Customer Reviews

Pearl of Great Price

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This curiosity, written in a turgid style, will be of interest to the student of Mormonism, and to the student of the esoteric and the bizarre. With regard to the Book of Abraham, for those who refuse to accept the new translation of the papyrus, let me say that the third illustration shows a crowned figure seated on a throne, with a female behind him, and three figures facing him, one of whom is a female. Joseph Smith in his caption identifies the two female figures as male. It is evident that (a) Smith didn't know the difference between male and female costumes in Egypt, and (b) the caption is patently false, and (c) therefore we may suppose, on the basis of this caption alone, that the document as Smith presents it is a fraud.

I have read a lot of criticisms of the Pearl of Great Price, mainly on the Book of Abraham (Charles Larson and the Tanners, for example). Notwithstanding, the main trust of anti-Mormon charges are based on a fault assumption that the Book of Breathings was the source material the prophet Joseph Smith emploiyed for the text. However, the charges of fraud have been dealth a blow since Tvedtnes et al published "Traditions about the early life of Abraham" that provide over-whelming evidence for the Book of Abraham's authenticity.

As for the text itself, the PGP contains a portion of Joseph Smith's redaction of the Bible, the Book of Abraham (as afforementioned), redaction of Matthew, the 13 articles of faith and Joseph Smith - History, containing the story of the First Vision, Moroni's visitation to thr young prophet and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

Study the PGP with an open mind, as with the more foundational Book of Mormon, and "test all things," (Acts 17:11) to discover the texts truthfulness.

First, to clear a couple of things up:

The 1851 edition of the Pearl of Great Price was published independently by followers of Joseph Smith in England--after he died, you understand (in 1844). He couldn't possibly have been telling two different stories from 1823 to 1851 because by 1851 he was dead. The original PoGP was actually a pamphlet put together by people in England who wanted to remember some of Joseph Smith's teachings. I haven't actually read the original document so I can't know if the words "angel Nephi" appear there as "MAN OF TRUTH" claims, but if they do and he has been lucky enough to read them, then he should be enough of a scholar to know the stacks and stacks of other sources attesting to Joseph Smith's testimony regarding his Moroni visitation.

"Angel Nephi" in a first edition independent missionary pamphlet can safely be seen as a simple typo by an ethusiastic printer.

2) Joseph Smith was convicted of "glass looking, fortune telling or prophesying"? Yes he was. And yes God forbid the Israelites in Deuteronomy from fortune telling, but what do those two things have to do with each other? Just because some local preachers tried persecuting Smith under a catch-all law in 1826 does that mean he really did something so terrible if he broke the fortune telling commandment from the Law of Moses (2000 B.C.)? Didn't Jesus say that in him the Law of Moses was done away?

Even so, I believe the fortune telling was looked at as still wrong (see Peter and the book of Acts) but that wasn't what Joseph Smith was doing or convicted for under that catch-all law in my mind--he was prophecying, and that was something that may have been a no no under some 1826 law, but is a-OK with the Lord. See the Bible.

Now, all I have left to say is, see this book. I love it. It clears up a lot in the Bible and fits into it quite nicely (quite literally).

I have just finished reading this book. The scriptural books included - The Book Of Moses and the Book of Abraham - are only 42 pages total, so it is a fairly quick read. As stated by the author, Joseph Smith, these books were translated from Egyptian papyri, and are supposed to provide additional information about the spiritual development of Moses and Abraham. As I read this book, I was able to find little information that is not already in the book of Genesis. However, the writing is in a more forthright style than the Bible, and there is some additional information about Abraham's father and his involvement with pagan gods and a non-christian lifestyle. I will only give this book 2 stars, as it adds little to the religious info in books already available to interested readers. It does, however, contain several ambiguous passages about a new prophet in a future time - "behold, I will raise up another like unto thee (Moses)" - so for LDS readers, this book might be viewed as a valid reinforcement of their belief in Joseph Smith as a latter-day prophet.

I received Joseph Smith's "The Pearl of Great Price" in a trouble free, very timely fashion, for a great price. When it arrived, I found the book in excellent condition, which is good because I purchased it brand new. Overall, I couldn't be happier with the purchase.

This book, as is the entire Mormon religion, is a mirage. The "Pearl" was "translated" by the charlatan and barely literate Joseph Smith from "papyri" whose actual content are not even close to what is actually in the text. It has been proven that the historical, biological, and archeological basis of the Mormon religion is based on the fraudulent fantasies of a con man and his "oh goody, I can have ten 15 year old wives?" gang.

It is pathetic and disturbing that otherwise rational people can possibly believe the Mormon mumbo jumbo of the gold plates and seer stones, breast plates, and all the other fairy tales from the Church of Latter Day delusions.

Whether you belive that God speaks to man directly in these days or not, the religious system outlined in this book is impressive. The religion this book details is one of the fastest growing denominations in the world today. Its companion volume, The Book of Mormon, was rated by Book Magazine as one of 20 books that changed America.

It was written by Joseph Smith and is not more interesting to read than the Book of Mormon. This thing, in part, was written so Joseph Smith could justify polygamy.

If Brigham Young had not taken the Mormons to the West, to cut them off from the rest of the world, this book wouldn't even be on Amazon today.

For history buffs, this book is pure fantasy. Joseph Smith claimed this is an ancient record of Abraham(along with a rewritten Genesis). However, Smith did not count on the fact that the original document would still be around and we would be able to translate it. The document survived and is in fact not an ancient record of Abraham and varying account of Genesis. The original document is nothing more than an Egyptian funerary text.

The Pearl of Great Price is yet another collection of inspired text available to the student of scripture. It provides the humble reader with important insights into the great Creation and the premortal existence of mankind. But that is not all. The book clarifies doctrines and events that were once well understood and taught by the ancient prophets, but were lost due to apostacy.

I, like other readers, have read the arguments aimed at discrediting this truly priceless collection of scripture - none have been compelling nor lessened the spiritual impact of the Pearl of Great Price.

As with other scripture, there are detractors. I would suggest to those who, for whatever reason, are bent on leveling criticism at holy scripture or truth seekers that study them to consider that each of us will be accountable for what we think, say and do in the not-too-distant future. For Christians, that means it is far better to be positive and loving than nasty and mean.

Wheither or not you believe Joseph Smith had the power to restore this book from ancient writings or not, it is fascinating. It contains beautiful passages and interesting accounts of doctrine and history. In the Moses section, chapter 7, you will find the most beautiful account of God ever written. It brings the nature of God to life, and it shows you what righteous living achieves.

P.S. To clear up a misunderstanding in one of the other reviews, the Pearl of Great Price does not say that God has multiple wives. That is not even a teaching of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you are curious as to what the Pearl of Great Price really says, try reading it. The full version is available online at http://scriptures.lds.org/pgp/contents