Skeptics say Joseph Smith mistranslated Facsimile 2. These are Egyptian illustrations and they have nothing to do with Abraham, skeptics claim. Did Joseph Smith give a correct meaning for Facsimile 2, years before scientists unlocked the mysterious of ancient Egyptian?

Well, I don’t know why anyone would be shocked that the Facsimiles are Egyptian. They certainly look Egyptian to me! They were found with an Egyptian mummy. Joseph Smith said they contain Egyptian writing: “The characters are such as you find upon the coffins of mummies–hieroglyphs.” They were found with an Egyptian mummy. Why wouldn’t they be Egyptian?

Skeptics hold the Facsimiles to a strict Egyptian context. Joseph Smith knew that they translated to an Egyptian context, but he did not give a word for word translation. Joseph Smith provided a different context, and explained that the Egyptian meaning was different than the Abrahamic meaning. In Facsimile 2, he said one figure was “also a numerical figure, in Egyptian.” Another figure was “said by the Egyptians to be the Sun.” Joseph Smith made it clear that the Egyptian meaning was different from the Abraham context. He focused on how the Facsimiles related to Abraham instead of giving the text translation or the Egyptian meaning.

When you see a five-pointed star on the American flag do you assume it symbolizes the Egyptian Duat afterlife? Or do you assume it symbolizes the fifty states of the United States? When you see a cross at a cemetery, is it a symbol of Christian worship or do you see a symbol of someone’s burial? Likewise, the Egyptian Facsimiles included symbolism in a different Abrahamic context.

Egyptian & Abrahamic Meanings Relate – The cemetery cross may hold a different meaning but it derives from the original Christian meaning. Likewise, we should expect the Egyptian meaning to be similar to Joseph Smith’s interpretation for Abraham. There is plenty of similarity between the literal Egyptian translation and Joseph’s Abrahamic translation to indicate one derived from the other.

While the other Facsimiles introduce the character Abraham into Egyptian rituals being portrayed by the Egyptian context, Facsimile 2 is different. It does not show any character that relates to Abraham, and simply talks about some Near Eastern symbolism which happens to be similar to the Egyptian context for which it was drawn. Thus, the different context for this Facsimile closely overlap.

Facsimile 2 is a funerary object known as a Hypocephalus. The cosmographic scheme and astronomical depictions led a deceased person through the visible world and the hereafter on a path to resurrection. The deceased person takes the path of the lunar bark, which is a “proxy” for the morning and evening sun of the creation gods.

This is very similar to how Joseph Smith describes it in his explanations. The Hypocephalus’ use in funerals and the h3b shn nfr festival is unique to the Egyptian context, but its symbolism is shared with Near Eastern beliefs; including the the cosmology, astronomy, the creation gods, and the path of re-creation. It is clear that Joseph Smith understood how the Egyptian and Abraham contexts of Facsimile 2 relate.

Figure 3

Full explanation here



Joseph Smith: “Is made to represent God, sitting upon his throne, clothed with power and authority; with a crown of eternal light upon his head; representing also the grand Key-words of the Holy Priesthood, as revealed to Adam in the Garden of Eden, as also to Seth, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, and all to whom the Priesthood was revealed.” This is the solar barque which rides toward rebirth. Wilhelm Müller and Sir James Scott explained how authority related to other stars in this solar boat figure: “…in a ship (which has perhaps replaced an earlier doubleraft) the sun sails over the sky, conceived as a blue river or lake which Is a continuation of the sea and of the Nile. At the prow of this solar ship we frequently find a curious detail, sometimes represented as a carpet or mat on which the god is seated… The deity may either be the only occupant of the boat, which moves by itself or is paddled by him; or he may be accompanied by many prominent gods, especially the nine gods of the Hellopolltan ennead and the personifications of wisdom, etc… The Book of the Gates reverts to an ancient idea by explaining that the never-vanishing stars (I. e. again the elect souls) become the rowers of the sun by day. Then the sun may rest in the cabin as a disk in which the god himself may be enthroned.” Egyptian Mythology) Sun & Stars – Joseph Smith interpreted this figure as God “clothed with power and authority,” remember–power which we learned in Figure 2 was “pertaining to other planets.” In Facsimile 2, we see Re sitting rather than rowing, so we can assume the stars are indeed involved, pulling the ship. They hold the “key of power” as well, like he explained. So, it turns out Joseph Smith was correct referencing “Seth, Noah, Melchizedek” as persons involved in this figure, “prominent gods,” because “the Priesthood was revealed” to them as well. They are “never-vanishing stars… the elect souls,” which are also called “noble and great ones” in the Book of Abraham. Boat vs. Throne – The diagram in CES Letter points out that this is God “riding in his boat” rather than “God sitting on his throne.” Well, obviously that’s a boat! Who wouldn’t think that looks like a boat? But most solar scenes show Re sitting right on the boat, perhaps on a carpet or mat, while this shows him sitting on a chair rather than perched on the brow. Let me guess, does CES Letter think this is just an ordinary chair? No, in the context of a libation offering, which we see drawn in Figure 2, this is the throne of the heavenly Field of Rushes which the deceased hopes to inherit:

Horakhty great Neter, I offer to you incense;

Thou Neter who ferries over upon two boats of the sky to Re,

Horus Great Horizon-Neter, I shall receive my throne in the Field of Rushes, descending to the Field of Offerings when my earthly majesty transforms into the Tuat [afterlife];

Horus, who sails with the Pharaoh in the boat of Re,

Bestow the power of controlling the vast Horizons.” Michael Ford) “Hail thou Horus, Easter Horus and Ba,Horakhty great Neter, I offer to you incense;Thou Neter who ferries over upon two boats of the sky to Re,Horus Great Horizon-Neter, I shall receive my throne in the Field of Rushes, descending to the Field of Offerings when my earthly majesty transforms into the Tuat [afterlife];Horus, who sails with the Pharaoh in the boat of Re,Bestow the power of controlling the vast Horizons.” Joseph Smith is 100% correct that this chair is a throne, and it was significant for him to point it out. Sending Sacrificial Offerings – This portrays God sending Hor’s sacrificial libations to the Tuat afterlife to defeat Seth, the devil. In his hand he holds the “scepter of authority,” according to Plutarch. This is a “was scepter, the symbol of authority.” It is the same scepter that figures 1 and 2 hold, though they don’t look the same in this particular rendering. Somehow, Joseph Smith knew they were all the same scepter. Crown Of Eternal Light – The circle above Horus’ head is the sun disk of “eternal light.” Joseph Smith correctly calls this “a crown of eternal light upon his head.” Gerald Massey explained: “The crown of Horus was the crown of life that was the gift of his father… the eternal diadem that was conferred on those who had attained the mount of glory.” In this Book of the Dead, this character says: Book of the Dead) “A path is made for me at the head of the Sacred Bark, and I am lifted up as the sun disk; I am bright in its sunshine… let me pass, for I am a mighty one, Lord of the mighty ones; I am a noble of the Lord of Righteousness, whom Wadjet made. My protection is the protection of Re.” The wedjat, which we see above this figure’s head, is a symbol of his power of resurrection, correctly associated by Joseph Smith to the keywords of the priesthood. See more

Figure 5

Full explanation here



Joseph Smith: “Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-on-dosh; this is one of the governing planets also, and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand Key, or, in other words, the governing power, which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars, as also Floeese or the Moon, the Earth and the Sun in their annual revolutions. This planet receives its power through the medium of Kli-flos-is-es, or Hah-ko-kau-beam, the stars represented by numbers 22 and 23, receiving light from the revolutions of Kolob.” Warmth During Night – This is the Hathor cow which stands upside down to Figure 1, as Figure 1’s aspect during night-time. Hathor was considered Amun-Re’s daughter, in that she derived from him. Hathor gave “‘warmth’ to the deceased in the underworld.” Specifically, “warmth for the body” in the cold of night. Joseph Smith was correct that Hathor was believed to “borrow its light from” Figure 1. One purpose of the hypocephalus was to explain how the morning and evening sun meet, or the day sun and the night moon. This astronomical moment of the year was celebrated by the Egyptian festival of the “beautiful embrace,” where Hathor meets Horus and exchanges powers. Joseph Smith correctly identified this Hoathor symbol as “borrowing its light from Kolob” or Knum/Amun-Re. Night Sun – But then, Joseph Smith also said this figure is “said by the Egyptians to be the Sun… which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars.” Was he right? Yes: “Hathor, goddess of the nocturnal sky, also plays the role of sun-eye.” She bears the “sun-disc between her horns” and gives birth to it in the morning. The Hathor cow in this figure creates the sun. Governing Planet -Joseph Smith said this figure was both the Sun and a governing planet. How can that be? To the Egyptians, Hathor associated with Isis, or the planet Venus: Egyptian Religion: The Last Thousand Years…) “As the celestial cow called ‘eye of the sun (Re)’ in Egyptian funerary text, Hathor was frequently depicted wearing a large solar disk between her horns. Because of her original solar associations and further identification with Hathor… Isis sported the very same crown and also appropriated the cow as a sacred animals.” As well as associating with Venus, Hathor was born of the sun, being the daughter of Amun-Re. The fluid from Re fell “onto the earth from his eye and transformed into the beautiful Hathor.” Medium Of Power -Joseph Smith said this night sun and the “planet receives its power” through some kind of medium. As Claas Bleeker points out, Hathor herself acted as a medium of power in rituals: Hathor and Thoth: Two Key Figures of the Ancient Egyptian Religion) “Then as cow-goddess she suckles the child. The suckling of the child by Hathor has a deeper meaning… it is only through this divine mother-milk that the young prince becomes a true king… This gesture can be interpreted either as a mark of favour or as a sign that the goddess recognizes the queen and wishes to give her power.” Joseph Smith is correct that we see “governing power” and priesthood authority, just like the the scepter symbols in Figures 1, 2, and 3. We don’t see a scepter in this Figure, but we do see a bouquet of flowers, and “Egyptians also saw papyrus as a protective symbol, often taking the form of a scepter.” One can take the place of another. So yes, this Figure does hold the governing authority. CES Letter Deception – In this figure, the diagram in CES Letter says Joseph Smith interpreted this as “Enish-go-on-dosh; a governing planet.” Yes, that was the Abraham meaning. But the diagram in CES Letter compares this to the Egyptian context cuts away the rest of the sentence: “and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light from Kolob through the medium.” So the diagram in CES Letter omits Joseph Smith’s interpretation of the Egyptian meaning and presents the Abrahamic meaning as if it were Egyptian. Joseph Smith made it very clear that the Egyptian meanings were different from the Abraham context, but the diagram in CES Letter insists on lying and compares the Abraham context rather than what he said was Egyptian to the Egyptian context. See more

Figure 6

Full explanation here



Joseph Smith: “Represents this earth in its four quarters.” Earth’s Four Quarters – These four figures are the four sons of Horus, which represent the earth’s four quarters. Of course, nobody knew it in Joseph Smith’s day, yet he correctly interpreted these figures as “earth in its four quarters.” CES Letter Deception – The diagram in CES Letter is interprets the figures as “The four (4) sons of Horus, they can represent the four cardinal points of earth.” So I guess they can kinda, sorta, represent the points on the compass, maybe–but that’s totally different than “four quarters!” Totally different! Yeah, right. Actually, they are the exact same thing. Joseph Smith was completely correct. I like how the diagram in CES Letter even misspells “its” as “it’s” in Joseph Smith’s interpretation which adds further confusion. Then, at the bottom, the diagram in CES Letter highlights Figure 6 as apparently one of the biggest discrepancies with Egyptology in Facsimile 2! Wait, what? There, they interpret it as simply “Sons of Horus” and pretend like they the four sons have nothing to do with the earth’s four quarters. Wow! Clear Relationship To Abraham – The central figure 1 of Facsimile 2 is always shown with four heads (and very well could have had four heads on the original papyrus) instead of the two we see there, to represent the four quarters of the earth that will be affected by its power. This brings the four sons of Horus to the forefront of the hypocephalus’ significance, and that is interesting because of the significance they play in Facsimile 1. There, they are the four quarters, lands, and peoples who support and help in the ritual Sed-festival revivification of the king. In Facsimile 2, they appear to be represent the delivering of the power, authority, and governance of god to the four quarters, lands, and peoples–symbolized by the four heads of the River Eden that the Book of Abraham talks about. It also symbolized in the “four directions” in God’s covenant with Abraham, for him to “walk the land” that he and his posterity would inherit. We know also, “Abraham’s tent was open in four directions to allow strangers to enter freely into his home.” This is why it is so important that the four quarters of the earth play such a prominent role in these Facsimiles, suggesting their universal significance to the entire world: Dale Allison) “Abraham is at a crossroads… people come from the four points of the compass. Similarly in T. Job 8:6-7, they come from all regions, ‘and the four doors of my house were open’… presents Abraham as suprassing Job: the patriarch went looking for wayfarers.” Not only did Abraham make himself the center of the four quarters of the earth, he went out and actively sought for people in need. The four-quartered hypocephalus is a perfect symbol for Abraham. Phases Of The Sun – The three figures to the right of the four sons of Horus represent the god srpt-m3i-sr. This god is associated with Abraham in the Demotic Magical Papyrus of London and Leiden: “Abraham, the apple (?) of the Eye of the Uzat… srpt-m3i-sr is thy name”. Again, another clear connection to Abraham. These three figures represent the rising, midday, and setting sun, which relates this figure back to the previous Figure of the Sun. See more

Figure 7

Full explanation here



Joseph Smith: “Represents God sitting upon his throne, revealing through the heavens the grand Key-words of the Priesthood; as, also, the sign of the Holy Ghost unto Abraham, in the form of a dove.” This is the god Min, and he symbolized the moon during periods of time when the moon could not be seen. Min shows: “the same time as the meeting of the celestial boat” in Figure 2, where we see Amun-Re holding the key of power. The Book of Going Forth By Day proclaims: “You rise in the eastern horizon of the sky,” which we see in Figure 3. “You rise as the moon at its time of wakening,” which we see here. Sign Of The Dove – The god Nehebkau provides the keyword to the Min deity figure to make this moonrise happen. Nehebkau is the personification of arms raised in prayer, and symbolizes the uniting of a person’s individual essence with the spark of life (the ba with ka). In modern context, we would call this the soul or spirit, delivering the keyword for this night-time re-creative event This is the same thing as the “sign of Jonah” or “sign of the dove,” as it was known in early Christian times. Jesus equated this sign with resurrection. Joseph Smith was therefore completely correct to interpret this character as God revealing the sign of the dove and grand keywords through the heavens. Nehebkau and the Sign of Jonah look very similar:

Nehebkau was drawn as a serpent with human legs, and often with wings which represented his communication with heaven. This serpent figure became a sea serpent in early Christian art, and the wings became Jonah’s prayer while in the serpent. In the painting of Jonah being ejected from the sea serpent (to the right) from the Catacombs of Marcellinus, we see Jonah’s arms raised in prayer, the personification of Nehebkau. We can see this same image of raised arms just below the dove in Figure 7. Sacrifice For Rebirth – On the feast of Horus-Min, the king offered sacrifices “to ensure the fertility of the land and the rebirth of life.” Horus-Min is called the apotropaic “way opener” and repels “all evil from the pharaoh” in order to let rebirth happen. In the Abraham context it makes sense for Min to be giving the knowledge to Abraham, as the Abrahamic endowment is both a receiving ritual and a giving ritual. Above the throne, the upward arrow symbol is the flail symbol which represents “power to beget or create and sustain life.” In the Pyramid Texts, the powers of Min “seem to give the dead king the power to fly up into the heavens.” Joseph Smith correctly identifies the bird (or serpent… either way) as a communication device for the keywords of power. Words Of Power – Below the bird is the ka-sign with a jackal head merged, which represents “words of power” that give “intelligence, essential nature, or life-force of the deceased.” It’s title useru means “strong or mighty.” The symbol is a “badge or insignia of might or potency.” Joseph Smith’s explanation of sacrificing for knowledge and God relying with grand keywords of power is a very close match. See more

Figure 8

Full explanation here



Joseph Smith: “Contains writings that cannot be revealed unto the world; but is to be had in the Holy Temple of God.” This text translates to: “Grant life to the soul of the Osiris Sheshonk.” Joseph Smith was correct that these are “writings that cannot be revealed unto the world; but is to be had in the Holy Temple of God.” The true meaning of this writing is lost on us and can only be communicated with its full context in the temple. This is what the hypocephalus and its incorporated funeral ritual is all about, and this ritual can only be correctly performed in the temple. The ankh symbol in this text suggests a binding or covenant, and the two useru symbols suggest words of resurrection power. All of this is meaningless outside of the right time and place. See more

Figures 9-11

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Joseph Smith: “Ought not to be revealed at the present time… If the world can find out these numbers, so let it be. Amen.” The Book of the Dead tells us that these pass-phrases should be kept secret until their intended use: “This is a great and secret book. Do not allow anyone’s eyes to see it!” Joseph Smith said it “ought not to be revealed at the present time.” This shows that Joseph Smith not only understand the fine details of how this diagram explored eternal exaltation, but he knew that the words and symbols outside of their proper context would be misunderstood and useless. If you take sacred text out of context, it is going to lead to confusion. Is there any better example of this happening than CES Letter, with a diagram which tells us Joseph Smith was wrong because figure 6 is the “sons of Horus” rather than the earth’s four quarters? I mean, isn’t this a perfect example of why such things should be kept quiet from those who have ill intentions? See more

Figures 12-21

Full explanation here



Joseph Smith: “…will be given in the own due time of the Lord.” These are various passcodes that the deceased used along the way to grant passage in toward rebirth. Joseph Smith said the translation for all of these writings “will be given in the own due time of the Lord.” And he was right. They were. If Joseph Smith expected that people would eventually be able to translate Egyptian, why would he pretend to translate a Book of Breathings scroll that turns out to be completely different than what he translated? Why be so careless? Why wouldn’t he at least try to destroy the evidence? The answer is Joseph Smith clearly did not use the Book of Breathings scroll for the Book of Abraham text. You will never see an Anti-Mormon admit that Joseph Smith correctly predicted people would one day translate Egyptian. See more