The Facsimiles of Abraham (Very) Broad Overview Translation vs Transmission Adult female quadrupedal ruminant mammal Common representation of cardiac organ Human organ for detection of light stimuli YOU LOVE I Often we confuse TRANSLATION with TRANSMISSION (literal translation) Transmission Translation ewe heart (love) eye Translation vs Transmission Transmission Translation Go to the arena and play hockey with Jason Conveying meaning thats even harder Head down by the Chatty stones to fire oranges at the Moose Whose were they? Hor (Fac 1 & 3) Could be the (relatively insignificant) Pharaoh who ruled about 7 months at about 1760 BC Sheshonq (Fac 2) Shishaq? Around 920 BC Fought Jerusalem (1 Kings 14:25; 2 Chr 12:1-12) Abraham in Egypt? A papyrus scroll found in Thebes is very interesting: Portrays a lion-couch scene The characters beneath read, Abraham who upon Facsimile 1 A model for life Abraham Abraham fastened upon an altar Egyptologists would immediately identify this figure as Osiris - Not Abraham Not only because of the way it is drawn, but because Osiris was usually the figure being embalmed or sacrificed in these scenes Does that matter? ?!? Abraham or Osiris? The title Osiris is given to the deceased He was the dead and resurrected god... is like Osiris and therefore, by the Egyptian way of thought, is Osiris. That person takes on the gods attributes and actually becomes the god! Abraham or Osiris? symbols of Christ! Like the Egyptian dead were received to Osiris and became like him we become like Abraham who became like God. Two raised hands This position is peculiar for someone lying on a couch or altar But when the figure is vertical it is more easily identifiable. With hands raised and right foot forward, Abraham has assumed a traditional position for offering a prayer. Two hands raised is typical when deeply imploring God No other known scene portrays the victim in this way The Priest The idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to offer up Abraham as a sacrifice Critics would say that the facsimile is wrong because this figure is always portrayed as the Jackal-headed god Anubis The outfit is always seen on Anubis Anubis was most often the figure embalming or sacrificing in these scenes Were Joseph & Reuben wrong? Anubis Firstly, recall that this portion of the facsimile was missing on the original papyrus If we looked for this facsimile to be similar to others of this kind then perhaps it would indeed have been the head of Anubis Anubis mask? 1)Assume for the sake of argument that the head on Facsimile 1 Figure 3 is correct. What are the implications of the figure being a bald man? Shaving was a common feature of initiation into the priesthood from the Old Kingdom through the Roman period. Since "Complete shaving of the head was another mark of the priest" the bald figure would then be a priest. 2)Assume on the other hand that the head on Facsimile 1 Figure 3 is that of a jackal,. We have representations of priests wearing masks, Thus, however the restoration is made, the individual shown in Facsimile1 Figure 3 is a priest, and the entire question of which head should be on the figure is moot so far as identifying the figure is concerned. Hunefer's mummy, held up by a priest wearing the jackal's mask, while Hunefer's widow weeps. 4 canopic jars Ezekiel 1:10, 10:14, Rev. 4:7 #FigureEgyptian Name Part of Body BoA Name Direction 5FalconQebehsenuefIntestinesElkenahEast 6JackalDuamutefStomachLibnahWest 7ApeHapyLungsMamackrahNorth 8HumanImsetyLiverKorashSouth 4 Canopic Jars - Elkenah Hawk-headed Hebrew word El-qanah, a name for 6 or more persons (often Levites, cf. 1 Sam. 1:1-2. At Gen. 14:19 we read "El Elyon qoneh shamayim we'aretz," "El, the Exalted one, posessor [Creator] of Heaven and Earth. East 4 Canpoic Jars - Libnah WEST Libnah does mean White Land The idolatrous god of Libnah does have the mask of Anubis The jackal-headed canopic figure does stand for the West Anubis is the Lord of the West Anubis is also Lord of the White land White is the ritual color of the west 4 Canpoic Jars - Mahmackrah North Mah-mack-rah might have the Egyptian meaning "who is mighty like Re." Mai-m-hqa meaning the lion is ruler. Our canopic name would then be Mai-m-akr-ah which would mean The lion Akr is great! Akr being the earth god as lion Abraham is on the LION couch to be sure 4 Canpoic Jars - Korash South The last is Korash, and correlating to the South. Land of Cush? This is the region south of Egypt The Crocodile The God of Pharaoh love-hate relationship with the animal.... the Egyptians ascribe honor and power to crocodiles, when they esteem such as are seized upon to be happy persons, and persons worthy of God (Josephus) The Crocodile Because of the exalted office of the Pharaoh, anything that warranted his homage was regarded as a God. In the delta region of the Nile there were a lot of crocodiles around which the Egyptians had to be especially careful. Since this was the most feared of the animals it was the God chosen to represent the King himself. The presence of the crocodile in this scene clearly shows that this scene involves human sacrifice Cosmic Waters This word and the word written as "shamau" are Hebrew words, their correct definitions given by Joseph Smith. It is interesting that the plural of shamau (written here as Shaumahyeem) is used, apparently to indicate great distance. The slanted lines surrounding the figure of the crocodile are indeed known to symbolize the "heavenly ocean". Egyptians thought of heaven as a cosmic ocean that must be traversed by ship More on this with facsimile 2 The Sed Festival Periodically in the life of the king there was a need for revitalization or renewal. Sed means renewal The Egyptians saw aging as a loss of power and ability Sed Festivals were usually conducted every 30 years and then perhaps every 3 years depending on the king and the peoples impression of him Renewal According to the Egyptians the only real way to be renewed was to die and be resurrected Clearly, literally killing the king wasnt too appealing of an idea for him There was a method of renewal that not only kept the king alive but furnished him with the coveted renewal. This method was based on the principle of substitution. The Substitute An enemy to the king A stranger Royal blood Blond or red hair Captured Red or Blond hair?!?! The Egyptian religion was an earnest imitation of the true patriarchal order because they were of that lineage by which they could not have the right of the priesthood (Abr 1:26-27) The Egyptians, being descendants of Ham were of the lineage that could not hold the Priesthood One way to identify a person who could hold the Priesthood was by their light color The ritual The victim is brought into the court He is dressed in the kings robes He sits on the throne for three days Then he is bound, set on the lion couch altar The priest would kill the victim and put his organs in the 4 canopic jars Acquiring the power By sacrificing such a person the Pharaoh would kill a true rival By eating the substitutes flesh and blood the Pharoah could become an heir of the Priesthood (dont forget about the crocodile) Facsimile 2 Instructions for the Deceased Missing portions of original version Other Hypocephali A hypo-what?!?! Hypocephalus. A Greek word, meaning literally, below (hypo) the head (cephalus), Small, disk-shaped object made of papyrus, stuccoed linen, bronze, gold, wood or clay Egyptians placed under the head of their dead Its purpose was to magically cause the head and body to be enveloped in flames or radiance thus making the deceased divine Where? Heliopolis. Jewish tradition indicates that Abraham spent some time in Heliopolis teaching and debating the priests of Pharaoh concerning such things as the stars. Heliopolis lies about 10 miles northeast of Cairo. Abraham in Egypt? On another papyrus is the phrase, Abraham, the pupil of the eye of the Wedjat This phrase not only places Abraham in Egypt, but ties him to the hypocephalus which is made to represent the Wedjat Eye. Abraham in Egypt? A pseudopigraphic text describes a similar vision to what the PoGP details I will ascend on the wings of the birds to show you (what) is in the heavens, on the earth and in the sea, in the abyss, and in the lower depths, in the garden of Eden and in its rivers, in the fullness of the universe. And you will see its circles in all (Apocalypse of Abraham 12:10) Wedjat Eye Eye of Horus Called the Wedjat Eye, Eye of Re, Eye of Horus Representation of the knowledge and the mind of God The eye is the window into the mind One of the meanings of Horus is Eternal Light Crown of Pharaoh is also called the Eye of Horus Into the darkness If it is an eye, with the middle being the pupil, and the outer rim being the iris, why is it so dilated? Doesnt God dwell in Everlasting Light? Yes! His children are in a world of spiritual darkness All of His work is directed toward us for our spiritual benefit Thus this document contains information that pertains to Gods perspective of the Universe Stars??? Fig 1 Kolob Earth is Jah-oh-eh Fig 2 Stands next to Kolob, Oliblish Fig 5 Enish-go-on-dosh (sun): governing planet. Receives light through the medium of Kae-e- vanrash (governs 15 others). As also Floeese (moon) Kli-flos-is-es Hah-ko-kau-beam Floeese (Moon) Jah-oh-eh (Earth) Enish-go-on-dosh (Sun) Kae-evanrash Hah-ko-kah-beam Kli-flos-isis Oliblish Kolob The Throne of God This is a sort of Light Line of Authority A greater star holds keys or governing power over lesser stars and planets All light flows from the throne of God Figure 1 Seated deity with two heads (usually 4) holding the symbols of life, dominion, and stability. Two Apes (sometimes as many as 8) on either side with moon-disks in an attitude of adoration Two serpents on either side Figure 1 Seated in the very center Amon-Re Attributes of Re (sun), Shu (light), Geb (earth), and Osiris (next world & resurrection) Figure 1 Kolob Nearest to God Center of the Universe Semitic root QLB means Heart or Center Arabic qalb means center, middle, midst Arabic names of some of the brightest stars including Antares, Regulus, and Canopis Figure 1 Joseph identified mentioned Ja-oh-eh as meaning O the Earth In Egyptian Yo-he means Oh Earth Figure 2 Two-headed deity wearing the crown of Amun (means the Hidden One) Jackal heads on his shoulders Holding the jackal standard of Wepwawet (means opener of the way) Text to the left The Name of this Mighty God Figure 2 The name of this Mighty God The Egyptians believed that every god and goddess had a secret name. If anyone could find out this name, he would have power over the god or goddess So these names were known only to the god or goddess and were to be kept very sacred and secret. These names gave the god or goddess power Figure 2 Opener of the way (cf. John 14:6) Amun is the Self-created Created all other gods Agrees well with Joseph Smith's interpretation Figure 3 Hawk-headed God with a sun-disk On either side is a Wedjat Eye (represents light, protection, foresight) Holds the was-scepter (represents power and authority) Missing portions of original version Figure 3 This figure was actually missing from the hypocephalus Joseph Smith had It is an exact copy of a figure in the Book of the Dead which he did have Much later we learned that this figure is found in the same spot in most hypocephali The text to the left was not in the BoD Text reads Divine Ship Figure 3 Crown of Eternal Light All Seeing Eyes (Wedjat Eyes) D&C 38:2 Passage to Eternal Life over the cosmic waters Figure 4 A hawk in mummy wrappings with outspread wings Outspread wings signify Horus who is the personification of the sky The ship is called the ship of 1000 cubits Figure 4 In the festival of Sokar, a procession was held in which the high priest would place the Sokar-boat on a sledge and pull it around the sanctuary. This procession symbolized the revolution of the sun and other celestial bodies. Figure 4 the ship of 1000 cubits long, On the sarcophagus of the princess Anchenneferibre is found a description of the Khabas in Heliopolis and Osiris in his ship of a thousand. The term Khabas... means A Thousand is her souls and refers to the starry hosts of the sky, Confirming again Joseph Smith's explanation that it represents the expanse of the heavens Figure 5 A cow wearing a sun-disk common to almost all hypocephali a form of Hathor Personification of the original waters from which the whole of creation arose Gave birth to the Sun Celestial mother by whom the sun is born each day Figure 5 Lotus lady Presents a new lotus flower each day Indicates daily and annual renewal of the sun Hah-ko-kau-beam Kokob Star Kokobim Stars Hah definite article (the) Figure 6 Four sons of Horus (same as in Fac 1) Represent the 4 cardinal points Lotus blossom Lion/Ape Ram Figure 6 This is precisely the import the Egyptians gave the four canopic figures. Remember the directions, & other representations Lion, Apes & plants Figure 7 Washings, anointings, endowments, and the communication of keys, [are essential to enable one] to secure the fullness of those blessings which have been prepared for the Church of the Firstborn, and come up and abide in the presence of Elohim in the eternal worlds. [TPJS, 237] [we] "have got to learn how to be Gods" and "to be kings and priests to God, the same as all the Gods have done before" [us]. [TPJS, ] Figures Largely destroyed and replaced by hieratic symbols from another document. Figure 7 A seated god with a hawks tail holding a flail A bird presenting a Wedjat eye Egyptians commonly portrayed the soul or spirit as a bird Figs 11-8 Left Middle O God of the Sleeping Ones from the time of creation. O Mighty God. Lord of heaven and earth, of the hereafter, and of his great waters, may the soul of the Osiris Shishaq be granted eternal life. A problem?? We know exactly what it says Cannot be revealed unto the world To be had in the Holy Temple If the world can find out Why not just tell us?? Becoming a God. Gaining knowledge in the holy places (Temple) Transmission of the text Outer Edge I am the Provider in the Sun Temple in Heliopolis. Most exalted and very glorious. A virile bull without equal. That Mighty God in the Sun Temple in Heliopolis. May the Osiris Shishaq live forever with that Mighty God in Heliopolis. Transmission of the text Bottom May this tomb never be desecrated, and may this soul and its lord never be desecrated in the hereafter. In the own due time of the Lord Facsimile 3 An endowment: True identities Facsimile 3 Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of astronomy in the kings court Josephus states that Abraham taught astronomy to the Egyptians In recent years hundreds of documents support this tradition Facsimile 3 Correct that the names are given in the characters above their heads For ritual purposes Egyptian men sometimes dressed as women Whats happening? Hor is being introduced into the presence of Osiris Hor has just passed through the hall of judgment and, having been found worthy, is introduced by Maat (goddess of Truth) into the presence of Osiris Then Hor may live with Osiris in eternal life and become a God himself. Egyptian Endowment? Common to be disguised Ritual ceremonies where people dressed in holy clothing (as the gods) Enacted a scene where they pass through a judgment and if found worthy are able to enter the presence of Osiris The throne Notice the square on the throne (also in Fac 2, fig 3 & 7) A square (such as a builders square) always has perfect measurement Signifies correct judgment, absolute law and truth Perfect government Cannot separate the throne from its occupant Who is on the throne? Osiris sits on the throne Aka Greatest of all Egyptian Gods, King of Eternity, King of Kings, The First-born Son Why would Joseph Smith call him Abraham? Osiris on the throne? Osiris was a god who came to earth, was brutally murdered and resurrected He ascended to reign over all living and dead Had power over life and death Thou art a king because thou art not to be distinguished from Osiris Who is on the throne? So according to the story, Pharaoh tried to kill Abraham because he wanted the Priesthood The Lord miraculously saved Abraham who was therefore more powerful than the Pharaoh So perhaps he admired Abraham and wanted all to learn what was taught in the great vision of the cosmos Who is on the throne? Pharaoh found some way to show the people just how important these teachings were Lending his authority to Abraham Whoever drew this event later was trying to capture the Pharaohs respect for Abraham, thus putting him on the Pharaohs throne Who is on the throne? Abraham: Has the priesthood Could not be put to death Is sitting on the kings throne Authority, power over death, greater than the king Must be Osiris Other Characters Isis = Pharaoh The one who knows all the names Only a ritual god Name literally means Of the Throne Brilliant choice, because we may interpret that although this character is not on the throne, s/he still occupies it A note about names Why not just give the proper names? Given names Hidden names Tells us that there is an identity that is deeper, and more correct than what is portrayed by the given name Hint: D&C 130:11 Take home message Identity Gaining and imparting knowledge Renewal Transmission vs Translation Like a parable The Facsimiles of Abraham