What Critics Get Wrong About the Book of Abraham | Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein Interview

In this episode of Be Faithful, host Lauren Rose sits down with renowned Egyptologist and BYU professor Dr. Kerry Muhlestein for an in-depth conversation about the Book of Abraham—one of the most criticized and misunderstood scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dr. Muhlestein, who holds a PhD in Egyptology from UCLA and directs active excavations in Egypt, addresses the most common anti-Mormon claims surrounding the Book of Abraham. Together, they explore what critics often get wrong, how misinformation spreads online, and why many popular arguments collapse when historical and Egyptological evidence is examined carefully. This discussion covers: -The two main criticisms of the Book of Abraham and why they are based on false assumptions. -What really happened to the Joseph Smith papyri. -Why the facsimiles are often misunderstood. -Evidence supporting Joseph Smith’s explanations from ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian sources. -The meaning of Kolob and why it is frequently mocked out of context. -Intellectual and spiritual evidences for the Book of Abraham. -The Book of Abraham’s teachings on covenants, identity, creation, and humanity’s relationship with God. Dr. Muhlestein also shares powerful insights from his academic research—including discoveries about ancient human sacrifice, geography, language, and astronomy—that align strikingly with the Book of Abraham narrative. The episode concludes with a beautiful discussion of the book’s spiritual depth, its literary structure, and its message of eternal progression and closeness to God. Whether you are wrestling with doubts, encountering criticism online, or simply want a deeper understanding of the Book of Abraham, this episode offers clarity, context, and faith-affirming insight. Chapters: 00:00 – Meet Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein 05:30 - The Two Main Criticisms of the Book of Abraham 10:30 – The Joseph Smith Papyri & Facsimiles Explained 15:00 – Evidences Promoting The Book of Abraham 30:00 – Evidence Critics Don’t Talk About 40:00 – Kolob Explained (Abraham Chapter 3) 44:22 – The Spiritual Message of the Book of Abraham 53:00 – Final Testimony & Why This Matters Today #bookofabrahamevidence #bookofabrahamexplained #egyptologistbookofabraham #bookofabrahamevidence #kerrymuhlestein #kolobexplained Book Link for "Lets Talk": https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Talk-Abou... Free PDF to Article: https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/in... Link to Study Guide: https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P... President Oaks Talk: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/s... The Scriptures are Real website:   / enlightenedgeedu   For a deeper dive check out Kerry's podcast "The Scriptures Are Real" To contact me email: [email protected]