Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup

Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup


The Book of Abraham’s Missing Scroll Theory [Mormonism Live 235]

June 12, 2025

Is the Book of Abraham based on papyrus we no longer have? In this episode, we explore the Missing Scroll Theory—the idea that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Abraham from a long roll of papyrus that has since been lost or destroyed. We’ll examine the historical records, including firsthand accounts from early Saints like Lucy Mack Smith, who described a distinct long scroll separate from the surviving fragments. Apologists argue this missing roll may still vindicate Joseph’s translation. Critics say the theory is a modern invention meant to rescue a narrative that doesn’t fit the evidence. Join us as we unpack the assumptions, the math, and the motives behind the Missing Scroll Theory.

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