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Difference between revisions of "Book of Abraham facsimiles/Facsimile 1"
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| − | [[Image:BOAfacsimile1.jpg | + | [[Image:BOAfacsimile1.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Photograph of Facsimile 1 from the recovered Joseph Smith Papyri]] |
| − | [[Image:facsimile1.jpg | + | [[Image:facsimile1.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Facsimile 1 from the Book of Abraham]] |
The papyrus with the illustration represented in Facsimile 1 ([http://scriptures.lds.org/en/abr/fac_1 view]) is the only recovered item that has any connection to the text of the Book of Abraham. | The papyrus with the illustration represented in Facsimile 1 ([http://scriptures.lds.org/en/abr/fac_1 view]) is the only recovered item that has any connection to the text of the Book of Abraham. | ||
Revision as of 22:24, 2 December 2009
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Contents
Facsimile 1: The "lion couch" scene
Criticism
Critics make the following claims regarding Facsimile 1:
- It is claimed that the missing portions of the drawing were incorrectly restored.
- It is claimed that Abraham has never been associated with the lion couch vignette such as that portrayed in Facsimile #1 of the Book of Abraham.
Response
The papyrus with the illustration represented in Facsimile 1 (view) is the only recovered item that has any connection to the text of the Book of Abraham.
This vignette is called a "lion couch scene" by Egyptologists. It usually represents the embalming of the deceased individual in preparation for burial. However, this particular lion couch scene represents the resurrection of Hor (figure 2), aided by the Egyptian god Anubis (3).[1]
Abraham 1:12 and the notes to Facsimile 1 identify it as representing Abraham being sacrificed by the priest of Elkenah in Ur.
Is there one bird or two?
Hand versus wing
Critics claim that a missing portion of Facsimile 1 contained a second bird, and that the partial figure interpreted as Abraham's second hand is actually the wing of this bird.
Compare the disputed figure with the wing of the existing bird. Note that they are not drawn in similar styles. Also note that the Egyptians drew elongated thumbs. The disputed figure shows such a thumb.
Not all lion couch images contain two birds.
Association between Abraham and the lion couch scene
Photo appearing in John Gee, “Research and Perspectives: Abraham in Ancient Egyptian Texts,” Ensign, Jul 1992, 60 Caption "A lion couch scene appears in Leiden Papyrus I 384 (PGM xii). The outline marks Abraham’s name, written in Greek. (Courtesy of Rijksmuseum van Oudheden.)"
Critics claim that Abraham would never be associated with the Egyptian "lion couch" scene. Recently, however Abraham's name has indeed been discovered associated with one such "lion couch" scene. [2]