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Joseph Smith's Explanations of Facsimile 3 of the Book of Abraham
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Joseph Smith's Explanations of Facsimile 3 of the Book of Abraham
Summary: This page will discuss Joseph Smith's Explanations of Facsimile 3 of the Book of Abraham.
Of Facsimile 3, Joseph Smith said that it is "Abraham . . . reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king's court." According to modern Egyptologists, the Facsimile depicts Hor's life being weighed by the gods prior to his permission to enter into eternal life and salvation.
| Facsimile 3 | Joseph Smith's Explanation | Modern Egyptologists' Explanation | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Label for Osiris (text to the right of figure 1 of Facsimile No. 3): Recitation by Osiris, Foremost of the Westerners, Lord of Abydos(?), the great god forever and ever(?). | |
| Fig. 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 No. 3): Isis the great, the god's mother. | |
| Fig. 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. | |
| Fig. 4 | Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand. | Label for Maat (text to the left of figure 4 of Facsimile No. 3): Maat, mistress of the gods. | |
| Fig. 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 No. 3): The Osiris Hor, justified forever. | |
| Fig. 6 | Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince. | Label for Anubis (text in front of figure 6 of Facsimile No. 3): Recitation by Anubis, who makes protection(?), foremost of the embalming booth |
Notes