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Book of Abraham Facsimile 2: The hypocephalus
The illustration represented by Facsimile 2 (view) is a hypocephalus, a disc made of linen, papyrus, or bronze, covered with inscriptions and images which relate to one of the last spells in the Book of the Dead. The disc was placed under the head (hypocephalus = Greek: "under the head") of the deceased in the belief that the spell would cause the head and body to be enveloped in flames or radiance, making the deceased divine. Joseph Smith's notes to Facsimile 2 identify several figures as representing God sitting in the heavens among the stars and others of his creations.
Criticisms related to Facsimile 2 are related to Joseph Smith's explanations of the individual elements.
Summary: The Book of Abraham states that “the sun [is said] 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 (Abraham Fac 2,Fig 5),” while astrophysics has shown that “The Sun shines ... because of thermonuclear fusion. It does not get its light from any other star.”
Summary: Critics of Mormonism claim that "LDS doctrine regarding astronomy is permeated with references to time being measured, or 'reckoned' according to a star's or planet's rate of rotation. Furthermore, this 'reckoning of time' is a prime distinguisher in terms of 'greatness.' From the standpoint of modern cosmology, this makes no sense at all. Rates of rotation are largely arbitrary, and of little comment or concern from a fundamental point of view."
Summary: Joseph Smith correctly identified some elements in Facsimile 2.
Summary: Portions of the original Facsimile 2 appear to have been missing, and the missing portions were filled in with characters or images taken from other sources before publication.
Summary: Joseph Smith identified the ithyphallic Egyptian god "Min" as representing "God sitting upon his throne." Why would Joseph use a representation of an Egyptian god with an erect penis to represent God?
Drawing showing how much of Facsimile 2 was likely extant before publication (Image from the
Joseph Smith Papers)
Missing sections of Facsimile 2 and the "restorations" added before publication (Click to enlarge)
