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. Facsimile 1 published in the book of abraham is a common egyptian funerary scene. According to joseph smiths introductory comments in the translation, abraham wrote the book himself, by his own hand, upon papyrus smith, 1842, 93. Book of abraham facsimile 2, figure 7, egypt symbols pt. Mormon handbook the book of abraham facsimile 2 facsimile 2 is a common egyptian hypocephalus. The writings of abraham while he was in egypt, called the book of abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus. 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. Abraham, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy fathers house, unto a land that i will show thee. Book of abraham and facsimiles, 1 march16 may 1842, page 0. One potential way to identity this figure by egyptological methods would be to read the characters hieroglyphs above his head. 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. In his explanation of figure 1, joseph smith says that the earth is called jahoheh by the.
The three facsimiles found in the book of abraham all derive from ancient egyptian. 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. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. An egyptologist looks at enishgoondosh in the book of abraham, facsimile 2, figure 5 i an egyptian name. In facsimile 2, he said one figure was also a numerical figure, in egyptian. In the book of abraham also we are told that the plan of the cosmos, represented by facsimile no. We cannot be sure that we should be looking to the egyptians to know how to interpret these symbols in the book of abraham. The article book of abraham facsimile number 2 on wikipedia projects. The book of abraham is a book of lds scripture that joseph smith translated from a collection of ancient egyptian papyri the church purchased. God sitting upon his throne facsimile 2, figure 7 pearl. Joseph only interpreted one figure of anubis as a priest, in facsimile 1.
Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the book. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of god. This figure represents nehebka, a snake god and one of the judges of the dead in the 125th chapter of the book of the dead. The hathor cow facsimile 2, figure 5 pearl of great price. Some book of abraham editions in facsimile 2 show min without the pornography.
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. Pt 2 proving book of abraham facsimiles refuting larson duration. For example, the explanations for figures 3, 7, and 8 establish a clear. Translation and historicity of the book of abraham university of.
The joseph smith hypocephalus was a papyrus fragment, part of a larger collection of papyri. 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. Joseph smiths notes to facsimile 2 identify it as representing god sitting in the. The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of elkenah, libnah, mahmackrah, korash, and pharaoh.
Isis the pharaoh facsimile 3, figure 2 pearl of great. Facsimile 2 figures 811 resurrection command conflict of. Furthermore, ancient texts suggest that the ensemble of four figures depicted as figure 6 of facsimile 2 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. The book of mormon tells us how the cross was a symbol for. 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. The portion portrayed as abrahams second hand should have been the wing of a second bird. Fairs apologetics regarding the book of abraham offends intellect. 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 following are common criticisms associated with facsimile 3. The color images provided below, while not always accurate, may help in visualizing each figure complete color facsimile 2 available here. Book of abraham facsimiles evidences thebackyardprofessor. 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 addition, garbled traces of rn n ntr pf the name of that great god were wrongly duplicated between figs.
Skeptics often quote outdated scientists in their attempt to discredit the book of abraham and other latterday saint scripture. Well, ill tell you why they are so reticent about it. Pt 2 proving book of abraham facsimiles refuting larson. The book of abraham, it is hardly necessary to say, is a pure fabrication. 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.
Figures 811 should actually be read from figure 11 to figure 8. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time. Figure 5 in facsimile 2 of the book of abraham, a figure of an upsidedown cow, is identified by joseph smith with this elaborate explanation. Facsimile 2 figures 811 resurrection command conflict. The central figure is not kolob in egyptian terms, nor is he the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or residence of god. Figure 6 of facsimile 2 of the book of abraham was interpreted straightforwardly by joseph smith as representing this earth in its four quarters. The wording of joseph smiths explanation of figure 5 in facsimile 2 of the book of abraham is, in fact, very difficult to interpret. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles religious studies center. The four sons of horus facsimile 2, figure 6 pearl of. Illustration 3 ending of papyrus scroll prepared for horus. Joseph smiths interpretation of these cuts is a farrago of nonsense from beginning to end.
The hypocephalus, as is clear from the same chapter of the book of the dead, was focused on the figure of the cow marked in facsimile no. The prophet joseph smith says figure 5 the hathor cow on facsimile 2 of the book of abraham. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial or the residence of god. Facsimile 2 in the book of abraham is a common egyptian hypocephalus. The hathor cow facsimile 2, figure 5 pearl of great. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of abraham. The diagram in facsimile 2 is what is known as a hypocephalus, a circle that represented all that the sun encirclesthe world of the living. Joseph smiths notes to facsimile 2 identify it as representing god sitting in the heavens among the stars and others of his creations. Hor is being escorted by the god anubis, guide of the dead figure 6, and. Examining facsimile one from the book of abraham duration. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 3.
However, facsimile 3 also shows anubis, yet smith made him out to be a tinyheaded, racist caricature of an african slave. After his kind compared with the book of moses, the book of abraham seems to more forcefully state the idea that all beings could only reproduce after their own kind. Compared with the book of moses, the book of abraham seems to more forcefully state the. The god is sitting at the center of the hypocephalus, which, as was mentioned above, represents the world. May 10, 2008 egyptian information on book of abraham hypocephalus facsimile 2. Book of abraham facsimile 2 that one mission thing. Feb 16, 2012 most latter day saints dont realize that in at least one case, that prophecy has come true. Facsimile 2 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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. Mad penn and teller fooled by the best card trick of all time on fool us duration. Book of abraham written by his own hand upon papyrus and found in the catacombs of egypt. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the. Jan 15, 2020 figure 5 in facsimile 2 of the book of abraham, a figure of an upsidedown cow, is identified by joseph smith with this elaborate explanation. This brings the four sons of horus to the forefront of the.
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. There are also two serpents, one on either side of the seated deity. Apologetics press facsimile 1 from the book of abraham. Represents god sitting upon his throne, revealing through the heavens the grand keywords of the priesthood. An early rendering of it reveals damage, and egyptologists agree that facsimile 2 is a poor and inaccurate restoration.
Dec 19, 2017 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. The following is his translation, interpretation, and commentary on facsimile 2 as found in our present book of abraham. Mad penn and teller fooled by the best card trick of all time on fool us. The idolatrous priest of elkenah attempting to offer up abraham as a sacrifice. A facsimile from the book of abraham church of jesus christ. 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. An online handbook to the lds church mormon 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. Joseph smith explained that the three lines of text, figures 811, contain writings that cannot be revealed. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 2. The book of abraham has been considered scripture by members of the church of jesus christ. Figure 8 figure 9 figure 10 figure 11 figure 12 figure figure 14 figure 15 figure 16 figure 17. Reconstruction designated as part of the book of abraham. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the book of. I return herewith, under separate cover, the pearl of great price.
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. The recently discovered apocalypse of abraham references this world circle. 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. 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. The mormon god and a phallic god could be considered one and the same. Book of abraham page 2 pearl of great price central.
The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of elkenah, libnah, mahmackrah, korash, and. Nov 16, 2016 abraham upon pharaohs throne in figure 1 of facsimile 3, abraham is shown seated upon the throne of pharaoh, reasoning upon the principles of astronomy, in the kings court explanation for facsimile 3. 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. On either side of the god are two apes numbers 22 and 23 with horned moondisks on their heads, in an attitude of adoration. So, the equivalent to the wicked ruler who tried to kill abraham in our facsimile 1 just happens to wield the sha symbols that we see here in figure 7 of facsimile 2, in order to achieve life and power, as the egyptian text in this figure indicates the symbols are all about. As for josephs interpretation of figures from the hypocephalus facsimile 2, he was correct. 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. Thus the moses scenario repeats the enoch story and the abraham story, and facsimile no. Egyptian information on book of abraham hypocephalus facsimile 2. Answers to the hebrew word raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament of the heavens. Asterisk denotes a featured version, which includes an introduction and annotation book of abraham and facsimiles, 1 march16 may 1842 times and seasons, 1 march 1842 times and seasons, 15 march 1842 times and seasons, 16 may 1842 history, 18381856, volume c1 2 november 183831 july 1842 history, 18381856, volume c1 2. Facsimile 2, the hypocephalus, is also a late egyptian religious text.
The evidence suggests that the book of abraham reflects concepts of joseph smiths time and place rather than those of an ancient world. According to smith, the book comprised ancient records. Appearing in several other ancient egyptian hypocephali,1 the sitting. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles religious studies. The upper portion of the hypocephalus represented the day sky, and the lower portion the part with the cow the night sky. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 1. Source hypocephalus as published in the book of abraham. Book of abraham facsimile number 2 wikimedia commons. According to smith, the book was a translation of some ancient records. Critical appraisal of the book of abraham wikipedia. 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. Unfortunately, the original illustration or vignette from. Debunks narrative that book of breathings papyrus was book of abraham source you would think skeptics would make a bigger deal out of joseph smith refusing to translate the text portions of facsimile 2. 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.
The above donut chart shows percentages of the book of abraham section of letter to a ces director that fairmormon is in agreement, disagreement, and neutral on if one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 90. 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. 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. Nibley on the facsimiles the book of abraham project. An egyptologist looks at enishgoondosh in the book of. Joseph smith either translated the book of abraham by the gift and power of god, or he made it all up. 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. Contemporary egyptologists translations of figures 8 11 in the book of abraham bare an eerie resemblance to a phrase used in the temple.
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