Book of Abraham Translation

Introduction
● The Book of Abraham (BoA) was translated from an ancient
egyptian papari that the church purchased in 1835 in Kirtland Ohio
● The original papyri was thought to be lost until it was discovered and
returned to the church in 1967
● With the originals in hand this work can be examined to reach more
full understanding of the translation process.
● Did Joseph Smith’s prophetic ability allow him to translate as he
claimed, before the code was cracked with the rosetta stone?

Book Of Abraham Timeline Overview
July
1835
Artifacts
purchased
1842
Article in Times
and Seasons
1856
Artifacts
sold
1967
Artifacts
Returned to
Church
1880
BoA formally
Canonized
2013
Church BoA
Translation
Essay
July-Nov
1835
1st translation
work
1851
1st full
publication
Translation
Completed along
side several T&S
publications

Main Artifacts
Book of Abraham
Book of Joseph
(never translated)
● 4 mummies
● 1 scroll identified as the Book of Abraham
● 1 scroll identified as the Book of Joseph
● 1 fragment later identified as Facsimile 2
● Several other scraps and fragments
Copy of Facsimile 2
(original missing)
(Original missing)

Joseph Smith History Entries about the Artifacts
● 3 July 1835 (JS History Vol B-1 pp. 595–596)
○ “...Michael H. Chandler came to Kirtland to exhibit some Egyptian
Mummies…together with some two or more rolls of papyrus
covered Hieroglyphic figures and devices. ...He brought me some of
the characters, and I gave the interpretation…”
● 6 July 1835 (JS History Vol B-1 pp. 596)
○ “...Soon after this, some of the Saints at Kirtland, purchased the
Mummies and Papyrus (a description of which will appear hereafter)
and I, with William W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery, as scribes,
commenced the translation of some of the characters or
hieroglyphics, and much to our joy found that one of the rolls
contained the writings of Abraham; another the writings of Joseph of
Egypt.”
● July 1835 (JS History Vol B-1 pp. 597)
○ “The remainder of this month I was continually engaged in
translating and alphabet to the Book of Abraham, and arranging a
Grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients.”

Joseph Smith’s Journal Entries Related to Translation
This appears to be where the effort was stopped until late February 1842
● 1 October 1835 (JS Journal 1 Oct. 1835)
○ “This afternoon labored on the Egyptian alphabet, in company with
Oliver Cowdery and William W. Phelps. The System of astronomy
was unfolded”
● 7 October 1835 (JS Journal 7 Oct. 1835)
○ “This afternoon recommenced translating the ancient records”
● 19 November 1835 (JS Journal 19 Nov. 1835)
○ “I returned home and spent the day in translating the Egyptian
records…”
○ “...in the afternoon, we translated some of the Egyptian records…”
○ “Spent the day in translating…”
○ “At home, we spent the day in transcribing Egyptian characters from
the papyrus”

Overview of the Book of Abraham Egyptian Papers
Several original manuscripts and notebooks from this time period between July -
November 1835 survive. Based on the JS history and Journal entries we expect to
find an Egyptian Alphabet, Grammar, and translations of characters. Below is a
summary of the Kirtland erra documents.
● Valuable discovery notebook
○ Several pages of copied characters and a single translation about a princess Katumin
● Alphabets
○ 3 Sets of Egyptian Alphabet that are largely the same. Shows characters and the english translation
● Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar notebook
○ Bound notebook containing several lectures on grammar rules and an expansion of alphabet translations
● Book of Abraham Manuscripts
○ 3 different manuscripts showing Egyptian characters next to the BoA text
Book of Abraham and Egyptian Material

Valuable Discovery Notebook
Various pages of characters and several copied
drawings along with a translation of a few characters
Copies of Egyptian Characters, circa Summer 1835–A
Notebook of Copied Egyptian Characters, circa Early July 1835

Egyptian Alphabets
Three copies of the alphabets that were transcribed by J.S.
and his scribes. The one shown is in Joseph Smith’s
handwriting.
Each provide an Egyptian character, the pronunciation,
and the english translation.
"Egyptian Alphabet, circa Early July–circa November 1835–A," p. [1]

Grammar & Alphabet Book
The Grammar book breaks down how “parts of speech” are encoded
within the characters. Each part of the character can be dissected and
represents a part of speech. Horizontal lines above/below the character
multiply/subtract parts of speech and are referred to as “degrees”.
In the remainder of the book all 5 degrees of the first and second parts
of the alphabet are defined.
Grammar and Alphabet of the Egyptian Language, circa July–circa November 1835
Character degrees
Character dissection
Kiah broam = Kiah brah oam = zub zool oan
Ki
Ah broam
Ki
Ah brah oam
Zub zool oan

Book of Abraham Manuscripts 1835
In these three separate manuscripts there
are egyptian characters written in the
margin next to the BoA text.
The next slide covers the differences
between these and the likely order of
dictation
A C
B
● Manuscript A [Abraham 1:4–2:6] (handwriting of Frederick G. Williams)
● Manuscript B [Abraham 1:4–2:2] (handwriting of Warren Parrish)
● Manuscript C [Abraham 1:1–2:18] (handwriting of Warren Parrish and William W. Phelps)

Manuscript
NoteBook
(C)
Alphabets
Circa Early
July 1835
Alphabets
Alphabets
Grammer
&
Alphabet
Manuscript
A
Manuscript
B
Manuscript
NoteBook
(C)
First
Publication
1842
Circa July-Oct 1835 Circa Nov 1835
Dictation and Translation Order 1835
Translation
Copied text
Implied usage
Using JS History, Journal Entries, and textual evidence the document order is reconstructed
BoA 1:4-2:6 BoA 1:4-2:2
BoA 2:7-18
BoA 1:1-3 BoA 1:1-2:18
character
translations
Grammer,
Alphabet expansion
Valuable
discovery
BoA 1:1-3
Valuable
Discovery
Papyri
characters

The characters in this notebook are believed to be from a scroll belonging to
Amenhotep which is now missing. The drawing with a snake and a figure with a
cane is identified as coming from the scroll that Joseph Smith identified as the
Book of Joseph
Valuable Discovery Sources

Valuable Discovery Notebook Translation
Katumin, Princess, daughter of On-i-tas -[Pharaoh King]-
of Egypt, who <began to> reigned in the year of the world 2962.
Katumin was born in the 30th year of the reign of her father, and died
when she was 28 years old, which was the year 3020.
After several pages of copied
characters, both notebooks end
with a translation of a few
characters as shown on the
right
The characters associated with
Katumin shows up in the
beginning of the Alphabets,
although there was some
hesitation about how to draw it
Alphabet A - “Kah tou man”

Alphabet Content Example
The alphabet gives characters a
sound and an explanation (first
degree). However, not all
characters were fully defined. An
example of some sounds and
explanations is provided in the
table on the right.
● 5 Parts (sections)
● 138 characters total (some
grouped together)
● 69 were given a sound
● 46 were given a sound and
an explanation.
Full indexed version
Excerpt of first 7 characters
From Valuable discovery notebook

Correlation between Alphabet and Papari
Now with the original papyri, we can attempt to identify where all the characters in
the documents come from.
Egyptian Alphabets
Part Character Source
First Part Missing Papri Fragment (valuable
discovery notebook)
Second Part (A) Pure Language
Second Part (B) BoA papyri column 3
Third Part BoA papyri column 2
Fourth Part BoA papyri column 1
Fifth Part BoA papyri column 4
1
2
3
4

Alphabet Part 1 Sources
These characters seems to have been copied from the now missing
papyri fragment that was also used for characters in the valuable
discovery notebooks. There are several similarities and matches from
the copied characters notebook but it is not sequential or 1:1.
They also seem to be grouped by shape and style and are generally
related to Kings, Princess, Egypt, beginning of time etc.
Alphabet C

Alphabet Part 2 (A) Sources
These characters have not been found in any of the papyri, but have
been identified with the “Pure Language” as taught by Joseph Smith as
early as 1832. The characters first appear in a letter from William W.
Phelps in May 1835 while working as a scribe for Joseph Smith.
The definitions in the Egyptian
Alphabet document don’t match up
exactly with that given by Joseph
Smith in 1832 (Sample of Pure
Language, between circa 4 and circa 20
March 1832) but the general content in
this section is the same. Definitions of
God, Son of God, Angels etc.
Alphabet C

Egyptian Alphabet Part 2 (B) Sources
These characters are difficult to correlate due to
damage of the papyri and the mixing of character
“dissections.”
However, there is enough correlation in the following
sequence to indicate this is where the characters
began being copied from the BoA papyri
Alphabet C
Alphabet C
Character
“dissection”

Egyptian Alphabet Part 2 (B) Continued
This begins a sequential copying of the remaining
characters in all 4 columns of the BoA papyri
Alphabet A
Alphabet C

Egyptian Alphabet Part 3
Copied characters for Joseph Smith's Alphabet (A),
section - “Third Part 1st degree”
This corresponds to the middle column on the BoA
papyri as shown below
Alphabet A

section - “Fourth Part 1st degree”
This corresponds to the right most column on the
BoA papyri
Alphabet A

section - “fifth Part 1st degree”
This corresponds to the left most column on the
BoA papyri
Alphabet A

Egyptian
Grammar &
Alphabet Book

Bound Grammar Contents Part 1
Alphabet
Part 2
42/59 - sounds | 23/59 definitions
Part 4
Grammar Part 1
Sequence continues for rest of part 1 characters
Characters and definitions were carried over from the Alphabets and the degrees were expounded
further. Some characters* that show up later in the alphabet were used at the beginning of the
Grammar. The reason for this is not explained.
X = definition given
Part 5
*
*
Part 3
Part 1
*

Bound Grammar Contents Part 2
Alphabet
Part 1
Part 3
Part 4
Grammar Part 2
Sequence continues on next page
The method of transcribing from the Alphabets was changed in Part 2. Each character gets a
definition in only a single degree in the order shown in the table below. The method continues
until character 36 as shown on the following page
Part 5
Part 2

Bound Grammer Part 2 continued
Alphabet
Part 1
Part 3
Part 4
Grammar Part 2
Starting with character 36 (circled in red), each character receives a definition for all 5 degrees.
These characters all have to do with planets and astronomy. We can infer this is what Joseph
Smith was referring to in his Oct 1st 1835 journal entry -“This afternoon labored on the Egyptian
alphabet, in company with Oliver Cowdery and William W. Phelps. The System of astronomy was
unfolded”
Part 5
Part 2

Grammar Content Example
“This is called Za Ki=oan hiash, or chal sidon hisah. This character is in the fifth degree,
independent and arbitrary. It may be preserved in the fifth degree while it stands
independent and arbitrary: That is, without a straight mark inserted above or below it. By
inserting a straight mark over it thus, (2) it increases its signification five degrees: by
inserting two straight lines, thus: (3) its signification is increased five times more. By
inserting three straight lines thus (4) its signification is again increased five times more
than the last. By counting the numbers of straight lines, or considering them as qualifying
adjectives we have the degrees of comparison. There are five connecting parts of speech
in the above character, called Za-ki oan hish These five connecting parts of speech, for
verbs, participles— prepositions, conjunctions, and adverbs. In translating this character,
this subject must be continued until there are as many of these connecting parts of speech
used as there are connections or connecting parts found in the character…”
In the beginning of the Grammar and Alphabet book there is a lecture
on how parts of speech are encoded into the characters. The first
character is used as the example. Below is an excerpt from the lecture

Grammar Content Example 2
The beginning of the Grammar and Alphabet book also shows a character
“dissected” into its parts of speech. Although there seems to be some uncertainty
about how to dissect the character (see image right), the dissection in the table
below follows after the initial attempt.

Grammar Content Example 3
● For the majority of the Grammar and Alphabet book, it follows similar to the alphabets by
providing a character, sound, and explanation, although in more degrees. See the example
below of two characters from Part 1 of the Alphabet
● The definitions appear to get simpler as the degree increases. However, a precise system is
not clear from the explanations given.

Correlation between BoA Manuscripts and Papyri
● We will now attempt to locate the source of the characters that
appear in the margins of the BoA manuscript
● The BoA scroll is easily identified by what would become known
and Facsimile 1. The BoA text also describes this representation
as being at the beginning of the document.
● Abraham 1:12 - “...the priest laid violence upon me...that you may
have knowledge of this alter, I will refer you to the representation at
the commencement of this record.”
Facsimile 1
read from right to left
Priest
Alter

Characters in the Manuscripts
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
● Circled in red is the location of the characters
mainly used for the Alphabet and Grammar
● In the area circled in blue we expect to find the
text of the Book of Abraham based on the
reference to Facsimile 1 in the text itself.
● Each character in the manuscript is given a
small red number as show on the left (first 3
pages of 10 shown) for identification on the
following slides
Pages
Complete Manuscript Character index
2

Manuscript Character Papyri locations
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Although the damaged areas make the beginning unclear, we quickly see a sequential copying of
characters from this area. The source of the characters associated with the damaged areas will
be discussed in the next section
21

Manuscript Character Papyri locations Continued
23
24
25
26
27
The final 5 characters from the BoA manuscript (shown below) continue line by line from the
Papyri. The translation ends at character 26 (Abraham 2:18)
22

Method of Restoring Characters from Damaged Areas
Lucy Mack Smith - “When Joseph was reading the papyrus, he closed his eyes, and
held a hat over his face, and that the revelation came to him and that were the papyrus
was torn, he could read the parts that were destroyed equally as well as those that
were there” Friends’ Weekly Intelligencer, 3 Oct. 1846, 211.

Correlation
between BoA text
and Alphabet
translations

First 3 Characters in Manuscript
Grammar and Alphabet
Book of Abraham Manuscript
Numbering referring to
locations in the text
The next few slides will compare the explanations of these characters in the
Grammar with the text associated in the Manuscript

BoA Manuscript 1:1-2
(verse 1) In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my
fathers, I, Abraham, saw, that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence, (verse
2) and seeing there was greater happiness and peace and rest, for me, I sought for the blessings
of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same
Character
dissected
into 6 parts
1
From Grammar Part 1

BoA Manuscript 1:2
Having been a follower of righteousness; desiring to be one who possessed great Knowledge; a
greater follower of righteousness; <a possessor of greater Knowledge;> a father of many
nations; a prince of peace; one who keeps the commandments of God a rightful heir; a high
priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers (end of verse 2)
From Grammar Part 1
Alphabet A Alphabet B Alphabet C
Note: the character “Ah brah-aam” is drawn slightly different each
time and has a pronounced “tail” in the Grammar book. The
character is given the same name in all 4 documents and the
correlation to the manuscript text leaves little doubt that this is the
intended character. Also, some of the character was cut off when
the page was cut out of the notebook
2

BoA Manuscript 1:3
(verse 3) {It was conferred upon me from the fathers}, from the beginning of time; even from
the begining, or before the foundation of the earth, down to the present time; even the right of
the first born, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through <the> fathers, unto me.
From Grammar Part 1
Alphabet A Alphabet B Alphabet C Papyri
Note: the character “Kiah broam” is drawn
differently in the grammar book, but is given the
same name in all 4 documents.
3
Note: this phase was added during printing

Characters from damaged portion - Row 1
4. (verse 4) I sought for mine appointment unto the priesthood according to the appointment of God, unto the fathers,
concerning the Seed.
5. (verse 5) my fathers having turned from their righteousness, and from the holy commandments, which the Lord their
God had given unto them, unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathens.
6. utterly refused to hearken to my voice (verse 6) for their hearts were set to do evil, and were wholly turned to the god
of Elkkener and the god of Zibnah and the god of Mahmackrah and the god of Koash and the god of Pharaoh King of
Egypt, therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrafice of the heathens, in offering up their Children unto these dum
Idols, and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavoured to take away <my> life by the hand of the priest of Elkkener.
4
5
6
Characters 4, 5, and 6 do not exactly match any characters from
the Alphabets or the Grammar book, nor does the text match any
character explanations. However, they do match the general style
of characters from Parts 1 and 2 of the alphabet and may have
been constructed from several characters. Some examples below
for comparison
Starting is chapter 1 verse 4

14.(verse23) The land of Egypt being first discovered, by a woman, who
was the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Zeptah, which in the
chaldea, signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden.(verse
24) Which When this woman discovered the land. it was under water,
who after settled her sons in it, and thus from Ham, sprang that race,
which preserved, the curse in the land.
Character 14 has a resemblance to a character called “Iota Toues
Zip Zi” The explanation seems to line up as well.
14
From Grammar Part 1

15. (verse 25) Now the first government, of Egypt was established by Pharaoh,
the eldest son of Egyptes, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner
of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal, (verse 26) Pharaoh being a
righteous man established his Kingdom, and judged his p[e]ople wisely and justly
all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate, that order established by the fathers in
the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of
Adam, and also Noah his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth
and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the priesthood
Characters 15 contains the character “Zub Zool eh” and there is
some correlation between the explanation on the Grammar and
the manuscript translation. Other parts of the character and
translation do not have a clear connection
15
From Grammar Part 1

16. (verse 27)Now Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not
have the right of priesthood, notwithstanding, the Pharaoh’s, would feign
claim it. from Noah, through Ham, therefore, my father was led away, by
their Idolatry, (verse 28) but I shall endeavour hereafter to delineate the
chronology, running back from myself to the beginning of the creation, for
the records have come into my hands which I hold unto this present time.
Part of character 16 appears to contains the character “Zub zool.”
However, only a small portion of the translation seems to
correlate.
16
From Grammar Part 1

Translation of characters take directly from Papyri
Possible referencing of the Alphabet and Grammar took place when translating this character
From Alphabets

Translation of characters take directly from Papyri
The translation of characters 9, 10, 11, and 12 is shown below for context. Note that verses in
the canonized version were added later and do not line up with the characters as originally
translated.

Official church Essay on the Book of Abraham
● Beginning in 2013 the church released
a series of official essays regarding
certain controversial topics.
● One of which covers the Translation
and Historicity of the Book of Abraham
● Although the essay attempts maintain
the most faithful interpretation of the
data as possible, it makes several
admissions that call into question
Joseph Smith’s own claims about
being able to translate ancient texts.
Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham Essay
Church Essays

Official Church Essay Quote
“Neither the rules nor the translations in the grammar
book correspond to those recognized by Egyptologists
today.” - Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham Essay
● 1 October 1835 (JS Journal)
○ “This afternoon labored on the Egyptian alphabet, in
company with Oliver Cowdery and William W. Phelps. The
System of astronomy was unfolded”
● July 1835 (JS History Vol B-1 pp. 597)
○ “The remainder of this month I was continually engaged in translating
and alphabet to the Book of Abraham, and arranging a Grammar of the
Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients.”

Official Church Essay Quotes
“None of the characters on the papyrus fragments mentioned Abraham’s name or any of the
events recorded in the book of Abraham. Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists agree that the
characters on the fragments do not match the translation given in the book of Abraham, …
Scholars have identified the papyrus fragments as parts of standard funerary texts that were
deposited with mummified bodies. These fragments date to between the third century B.C.E. and
the first century C.E., long after Abraham lived.” - Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham Essay
● 6 July 1835 (JS History Vol B-1 pp. 596)
○ “...Soon after this, some of the Saints at Kirtland, purchased the
Mummies and Papyrus (a description of which will appear hereafter)
and I, with William W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery, as scribes,
commenced the translation of some of the characters or
hieroglyphics, and much to our joy found that one of the rolls
contained the writings of Abraham; another the writings of Joseph of
Egypt.”
● 7 October 1835 (JS Journal)
○ “This afternoon recommenced translating the ancient records”
● 19 November 1835 (JS Journal)
○ “I returned home and spent the day in translating the Egyptian
records…”
Introduction in the canonized of the
Book of Abraham

What is actually on the Scroll?
The Breathing Permit of Hôr or Hor Book of Breathing is a Ptolemaic era funerary text
written for a Theban priest named Hôr. The breathing permit or Book of Breathing assisted its
owner in navigating through the afterlife, being judged worthy and living forever.
A full translation can be found on the wikipedia page linked below
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breathing_Permit_of_H%C3%B4r

Book of Breathings or Breathing Permit
“First Book for breathings” - Lafayette College
An example of a complete Book of Breathings is shown below. The exact vignettes that
are drawn can vary from scroll to scroll. However the text is fairly standardized from
Egyptian Religion.
Another rendition of the scene that
became known as Facsimile 3
Another type of scene from the
beginning of the text in place of
what became known as factimile 1

Official Essay Arguments
● “The relationship of these documents (Alphabets and Grammar) to the book of Abraham is not fully
understood. Neither the rules nor the translations in the grammar book correspond to those recognized
by Egyptologists today.”
○ A careful examination of these documents shows a progression of ideas from the alphabets
to the Grammar that were then utilized in the Book of Abram text and facsimile explanations.
● “Neither the Lord nor Joseph Smith explained the process of translation of the book of Abraham, …
Records indicate that Joseph and others studied the papyri and that close observers also believed that
the translation came by revelation. As John Whitmer observed, ‘Joseph the Seer saw these Record[s]
and by the revelation of Jesus Christ could translate these records.’”
○ Regardless of the process we have the characters and the associated translations which are
incorrect. How could true revelation produce a false translation?
● Some have assumed that the hieroglyphs adjacent to and surrounding facsimile 1 must be a source for
the text of the book of Abraham. But this claim rests on the assumption that a vignette and its adjacent
text must be associated in meaning. In fact, it was not uncommon for ancient Egyptian vignettes to be
placed some distance from their associated commentary.
○ A careful examination of the Manuscripts and Papyri show the characters adjacent to
facsimile 1 are indeed the source of the Book of Abraham. This is not a assumption but is
directly supported by the data. See slides 34 through 38

Official Essay Arguments
● “It is likely futile to assess Joseph’s ability to translate papyri when we now have only a fraction of the
papyri he had in his possession. Eyewitnesses spoke of “a long roll” or multiple “rolls” of papyrus. Since
only fragments survive, it is likely that much of the papyri accessible to Joseph when he translated the
book of Abraham is not among these fragments. The loss of a significant portion of the papyri means
the relationship of the papyri to the published text cannot be settled conclusively by reference to the
papyri.”
○ As has been shown in previous slides the characters in the manuscripts are copied
sequentially front he papyri adjacent to facsimile 1. This definitively links the Book of
Abraham text to characters on the papyri fragments we have. The essay seems to
contradict itself by saying the translation does not match but it is “futile” to assess
Joseph's ability to translate?
● “Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists agree that the characters on the fragments do not match the
translation given in the book of Abraham, though there is not unanimity, even among non-Mormon
scholars, about the proper interpretation of the vignettes on these fragments.Scholars have identified
the papyrus fragments as parts of standard funerary texts that were deposited with mummified bodies.”
○ It is quite misleading to say that there is not unanimity among non-Mormon scholars about
the proper interpretation of the vignettes (facsimiles) as if this makes Joseph's
interpretations just a valid. This will be examined in detail in the next section.

Facsimile 1
● 23 February 1842 (JS Journal)
○ “...visited the printing office & gave R. Hadlock instructions concerning
the cut for the alter & gods in the Records of Abraham as design for
the Times and Seasons”
● 2 March 1842 (JS Journal)
○ Read the Proof of the Times and Seasons as Editor for the First time,
No 9th Vol3rd in which is the commencement of the Book of
Abraham…”
Times and Seasons March 1 1842
Printing Plate or “cut”
Joseph Smith refers to giving instructions
concerning “the cut for the altar and gods”.
The cut he is referring to here is a carved
lead plate used for printing as shown on the
right.
He was likely giving instructions on how to
fill in the damaged areas to R. Hadlock.
First Printing of Facsimile 1

Facsimile 1 Book Of Abraham
Original Papyrus Canonized Version
The damaged portions of facsimile 1 were restored by Joseph Smith as shown from the pencil marks
on the backing material. This was changed slightly for the printed version which was first published in
1842. Note the numbers given to each item. Joseph Smith gives an interpretation of these which will
be examined later.

Facsimile 1 Modern Reconstructions
Original Papyrus
Based on many other examples of this scene, modern egyptologists have provided reconstructions of
what was likely in the damaged portions. It is impossible to know exactly what was there, but the range of
things is fairly narrow. The dark figure standing by the lion couch is a Jackal headed God known as
Anubis, or the “Conductor of Souls”. The figure on the lion couch is the God Osiris and represents the
deceased to whom the scroll belongs.
Egyptologist reconstruction of Facsimile 1 (Charles Larson)

Who is Anubis?
In the Early Dynastic period and
the Old Kingdom, Anubis had a
preeminent position as lord of the
dead. He was associated with the
funerary cult and the care of the
dead, and his later role was as
the “conductor of souls.” He was
also reputed to be the inventor of
embalming, an art he first
employed on the corpse of Osiris.

Reanimation Scene examples
Egyptologist reconstruction (Lanny Bell) Typical scene depiction
Another possible reconstruction shows Anubis holding a cup/jar (not a knife) and the figure on the lion
couch having both hands raised

Reanimation Scene examples Continued
The figure (Osiris) on the lion couch can be depicted serval ways
as shown. Although the vignettes can very, the scenes are
portraying the funeral procedure, according to the Egyption
religion, not a human sacrifice.

Less common “phallic” scenes
Egyptologist Reconstruction (Charles Larson) Chapel of Osiris in Dendera Temple
A less common, more “sacred” scene depicts Osiris impregnating his wife (depicted by the bird). This
scene is usually only found in the more holy parts of Egyptian temples.

Less common “phallic” scenes Continued
A few more examples as described on the previous slide. These are wall carvings in the Temple of Seti I
at Abydos in Egypt.

Facsimile 1 Key Points
Although exact depictions vary, the scene is well known
and documented in Egyptian Religion. For example,
Moroni burying a treasure chest is similar to how an
Egyptian would view changing out the head of Anubis. It
is obvious once you know the stories behind the pictures!
Key points
● The lion couch would never be used for sacrifices
and would not be referred to as an “alter”.
● Anubis would never be holding a knife. This does
not fit with Egyption mythology.
● All the symbolism that is well understood, Joseph
interpreted wrong (i.e. Anubis, libation table, the lion
couch, and so on)

Facsimile 2 Connection to Book of Abraham
● 4 March 1842 (JS Journal)
○ “…Exhibiting the Book of Abraham in the original to Bro R.
Hadlock so that he might take the size of several
plates…Also gave instruction concerning the arrangement of
the writing on the large cut illustrating the principles of
Astronomy…”
● In the canonized version of the BoA, Facsimile 2 is
placed in the middle of chapter 3, which has a chapter
heading of “Abraham learns about the sun, moon, and
stars by means of the Urim and Thummim”
First Printing of Facsimile 2
The “large cut” almost certainly
refers to facsimile 2 due to the
mention of astronomy.
Planets, stars, and the order of the
heavens are described in much of
the descriptions by Joseph Smith
for this image. Printing Plate 2

Facsimile 2 Source
Copy of Original Papyrus Canonized Version (red for added parts)
Although the original Papyri that contained Facsimile 2 is now lost, there was a copy made before March
1842 that shows what the original likely looked like. It is assumed that portions left blank indicated
damaged areas of the original. In the following section, the red lines will show what has been added for the
final version.

Facsimile 2 Missing Parts Sources
Fragment of Book of the Dead for Semminis–C
The image in the top right appears to have been
copied from another Papyri which Joseph Smith
associated with the Book of Joseph. Egyptologist
have identified this writing as the Book of the Dead
for Semminis (name of one of the mummies)

Facsimile 2 Missing Parts Sources Continued
The head of the figure in the center
appears to have been copied from the
top center figure, shown in blue
The small table in the top center
sections (shown in green) seems to be
a copy of the table from Facsimile 1 .
Known to Egyptologists as a libation
table (offerings to deity)

The characters in the middle right area appear to have been copied from characters in the
Breathing Permit of Hôr right where the BoA translation ends. However, they were flipped
upside down.
Rotate
180°
Characters
associated with BoA

The characters in the top right
outer circle appear to be a rotated
version of a character that was
also used in the BoA translation.
Rotate
Characters
associated with BoA
As copied in
manuscript C

The characters along the right outer circle appear to be a rotated version of a
characters in row 3 of the Breathing Permit of Hôr. These were also reused
from the BoA translation
Characters
associated with BoA

What should Facsimile 2 Really be? - A Hypocephalus
A hypocephalus is a small disk-shaped object generally
made of stuccoed linen but also of papyrus bronze, gold,
wood, or clay, which ancient Egyptians from the Late
Period onwards placed under the heads of their dead.
The circle was believed to magically protect the
deceased, cause the head and body to be enveloped in
light and warmth, making the deceased divine. It replaced
the earlier cow-amulet.
Hypocephalus of Tasheritkhons at British Museum
Mogadir @ Wikipedia CC-BY-SA-3.0

Very Similar Hypocephalus for Comparison
Hypocephalus located at Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Circa 300 AD (similar time period to that of the Joseph Smith Papyri)

Incorrectly restored Items Images

Incorrectly restored Text around circumference
Following the arrows from left
to right, observe the between
the text in the two images. The
significant changes begin
where Joseph Smith filled in
the missing parts, as shown in
red. There is no correlation
with any of the Smith copied
characters.

Facsimile 2 Descriptions by Joseph Smith
Fig. 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 the 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.
Fig. 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.
Fig. 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, Melchisedek, Abraham and all to whom the Priesthood was revealed.
Fig. 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.
Fig. 5, Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-ondosh; that 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.
Fig. 6, Represents this earth in its four quarters.
Fig. 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.
Fig. 8, Contains writing that cannot be revealed unto the world; but is to be had in the Holy Temple of God.
Fig. 9, Ought not to be revealed at the present time.
Fig. 10, Also.
Fig. 11, Also.—If the world can find out these numbers, So let it be, Amen.
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21, will be given in the own due time of the Lord.
The above translation is given as far as we have any right to give, at the present time.
-[From the Times and Seasons, Vol. 3, No. 10 edited and published by JOSEPH SMITH, in the City of Nauvoo, Illinois, March, 15, 1842.]-
Notable Egyptian words that have connection to the Grammar Book are highlighted
Original descriptions as printed in times and seasons

Connection to the Grammar and Alphabet
● earth, which is called by the Egyptians Jah-oh-eh.
● Floeese or the Moon, the earth and the Sun in their annual revolutions.
● Fig. 5, Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-ondosh; that is one of the governing planets also; and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun
● This planet receives its power through the medium of Kli-flos-is-es
● Fig. 1. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God
From Grammar and Alphabet Part 2

Facsimile 3 Original
Current Canonized Version
Although the original fragment is
missing, this particular scene is well
identified with being at the end of the
Book of Breathings or Breathing Permit.
May 16th 1842 in Times
and Season Facsimile 3

Comparable Scene
Generally this scene depicts the deceased being presented
before Osiris to be judged. Notice Anubis is holding the
hand of the deceased, not a slave as described by Joseph
Smith.
At the Museum of the University of Tübingen - Germany

Facsimile 3 Printing Plate
The “slave” with what looks like a spike on it’s head should be Anubis. The
different tool marks near the nose indicate that his snout was originally there but
was removed near the end before printing. We would also expect another ear. The
small notch in the head suggests the original location of the second ear.
Printing Plate for Facsimile 3

Reference to Characters in Facsimile 3
EXPLANATION
Fig. 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.
Fig. 2. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the
characters above his head.
Fig. 3. Signifies Abraham in Egypt as given also in Figure
10 of Facsimile No. 1.
Fig. 4. Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above
the hand.
Fig. 5. Shulem, one of the king’s principal waiters, as
represented by the characters above his hand.
Fig. 6. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince.
Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in
the king’s court.
In the explanations given by Joseph Smith, it unquestionably links specific characters to an
english translation. As we will see on the following slide these translations are incorrect
Explanation of facsimile 3

Conclusions and Questions
● Joseph Smith claimed to be translating Egyptian and arranging an
Egyptian Grammar. The Church admits this was all incorrect.
● Joseph Smith claimed the Breathing Permit of Hor was about Abraham
● In areas where characters or images were damaged, the inserted items
are proven copies from other areas or invented.
● All interpretations of the Facsimiles are incorrect
● Deliberate changes were made to Anubis in facsimile 3 to alter what
would originally be there. Implying conscious deception.
● How could a true prophet, seerer, and revelator be so mistaken?
● Would God really be the author of such confusion?
● What does this say about his claim to have translated other ancient documents
(reformed Egyptian from the gold plates)?

Main sources and referenced work
Dr. Robert Ritner Mormon Stories Interview
Dan Vogel Book of Abraham Series
Dan Vogel - Book of Abraham Apologetics

Book of Abraham Translation

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