, I have a few of my own "why" questions first: Why can't you use a spell checker? Why do you use so many question marks? Why can't you see what is so painfully obvious?