The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of elkenah, libnah, mahmackrah, korash, and pharaoh. The book of abraham includes facsimile 2 as shown here, complete with the description and explanation that smith gave to its contents. It is directly related to the scroll it was attached to, the very same one smith used to produce his narrative. The mormon god and a phallic god could be considered one and the same. Through the years, whenever the book of abraham was printed there were included with the printed text three drawings, each designated as a facsimile from this alleged book of abraham. The central figure is not kolob in egyptian terms, nor is he the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or residence of god. 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.
According to smith, the book was a translation of some ancient records purporting to be the writings of abraham, while he was in egypt, called the book of abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus. Book of abraham and facsimiles, 1 march16 may 1842, page 703. Signifies abraham in egypt as given also in figure 10 of facsimile no. An early rendering of it reveals damage, and egyptologists agree that facsimile 2 is a poor and inaccurate restoration. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the. The papyrus with the illustration represented in facsimile 1 view is the only recovered item that has any connection to the text of the book of abraham.
Book of abraham facsimile 2 that one mission thing. Book of abraham manuscript and explanation to accompany. Beginning in 1839, church of jesus christ of latterday saints purchased. This lead plate was engraved by reuben hedlock as part of the printing of the book of abraham in the churchs newspaper the times and seasons. Facsimile 2 as found in the kirtland egyptian papers. Abraham and osiris facsimile 3, figure 1 pearl of great. 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. Fairs apologetics regarding the book of abraham offends intellect. The book of abraham opens with a vignette, in facsimile, representing abraham upon an altar.
Dec 23, 2015 a positive identification is possible because one of the rediscovered scroll pieces, now called papyrus joseph smith 1 pjs 1, matches the picture in the book of abraham called facsimile no. Common egyptian hypocephalus 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. So, what do rhodes and ritner agree on the translation of characters in facsimile 3. 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. In recent years the truth of such claims was shattered when some of the actual egyptian papyri which joseph smith had in his possession were rediscovered and. Examining facsimile one from the book of abraham youtube. Pt 2 proving book of abraham facsimiles refuting larson duration.
Illustration 3 ending of papyrus scroll prepared for horus. Facsimile 3 published in the book of abraham is a scene from the ancient egyptian book of the dead. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 3. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles 117 questions raised by the papyri these egyptian documents can be reliably dated to somewhere between 220 and 150 b. The relationship between the extant fragments and the book of abraham is not fully known or understood. The hathor cow facsimile 2, figure 5 pearl of great price. An egyptian book of the dead was a corrupted mishmash of original teachings from adam down to subsequent patriarchs, such as abraham.
Book of abraham manuscript and explanation to accompany facsimile 1, nauvoo. Joseph smith worked on the translation off and on between the summer of 1835 and the spring of 1842. This is a collection of much of hugh nibleys early work on the book of abraham. The idolatrous priest of elkenah attempting to offer up abraham as a. The book of abraham has with uncanny skill anticipated the trends of modern scholarship. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the book. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of. The article book of abraham facsimile number 2 on wikipedia projects. For example, in chapter 12 of the testament of abraham there is a description of the judgment of the dead that matches in minute detail the scene depicted in facsimile 3 of the book of abraham and, incidentally, chapter 125 of the egyptian book of the dead. According to smith, the book comprised ancient records.
Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 1. Facsimile 2 in the book of abraham is a common egyptian hypocephalus. Facsimile 2 posted on april 12, 2015 november 26, 2015 by wes trexler facsimile 2 is actually a representation of a hypocephalus. 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. A positive identification is possible because one of the rediscovered scroll pieces, now called papyrus joseph smith 1 pjs 1, matches the picture in the book of abraham called facsimile no. The bible makes claims about events that happened in real time and space that can be evaluated in light of the historical and archaeological records. Source hypocephalus as published in the book of abraham. The color images provided below, while not always accurate, may help in visualizing each figure complete color facsimile 2 available here. Principal gathering place for saints following expulsion from missouri.
The joseph smith book of breathings opens with a vignette representing osiris on a lioncouch. The following is his translation, interpretation, and commentary on facsimile 2 as found in our present book of abraham. According to the book of abraham chapter 1, verses 1214, this picture or representation came at the beginning of the record the papyrus. Facsimile 1 in the book of abraham shows an egyptian priest of pharaoh attempting to slay abraham on an altar. Fairmormon and i are in agreement that abraham is not in facsimile 1 as joseph smith claimed. 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. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time. While many assumed that the text adjacent to facsimile one was the source of the book of abraham, this does not square with the eyewitness accounts. In aegyptus et pannonia iii, edited by hedvig gyory, 4158. Beginning in 1839, church of jesus christ of latterday saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of commerce and planned settlement of commerce city, as well as surrounding areas. Facsimile 2, the hypocephalus, is also a late egyptian religious text.
The book of abraham translated from the papyrus, by joseph smith a translation of some ancient records that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of egypt. It usually represents the embalming of the deceased individual in preparation for burial. 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. The book has five chapters, 4 and is often accompanied by three facsimiles, or reproductions of vignettes which were copied from the original papyri. However, facsimile 3 also shows anubis, yet smith made him out to be a tinyheaded, racist caricature of an african slave. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles religious studies. 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. The idolatrous priest of elkenah attempting to offer up abraham as a sacrifice. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Book of abraham manuscript and explanation to accompany facsimile 1, circa february 1842 abraham 1. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 3 in the. The figure shows canopic vessels under the altar and beneath the feet of the priest is a crocodile. In addition, garbled traces of rn n ntr pf the name of that great god were wrongly duplicated between figs.
In facsimile 2, they appear to be represent the delivering of the power, authority, and governance of god to the four quarters, lands, and peoplessymbolized by the four heads of the river eden that the book of abraham talks about. May 10, 2008 book of abraham facsimile 2, figure 7, pt. Joseph only interpreted one figure of anubis as a priest, in facsimile 1. The vignette is one and the sameand its been a delight to visit the church history library of late, where the vignette is on display. A facsimile from the book of abraham church of jesus christ. I return herewith, under separate cover, the pearl of great price. Apologetics press facsimile 1 from the book of abraham. This vignette is called a lion couch scene by egyptologists. The hathor cow facsimile 2, figure 5 pearl of great. 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.
Book of abraham facsimile number 2 wikimedia commons. Feb 16, 2012 i knew that the current canonized book of abraham is only about 25% of what joseph translated the rest being lost. Oct 18, 2016 the joseph smith book of breathings opens with a vignette representing osiris on a lioncouch. Book of abraham manuscript and explanation to accompany facsimile 1, nauvoo principal gathering place for saints following expulsion from missouri. The book of abraham, it is hardly necessary to say, is a pure fabrication. Shulem, one of the kings principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand. The third and final times and seasons installment of the book of abraham was published on 16 may and featured only facsimile 3. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of abraham. A document willard richards copy of abraham manuscript, early 1842a abraham 1. Reconstruction designated as part of the book of abraham. Book of abraham facsimile printing plates 1842 plate 1. In other words, the book of abraham itself states that facsimile 1 was placed at the beginning of the record so that the reader could easily refer to it.
Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 3 in the book. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of god. Explores the joseph smith papyrus and demonstrates that joseph smiths claim that he had translated the book of abraham from it was a fabrication. In facsimile 3, smith confuses human and animal heads and males with females. Prince of pharaoh, king of egypt, as written above the hand. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of mormonism. 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. Joseph smith was wrong with the priest of elkenah as the head is supposed to be the jackalheaded pagan egyptian god anubis. Ritner explains in his essay response to the churchs new book of abraham essay. I had not considered, though, the possibility that we might infer what the remaining 75% talked about by looking at the facsimile interpretations. The writings of abraham while he was in egypt, called the book of abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus. Critical appraisal of the book of abraham wikipedia. Smith said the papyri described abrahams early life, his travels to canaan and egypt, and his vision of the cosmos and its creation. Mormon handbook the book of abraham facsimile 2 facsimile 2 is a common egyptian hypocephalus.
The association of these facsimiles with the book of abraham might be explained as joseph smiths attempt to find illustrations from the papyri he owned that most closely matched what he had received in revelation when translating the book of abraham. Source papyrus as published in the book of abraham. In fact, parallels to almost every verse in the book of abraham can be found in the. The following are common criticisms associated with facsimile 3. Joseph smiths explanation of the crocodile, printed with the facsimile, is that it represents the idolatrous god of pharaoh. All five chapters of the book of abraham, along with three illustrations now known as facsimiles 1, 2, and 3, were published in the times and seasons, the churchs newspaper in nauvoo, between march and may 1842. A hypocephalus is an egyptian magic amulet that is placed under the head of the deceased mummy to keep the body warm. As for josephs interpretation of figures from the hypocephalus facsimile 2, he was correct.