Change To The Explanation For The Book Of Abraham

[wenglund]

Given the references to temple content in #2, I don't think "they serve no doctrinal purpose." You may roll your eyes and say condescendingly "I know Joseph Smith thought there was temple content in there, but really people . . ."

While many church members may have been completely unaware of what you correctly suggest, they also may not be aware that some of the work on the facsimiles commenced months before the dedication of the Kirtland temple, and given that there were washings and anointing initiated prior to the dedication, along with some of the endowment, I don't think the timing was all that coincidental. Some of the work on the facsimiles may have informed what later became the temple rituals.

But, then, I wouldn't have known about this myself were I not prompted to research the subject more in-depth because of the controversies stirred-up by the critics. And, the controversy might not have been stirred absent the facsimiles. So, I, like you, value the facsimiles in the scriptures even though others may not.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[mfbukowski]

Given the references to temple content in #2, I don't think "they serve no doctrinal purpose." You may roll your eyes and say condescendingly "I know Joseph Smith thought there was temple content in there, but really people . . ."

I would be mad if the facsimiles were dropped.

The problem with the approach of those condescending folks you mention is that their whole case that Joseph was "mistaken" about the "temple content" is that they are really asserting that the translation MUST be literal for their point to even make sense.

If the papyri were a catalyst for further revelation, then the facsimilies' temple content suddenly becomes a very important key to temple worship. Indeed one can even see this as proof of the catalyst theory, that the literal content was never what was important.

For me, seeing those similarities you are referencing was the key to unlocking an entire other dimension of temple worship I had never imagined existed before that. If you apply some logic to those illustrations your understanding of the endowment's structure can just explode in numerous directions if you know the endowment well enough to see the structure.

If they would do away with the facsimilies it would be taking away the ability of future generations to discover all that.

I would be mad too.

Edited March 5, 2013 by mfbukowski

[mfbukowski]

It wouldn't be a "drastic measure". As far as I can tell, the only purpose they currently serve is to set up the expectation that Joseph Smith actually translated ancient Egyptian scrolls into English.

Nope. It's the direct opposite. They are the best evidence that they were NOT literally translated. And they are directly accessible in every copy of scripture published, sitting there screaming "ITS ALL SYMBOLIC" at the top of their figurative lungs, if we will just listen.

After I saw those and thought about it for a while it became clear that all this fuss about them being literal was just a flagrant misunderstanding of what they were all about.

Edited March 5, 2013 by mfbukowski

[cinepro]

Given the references to temple content in #2, I don't think "they serve no doctrinal purpose." You may roll your eyes and say condescendingly "I know Joseph Smith thought there was temple content in there, but really people . . ."

So what doctrine do you learn from Joseph Smith's explanations for facsimile #2 that isn't available elsewhere in the scriptures?

[mfbukowski]

So what doctrine do you learn from Joseph Smith's explanations for facsimile #2 that isn't available elsewhere in the scriptures?

Is your point that the symbolic structure of the endowment is not doctrine or that the clues to the structure ARE found stated in the scriptures?

Obviously both these are incorrect. The fact that the endowment is symbolic is clearly maintained by the church as also is the fact that this sacred structure should not be publicly discussed, therefore it could not possibly be in other scriptures in detail.

[Helen47]

"clues to the structure ARE found stated in the scriptures?"

Could you be just reading that into the fac?

[Dr.Onendagus]

I found this article on wiki explaining Facsimile #3

Facsimile No. 3

Joseph Smith claimed that this image represented Abraham sitting on the Pharaoh's throne teaching the principles of astronomy to the Egyptian court. Unlike the other two facsimiles, it is unclear if any lacunae were reconstructed by Joseph Smith, though Deveria postulates that he did (See figure 6 below). As with the other two facsimiles, his interpretation is at odds with Egyptologists, as shown below:

Egyptologists interpret this as a typical scene of The Book of the Dead which accompanied the Book of Breathings of the owner of the scroll, in which the deceased person for whom the scroll was made is presented before the Egyptian god Osiris.^[55] Hieroglyphics at the bottom of the scroll identify the god Horus. Osiris is seated on a throne, wearing the Atef crown and holding a sceptre and a flail. Behind him stands Isis, wearing the Horned Sun Disk headdress. To the right are Ma'at, with the feather headdress, Horus (identified by hieroglyphics above his head), and behind Horus stands Anubis, the god of embalming.^[56]

Facsimile No. 3 from the Book of Abraham. Figure Joseph Smith Explanation^[57] Explanation by non-Mormon and Mormon Egyptologists (quotes are from Robert K. Ritner 2003^[58])^{[25][43][53][59]} General Comment Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king’s court. "Invocation (text at bottom line below the illustration): O gods of thenecropolis, gods of the caverns, gods of the south, north, west, and east grant salvation to the Osiris Hor, the justified, born by Taikhibit." 1 Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh’s throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand. "Label for Osiris (text to the right of figure 1 of facsimile 3): Recitation by Osiris, Foremost of the Westerners, Lord of Abydos(?), the great god forever and ever(?)." 2 King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head. "Label for Isis (text to the right of figure 2 of facsimile 3): Isis the great, the god's mother." 3 Signifies Abraham in Egypt as given also in Figure 10 of Facsimile No. 1. "Altar, with the offering of the deceased, surrounded with lotus flowers, signifying the offering of the defunct."—Theodule Deveria 4 Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand. "Label for Maat (text to the left of figure 4 of facsimile 3): Maat, mistress of the gods." 5 Shulem, one of the king’s principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand. "Label for Hor the deceased (text in front of figure 5 of facsimile 3): The Osiris Hor, justified forever." 6 Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince. "Label for Anubis (text in front of figure 6 of facsimile 3): Recitation by Anubis, who makes protection(?), foremost of the embalming booth,..."

[edit]

[Dr.Onendagus]

There seems to be quite a difference from the interpretation given by an Egyptologist and the one provided in the BoA.

[Dr.Onendagus]

Facsimile #2

Facsimile No. 2

See also: Hypocephalus

The figure represented by Facsimile 2 is a common Egyptian artifact called a hypocephalus. Hypocephali are placed under the head or feet of the mummified person to assist them in remembering what to say and do in relation to the trials they would face after death.

As with Facsimile No. 1, Smith's explanation differs from the standard interpretation as shown below.

Facsimile 2 as published in the Book of Abraham (left) and as found in the Kirtland Egyptian Papers (right). Note the lacuna, or missing portions in this facsimile. Whether the missing material existed in the papyri Smith had in his possession is also a matter of speculation. Figure Joseph Smith Explanation^[52] Explanation by non-Mormon and Mormon Egyptologists (quotes are from Deveria)^[25][43][53] 1 Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time. The measurement according to celestial time, which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit. One day in Kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth, which is called by the Egyptians Jah-oh-eh. "The spirit of the four elements (according to Champollion), or rather of the four winds, or the four cardinal points; the soul of the terrestrial world. This god isalways represented with four rams' heads, and his image has certainly been altered here. — They have also evidently made a very clumsy attempt at copying the double human head of the god figured above, fig. 2, instead of the four rams' heads. The word Jah-oh-eh has nothing Egyptian in it; it resembles the Hebrew word [redacted] badly transcribed." (emphasis in original) The name hieroglyph above the central figure is Chnm-Re, the Egyptian "First Creator" god who organized everything out of the primordial chaos. 2 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; holding the key of power also, pertaining to other planets; as revealed from God to Abraham, as he offered sacrifice upon an altar, which he had built unto the Lord. "Ammon-Ra, with two human heads, meant probably to represent both the invisible or mysterious principle of Ammon, and the visible or luminous principle of Ra, the sun; or else the double and simultaneous principle of father and son; which characterizes divinity in the religion of ancient Egypt. — The word Oliblish is no more Egyptian than those already met with, nor than those which are to be found in the Mormon explanation." 3 Is made to represent God, sitting upon his throne, clothed with power and authority; with a crown of eternal light upon his head; representing also the grand Key-words of the Holy Priesthood, as revealed to Adam in the Garden of Eden, as also to Seth, Noah,Melchizedek, Abraham, and all to whom the Priesthood was revealed. "The sun god Ra, with a hawk's head, seated in his boat. In the field the two symbolical figuring, according to M. de Rougé, the fixed points of an astronomical period." 4 Answers to the Hebrew word Raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament of the heavens; also a numerical figure, in Egyptian signifying one thousand; answering to the measuring of the time of Oliblish, which is equal with Kolob in its revolution and in its measuring of time. Deveria commented; "The Hebrew word [redacted], Roki'a, expansum, solidum, ecclum, firmamentum, besides being badly described, has no relation whatever to this figure, which represents a mummified hawk, called in Egyptian Ah'em. It is the symbol of the divine repose of death; its extended wings have reference to the resurrection." 5 Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-on-dosh; this is one of the governing planets also, and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand Key, or, in other words, the governing power, which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars, as also Floeese or the Moon, the Earth and the Sun in their annual revolutions. This planet receives its power through the medium of Kli-flos-is-es, or Hah-ko-kau-beam, the stars represented by numbers 22 and 23, receiving light from the revolutions of Kolob. "The mystic cow, the great cow, symbolizing the inferior hemisphere of the heavens. It is called the virgin cow at ch. 162 of the funerary ritual, which particularly enjoins that its image be painted on the hypocephalus, and another image of it in gold on the throat of the defunct. It is the form of Hathor, who figures on several monuments under the name of noub, gold. Behind the cow is a goddess, whose head, represented by a mystic eye in a disk, is incorrectly copied." (emphasis in original) 6 Represents this earth in its four quarters. "The four funerary genii, the sons of [Horus], Amset, Hapy, Tioumautew, andKebhsoniw." 7 Represents God sitting upon his throne, revealing through the heavens the grand Key-words of the Priesthood; as, also, the sign of the Holy Ghost unto Abraham, in the form of a dove. "The form of Ammon, with a bird's tail, or Horammon (?). An ithyphallic serpent, with human legs, offers him a symbolical eye. This last figure has certainly been altered in the hypocephalus of the Mormons." 8 Contains writings that cannot be revealed unto the world; but is to be had in the Holy Temple of God. "Four lines of the linear hieroglyphic text, which are numbered from bottom to top, instead of top to bottom. The meaning is: O great god in Sekhem, O great God, Lord of heaven, earth, and hell...Osiris S'es'esq..." 9 Ought not to be revealed at the present time. 10 Also. 11 Also. If the world can find out these numbers, so let it be. Amen. 12, 13, 14, 15 Will be given in the own due time of the Lord. "Four lines of writing similar to the former, of which they are the pendant. They appear to be numbered upside down, and are illegibly copied." 16, 17 "Two more lines which cannot be deciphered in the copy. It begins above the god with two human heads, fig. 2 ; and there is in it twice mention made of a sacred dwelling-place in Heliopolis. " 18, 19, 20, and 21 "These columns of writing, illegible in the copy. It is evident to me that several of the figures to be found in these various MSS. have been intentionally altered."

[edit]Lacunae in facsimile 2

Michael Rhodes stated; "A careful examination of Facsimile 2 shows that there is a difference between most of the hieroglyphic signs and the signs on the right third of the figure on the outer edge as well as the outer portions of the sections numbered 12-15. These signs are hieratic, not hieroglyphic, and are inverted, or upside down, to the rest of the text. In fact, they are a fairly accurate copy of lines 2, 3, and 4 of the Joseph Smith Papyrus XI, which contains a portion of the Book of Breathings. Especially clear is the word snsn, in section 14, and part of the name of the mother of the owner of the papyrus, (tay-)uby.t, repeated twice on the outer edge. An ink drawing of the hypocephalus in the Church Historian's office shows these same areas as being blank. It is likely that these portions were destroyed on the original hypocephalus and someone (the engraver, one of Joseph Smith's associates, or Joseph himself) copied the lines from the Book of Breathings papyrus for aesthetic purposes."^[54]

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

They could get rid of the facsimilies and it would not bother me a bit.

Now what?

[canard78]

While many church members may have been completely unaware of what you correctly suggest, they also may not be aware that some of the work on the facsimiles commenced months before the dedication of the Kirtland temple, and given that there were washings and anointing initiated prior to the dedication, along with some of the endowment, I don't think the timing was all that coincidental. Some of the work on the facsimiles may have informed what later became the temple rituals.

But, then, I wouldn't have known about this myself were I not prompted to research the subject more in-depth because of the controversies stirred-up by the critics. And, the controversy might not have been stirred absent the facsimiles. So, I, like you, value the facsimiles in the scriptures even though others may not.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Which makes the parallels of the endowment to the rituals of Egyptian priests and (possibly) Egyptian (masonic style) guilds an even more impressive 'bulls eye.'

I'm trying to find an article Jeff Lindsay links to that discusses this, but I've lost it.

ETA: I meant this link, http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_masons.shtml

And his link to this page: http://james.jlcarroll.net/LDS/temples/

And most specifically to this article:

James L. Carroll, "Egyptian Craft Guild Initiations," in Studia Antiqua, The Journal of the Student Society for Ancient Studies, 2007, vol. 5:1 p. 17-44.

Abstract: Initiation seems to have played an important role in Egyptian religion from the beginning of recorded history. Initiations are rites whereby the initiate is symbolically moved from one state of being into another or from one part of the temple into another, the passage involves various trials or tests of knowledge, the rites often deal with death and resurrection, various oaths are taken either of an ethical or of a sacramental nature, and the ceremony itself is usually secret. The initiation paradigm can be seen in the Egyptian funerary literature, the Daily Temple Liturgy, the initiations of the Egyptian priesthood, and the later Isis mystery cult initiations. All these ritual elements can also be seen in modern craft guild initiations, however it is unclear how early this paradigm became part of craft guild initiations. Although it can be shown that craft guilds existed in ancient Egypt from the earliest times, little direct evidence of their nature has remained. However, several elements from the earlier Egyptian initiations show evidence of having been influenced by guild initiations. This indicates that the guild traditions may have adopted the initiation paradigm at a very early stage. If this is the case, then it would have significant ramifications for the origins of modern guild initiations, and would indicate that they are connected to ancient traditions of initiation into the afterlife, and to ancient temple traditions.

Link to the full article (a word document):

http://james.jlcarroll.net/publications/carroll-2007-egyptian-guild-initiations.doc

Has this article been reviewed by anyone at the MI/similar?

Edited March 10, 2013 by canard78

[MormonMason]

Didn't the original head note to the BoA text in the t&s say the document was 'purporting to be the writings of Abraham'?

The manuscript copy that formed the basis for the Times and Seasons publication of the Book of Abraham also says this.