Finally, it has been repeatedly claimed that figure 6 in facsimile 2, which is a depiction of the four sons of horus also found as figures 58 in facsimile 1 could indeed represent this earth in its four quarters in the ancient world, as the explanation to the facsimile in the book of abraham says. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimiles fairmormon. Joseph smiths notes to facsimile 2 identify it as representing god sitting in the. Part 3, ancient records offer new support for the book of abraham, looks at some. Book of abraham and facsimiles, 1 march16 may 1842, page 784. Joseph only interpreted one figure of anubis as a priest, in facsimile 1.
Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 3. The book of abraham, it is hardly necessary to say, is a pure fabrication. Facsimile 2 as found in the kirtland egyptian papers. Book of abraham facsimile 2, figure 7, egypt symbols pt. Jan 17, 2020 figure 6 of facsimile 2 of the book of abraham was interpreted straightforwardly by joseph smith as representing this earth in its four quarters. Of all the sacred texts of the mormon church, one of the most fascinating is the book of abraham, a fivechapter book that purportedly records the travels of abraham in egypt. Unfortunately, the original illustration or vignette from. Apologetics press facsimile 1 from the book of abraham. The three facsimiles found in the book of abraham all derive from ancient egyptian. The second installment, published under date of 15 march but actually printed on 19 march woodruff, journal, 19 mar. Book of abraham facsimile number 2 wikimedia commons.
This image is included as one of several appendices to the book of abraham, where it is called facsimile no. Let us remember, incidentally, that this book of moses was written in 1830, long before anyone heard of the joseph smith papyri or the book of abraham, to say nothing of the apocalypse and testament of. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 1. For an extensive introduction to this text see a joseph smith commentary on the book of abraham a facsimile from the book of abraham no. Signifies abraham in egypt as given also in figure 10 of facsimile no. The book of abraham has been considered scripture by members of the church of jesus. Feb 16, 2012 most latter day saints dont realize that in at least one case, that prophecy has come true. Wilford woodruff recorded in his diary on february 19, 1842 that the book of abraham was literally written by abraham himself.
It is evident that a part of the book of abraham that has been lost contains information revealed to abraham by god concerning the cosmology of the heavenly world probably similar to what is found in doctrine and covenants section 76. A study guide to the facsimiles of the book of abraham. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement. The figures refer to the numbers written onto the facsimile 2 is a drawing made by joseph smith. The numbers labeling the figures were added to correspond to explanations of the images.
Figure 2 figure 3 figure 4 figure 5 figure 6 figure 7 figure 8 figure 9 figure 10 figure 11 figure 12 figure. Facsimile 3 published in the book of abraham is a scene from the ancient egyptian book of the dead. Apr 02, 20 as we compare facsimile one with similar egyptian vignettes, we may be barking up the wrong tree. Joseph smith either translated the book of abraham by the gift and power of god, or he made it all up. The following are common criticisms associated with facsimile 3. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles religious studies. From this, and from facsimile 1, the mormon scripture known as the book of abraham was translated worlds in the words of joseph smith fig. The book of abraham is an 1835 work produced by latter day saints lds movement founder joseph smith that he claimed were translated from egyptian papyri purchased from a traveling mummy exhibition.
The joseph smith hypocephalus was a papyrus fragment, part of a larger collection of papyri. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles religious studies center. The use of egyptian magical papyri to authenticate the book of abraham, part 2. If the world can find out these numbers, so let it be. The right arm up and the left arm down and forward. Answers to the hebrew word raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament of the heavens. If you follow carefully through the printed explanation of facsimile no. The book of mormon tells us how the cross was a symbol for government in ancient times. It is claimed that facsimile 1 is simply a typical funerary scene and there are many other papyri showing the same basic scene, and that the missing portions of the drawing were incorrectly restored. Clear relationship to abraham the central figure 1 of facsimile 2 is always shown with four heads and very well could have had four heads on the original papyrus instead of the two we see there, to represent the four quarters of the earth that will be affected by its power. This article is brought to you for free and open access by the all journals at byu scholarsarchive. It is also claimed that abraham has never been associated with the lion couch vignette such. In his explanation of figure 1, joseph smith says that the earth is called. Well, facsimile 1 from the book of abraham are often criticised for being different to the reconstructions of facsimile 1 made by egyptologists.
Critical appraisal of the book of abraham wikipedia. In the book of abraham also we are told that the plan of the cosmos, represented by facsimile no. According to smith, the book comprised ancient records. Book of abraham written by his own hand upon papyrus and found in the catacombs of egypt. Illustration 3 ending of papyrus scroll prepared for horus. On either side of the god are two apes numbers 22 and 23 with horned. Facsimile 2 see it online at is an egyptian hypocephalus, a figure. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time. Isis the pharaoh facsimile 3, figure 2 pearl of great. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 2. Book of abraham facsimile 2 book of abraham kirtland egyptian papers.
This duplicity is itself interesting and must be explored, but first it must be pointed out that this crossing of facsimiles nos. Contemporary egyptologists translations of figures 811 in the book of abraham bare an eerie resemblance to a phrase used in the temple. According to joseph smiths introductory comments in the translation, abraham wrote the book himself, by his own hand, upon papyrus smith, 1842, 93. Some book of abraham editions in facsimile 2 show min without the pornography. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 3 in the. Anubis see original image not facsimile, this figure was originally portrayed with the head of a jackal. Figure 4 in facsimile 2 is a figure that joseph said represents the expanse of the heavens, the revolutions of kolob and oliblish, and also signified the number 1,000. These papyri fragments came from three separate papyri rolls containing. The following is a sidebyside comparison of what joseph smith translated in facsimile 2 versus what it actually says according to egyptologists and modern egyptology.
Finally, notice that in both figure 7 and the mummy coffin the two items are crossed into an x. Egyptian characters can now be read almost as easily as greek, and five minutes study in an egyptian gallery of any museum should be enough to convince any educated. The following is his translation, interpretation, and commentary on facsimile 2 as found in our present book of abraham. A study guide to the facsimiles of the book of abraham shows the meaning of every character in the facsimiles and helps readers comprehend their great value. The use of egyptian magical papyri to authenticate the book of abraham, part 1.
They must be considered in the context of figure 7. The book of abraham is a work produced between 1835 and 1842 by joseph smith based. In looking at various websites concerning the book of abraham i am astounded at the blatant misrepresentations and incorrect information on the internet concerning the book of abraham, the joseph smith papyri, the facsimiles with the book of abraham. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the book of. Ancient egyptian documents from thebes show that the name abraham can be plausibly connected with hypocephali inasmuch as abraham is called the pupil of the wedjateye in one. As translated by the prophet joseph smith, they bear witness of the gospel as had by adam, noah, and other ancient patriarchs. The original of facsimile 1 of the book of abraham is found at the beginning of the hor book of breathings papyrus, and the hieroglyphic writing on it associates the figure on the couch figure 1 with hor, the owner of the papyrus, who is portrayed as being.
Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of god. Joseph smiths interpretation of these cuts is a farrago of nonsense from beginning to end. What i am trying to demonstrate below is that the figures can be conformed to the expected appearance to a certain degree without damaging the interpretation and, in the case of 1. Source hypocephalus as published in the book of abraham. The book of abraham is a work produced between 1835 and 1842 by joseph smith based, he said, on egyptian papyri purchased from a traveling mummy exhibition. Finally, we see a figure sits on a throne before an offering table as another stands and performs a sacrifice, exactly like in facsimile 3. Death blow to mormonism the book of abraham is a fake. Facsimile 1 published in the book of abraham is a common egyptian funerary scene.
Substituting a biblical figure such as abraham in egyptian hieroglyphic scenes is a jewish technique known from the hellenistic period grobel, pp. Represents god sitting upon his throne, revealing through the heavens the grand keywords of the priesthood. Horus was a personification of the sky, and sokar was associated with the revolution. In 1912, a letter about the book of abraham was published by arthur cruttenden mace, assistant curator in the department of egyptian art in new yorks metropolitan museum of art. Figure 7 min first and most powerful egyptian god ammon derives from min. The color images provided below, while not always accurate, may help in visualizing each figure complete color facsimile 2 available here.
Explores the joseph smith papyrus and demonstrates that joseph smiths claim that he had translated the book of abraham from it was a fabrication. Volume 4 number 2 article 11 912003 teaching the book of abraham facsimiles michael d. That resembles the x in the dead center of our facsimile 2, below figure 1. Part 2 deals with the content of the book and joseph smiths comments on three egyptian drawings that have been attached to the published book of abraham. The book of mormon if the book of abraham was a fraud. This is the figure that you identify as a man that is sitted in the middle. Notice above the facsimile it clearly states a facsimile from the book of abraham keep that in mind. Fairs apologetics regarding the book of abraham offends intellect. This would make the book of abraham the only existing original copy of a scriptural book. Now take a look at a copy of the facsimile joseph smith used to reproduce the facsimile no. The evidence suggests that the book of abraham reflects concepts of joseph smiths time and place rather than those of an ancient world. This page deals primarily with the question of the source of the book of abraham now available online at. According to smith, the book was a translation of some ancient records.
Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. A journal of mormon thought, spring, 1995 by his own hand upon papyrus. A typical example appears in the 151st chapter of the book of the dead, showing thegod anubis embalming osiris, who is lying on a lion couch. Next, we see a seated figure nurses a baby as a standing figure performs a sacrifice before an offering table, just like the rebirth ritual shown here in facsimile 2. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of abraham. In some details,such as the posture of the reclining figure, facsimile 1 differs from otheregyptian texts. However, facsimile 3 also shows anubis, yet smith made him out to be a tinyheaded, racist caricature of an african slave. Mormon pearl of great price facsimile 1, 2, 3 replicas. One of the papyri shows the drawing of a mummy lying on a lion couch with a figure of the god anubis standing over it, quite similar to the scene depicted in facsimile 1 of the book of abraham. The book of abraham has been considered scripture by members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church since 1880.
The original of facsimile 1 of the book of abraham is found at the beginning of the hor book of breathings papyrus, and the hieroglyphic writing on it associates the figure on the couch figure 1 with hor, the owner of the papyrus, who is portrayed as being resurrected by the god anubis, who stands over him. The idolatrous priest of elkenah attempting to offer up abraham as a sacrifice. The mormon god and a phallic god could be considered one and the same. Abraham refers to a picture in the text of the book of abraham abr. Remember, joseph smith said this is heavenly father revealing the grand key words of the priesthood, with the sign of the holy ghost in the form of a dove. Facsimile 2 in the book of abraham is a common egyptian hypocephalus. Representations similar to facsimile 1 abound in egyptianreligious texts. With the discovery of quantum mechanics, scientists learned that the suns source of energy is internal and not external. Thus the moses scenario repeats the enoch story and the abraham story, and facsimile no. Book of abraham facsimile 2 that one mission thing. Abraham s teaching astronomy to egyptians book of abraham facsimile 3 is described in pseudoeupolemus 9. Ashment, egyptian, egyptian alphabet and grammar, facsimile no. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license.
Other fragments, designated jsp ii, iv, v, vi, vii, and viii, are thought by critics to be the book of joseph to which. Reconstruction designated as part of the book of abraham. What if abraham s descendants took egyptian elements of cul. Min also represents the one who opens the way for all others shows a close affinity between father and son. Feathers on his back represent wings and grand presidency in heaven see crown on abrahams head in facsimile 3 similar meaning. Kolob pic, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of god.
One potential way to identity this figure by egyptological methods would be to read the characters hieroglyphs above his head. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the book. We now know, however, that the process of nuclear fusion is what makes the stars and suns shine. In facsimile 2, he said one figure was also a numerical figure, in egyptian.
Illustration 2 incorrect reconstruction of the beginning illustration of the original papyrus prepared for horus. Neither of the first two installments featured hieratic characters in the left margin of the text, as did some earlier manuscripts. Book of abraham facsimiles evidences thebackyardprofessor. Mormon handbook the book of abraham facsimile 2 facsimile 2 is a common egyptian hypocephalus. It would also date the record of abraham about 2,000 b. This forms one possible explanation of how drawings done about the first century a. The four sons of horus facsimile 2, figure 6 pearl of. The figure on the throne, then, is to be understood both as god and as abraham, and the figure before the throne across the altar is to be understood both as abraham and as the holy ghost. It is the cross, and contains all the symbolism we derive from the cross in modern christian times.
For starters, you should take a look at the facsimile no. Hypocephalus of sheshonq a trace of the original hieroglyphic writing from this hypocephalus is visible on the left edge of figs. Facsimile 2 figure 7 creation gods key words of power. Book of abraham and facsimiles, 1 march16 may 1842, page 0. Facsimile 2 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
As a further example, consider the wedjat eye in facs. An early rendering of it reveals damage, and egyptologists agree that facsimile 2 is a poor and inaccurate restoration. I return herewith, under separate cover, the pearl of great price. In his periodical,times and seasons, joseph smith identified the same illustration as a facsimile from the book of abraham, showing that he mistakenly thought this breathing permit was actually the work of the patriarch abraham some two thousand years earlier. The illustration represented by facsimile 2 is a hypocephalus, a disc made of linen, papyrus, or bronze, covered with inscriptions and images which relate to one of the last spells in the book of the dead. A response december 2, 1983 by ben crowder abraham, anubis, apocalypse of abraham, bonwetsch, book of abraham, edward h. Today it is presumed that the papyri that formed the basis for facsimiles 2 and 3 were lost in the conflagration. A new reading the church historians copy of book of abraham facsimile 2 the egyptian hypocephalus often brings things into greater clarityand that is certainly the case with the hieroglyphs found in the panels numbered 21, 20, and 19. Facsimile 2 see it online at is an egyptian hypocephalus, a figure placed under the head of a deceased person to provide light and guidance to help him through the night of death into the day of resurrection. Disproves lds claims that joseph smith received the book of abraham through revelation and proves that joseph smiths source for his translation was a pagan egyptian text, the book of breathings.
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