Since 1842 when it was first published, the book of abraham has been accompanied by three facsimiles of egyptian characters and figures that illustrate the text. Scholarly support for the book of abraham the interpreter. Hes saying the vignette may appear in this other scroll but what it shows is actually derived from the book of abraham. Facsimile 2 contains the knowledge of astronomy revealed to abraham. Like facsimile 3, facsimile 2 is not found among the surviving fragments, but the writing on it indicates it belonged to a man named sheshonq, and the hieroglyphic. You can view nine different hypocephaliat my web site for comparison purposes.
One eternal round focuses on facsimile 2 from book of abraham. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 3. The similarity between the two brings joseph smith. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 1. In the twentieth century there were two events that put the authenticity of the book of abraham as an ancient text and not a modern pseudepigraphon in doubt. Stands next to kolob, called by the egyptians oliblish, which is the next grand governing creation near to the celestial or the place where god resides.
The three facsimiles found in the book of abraham all derive from ancient egyptian papyri that joseph smith obtained in kirtland in 1835. Abrahams biographical information in abraham 1 and smiths claim of what these two facsimiles portray comes from the works of. King pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head. One potential way to identity this figure by egyptological methods would be to read the characters hieroglyphs above his head. Represents god sitting upon his throne, revealing through the. In the book of abraham also we are told that the plan of the cosmos, represented by facsimile no. Latterday saint egyptologist kerry muhlestein discusses josephs involvement with the interpretation of the facsimiles in the book of abraham. Book of abraham and facsimiles, 1 march16 may 1842, page 703. There is another facsimile in the book of abraham revealing additional areas of mistranslation. Book of abraham joseph smith approved the facsimiles before they were published in the times and seasons. The idolatrous priest of elkenah attempting to offer up abraham as a sacrifice.
The book of abraham interview with brian hauglid fair mormon podcast part 1. I have shown that the extant papyrus was deemed by joseph smith to be, in the very least, the beginning of the book of abraham. Apr 12, 2015 facsimile 2 is actually a representation of a hypocephalus. Marginal characters in the book of abraham manuscripts. Mormon handbook the book of abraham facsimile 2 facsimile 2 is a common egyptian hypocephalus. Unfortunately, the original illustration or vignette from. Translation and historicity of the book of abraham ces letter. No ram heads, now theres a strange figure standing there instead. The following are common criticisms associated with facsimile 3. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the book of.
Elements of the facsimiles were carefully examined, with a sidebyside definition for each character. The hathor cow facsimile 2, figure 5 pearl of great. Also, notes about the book of moses from the pearl of great price. The egyptian goddess isis, the wife of osiris the writing above isis. Below youll see josephs interpretation in black font listed first and the true interpretation listed in blue. Book of abraham manuscript and explanation of facsimile i. The type of drawing depicted in facsimile 2 is known among scholars as a hypocephalus, which means under or beneath the head. Fairs apologetics regarding the book of abraham offends intellect. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the book.
Apr 12, 2015 facsimile 3 is described by joseph smith as abraham sitting upon pharaohs throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the priesthood, as emblematical of the grand presidency in heaven. Only facsimile 1 corresponds with the published text of the book of abraham. Evidence for the book of abraham facsimiles from egyptology. The scroll contained several books including the egyptian book of the dead, the book of breathings, and some translated writings from ancient hebrew patriarchs such as abraham and joseph of egypt. J after receiving instruction on astronomy and the creations, which is recorded in the book of abraham, abraham was told by the lord to declare all these words to the egyptians abraham 3. A hypocephalus is an egyptian magic amulet that is placed under the head of the deceased mummy to keep the body warm. Facsimile 2 is a funerary object known as a hypocephalus. Well sometime in the 1820s, an archeologist that term is used loosely.
God sitting upon his throne facsimile 2, figure 7 pearl of great. Prince of pharaoh, king of egypt, as written above the hand. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the. Joseph smiths notes to facsimile 2 identify it as representing god sitting in the heavens among the stars and others of his creations. Book of abraham and facsimiles, 1 march16 may 1842, page 0. The book of abraham is unique in the scriptural canon of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, because it is the only book in that. Here are lots of real hypocephali as they are in abundance. Book of abraham facsimile 2 by jtobler on deviantart.
In the book of abraham, facsimile 2, figure 7, joseph smith identified the ithyphallic egyptian god min as representing god sitting upon his throne here is some commentary by kerry muhlestein. Book of abraham facsimile 2 that one mission thing. It was designed to assist a dead person in using key words for entry into the eternal realm. 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. To find these four old friends at home in the apocalypse of abraham is an undeniable link between the book of abraham and the book of the dead. There are 23 pagan gods inscribed upon josephs hypocephalus and these gods along with smiths prophecy about them will be our focus here. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 2.
As translated by the prophet joseph smith, they bear witness of the gospel as had by adam, noah, and other ancient patriarchs. We cannot be sure that we should be looking to the egyptians to know how to interpret these symbols in the book of abraham. Refutes charles larson, by his own hand upon papyrus, and shows that joseph smiths brief explanation is similar to the ancient egyptian thinking in many r. A trace of the original hieroglyphic writing from this hypocephalus is visible on the left edge of figs. Facsimile 2 is a hypocephalus containing spells from the book of the dead, which was placed under the head of the deceased the illustration represented by facsimile 2 view 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. However, facsimile 3 also shows anubis, yet smith made him out to be a tinyheaded, racist caricature of an african slave. In this small tract we cannot discuss all the evidence that now exists regarding the. None of the book of abraham text was included in this. Signifies abraham in egypt as given also in figure 10 of facsimile no. Facsimiles from the book of abraham introduces the ancient egyptian illustrations that are currently published with the work and assesses their relationship to the text. Comparing the source hypocephalus to the published facsimile while we dont have the original hypocephalus, an early rendering of it reveals damage, and egyptologists agree that facsimile 2 is a poor and inaccurate restoration.
The use of the facsimiles as illustrations of the book of abraham is dependent on the text of the book of abraham. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles religious studies. The cosmographic scheme and astronomical depictions led a deceased person. The book of abraham issues translation problems mormonthink. Questions why doesnt the facsimile 2 translation match what we know about egyptian today. It is also claimed that abraham has never been associated with the lion couch vignette such as that. This image is included as one of several appendices to the book of abraham, where it is called facsimile no. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of mormonism. Once again, this is not about abraham at all, but is. Everything, from the extant fragments to the published facsimiles, points in that direction.
Facsimiles 2 and 3, which have not survived, clearly demonstrate that other parts of the alleged book of abraham were actually from the book of breathings, the book of the dead, or just part of egyptian burial practices. Isis the pharaoh facsimile 3, figure 2 pearl of great. 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. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time the measurement according to the celestial time, which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit. Joseph smiths interpretation of three facsimiles that accompany the text of the book of abraham has proven to be a lightning rod for controversy. I have a firm conviction that the book of abraham is scripture, so i will. A study guide to the facsimiles of the book of abraham. An early rendering of it reveals damage, and egyptologists agree that facsimile 2 is a poor and inaccurate restoration. This larger size suggests that the sheets bearing facsimile 2 may have been cut down when tipped into the newspaper. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles religious studies center. Facsimiles translated separately the grammar and alphabet from 1835 reveals that the facsimiles were all considered separately from the book of abraham. Book of abraham archives hugh nibley collection hugh. For the loose broadside version of facsimile 2, see a facsimile from the book of abraham, no. A facsimile from the book of abraham church of jesus christ.
The book focuses on facsimile 2 in the book of abraham, a round diagram. The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of elkenah, libnah, mahmackrah, korash, and. After associating this vignette with abraham, joseph smith went on two associate two more papyrus fragments facsimiles 2 and 3with abraham. The cosmographic scheme and astronomical depictions led a deceased person through the visible world and the hereafter on a path to resurrection. The hathor cow facsimile 2, figure 5 pearl of great price. For annotation on the content of the facsimile, see explanation of facsimile 2, ca. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 2 fair. The wording of joseph smiths explanation of figure 5 in facsimile 2 of the book of abraham is, in fact, very difficult to interpret. Evidence for the book of abraham facsimile 1 of the book of abraham evidence and insights from the dvd most remarkable book. Rhodes, teaching the book of abraham facsimiles, religious educator 4 2 2003. Feb 16, 2012 book of abraham facsimile 2 better quality image here. Egyptians would put these under the head of mummies, like a pillow.
The deceased person takes the path of the lunar bark, which is a proxy for the morning and evening sun of the creation gods. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial or the residence of god. You can find facsimile 2 in the book of abraham between chapter two and three. Contains the explanation joseph smith gave of the hypocephalus known as facsimile 2. Jun 27, 20 the book of abraham comprises five chapters of text and three facsimiles of vignettes from the papyri collection, together with josephs proffered explanations.
The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of elkenah, libnah, mahmackrah, korash, and pharaoh. The illustration represented by facsimile 2 is a hypocephalus, a disc made of linen, papyrus, or. For well over a century those skeptical of josephs claims have pointed to incongruities between his interpretations of the facsimiles and those of academic. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of god. The book of abraham quote cited in the criticism above has inspired both kinds of nonsense, including the interpretation found on the web site where this criticism appeared. Sep 04, 2020 the book of abraham is unique in the scriptural canon of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, because it is the only book in that canon that has pictures. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of.
Sometime between 1818 and 1822, antonio lebolo, who was working as superintendent of the archaeological excavations for bernardino drovetti in upper egypt, discovered many mummies in a tomb in thebes. Kevin barney, the facsimiles and semitic adaptation of existing sources, in astronomy, papyrus, and covenant, ed. While we dont have the original hypocephalus, an early rendering of it reveals damage, and egyptologists agree that facsimile 2 is a poor and inaccurate restoration. Thats what facsimile from the book of abraham means. Facsimile 2 represents process of life from highest to lowest realms. This is my treatment of a facsimile taken from some egyptian burial documents dated roughly 200 bc. The remainder of these lines are filled with hieratic writing.
741 838 1573 1467 708 1081 460 794 966 136 137 573 1395 419 138 1303 117 150 1348 1491 1525 705 646 1243 327 1610 1033