To print the first facsimile of the book of abraham, the dollar weekly bostonian was necessarily required to remake the woodcut or plate from the times and seasons. Mormon handbook the book of abraham facsimile 1 facsimile 1 is a common egyptian funerary scene. Facsimile 1 of the book of abraham visually depicts the narrative contained in abraham 1. Egyptologists agree that his restorations are inaccurate noted below. The book of abraham interview with brian hauglid fair mormon podcast part 1. Shulem, one of the kings principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand. 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. Eyewitness accounts describe both the papyri collection and which. Source papyrus as published in the book of abraham. The book of abraham in 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 p. Facsimile 1 of the book of abraham evidence and insights from the.
Abrahams biographical information in abraham 1 and smiths claim of what these two facsimiles portray comes from the works of. Common egyptian hypocephalus comparing the source hypocephalus to the published facsimile. However, facsimile 3 also shows anubis, yet smith made him out to be a tinyheaded, racist caricature of an african slave. Abraham was one of these substitute sacrifices, which is how he figures into facsimile 1 the same sacrificial ritual that abraham talked about in the book of abraham.
King pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head. Prince of pharaoh, king of egypt, as written above the hand. Facsimile 1 of the book of abraham evidence and insights. 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. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of god. The measurement according to celestial time, which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit. Facsimile 1 supposedly depicts the scene of abraham nearly being sacrificed by the egyptian priest elkenah.
The papyrus with the illustration represented in facsimile 1 is the only recovered item that has any connection to the text of the book of abraham. Comparison of the facsimiles as interpreted by joseph and what egyptologists say they mean. While this exciting information on the facsimiles does not prove the book of abraham is true, it sheds a favorable light on joseph smiths claims to prophetic inspiration. The facsimile that joseph smith er, abraham excuse me. Facsimile 1 published in the book of abraham is a common egyptian funerary scene. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 1. The printing plate for facsimile 1 of the book of abraham, prepared sometime in early 1842 for the 1 march installment of the times and seasons. The idolatrous priest of elkenah attempting to offer up abraham as a sacrifice. Book of abrahamfacsimilesfacsimile 1human sacrifice in. The text in question, a leiden magical papyrus in demotic egyptian and greek p. In addition, it bolsters confidence in the authenticity of the book of abraham and its facsimiles. This work was illustrated by scribes in the ancient world, and three such illustrations known as facsimiles 1, 2, and 3 were found among the papyrus documents smith purchased. Book of abrahamjoseph smith papyrifacsimilesfacsimile 1 fair. Hypocephalus of sheshonq a trace of the original hieroglyphic writing from this hypocephalus is visible on the left edge of figs.
Facsimile 1 as a sacrifice scene pearl of great price central. Fairs apologetics regarding the book of abraham offends intellect. 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. Egypt, purporting to be the writings of abraham, while he was in egypt, called the book of abraham. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles religious studies center. 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.
Facsimiles from the book of abraham were first published on march 1, 1842 in the times and seasons. Evidence for the book of abraham facsimile 1 of the book of abraham evidence and insights from the dvd most remarkable book. It usually represents the embalming of the deceased individual in preparation for burial. The book of abraham issues translation problems mormonthink. Examining facsimile one from the book of abraham youtube.
This extract from the new york state mechanic was reprinted in times and seasons, 1 june 1842, 3. Abraham with an illustration similar to facsimile 1 in the book of abraham. Egyptologists kerry muhlestein and john gee note that evidence has been uncovered of the practice of human sacrifice in. 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 manuscript and explanation of facsimile 1, circa. See his the facsimiles of the book of abraham, 3338.
Skeptics dismiss the idea that the lion couch scene could be a derivative of an earlier ritual, but the sedfestival very closely matches the same events abraham described. Evidence for the book of abraham facsimiles from egyptology. A facsimile from the book of abraham church of jesus christ. Abraham s biographical information in abraham 1 and smiths claim of what these two facsimile pictures portray comes from the works of flavius josephus. Since facsimile 1 dates from approximately 100 bce 5, abraham could not have referenced it in this verse. Book of abraham and explanation of facsimile 1, nauvoo principal gathering place for saints following expulsion from missouri. Signifies abraham in egypt as given also in figure 10 of facsimile no.
The apocalypse of abraham is a jewish document composed between about 70150 ad. 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 inaccurate restoration. Besides the relationship of vignette and text, we also have to ask what portion of the papyri joseph smith translated from. One day in kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth, which is called by the egyptians jahoheh. Joseph copied three drawings from the egyptian scrolls while creating the book of abraham, and he labeled them facsimile no. It is claimed that facsimile 1 is simply a typical funerary scene and there are many other papyri.
Facsimile 2 in the book of abraham is a common egyptian hypocephalus. Translation and historicity of the book of abraham ces letter. Joseph only interpreted one figure of anubis as a priest, in facsimile 1. This brings the four sons of horus to the forefront of the hypocephalus significance, and that is interesting because of the significance they play in facsimile 1. 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. Go out from thy father terah, and get thee out from the house, that thou also be not slain the apocalypse of abraham is a jewish document composed between about 70150 ad. Abraham noted that the attempt to sacrifice him was done after the manner of the egyptians abraham 1. The idolatrous priest of elkenah attempting to offer up. All of this evidence is detailed in an insiders view of mormon origins, chapter 1. Abraham and osiris facsimile 3, figure 1 pearl of great. Nothing in the extant papyri scrolls has anything to do with abraham or the book of abraham the scroll from which the book of abraham was translated is a standard egyptian funerary document. 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.
Beginning in 1839, church of jesus christ of latterday saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of commerce and planned settlement of. Book of abraham facsimile 1 it is now apparent that human sacrifice did indeed occur in ancient egypt. Teaching the book of abraham facsimiles religious studies. Book of abraham manuscript and explanation of facsimile 1, ca. Chapter one of the book of abraham describes how abraham acted as a substitute sacrifice for the king in what is known today as the sedfestival, and facsimile 1 illustrates the same kind of scene. This looks exactly like what smith did when he doctored up. Book of abraham manuscript and explanation of facsimile 1, circa february 1842 abraham 1. Thus, the argument that the text of the book of abraham had to be translated from the hieroglyphs next to the vignette is not convincing when compared with ancient egyptian texts from the same period. According to the documentary history of the church dhc 2.
Evidence for the divine authenticity of the book of abraham. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the. 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. Book of abraham manuscript and explanation of facsimile 1. Book of abraham facsimiles the apocalypse of abraham. Approaching the facsimiles pearl of great price central. The apocalypse of abraham describes the idolatry of abraham s father. Sep 04, 2020 watch the book of abraham facsimile video. This vignette is called a lion couch scene by egyptologists. Apologetics press facsimile 1 from the book of abraham. Go out from thy father terah, and get thee out from the house, that thou also be not slain. The apocalypse of abraham describes the idolatry of abraham s father in detail, and talks of how abraham came to. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of mormonism.
The main puzzle used to challenge joseph smiths translation of the book of abraham is the fact that facsimile 1, the opening figure of the book of abraham mentioned in the text abraham 1. Facsimile 1 figure 2 proxy sacrifice of osiris conflict. Researchers have found the lion couch scene sometimes references this sedfestival ritual which goes back to early egyptian times. Further evidence is that characters from this scroll were sequentially copied into the book of abraham translation manuscripts. The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of elkenah, libnah, mahmackrah, korash, and pharaoh. The pearl of great price 19abraham wikisource, the free. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 2 in the book.
This looks exactly like what smith did when he doctored up the book of abraham facsimile. An examination of the smith papyri shows that portions were torn and missing. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 1 in the book. Did joseph smith correctly translate facsimile 1 in the. Its important to note that the original papyrus was damaged so joseph filled in those areas. Josephs translations of the book of abraham facsimiles 1 3 are completely inaccurate and amount to gibberish. Abraham s teaching astronomy to egyptians book of abraham facsimile 3 is described in pseudoeupolemus 9. Because of the torn condition of smiths original, there is neither head nor. Facsimile 1 posted on april 12, 2015 november 26, 2015 by wes trexler this is facsimile 1, located at the front of the book of abraham in the pearl of great price.
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