THE BOOK OF ABRAHAM

ITS AUTHENTICITY ESTABLISHED AS A DIVINE AND ANCIENT RECORD

WITH COPIOUS REFERENCES TO ANCIENT AND MODERN AUTHORITIES

BY ELDER GEO. REYNOLDS.

1879 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.–THE DISCOVERY AND SUBSEQUENT HISTORY
OF THE MUMMIES.–TRANSLATION OF THE PAPYRUS BY THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH.

THE late republication of the pearl of great price has drawn renewed attention
to the Book of Abraham, which forms a portion of its contents. And as but very
little has ever been said by the Elders of the Church in advocacy of its claims
as an inspired record, written by one prophet of God in the infancy of the earth’s
history, and translated by another prophet of the Most High in the dispensation
of the fulness of times, we think that a few chapters written to prove its genuineness
and divine origin, will not be without value to the Latter-day Saints, and to
the world at large. For while the people of God have said or written little
in its defense, there have been those opposed to the revelations of God in these
days, who have vigorously attacked it, who have styled its language “gibberish,”
and classed it among the “pious frauds” that have so often disgraced the history
of religion, Christian and heathen. We hold, and we have confidence that we
can prove, by history, science, and in various other ways, that the Book of
Abraham is exactly what it claims to be, and that it was translated by the wisdom
and power of God for the benefit of the human family, by the Prophet Joseph
Smith.

Before entering into the discussion of its contents, we deem it advisable
to say a few words with regard to the manner in which it fell into the possession
of our martyred Prophet. The account he gives in his history of this incident,
is to be found under date of December 30, 1835, (Vol. XV. Millennial Star,)
from which we condense: He states that the records from which the Book of Abraham
was translated were found in one of the catacombs, near the city of Thebes,
in Egypt, in the year 1831, by a French traveler named Antonio Sebolo, who had
received permission from Mehemet Ali, the then ruler of Egypt, to open it.

After vast labor, an entrance was effected on the 7th of July, 1831, and
several hundred mummies discovered therein, in various stages of decomposition.
M. Sebolo obtained eleven of the best preserved mummies and started with them
for Paris, the capital of France. On the way he was taken sick, and after an
illness of ten days, died at Trieste. In his will he left these valued remains
of ancient Egyptian art to his nephew, Mr. M. H. Chandler, and after various
vicissitudes they came into this latter gentleman’s possession in April, 1833.
He proceeded to make a living by their exhibition, and traveled about the country
for that purpose, reaching Kirtland July 3d, 1835.

In the meantime he had opened the coffins and found “that in connection with
two of the bodies was something rolled up with the same kind of linen, saturated
with the same bitumen, which, when examined, proved to be two rolls of papyrus.”
“Two or three other small pieces of papyrus, with astronomical calculations,
epitaphs, etc., were found with others of the mummies.” In Joseph’s history
is the following account of Mr. C’s visit to Kirtland.

“On the 3d of July Michael H. Chandler came to Kirtland to exhibit some Egyptian
mummies. There were four human figures, together with some two or more rolls
of papyrus covered with hieroglyphic figures and devices. As Mr. Chandler had
been told I could translate them, he brought me some of the characters, and
I gave him the interpretation, and like a gentleman he gave me the following
certificate:

‘ KIRKLAND, July 6, 1835.

‘This is to make known to all who may be desirous, concerning the knowledge
of Mr. Joseph Smith, jun., in deciphering the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic
characters in my possession, which I have, in many eminent cities, showed to
the most learned; and, from the information that I could ever learn, or meet
with, I find that of Mr. Joseph Smith, jun., to correspond in the most minute
matters.

‘MICHAEL H. CHANDLER,

‘ Traveling with, and proprietor of Egyptian mummies.’ ” (1 )

The Prophet, a few days later, writes: “Soon after this some of the Saints
in Kirtland purchased the mummies and the papyrus, and I, with W. W. Phelps
and O. 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, etc., a more
full account of which will appear in their place as I proceed to examine and
unfold them. Truly we can say the Lord is beginning to reveal the abundance
of peace and truth.”

From this time it appears from the history that Joseph set himself diligently
to work to translate the records, as often as his other important duties permitted.
Under date of October 1st, he records in his journal: “This afternoon I labored
on the Egyptian alphabet, in company with Brothers O. Cowdery and W. W. Phelps,
and during the research, the principles of astronomy as understood by Father
Abraham and the ancients, unfolded to our understandings.” It is desirable that
these dates and facts should be remembered, as they have an important bearing
on our future inquiries. Under date of October 7th, November 24th, and in other
places, he refers to his labors in translating the papyrus.

He also makes frequent reference to showing his friends these records, and
of explaining to them their contents, not only to those in the Church, but to
numbers who were not members. We will simply cite one instance. “December 16th,
1835. Elders McLellin, B. Young, and J. Carter called and paid me a visit, with
which I was much gratified. I exhibited and explained the Egyptian records to
them, and explained many things concerning the dealings of God with the ancients,
and the formation of the planetary system.” (2 )

The next thing we deem in order is to give the Prophet’s description of the
appearance of the papyrus, which description, we may remark in passing, is identical
with that of President John Taylor, who frequently saw them when in Brother
Joseph’s possession. The latter writes: (3 )

“The record of Abraham and Joseph, found with the mummies, is beautifully
written on papyrus, with black, and a small part with red, ink or paint, in
perfect preservation. The characters are such as you find upon the coffins of
mummies, hieroglyphics, etc., with many characters or letters like the present
(though probably not quite so square) form of Hebrew, without points.”

Before proceeding further, it will doubtless be desirable to give a slight
sketch of the contents of those portions of the Book of Abraham already translated
and published. It opens with a short account of his early life at the home of
his father in Ur of Chaldea, of the persecutions he suffered for righteousness’
sake from his idolatrous kindred, and of the causes that led him to leave Chaldea
for Canaan. It gives, at greater length than does the Bible, the covenants made
with him by the Almighty, and affords some exceedingly interesting details with
regard to the history of the priesthood in that early day.

Further on an account of Abraham’s visit to Egypt is given, and the revelations
of God to him, with regard to the order of the planetary worlds, the condition
of the spirits of mankind in their pre-existent state, and a history of the
creation of this earth are laid before the reader in plain and simple, but inspired
and soul inspiring language. No short synopsis can give any idea of the beauty,
grandeur and value of the truths made manifest by the Most High to his friend
and servant, Abraham; truths which the world, to-day, in part ignores and partly
comprehends.

We suggest to our readers the study of this important, though brief fragment,
feeling assured that they will arise from its perusal with a more exalted and
more comprehensive realization of the power, the glory and the love of God,
than the study of any uninspired treatise could ever give, no matter how beautiful
its language, or how sublime its thoughts.

It is our intention, as we pass along, to take up the various subjects treated
in the Book of Abraham, and demonstrate the exact truthfulness of the record,
by the writings of historians, ancient and modern, by the discoveries of archaeologists,
Egyptiologists, astronomers and other scientists, and prove, we believe, beyond
the possibility of successful contradiction, that no element of fraud enters
into its composition.

So remarkable have been the confirmatory evidences that we have met in our
investigations into this subject, that we are of the opinion that there is not
a book in existence whose genuineness can be more easily proven than can that
of the record of the Father of the Faithful. Being thus fully assured, we shall
lay the forthcoming chapters before our readers with the joyful assurance that
they will add to the already incontrovertible testimonies that Joseph Smith
was a prophet, seer and revelator, and servant of the Most High God.

We make this last statement advisedly, because it must be evident to all
who seriously consider the matter, that if the Book of Abraham as given to us
by Joseph Smith be true, it must have been translated by a greater than human
power. We well know that so far as the wisdom of this world is concerned, Joseph
Smith was an unlearned man, unskilled in the higher branches of science, with
little other knowledge than that which heaven conferred, but had he been a scientist
of the highest order the production of the Book of Abraham would be but little
less remarkable, as many of the truths taught therein (as we shall presently
see) are in advance of the times, and were as unknown to the sage as to the
simpleton in the year that the papyrus was translated, and indeed for many years
afterwards. Consequently, human learning and human wisdom could not give them
to the world. By some other power, which we claim was divine, they must have
been revealed and made manifest.

(1 ) History of Joseph Smith, Millennial
Star, Vol. XV, page 285.

(2 ) History of Joseph Smith, Millennial
Star, Vol. XV, page 519.

(3 ) Ibul, Vol. XV, page 550.