Book of Abraham/Papyri/Long article - Revision history

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	#REDIRECT [[~~Book of Abraham/~~Joseph Smith Papyri]]		#REDIRECT [[The Joseph Smith Papyri]]

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GregSmith: /* Abrahamic traditions */

2014-05-30T03:56:34Z

Abrahamic traditions

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	According to ancient geocentric cosmologies and what we read in the Book of Abraham, the heavens (which is defined as the expanse above the earth—no celestial object is mentioned to exist below the earth) was composed of multiple layers or tiers—each tier higher than the previous. Therefore the Sun is in a higher tier than the moon, and the stars are in higher tiers still (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5,9,17#5 Abraham 3:5, 9, 17]).<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|5}} According to geocentric astronomy, celestial objects have longer time spans (or lengths of "reckoning") based upon their relative distance from the earth. "Thus, the length of reckoning of a planet is based on its revolution [time to orbit around the center, in this case the earth](and not rotation [time to spin on its axis, as the earth does every 24 hours])."<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|8}} The higher the celestial object, the greater its length of reckoning (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5#5 Abraham 3:5]). Likewise, in [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/8-9#8 Abraham 3:8–9], we read that "there shall be another planet whose reckoning of time shall be longer still; And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob."		According to ancient geocentric cosmologies and what we read in the Book of Abraham, the heavens (which is defined as the expanse above the earth—no celestial object is mentioned to exist below the earth) was composed of multiple layers or tiers—each tier higher than the previous. Therefore the Sun is in a higher tier than the moon, and the stars are in higher tiers still (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5,9,17#5 Abraham 3:5, 9, 17]).<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|5}} According to geocentric astronomy, celestial objects have longer time spans (or lengths of "reckoning") based upon their relative distance from the earth. "Thus, the length of reckoning of a planet is based on its revolution [time to orbit around the center, in this case the earth](and not rotation [time to spin on its axis, as the earth does every 24 hours])."<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|8}} The higher the celestial object, the greater its length of reckoning (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5#5 Abraham 3:5]). Likewise, in [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/8-9#8 Abraham 3:8–9], we read that "there shall be another planet whose reckoning of time shall be longer still; And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob."

	Ancient geocentric astronomers believed that the stars were "the outer-most celestial sphere, furthest from the earth and nearest to God."<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|9}} We find in the Book of Abraham that the star Kolob was the star nearest "the throne of God" ([http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/9#9 Abraham 3:9]). In the ancient, yet recently discovered, Apocalypse of Abraham (which dates from about the same time period as the JSP), we find that God's throne is said to reside in the eighth firmament (the firmaments, being another term for the varying tiers in the heavens above the Earth).<ref name=~~“gee2”~~></ref>{{Rp\|9}}		Ancient geocentric astronomers believed that the stars were "the outer-most celestial sphere, furthest from the earth and nearest to God."<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|9}} We find in the Book of Abraham that the star Kolob was the star nearest "the throne of God" ([http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/9#9 Abraham 3:9]). In the ancient, yet recently discovered, Apocalypse of Abraham (which dates from about the same time period as the JSP), we find that God's throne is said to reside in the eighth firmament (the firmaments, being another term for the varying tiers in the heavens above the Earth).<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|9}}

	The Book of Abraham also reveals that those celestial objects that are highest above the earth, "govern" the objects below them (see [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/3,9#3 Abraham 3:3, 9] and [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/fac_2 Facsimile 2, fig. 5]). This sounds similar to the beliefs of those who accepted an ancient geocentric cosmology:		The Book of Abraham also reveals that those celestial objects that are highest above the earth, "govern" the objects below them (see [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/3,9#3 Abraham 3:3, 9] and [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/fac_2 Facsimile 2, fig. 5]). This sounds similar to the beliefs of those who accepted an ancient geocentric cosmology:

GregSmith: /* Abrahamic traditions */

2014-05-30T03:55:56Z

Abrahamic traditions

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	Other interesting parallels include ancient names and astronomy. Ancient Egyptian names, for example, that would have been unknown to Joseph Smith, are accurately represented in the Book of Abraham both phonetically as well as in meaning.<ref name="tvedtnes"></ref> With regard to astronomy, we find that in Joseph Smith's day "heliocentricity" (as proposed by Copernicus and Newton) was the accepted astronomical view. Nineteenth-century people (including the most brilliant minds of the day) believed that everything revolved around the Sun—therefore the term "heliocentric" (Greek ''helios''=sun + centered). (In the twentieth-first century we generally accept an Einsteinian view of the cosmos.) The Book of Abraham, however, clearly delineates a ''geocentric'' view of the universe—or a belief that the Earth (Greek ''geo'') stood at the center of the universe, and all things moved around our planet.		Other interesting parallels include ancient names and astronomy. Ancient Egyptian names, for example, that would have been unknown to Joseph Smith, are accurately represented in the Book of Abraham both phonetically as well as in meaning.<ref name="tvedtnes"></ref> With regard to astronomy, we find that in Joseph Smith's day "heliocentricity" (as proposed by Copernicus and Newton) was the accepted astronomical view. Nineteenth-century people (including the most brilliant minds of the day) believed that everything revolved around the Sun—therefore the term "heliocentric" (Greek ''helios''=sun + centered). (In the twentieth-first century we generally accept an Einsteinian view of the cosmos.) The Book of Abraham, however, clearly delineates a ''geocentric'' view of the universe—or a belief that the Earth (Greek ''geo'') stood at the center of the universe, and all things moved around our planet.

	According to ancient geocentric cosmologies and what we read in the Book of Abraham, the heavens (which is defined as the expanse above the earth—no celestial object is mentioned to exist below the earth) was composed of multiple layers or tiers—each tier higher than the previous. Therefore the Sun is in a higher tier than the moon, and the stars are in higher tiers still (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5,9,17#5 Abraham 3:5, 9, 17]).<ref name=~~“gee2”~~></ref>{{Rp\|5}} According to geocentric astronomy, celestial objects have longer time spans (or lengths of "reckoning") based upon their relative distance from the earth. "Thus, the length of reckoning of a planet is based on its revolution [time to orbit around the center, in this case the earth](and not rotation [time to spin on its axis, as the earth does every 24 hours])."<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|8}} The higher the celestial object, the greater its length of reckoning (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5#5 Abraham 3:5]). Likewise, in [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/8-9#8 Abraham 3:8–9], we read that "there shall be another planet whose reckoning of time shall be longer still; And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob."		According to ancient geocentric cosmologies and what we read in the Book of Abraham, the heavens (which is defined as the expanse above the earth—no celestial object is mentioned to exist below the earth) was composed of multiple layers or tiers—each tier higher than the previous. Therefore the Sun is in a higher tier than the moon, and the stars are in higher tiers still (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5,9,17#5 Abraham 3:5, 9, 17]).<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|5}} According to geocentric astronomy, celestial objects have longer time spans (or lengths of "reckoning") based upon their relative distance from the earth. "Thus, the length of reckoning of a planet is based on its revolution [time to orbit around the center, in this case the earth](and not rotation [time to spin on its axis, as the earth does every 24 hours])."<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|8}} The higher the celestial object, the greater its length of reckoning (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5#5 Abraham 3:5]). Likewise, in [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/8-9#8 Abraham 3:8–9], we read that "there shall be another planet whose reckoning of time shall be longer still; And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob."

	Ancient geocentric astronomers believed that the stars were "the outer-most celestial sphere, furthest from the earth and nearest to God."<ref name=~~“gee2”~~></ref>{{Rp\|9}} We find in the Book of Abraham that the star Kolob was the star nearest "the throne of God" ([http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/9#9 Abraham 3:9]). In the ancient, yet recently discovered, Apocalypse of Abraham (which dates from about the same time period as the JSP), we find that God's throne is said to reside in the eighth firmament (the firmaments, being another term for the varying tiers in the heavens above the Earth).<ref name=“gee2”></ref>{{Rp\|9}}		Ancient geocentric astronomers believed that the stars were "the outer-most celestial sphere, furthest from the earth and nearest to God."<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|9}} We find in the Book of Abraham that the star Kolob was the star nearest "the throne of God" ([http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/9#9 Abraham 3:9]). In the ancient, yet recently discovered, Apocalypse of Abraham (which dates from about the same time period as the JSP), we find that God's throne is said to reside in the eighth firmament (the firmaments, being another term for the varying tiers in the heavens above the Earth).<ref name=“gee2”></ref>{{Rp\|9}}

	The Book of Abraham also reveals that those celestial objects that are highest above the earth, "govern" the objects below them (see [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/3,9#3 Abraham 3:3, 9] and [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/fac_2 Facsimile 2, fig. 5]). This sounds similar to the beliefs of those who accepted an ancient geocentric cosmology:		The Book of Abraham also reveals that those celestial objects that are highest above the earth, "govern" the objects below them (see [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/3,9#3 Abraham 3:3, 9] and [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/fac_2 Facsimile 2, fig. 5]). This sounds similar to the beliefs of those who accepted an ancient geocentric cosmology:

GregSmith: /* Abrahamic traditions */

2014-05-30T03:54:53Z

Abrahamic traditions

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:54, 30 May 2014
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	Other interesting parallels include ancient names and astronomy. Ancient Egyptian names, for example, that would have been unknown to Joseph Smith, are accurately represented in the Book of Abraham both phonetically as well as in meaning.<ref name="tvedtnes"></ref> With regard to astronomy, we find that in Joseph Smith's day "heliocentricity" (as proposed by Copernicus and Newton) was the accepted astronomical view. Nineteenth-century people (including the most brilliant minds of the day) believed that everything revolved around the Sun—therefore the term "heliocentric" (Greek ''helios''=sun + centered). (In the twentieth-first century we generally accept an Einsteinian view of the cosmos.) The Book of Abraham, however, clearly delineates a ''geocentric'' view of the universe—or a belief that the Earth (Greek ''geo'') stood at the center of the universe, and all things moved around our planet.		Other interesting parallels include ancient names and astronomy. Ancient Egyptian names, for example, that would have been unknown to Joseph Smith, are accurately represented in the Book of Abraham both phonetically as well as in meaning.<ref name="tvedtnes"></ref> With regard to astronomy, we find that in Joseph Smith's day "heliocentricity" (as proposed by Copernicus and Newton) was the accepted astronomical view. Nineteenth-century people (including the most brilliant minds of the day) believed that everything revolved around the Sun—therefore the term "heliocentric" (Greek ''helios''=sun + centered). (In the twentieth-first century we generally accept an Einsteinian view of the cosmos.) The Book of Abraham, however, clearly delineates a ''geocentric'' view of the universe—or a belief that the Earth (Greek ''geo'') stood at the center of the universe, and all things moved around our planet.

	According to ancient geocentric cosmologies and what we read in the Book of Abraham, the heavens (which is defined as the expanse above the earth—no celestial object is mentioned to exist below the earth) was composed of multiple layers or tiers—each tier higher than the previous. Therefore the Sun is in a higher tier than the moon, and the stars are in higher tiers still (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5,9,17#5 Abraham 3:5, 9, 17]).<ref name=~~"gee2"~~</ref>{{Rp\|5}} According to geocentric astronomy, celestial objects have longer time spans (or lengths of "reckoning") based upon their relative distance from the earth. "Thus, the length of reckoning of a planet is based on its revolution [time to orbit around the center, in this case the earth](and not rotation [time to spin on its axis, as the earth does every 24 hours])."<ref name="gee2"</ref>{{Rp\|8}} The higher the celestial object, the greater its length of reckoning (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5#5 Abraham 3:5]). Likewise, in [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/8-9#8 Abraham 3:8–9], we read that "there shall be another planet whose reckoning of time shall be longer still; And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob."		According to ancient geocentric cosmologies and what we read in the Book of Abraham, the heavens (which is defined as the expanse above the earth—no celestial object is mentioned to exist below the earth) was composed of multiple layers or tiers—each tier higher than the previous. Therefore the Sun is in a higher tier than the moon, and the stars are in higher tiers still (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5,9,17#5 Abraham 3:5, 9, 17]).<ref name=“gee2”></ref>{{Rp\|5}} According to geocentric astronomy, celestial objects have longer time spans (or lengths of "reckoning") based upon their relative distance from the earth. "Thus, the length of reckoning of a planet is based on its revolution [time to orbit around the center, in this case the earth](and not rotation [time to spin on its axis, as the earth does every 24 hours])."<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|8}} The higher the celestial object, the greater its length of reckoning (compare [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/5#5 Abraham 3:5]). Likewise, in [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/8-9#8 Abraham 3:8–9], we read that "there shall be another planet whose reckoning of time shall be longer still; And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob."

	Ancient geocentric astronomers believed that the stars were "the outer-most celestial sphere, furthest from the earth and nearest to God."<ref name=~~"gee2"~~</ref>{{Rp\|9}} We find in the Book of Abraham that the star Kolob was the star nearest "the throne of God" ([http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/9#9 Abraham 3:9]). In the ancient, yet recently discovered, Apocalypse of Abraham (which dates from about the same time period as the JSP), we find that God's throne is said to reside in the eighth firmament (the firmaments, being another term for the varying tiers in the heavens above the Earth).<ref name=~~"gee2"~~</ref>{{Rp\|9}}		Ancient geocentric astronomers believed that the stars were "the outer-most celestial sphere, furthest from the earth and nearest to God."<ref name=“gee2”></ref>{{Rp\|9}} We find in the Book of Abraham that the star Kolob was the star nearest "the throne of God" ([http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/9#9 Abraham 3:9]). In the ancient, yet recently discovered, Apocalypse of Abraham (which dates from about the same time period as the JSP), we find that God's throne is said to reside in the eighth firmament (the firmaments, being another term for the varying tiers in the heavens above the Earth).<ref name=“gee2”></ref>{{Rp\|9}}

	The Book of Abraham also reveals that those celestial objects that are highest above the earth, "govern" the objects below them (see [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/3,9#3 Abraham 3:3, 9] and [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/fac_2 Facsimile 2, fig. 5]). This sounds similar to the beliefs of those who accepted an ancient geocentric cosmology:		The Book of Abraham also reveals that those celestial objects that are highest above the earth, "govern" the objects below them (see [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/3,9#3 Abraham 3:3, 9] and [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/fac_2 Facsimile 2, fig. 5]). This sounds similar to the beliefs of those who accepted an ancient geocentric cosmology:

GregSmith: /* Abrahamic traditions */

2014-05-30T03:53:32Z

Abrahamic traditions

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	The Book of Abraham also reveals that those celestial objects that are highest above the earth, "govern" the objects below them (see [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/3,9#3 Abraham 3:3, 9] and [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/fac_2 Facsimile 2, fig. 5]). This sounds similar to the beliefs of those who accepted an ancient geocentric cosmology:		The Book of Abraham also reveals that those celestial objects that are highest above the earth, "govern" the objects below them (see [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/3/3,9#3 Abraham 3:3, 9] and [http://scriptures.lds.org/abr/fac_2 Facsimile 2, fig. 5]). This sounds similar to the beliefs of those who accepted an ancient geocentric cosmology:

	:Throughout the ancient world the governing role of celestial bodies was conceived in similar terms. God sits on his throne in the highest heaven giving commands, which are passed down by angels through the various regions of heaven, with each region governing or commanding the regions beneath it.''<ref name="gee2"</ref>{{Rp\|10}}		:Throughout the ancient world the governing role of celestial bodies was conceived in similar terms. God sits on his throne in the highest heaven giving commands, which are passed down by angels through the various regions of heaven, with each region governing or commanding the regions beneath it.''<ref name="gee2"></ref>{{Rp\|10}}

	We find this governing order described in the Apocalypse of Abraham and other ancient sources. All of this makes sense only from an ancient geocentric perspective (such as that believed in Abraham's day) and makes no sense from a heliocentric perspective (which is what Joseph would have known in his day).		We find this governing order described in the Apocalypse of Abraham and other ancient sources. All of this makes sense only from an ancient geocentric perspective (such as that believed in Abraham's day) and makes no sense from a heliocentric perspective (which is what Joseph would have known in his day).

GregSmith at 03:52, 30 May 2014

2014-05-30T03:52:56Z

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RogerNicholson: m

2013-12-30T00:57:51Z

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	Recent discoveries, however, suggests that the Biblical Abraham does appear in some Egyptian papyri that date to the same period as the JSP. In one instance (thus far discovered) Abraham's name appears to have a connection to an Egyptian lion couch scene.{{ref\|gee8}}		Recent discoveries, however, suggests that the Biblical Abraham does appear in some Egyptian papyri that date to the same period as the JSP. In one instance (thus far discovered) Abraham's name appears to have a connection to an Egyptian lion couch scene.{{ref\|gee8}}

	The stories and worldviews we find in the translated text of our Book of Abraham coincide nicely with what we find from ancient Abrahamic lore. ~~The critics must account for~~ Joseph Smith's extensive knowledge of these areas, which he then integrated into a theologically rich whole.		The stories and worldviews we find in the translated text of our Book of Abraham coincide nicely with what we find from ancient Abrahamic lore. Joseph Smith demonstrated extensive knowledge of these areas, which he then integrated into a theologically rich whole.

	=={{Endnotes label}}==		=={{Endnotes label}}==

RogerNicholson: m

2013-11-28T17:54:52Z

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	[[Image:BOAfacsimile1.jpg\|frame\|200px\|right\|Photograph of Facsimile 1 from the recovered Joseph Smith Papyri]]Examination of the extant papyri fragments reveals that portions of Facsimile 1 (the only facsimile that survived) are damaged. For a number of years, scholars have debated whether the facsimile was damaged before or after Joseph acquired the papyri. It seems that the Book of Breathings scroll (containing Facsimile 1) was marred by a lacuna—a missing portion—that had torn off the scroll. The debate over the date of the lacuna directly relates to the images on Facsimile 1. This vignette—as shown in the LDS Book of Abraham—shows a figure (interpreted as Abraham) lying on a lion couch with arms raised as if attitude of pleading or prayer. The figure standing over Abraham is a bald man (presumably an Egyptian priest) with a knife in one hand—as if he was about to kill Abraham. Flying just above Abraham is a hawk (or falcon) with outstretched wings. The scroll's lacuna extends over an area which includes the Egyptian priest's head, the knife, and one of Abraham's supplicating arms.		[[Image:BOAfacsimile1.jpg\|frame\|200px\|right\|Photograph of Facsimile 1 from the recovered Joseph Smith Papyri]]Examination of the extant papyri fragments reveals that portions of Facsimile 1 (the only facsimile that survived) are damaged. For a number of years, scholars have debated whether the facsimile was damaged before or after Joseph acquired the papyri. It seems that the Book of Breathings scroll (containing Facsimile 1) was marred by a lacuna—a missing portion—that had torn off the scroll. The debate over the date of the lacuna directly relates to the images on Facsimile 1. This vignette—as shown in the LDS Book of Abraham—shows a figure (interpreted as Abraham) lying on a lion couch with arms raised as if attitude of pleading or prayer. The figure standing over Abraham is a bald man (presumably an Egyptian priest) with a knife in one hand—as if he was about to kill Abraham. Flying just above Abraham is a hawk (or falcon) with outstretched wings. The scroll's lacuna extends over an area which includes the Egyptian priest's head, the knife, and one of Abraham's supplicating arms.

	Since Facsimile 1 appears to be a fairly typical scene from Egyptian funerary texts, the critics note that other similar Egyptian motifs depict the priest (an embalmer) with the head of Anubis (an Egyptian god) rather than a bald, human head. Other comparable Egyptian embalming scenes do not show the priest holding a knife, they do not show any man pleading or praying, and they generally show two hawks. ~~The critics claim~~ that Joseph Smith drew in the missing parts by adding (incorrectly) those things which we find in the LDS version of this Egyptian scene. What Joseph saw as fingers of Abraham's outstretched hands, for instance, were actually (according to the critics) the wing-tips of the missing second hawk.		Since Facsimile 1 appears to be a fairly typical scene from Egyptian funerary texts, the critics note that other similar Egyptian motifs depict the priest (an embalmer) with the head of Anubis (an Egyptian god) rather than a bald, human head. Other comparable Egyptian embalming scenes do not show the priest holding a knife, they do not show any man pleading or praying, and they generally show two hawks. It is claimed that Joseph Smith drew in the missing parts by adding (incorrectly) those things which we find in the LDS version of this Egyptian scene. What Joseph saw as fingers of Abraham's outstretched hands, for instance, were actually (according to the critics) the wing-tips of the missing second hawk.

	Many LDS scholars believe that the scroll was damaged after Joseph translated the vignette and some evidence seems to support this view. One early Latter-day Saint who saw the papyri in 1841, for instance, described them as containing the scene of an altar with "'a man bound and laid thereon, and a Priest with a knife in his hand, standing at the foot, with a dove over the person bound on the Altar with several Idol gods standing around it.'"{{ref\|appleby1}} Similarly, Reverend Henry Caswall, who visited Nauvoo in April 1842, had a chance to see some of the Egyptian papyri. Caswall, who was hostile to the Saints, described Facsimile 1 as having a "'man standing by him with a drawn knife.'"{{ref\|caswall1}}		Many LDS scholars believe that the scroll was damaged after Joseph translated the vignette and some evidence seems to support this view. One early Latter-day Saint who saw the papyri in 1841, for instance, described them as containing the scene of an altar with "'a man bound and laid thereon, and a Priest with a knife in his hand, standing at the foot, with a dove over the person bound on the Altar with several Idol gods standing around it.'"{{ref\|appleby1}} Similarly, Reverend Henry Caswall, who visited Nauvoo in April 1842, had a chance to see some of the Egyptian papyri. Caswall, who was hostile to the Saints, described Facsimile 1 as having a "'man standing by him with a drawn knife.'"{{ref\|caswall1}}

RogerNicholson: mod

2013-09-26T15:22:11Z

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	{{Articles FAIR copyright}} {{Articles Header 1}} {{Articles Header 2}} {{Articles Header 3}} {{Articles Header 4}} {{Articles Header 5}} {{Articles Header 6}} {{Articles Header 7}} {{Articles Header 8}} {{Articles Header 9}} {{Articles Header 10}}		{{Articles FAIR copyright}} {{Articles Header 1}} {{Articles Header 2}} {{Articles Header 3}} {{Articles Header 4}} {{Articles Header 5}} {{Articles Header 6}} {{Articles Header 7}} {{Articles Header 8}} {{Articles Header 9}} {{Articles Header 10}}
			{{Resource Title\|Book of Abraham papyri: Long article}}
	{{LongVersion\|topic=Joseph Smith papyri\|url=http://www.fairwiki.org/index.php/Book_of_Abraham_papyri\|extra=}}		{{LongVersion\|topic=Joseph Smith papyri\|url=http://www.fairwiki.org/index.php/Book_of_Abraham_papyri\|extra=}}

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	The original papyri were thought to have been completely destroyed in the Chicago fire of 1871. However, fragments of them, including Facsimile number 1, were discovered in 1967 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, and given to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.		The original papyri were thought to have been completely destroyed in the Chicago fire of 1871. However, fragments of them, including Facsimile number 1, were discovered in 1967 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, and given to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

	=={{Criticism label}}==		== ==
			{{Criticism label}}

	Critics of the Book of Abraham attack it from several directions. This article will address these major criticisms:		Critics of the Book of Abraham attack it from several directions. This article will address these major criticisms:
	*The Joseph Smith papyri date to about the 2nd century, <small>B.C.</small> Latter-day Saints, however (including, perhaps, Joseph Smith), have claimed that the papyri were written by Abraham who lived about 2,000 years earlier.		*The Joseph Smith papyri date to about the 2nd century, <small>B.C.</small> Latter-day Saints, however (including, perhaps, Joseph Smith), have claimed that the papyri were written by Abraham who lived about 2,000 years earlier.
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	{{CriticalSources}}		{{CriticalSources}}
	=={{Conclusion label}}==		== ==
			{{Conclusion label}}

	When we critically examine the charges against the Book of Abraham in light of what we now know about ancient Jewish traditions and the adaptation of Egyptian iconography, we find that an ancient Book of Abraham is not only plausible, but believable.		When we critically examine the charges against the Book of Abraham in light of what we now know about ancient Jewish traditions and the adaptation of Egyptian iconography, we find that an ancient Book of Abraham is not only plausible, but believable.