Council of the Gods in Ancient Literature and the Book of Abraham This article shows how anciently this concept was understood by the Jews, yet strangely the coherent understanding of this Council was left out of the scriptures, with only tatters of remnants in the Bible only recently recognized as a Council of the Gods, by Bible scholars. Remarkably Joseph Smith has included the entire concept in the Book of Abraham.

Parallels With the Book of Abraham Discusses many new areas we need to examine before coming to any hard and fast negative conclusions against the Book of Abraham

On Josiah Quincy as a First Hand Witness of the Papyri Was Quincy a credible witness, or a spinner of yarns? The evidence gives the clear answer, based on the documents we actually do possess, which critics ignore

- On The Names of the Four Canopic Jars Under the Lion Couch in Facsimile # 1 Discussing whether the figures in Facsimile # 1 are authentic ancient names or just made up whoopie from Joseph Smith

With His Own Thoughts, Upon the Sources of Anti-Mormonism, Muddying Up the Issues on the Papyrus A Partial Review of Charles Larson's Book "By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus"

Challenging Propositions Against Jerald and Sandra Tanners work on the Book of Abraham There are 5 areas I find problematic with the Tanners research into the Book of Abraham and Mormonism in general. Much more can and will be said about other areas as I have time, but these 5 are especially troublesome for many of their conclusions.

Another Criticism About Joseph Smith Inventing the Book of Abraham From His Learning Hebrew Answered This article analyzes Joseph Smith learning Hebrew, and the chronology of when he did so, and how it may relate to the production of the Book of Abraham.

1912 Attack of Egyptologists Against the Book of Abraham - PART 1 of 4, The MAGNIFICENT Mormon rebuttals against the Reverend Franklin S. Spauldings' 1912 attack against the Book of Abraham and Joseph Smith Papyri. Here we can read John Widtsoe, B.H. Roberts, J.S. Sjodahl, etc., and their masterful responses and handling of the Egyptologists "snorts" against Mormonism.

Attack of 1912 Against Book of Abraham PART 2 of 4

Discussing the 1912 Attack Against the Book of Abraham PART 3 of 4

Attacks in 1912 Against the Book of Abraham PART 4 of 4

Legal Document: Book of Abraham in a New Ancient Light The Book of Abraham is a marvelous religious and historical record. New research indicates that it reflects many salient point with ancient Egyptian Law practices as well.

Questing For the Joseph Smith Papyri reviewing Stan Larson's newly touted book Quest for the Gold Plates where in one of his chapters he discusses the Joseph Smith Papyri which I analyze here.

Discussion of the Joseph Smith Papyri, Criticisms, Answers A lengthy and well researched paper on criticisms directly dealing with the Joseph Smith Papyri, how it was translated, etc. An excellent read to help orient yourself with the issues involving the Joseph Smith Papyri. Quite extensive research, not too difficult to read, and explained rather well.

Mythical or Historical? The Figure of Abraham Notes on the various discussions of Abraham existing or not.

Garment of the True Priesthood in Facsimile No. 1 discusses the rivalry of Abraham and Pharaoh (in the legendary sources he is Nimrod, the famous hunter), and the garments they wear and what they represent. Joseph Smith's facsimiles No. 1 depicts the man on the lion couch fully clothed - a phenomenon not found on any other lion couch - which is quite accurate in light of this figure being associated with Abraham.

Uppsala 1987-1988 Conference of Egyptology I was fascinated to note how many themes this conference had which, in my opinion, directly have to do with the Book of Abraham and the Facsimiles.

Mixed up, or Divinely Inspired? The Sacrifice of Abraham LDS Scholar and Researcher Eugene Seaich demonstrates the interesting historical correlation to Abraham being sacrificed in his early life exactly as the Book of Abraham notes, though this is not in the Bible.

Mnemonic Device of Egyptian Alphabet & Grammar and Joseph Smith translation of the Book of Abraham - John Tvedtnes & Richley Crapo's excellent study of the Joseph Smith Papyri, long overdue and worthy of serious attention by all involved in the Joseph Smith Papyri. A solid contribution to the scholarly analysis of the Joseph Smith Papyri.

Richley Crapo's Background Information on Finding the Mnemonic Device in the Book of Abraham Richley Crapo is the co-author with John Tvedtnes on the Mnemonic Device idea of the Joseph Smith Papyri. Here he gives us his insights, comments, and faith concerning the scriptures. There is still plenty to learn and understand, which Richley clearly realizes and says...

Hugh Nibley's Three Facsimiles of the Book of Abraham This is a one hundred page analysis of the three facsimiles in the Book of Abraham that extensivley discusses the various aspects and figures and their ancient Egyptian meanings and demonstrates with considerable detail how Joseph Smith's explanations are well within the realm of possibility. A MUST read.

The Lion-Couch in the Temple of Opet Hugh Nibley discusses the historical accuracy and significance of Facsimile No. 1 in the Book of Abraham and its historical relationship to Facsimile No. 3 which is the exact same relationship in ancient Egyptian ritual and history. Joseph Smith got it right in the Book of Abraham.

"Fragment Found in Salt Lake City" Hugh Nibley discusses ideas in Egyptology and some of the issues and problems we face when working with the ancient Egyptian religion.

"Prologomena to Any Study of the Book of Abraham" Article by Hugh Nibley 30 years ago which indicates the direction needed to go in order to realistically study the Book of Abraham

Hugh Nibley's, "What is the Book of Breathings?" dealing with what this important ancient Egyptian fragment is about, i.e. Joseph Smith Papyri fragments X, XI, who used it, how old is it, why was it used, etc., the essential background which critics will not seek to understand from the proper Egyptian views. It concerns the temple and the living involved in initiation rituals.

(LARGEST COLLECTION OF HYPOCEPHALI WITH ANALYSIS & COMPARISON HERE IN THIS ARTICLE ON THE INTERNET) Hypocephalus - Facsimile #2 in the Book of Abraham Analyzed - James David's site "A Close Look at Mormonism" Refuted With Evidence He Ignores A Serious look into James David's misinformed views on Facsimile 2.

LARGEST LION COUCH COLLECTION ON THE INTERNET HERE. Charles Larson's Reconstruction of Facsimile #1 a "Flight" on the "Wings" of Fantasy - Joseph Smith Receives "Two Thumbs Up": On Thumbs & Wings & Other Things A pictorial essay demonstrating that Facsimile 1 has hands on the figure on the couch, not the wings of a second bird as Charles Larson (Written By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus) incorrectly redrew in his study. This one takes a couple minutes to fully open all the pictures, but you can start reading, and by the time you get to the pictures they'll be opening up.

Original of Facsimile 2 in "Egyptian Alphabet & Grammar" Critically compared with Joseph Smith Hypocephalus Critics have rarely if ever examined with any sort of critical detail the EAG (Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar) Hypocephalus in order to see what similarities and differences there are. It is a most instructive thing for LDS scholars and laymen to note.

Chnum-Re - Fig 1 on Hypocephalus examined in light of Egyptological/Archaeological Information This article I deal with the hieroglyph in Fig. 1

Boat of God, Figure 3 in the Hypocephalus as Throne of God Discusses the serious Egyptian significance of the correctly restored boat in the upper right hand quadrant of the Hypocephalus, Facsimile #2 in the Book of Abraham

Facsimile #2, the Hypocephalus, Figure # 1 - Two Headed Ram is Correct, And Archaeologically Verified This discussion shows that Joseph Smith was not incorrect for having a two headed ram in the central panel of the Hypocephalus in the Book of Abraham.

Egyptian Evidence For The Anubis Mask, and Uniqueness of Facsimile #1 in the Book of Abraham This article/discussion shows that Facsimile #1 is *not* just an everyday, ordinary, obvious funerary text, but is unique in many ways, which shows it has a special message to convey.

Various Editions of the Hypocephalus in the Pearl of Great Price Compared Demonstrating The Hypocephalus itself is not scripture, so much as Joseph Smith's Descriptions of the figures is what counts.

"Heliopolis" Translated on Rim of Joseph Smith Hypocephalus - Fac #2 Discusses why the rim of Facsimile #2 mentions Heliopolis three times, more than any other hypocephali in existence. I believe it is because of involvement with the Temple. There are hints strewn all over the ancient literature of the Egyptians why this is so. Considering the Hypocephali are considered as "Cosmic Diagrams or Maps" and that the temple is a scale model of the universe, this idea makes complete sense.

The Apes as Stars in Facsimile #2 - A Correct Interpretation Joseph Smith identified the apes in the central panel of Facsimile 2, the Hypocephalus, Figs. 22 and 23 as stars. This article explores the various views of Egyptologists on this fascinating Egyptian symbol.

"Shinehah" in Abraham 3:13 - The Sun? Yes, the Sun - Egyptian Correlations This paper deals with the Book of Abraham statement that Abraham understood "Shinehah" as being the sun. To the Ancient Egyptians, they would have had no problem at all with this idea.

Sacrificial Virgins in the Book of Abraham an Historical Touch This article shows that the Book of Abraham mentioning the sacrifice of virgins because of political situations in Egypt is a genuine historical phenomenon that is nowhere in the Bible or other literature available to Joseph Smith, yet he deftly and correctly places it in the correct setting in ancient history.

The Egyptian Book of the Dead & the Book of Abraham This paper deals with the critics' contention that Joseph Smith was wrong for having connections of the Egyptian Book of the Dead with the Book of Abraham - from the Joseph Smith Papyri.

Abraham on the Lion Couch or Osiris, Pagan Egyptian God on the Lion Couch? Critics against the Book of Abraham have three main arguments.

1. The Joseph Smith Papyri are not old enough to have anything to do with Abraham

2. The Book of Breathings, Book of the Dead nor any Egyptian texts in the Joseph Smith Papyri ever mention Abraham

3. Abraham is not on the Lion Couch as Joseph Smith claimed, it is Osiris

New research indicates that all three of these arguments are incorrect.

The Pseudepigrapha (Background to the Abrahamic Literature, Among Other Things): Discussing it's Significance and Importance Critics sometimes contend that using extra canonical literature in dealing with the scriptures is an incorrect approach because, obviously the extra canonical literature is not, canonical. But this article demonstrates why this is a false issue.

Source of the Book of Abraham, Namely the Book of Jasher, Identified? Is the Book of Jasher the source for the Book of Abraham? Critics seriously contend this, since Jasher was known in 1840, and so this proves Jasher is where Smith gathered his information from to write the Book of Abraham. What one must do in this case, is look through both books and see, if perhaps anything in them is provided for in the Book of Abraham. The two books are absolutely nothing alike.

The Patriarch Abraham & Sarah, His Wife/Sister. Did He Lie, and is the Book of Abraham Correct in its View? This is the main excerpts from Thomas McKay's outstanding study on this issue in the Bible and History and the Book of Abraham.

The Doctrine of PreMortal Existence in the Book of Abraham - Anciently Authentic This article is a fairly detailed look into the congruent and cohenrent fully developed doctrine of pre-existence in the Book of Abraham.

Analyzing David Persuitte's ideas on the Joseph Smith Papyri

The Tanner's Arguments Against the Joseph Smith Papyri Are Goofy This is Part #1 in a series I plan on doing with the Tanners. I find them rather unpersuasive concerning the Joseph Smith Papyri and the Book of Abraham.

The Latest on the Book of Abraham - Stephen Thompson's 1995 "Dialogue" article

Part 1 Discussing the idea that the four figures under the lion couch in Facsimile #1 in the Book of Abraham as well as the same four figures on Facsimile #2, the Hypocephalus, is a genuine bullseye for Joseph Smith, truly representing the earth in its four quarters/ Thompson says this is not correct.

Part 2 Deals with the Hawk with outspread wings signifying the Expanse of the Heavens as Joseph Smith pronounced. Thompson says this is not correct. This article analyzes it from several significant Egyptologists' point of view.

Part 3 Discusses the Hathor Cow in Facsimile #2, the Hypocephalus, which is shown to be either masculine or feminine as opposed to what Stephen Thompson claims. A detailed analysis from the Egyptologists point of view.

Critics Contend Ed Ashment Refuted Hugh Nibley on Joseph Smith Papyri - Did He? A discussion concerning the famous exchange between Ed Ashment, one time Mormon, and Hugh Nibley concerning the Joseph Smith Papyri and Book of Abraham Facsimiles.

Summarization on the Rabbi Nissim Wernick's Dissertation on the Book of Abraham This is one Jewish Rabbi's view of the Book of Abraham, with its marvelous doctrines being substantiated in ancient Jewish literature.