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Book of Abraham Transcriptions


Brent Metcalfe

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Posted

That's a tantalizing taste, Brent. Since I can't spot anything substantive to correct, let me suggest some minor editorial points:

  • In the notes for 1.3, I'd suggest deterioration or disintegration instead of corrosion.
  • In the notes for 1.5, I'd suggest "instead of" rather than "in lieu of," which usually carries a sense of intentionality about it, whereas you are describing a possible scribal error.
  • Throughout, I would render the possessive of Phelps as Phelps's rather than Phelps'. It's a contested matter of style, but I'm unquestionably right. (!)

Posted

That's a tantalizing taste, Brent. Since I can't spot anything substantive to correct, let me suggest some minor editorial points:

  • In the notes for 1.3, I'd suggest deterioration or disintegration instead of corrosion.
  • In the notes for 1.5, I'd suggest "instead of" rather than "in lieu of," which usually carries a sense of intentionality about it, whereas you are describing a possible scribal error.
  • Throughout, I would render the possessive of Phelps as Phelps's rather than Phelps'. It's a contested matter of style, but I'm unquestionably right. (!)

You nit-picker you!

I haven't taken the time to examine it in any fashion much beyond a "quick scan," but I doubt very much that I will find as much to criticize as you have, you incorrigible fault-finder, you. :P

I am a bit curious as to why we've been offered a partial transcription of KEPA #1 (Metcalfe's Ms. 2) when it's pretty much a given that most of the "controversy" will revolve around the meaning of KEPA #2 and #3. Maybe it's just designed to coincide with the publication of Chris Smith's paper? At any rate, I'm glad to see even this contribution, and look forward to more. I'm hoping that we'll be able to hold Hauglid's The Textual History of the Book of Abraham in our hands by, say, Super Bowl Sunday? Almost certainly no later than next General Conference.

Posted

Thanks for posting this Brent. To me, that is the most interesting page of the collection.

For those who'd like some background, here's what Nibley said about it.

Translation_Manuscript_1.jpg

Posted

Now that is some expert textual criticism!

Not only is this astute, it's also hilarious. Love the picture.

I'll be vindicated when they dust for prints.:P

Posted

I'll be vindicated when they dust for prints.:P

I thought Thing had filed off his prints.

USU "Thank you, . . ., well, you know" 78

Posted

At first glance, it appears to me that the initial stroke of the Z in Zibnah has been scribbled out. Zooming in, it's hard to tell due to limited resolution and compression artifacts. I assume you've looked at this under a magnifying glass. Is there something about the ink itself that suggests ink bleed or is your conclusion based primarily on Richards' subsequent instances of Zibnah? Can you show us some of Parrish's other Z's?

Posted

Hi Mortal Man,

Good questions...

At first glance, it appears to me that the initial stroke of the Z in Zibnah has been scribbled out. Zooming in, it's hard to tell due to limited resolution and compression artifacts. I assume you've looked at this under a magnifying glass. Is there something about the ink itself that suggests ink bleed or is your conclusion based primarily on Richards' subsequent instances of Zibnah?

What you see as "scribble" marks are artifacts of paper texture and, in all probability, the cause of the ink bleed (e.g., accidental blotting of a still wet stroke). Ink feathering appears at several loci throughout the manuscript. Richards' misreading had nothing to do with determining that the ink bled on the initial stroke of the Z in Zibnah. Zibnah is also the reading in BA1a (fldr. 2) and BA1b (fldr. 3), which I discuss at length in the annotations on those manuscripts.

Can you show us some of Parrish's other Z's?

Yes.

In Joseph Smith's journal, Parrish reported interpretations of glossolalia that involved "the redemption of Zion."

Parrish_Z_JS-journal-24Oct1835-p9_detail.jpg

I have several such examples of Parrish's uppercase Z. Moreover, Parrish's uppercase L's clearly, and consistently, differ from his uppercase Z's (cf. Lord in 1.29).

All the best,

</brent>

http://mormonscripturestudies.com

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Posted

Hi Mortal Man,

Good questions...

What you see as "scribble" marks are artifacts of paper texture and, in all probability, the cause of the ink bleed (e.g., accidental blotting of a still wet stroke). Ink feathering appears at several loci throughout the manuscript. Richards' misreading had nothing to do with determining that the ink bled on the initial stroke of the Z in Zibnah. Zibnah is also the reading in BA1a (fldr. 2) and BA1b (fldr. 3), which I discuss at length in the annotations on those manuscripts.

Yes.

In Joseph Smith's journal, Parrish reported interpretations of glossolalia that involved "the redemption of Zion."

Parrish_Z_JS-journal-24Oct1835-p9_detail.jpg

I have several such examples of Parrish's uppercase Z. Moreover, Parrish's uppercase L's clearly, and consistently, differ from his uppercase Z's (cf. Lord in 1.29).

All the best,

</brent>

Thanks Brent.

I see it now. Your Zion example helps a lot.

  • 2 weeks later...

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