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Book of Abraham facsimiles/Facsimile 1
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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
Photograph of Facsimile 1 from the recovered Joseph Smith Papyri
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.
Endnotes
- [note] Michael D. Rhodes, The Hor Book of Breathings: A Translation and Commentary (Provo, Utah: FARMS, 2002), 19 (18–23).