--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Frost, Grace Ingles collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 16 number: 4 published: 1913-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Frost, Grace Ingles, "War. A Poem," *Improvement Era* 16, no. 4 (February 1913): 310–326.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1604unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1604unse start_page: 310 end_page: 326 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1913-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1604unse publication_year: 1913 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1913, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # War. A Poem ; War 1 feel thy scorching breath upon my cheeks, demon god, that broodest o'er the world. Who, with the speed of maddened whirlwind, seeks To devastate the nations, to make faint, By hunger, thirst, that e'er thine allies are : And conflagration's cursed, swift-shod feet, Which were and ever are thy guiding star. 1 feel the wretched bane of thy caress, The vampire kiss that robs humanity, Throughout the ages, of her noblest, best, And leaves behind the venom of its sting Within the heart and soul of those bereft. Upon earth's vast expanse, I see a stain, A stain of crimson like unto a flood, Remembrancing the struggle and the pain Of those who upon thine altar placed their all, Obedient to thine insatiety. And now, I see a face peer 'tween the bars That hold it captive, hear the rythmic beat Of snowy pinions, flecked by sanguine wars And know that not 'til sound of tramping feet, Which marks thy minions, shall forever cease, Will angel hands, that rolled away the stone, Thrice bless the world by liberating Peace. Grace Ingles Frost. WATERLOO, UTAH — "Joseph Smith, Jr., as a Translator.' [Early in December of last year, the Rt. Rev. F. S. Spalding, Episcopal Bishop of Utah, put forth a brochure entitled, "Joseph Smith, Jr., as a Translator." In it he tried to prove, among other things which will be clearly shown in quotations from his writings in the articles following, that the Prophet Joseph failed as a translator of ancient Egyptian language, and therefore, also as a translator of the Book of Mormon, and as a Prophet of God. His document aroused considerable interest, and especially among some of the writers of the Church who then prepared answers to his arguments. By consent of the authors, the Era is able to present these to its readers; and while other papers may appear hereafter, we believe that in the series here presented, the discriminating reader will not only be greatly interested but will discover sufficient to refute the Bishop's argument and find a vindication once more of the work of the Prophet Joseph. The Editors.] A Plea in Bar of Final Conclusions. BY B. H. ROBERTS, OF THE FIRST COUNCIL OF SEVENTY [This article was first printed in the Salt Lake Tribune, of Dec. 15, 1912, but has been enlarged and revised by the author for the Improvement Era. The reason for trie publication of the article in the Tribune, Elder Roberts states, was that there appeared in that paper on the 8th of December, 1912, a very sympathetic not to say fulsome review of Bishop Spalding's brochure, with predictions of its direful effects upon "Mormonism." Elder Roberts was therefore anxious to obtain a hearing before the readers of that paper, and accordingly applied to the management of the Tribune for that privilege, which was very willingly and courteously granted, and for which he here makes acknowledgment and tenders his thanks.— The Editors.] I call what I have to say at present written, addressed to him as to whether on Bishop Spalding's pamphlet, "Joseph or not the "case" which the bishop ap- Smith, Jr., as a Translator," a plea in parently makes against the Book of bar of final conclusions, because I real- Abraham can be met. is the occasion ize that my remarks may not properly for this immediate, and what may be be regarded as a complete answer to considered, not without some reason, his- very adroitly presented case, spe- an inadequate reply, cifically against the Book of Abraham, My only object now is to call attenand inferentially against the Book of tion to such imperfections in the data Mormon, as genuine translations. And on which the bishop bases his concluhere let it be admitted that the bishop's sions, as to indicate that they do not premises and argument are worthy of furnish sufficient grounds to warrant profounder consideration than it is pos- the deductions as being final, and that sible for thiswriter under present cir- the inquiry conducted by him is not so cumstances to give them. But the formidable as at first glance it would number of inquiries, both verbal and appear. 310 IMPROVEMENT ERA As another item in the preliminary to tions are most critical," and, I might my remarks upon the bishop's case add, most searching, since they lay the against the Book of Abraham, permit ax at the root of the whole "Mormon" me to acknowledge the courtesy and tree. I allow the bishop all his claims oven generosity to "Mormon" writers to the dire results to "Mormonism" if he displays in conducting his inquiry; he can, to the point of demonstration, and to say that his method of discus- make his case good against Joseph sion is entirely legitimate, and the spirit Smith as a translator. of it irreproachable. I am willing to How may this end be achieved? Conaccord to him all the courtesy and fessedly, as the translator of the Book generosity he exhibits in debate that of Mormon, the Prophet is beyond the the reviewer of his pamphlet claims for reach of the bishop, at least by direct him in last Sunday's Tribune. means; for the reason that "the plates" of the Book of Mormon are THE BISHOP'S CASE. "not available" for the above purpose, Briefly stated, the case of the bishop being in the keeping of the messenger against Joseph Smith as a translator to whom Joseph Smith returned them is this: after the translation was completed. The competency of the Prophet as a But in certain Egyptian papyrus rolls, translator of ancient records can be as- found in a sarcophagus in Egypt, . certained in but one way. "The original which came into Joseph Smith's postexts, together with his interpretations, session in 1835, a translation of which must be submitted to competent schol- he published in March, 1842 (Times ars, and if they declare his translations and Seasons, vol. 3. Nos. 9 and 10.) to be correct, then they must be accept- the bishop finds something that will ed as true." serve his purpose equally well; be- Conversely, if the "competent cause with the Prophet's translation scholars" shall declare his -transla- and explanation of some parts of this tions to be incorrect, then, of course, ancient record, which the translator his claims as a translator fall to the called the Book of Abraham, is pubground; and with that failure as a lished three facsimiles of the original translator demonstrated, his claims to Egyptian text from the Book of Abradivine inspiration cannot be allowed; ham. These facsimiles may be subhe is no prophet of God. If he was mitted to the learned Egyptolonot a truly inspired translator then he gists, and as "today the Egyptian lan- had no right to the religious leader- guage is readily translated by many ship which "earnest men" accorded scholars, we have just the test we him. need," says the bishop, "of Joseph "However sincere he may have been Smith's accuracy as a translator." in believing in his mission," the bishop (Pamphlet p. 18.) argues, "if the translation he gave to The bishop has appiied the test. mankind is false, he is shown to have That is to say, Bishop Spalding sent been self-deceived." And if he was the facsimiles of the Egyptian reself-deceived in the matter of his trans- cords with Joseph Smith's translation lations, then those witnesses who testi- of the Book of Abraham, with the fied to the correctness of his transla- Prophet's partial translation and extion, by a supposed hearing of the planations of these facsimiles, to cervoice of God, declaring the fact, were tain American, English, and German diso self-deceived (pamphlet p. 11;) Egyptologists for their opinion of the and the result must be a repudiation accuracy of the translation, with the (if "the whole body of belief," which result that they all— and there are has been built upon Joseph Smith's eight of them— give judgment against translations of ancient records the — the Prophet. Book of Mormon and the Book of "THE JURY" IN THE CASE. Abraham. These scholars, world renowned, are: As the bishop remarks, ''these ques- Dr. A. H. Sayce of Oxford, England; "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 311 Dr. W. M. Flinders Petrie, London uni- depend upon special scholarship are versity; James H. Breasted, Ph.D.. questions that require time and re- Haskell Oriental museum, University of search and discovery, and there is no Chicago; Dr. Arthur C. Mace, assistant occasion for hurry in dealing with curator, Metropolitan Museum of Art, them, and the conclusions of the New York, department of Egyptian learned in such matters are not as unart; Dr. John Peters, University of changeable as they seam. Pennsylvania, in charge of expedition For instance, qui'*, a remarkable reto Babylonia-, 1888-1895; the Rev Prof. volution has occured in Egyptology C. A. B. Mercer, Ph. D., Western The- within recent years, within the period ological seminary, custodian Hibbard of Egyptian activities, indeed, of a collection Egyptian reproductions; Dr. number of Bishop Spalding's jury, es- Edward Meyer, University of Berlin; pecially of Dr. Petrie, whose activities Dr. Friedrich Freiheer Von Bissing, are credited with beginning the revoluprofessor of Egyptology in the Univer- tion. "In the beginning of the year sity of Munich. 1895," remarks Prof. George Stein- Quite a formidable list of learned dorff, ''with the assistance of his pupil men, truly; and I because I give it, Quibell, he (Petrie) discovered many think the bishop is entitled to have it cemeteries on the western bank of known by those reading these "re- the Nile, between the districts of marks" how eminent is the jury pro- Naquada and Eallas, the contents of nouncing on the case against the "Mor- which differed considerably from mon" Prophet. those of other graves in Egypt, and which he therefore regarded not as VALE BISHOP. Egyptian but as belonging probably to At this point we may leave the bish- a Lybian race." One of the remarkop. He has done his duty; he has pre- able differences was the posture of sented the case, and has received a the buried dead. With few exceptions verdict. From this on we are to deal up to this time the dead were found with that verdict, and the jury render- lying on their backs or on their sides ing it. at full length, the bodies found by One who can lay no claim to the Dr. Petrie in the districts named learning of Egypt at first hand, by were "doubled up, the knees drawn knowledge of original records, may well up, the hands before the face, pause before such an array of Egypto- and lying on the left side ... The logists as listed above, before under- funeral objects were peculiar." These taking to comment upon their conclu- considerations led Dr. Petrie to consions. And truly it is in no spirit of clude that the race they represented arrogance or flippancy or self-suffi- was not Egyptian, A year later, howciency that I undertake to make my ever, the French Egyptologist Prof. comments; neither as despising nor E. Amelineau made discoveries of a flouting their learning. In their pres- similar character in the "rubbish ence it is becoming in me, and all mounds known as Umm el-Ga"ab, near others unschooled in ancient Egyptian the ancient, sacred city of Abydos." lore, to speak with modesty and be- "The tombs of the kings of Abydos," have with becoming deference. But I remarks Prof. Steindorff, ''being pureask that due attention at this point ly Egyptian (as the inscriptions found be given to the very limited scope of in them prove.) it naturally follows what I propose: I am making a plea that the civilization brought to light only in bar of final conclusions upon through these tombs is also Egyptian, this subject, and I think I can point and does not belong to another peo- out from the decisions of these learned ple as Petrie at first assumed." men sufficient reasons to warrant that But what was more important in the stay of final judgment for which I discoveries of Amelineau, was the open- plead. And meantime the at- I call ing of several royal tombs; and "fortention of the youth of my own people tunately, three kings are mentioned to the fact that these questions that by their birth names on two stone 312 IMPROVEMENT ERA fragments found at Abydos, and in information preceding it, is from the these we recognize the kings Usaphais, paper, Excavations in Egypt, by Prof. Miebis, and Lememses, mentioned in George Steindorff, published in Explorthe native lists, as well as 'by Mane- ations in Bible Lands, During the 19th tho. All three belong to the First Century—1903— pp. 625-690.) "Little by Dynasty, that is, to the period before little," he adds, "we are gaining more the builders of the great pyramids light upon this dark subject." (i. e. prior to 4,000, B. C.) which This is putting the results of the distherefore is also about the time when covery into very conservative terms. the tombs of Abydos were built, and Prof. Clifton Marby Levy, member of the period to which belong the other the Egyptian Exploration Fund, and similar cemeteries of Upper Egypt, a American Oriental Society, was more date which has been otherwise con- enthusiastic in his comments on the firmed." result of the find about the time it oc- Among the discoveries at Abydos by curred: Amelineau was the very tomb of "The gods are men. That is the Osiris! and the mumified re- in it result of the latest discoveries in old mains of that ancient king. "Near the Egypt. For Professor E. Amelineau, head were two hawks, and two more one of the most famous and trustwere at the feet: The dead was desig- worthy of the explorers in Egypt, annated by the inscription: "Osiris, the nounces positively that he has found Good Being." The hawks were la- the very tcmbs in which were buried belled, Horus, the avenger of his father; and the Godess Isis is also the bodies of the Egyptian deities Osiris,Horus and Set. The discovery designated by her name" (From Amelineau's own description of his dis- has made a tremendous sensation all covery.) over the world, for these names had Previous to these discoveries-18 9 6- been always supposed by modern schol- Prof. Steindorff declares that ars to be purely mythical. "the earliest history and civilization of "It would be impossible to exagger- Egypt was, so to speak, terra ate the importance of Professor Ameincognita. For the period prior to the lineau's discovery, for it is more radi- Fourth Dynasty we were dependent, cal and far-reaching than any of the to a great extent, on the information many remarkable finds made in hisof Manetho. with a large mixture of toric Egypt. Not one modern of the mythical elements, on the royal lists historians of that land of mystery from of kings, taken from older sources, and Flinders Petrie to Adolf Erman has exon occasional passages in Egyptian pressed any belief in the actual existtexts of the Old Empire and of later ence of the first divine kings of Egypt. times. From these, however, we learned The names Osiris, Isis, Horus and Set little more than the names and prob- have been supposed by every writer to able order of the kings who ruled from be nothing more nor less than personi- Menes down to Snofru (Sephuris,) the fications of the powers of nature. predecessor of Cheops. Of the monu- "But scholars are critical beings, ments of this period only the readier with new theories to explain tomb pyramid of Zeser and a few such stories than to accept them as remains of Mastabas of the Third containing the truth. It was incredible Dynasty were known. In consequence to them that such beings as Osiris and of this paucity of information, it has Horus ever lived, and in the legends of often happened that serious scholars their adventures they saw nothing have considered the kings of this earli- more than the personifying of the est period of Egyptian history as earth, the Nile, the sun and the stars. mythical personages, or at least have M. Amelineau, however, with his spade, come to the opinion that the lists of the upsets all of their theories, in so far kings were nothing but artificial com- as they deny the existence of these pilations." (The above quotation, and gods on earth, for he has found their — "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 313 tombls," (Letter to the New York learned "saw nothing more than the Sunday Journal, March 13th, 1898.) personifying of earth, the Nile, the Nor is this likely to be the last up- sun and the stars" (Levy). And setting that new discoveries will bring doubtless some "Professor Breasted" concerning Egyptology. As remarked could have been found who would — by Prof. Steindorff "more, consider- — have said in the event of our supable more, still remains hidden, wait- position happening previous to 1896 ing for the fortunate discoverer; and — The fact of these names being purethe day is far remote when the cry ly mythical, or representing only the of 'nothing new from Africa' will be — natural elements "This" our "Breastheard by the civilized world." ed" would have said, "was of course, And now to apply this recent revo- unknown to Smith, but it is a fact not lution to the present case. Suppose only of my own knowledge, but also a Joseph Smith, previous to 1895, had common place of the knowledge of announced that the mummies with every orientalist who works in the which was found the Egyptian rolls of Egyptian field" (pamphlet, p. 25). papyrus, here in question, were But again the opening of a tomb, and doubled up, the knees drawn up, the all this "knowledge" vanishes, and hands before the face and lying on the names that were "myths" yesterthe left side. In that event some day, become the names of real person- "Prof. Sayce," doubtless, could have ages today Much virtue in the openbeen found who would have said: "It ing of a tomb; and the opening of is difficult to deal seriously with tombs in Egypt is not ended yet, nor Joseph Smith's impudent fraud" the results following the opening of (Pamphlet, p. 23); "every one knows," tombs. such a Sayce would doubtless have But, to the consideration of this ver- dict. added, "that no Egyptians have been found so buried, the mummies must BAD COPY, ILLEGIBLE. be of some other race. And some "Dr. Mace" could have been found to 1. Of "bad copying" of the original denounce such a declaration as "a documents, and what may come of it. Let it be observed in passing that the farrago of nonsense" (Pamphlet p. 27) genuineness of the facsimiles is not in — so easy is it, even for dignified, question, they are conceded to be Egyptian, though all of the jury, save learned men, to speak contemptuously. — But since 189 6 since the discoveries one, insist that the attempt at repro- duction has been badly executed. of Dr. Petrie and Prof. Amelineau the whole list of Egyptoligists would "The hieroglyphics have been . . . copied so ignorantly that hardly one be in agreement with such a declara- of them is correct." tion, such virtue is there in the turning of a spade —the opening of a tomb. The"hieroglyphics," again, "have been transformed into unintelligible Or had Joseph Smith announced lines. Hardly one of them is copied that the mummies with which the rolls — correctly." Sayce . of papyrus were found contemporane- This repetition in his letter in less ous with the ancient personages, than a dozen lines. Osiris, Isis, Horus, Set, then what a "The inscriptions are far too badly to be able to read them."— storm of impatient ridicule would copied Petrie. have raged about the Prophet's head, and with what scorn the learned Commenting on figure "6," plate 3, savants would have informed a listen- Dr. Breasted says: ing world that, all this was "a farrago "The head should be that of nonsense," that the names Osiris, of a wolf, or jackal, but which is here Isis, Horus and Set are "nothing more badly drawn." nor less than personifications of the "Cut 1 and 3 are inaccurate copies powers of nature" (Prof. Levy). It of well-known scenes on funeral papy- ri." — Mace. was incredible that "such beings as Osirus and Horus ever lived." "and in "The reproductions are very Lad."— Meyer. the legends of their adventures" the 314 IMPROVEMENT ERA "The hieroglyphics are merely illegi- similes." The prophet describes the ble scratches, the imitator not having original documents as "beautifully the skill or intelligence to copy such a written on papyrus, with black, and a script."— Peters. small part red, ink or paint, in perfect "It is impossible from Smith's bad facsimiles to make out any meaning preservation. The characters are such of the inscriptions."— Bissing. as you find upon the coffins of mum- Question: If all this be true of the — — mies hieroglyphics, etc. with many alleged facsimiles, how may the learned characters or letters like the present gentlemen pronounce judgment upon (though probably not quite so square) them with such certainty? May not form of the Hebrew, without points." the differences noted in these cuts from (Hist, of the Ch., vol. II, p. 3 and 8.) Egyptian documents with which they That is, the most ancient form of the are compared and contrasted, and Hebrew. From this it would appear here assigned to bad copying, that the original was not defective. arise from a real difference in The wood engraving for the cuts the documents themselves, due to p "O- published in The Times and Seasoiib duction of a different age, or by a so- (Vol. Ill, Nos. 9, 19),wasdoneby Reujourner in Egypt, such as Abraham ben Hedlock, an engraver from Canada. was? A layman's question, of course John Taylor, later President Taylor, but I venture to press it. M. Theo- also from Canada, and a worker in dule Deveria, a young savant of the wood, was also present and working Museum of the Louvre, Paris, when the on The Times and Seasons at the date same facsimiles were presented to him of the publication of the facsimiles, and for translationby M. Jules Remey, in there is little doubt but what the wood 1860— M. Remey was a French traveler engraving was reasonably well done. who visited Utah in 1855-6 and after- As to purposely changing the figures ward published his observations in two or altering the text, that is out of the volumes, largely devoted to Utah and question, since that would have subthe "Mormons" — made the same com- jected the prophet to detection and explaint against the facsimiles, namely, posure, as after the facsimiles and the that the reproduction was bad, that the Book of Abraham were both published, hieroglyphics and figures in the copies the mummies, with which the papyri submitted to him were in some cases were found, and the papyri, were on dim and may not be deciphered. In exhibition at the.home of the Prophet's other cases- he insists that the figures parents at Nauvoo, subject to the inshould be different, and claims that spection of all who might choose to others still have been purposely al- examine them. As late as May, "fortytered in copying. three days before the death of the This is substantially the claim of our prophet", in 1844, they were examined present learned jury. M. Deveria, as — by Josiah Quincy the Josiah of well as they, obtained a different trans- "Figures of the Past" authorship. lation from that given by Joseph Smith; It is not, therefore, likely that upon which, elsewhere, I have re- Joseph Smith or his associates would marked: "If it is the facsimiles thus designedly change any of the figures in changed that M. Deveria has interpret- their copy of these documents and run ed, then of course his interpretation such risk of detection and exposure. would differ from the translation made Again I say, such differences as are by Joseph Smith, who doubtless fol- found to exist between these facsimiles lowed strictly the papyrus text. (Amer- and similar documents with which they icana, N. Y., April, 1911, p. 377, note.) are compared by our jury of savants, I venture to make the same comment may not arise from "bad copying," but upon the work of the jury of savants represent documents of different comnow being considered. position from those with which they HOW IT WAS ENGRAVED. are compared; of different ages, and And now as to the "bad copying" and executed by a sojourner in Egypt, as purposely altering figures in the "fac- was Abraham. ''JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 315 A Facsimile from the Book of Abraham. 122/ /~7 / / / £/////// ////"/// / / / / /T/7 // \ \ V\ \ \ \V N > \ -, VVWV \ v \\ \V ,y, \\T\ \\\ \iWtUJ//j/t ///////////////// r/f //////// tTTTTTp uiiniijiifii niiKn CUT NO. 1. EXPLANATION OF ABOVE. Fig. The Angel of the Lord. 2, Abraham fastened upon an altar. C, 1, the idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to offer up Abraham as a sacrifice. 4, The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, Korash, and Pharaoh. 5, the idolatrous god of Libnah. The idolatrous god of god of Elkenah. 6. The idolatrous 7, Mahmackrah. 8, The idolatrous god of Korash. 9, The idolatrous god of Pha- 11, Designed to represent the pillars of heaven, raoh. 10. Abraham in Egypt. expanse, or the as understood by the Egyptians. 12, Raukeeyang. signifying subject, the firmament over our heads; but in this case, in relation to this Shaumau. to be high, or the heavens, answer- Egyptians meant to signify it ing to the Hebrew word Shaumahyeem. 316 IMPROVEMENT ERA A Facsimile from the Book of Abraham. CUT NO. 2. EXPLANATION OF THE FOREGOING CUT. Fig. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or resi- 1. dence of God. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time. The measurement according to celestial time, which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit. One day in Kolob is equal to a thousand years, according to the measurement of this earth, which is called by the Egyptians Jah-oh-eh. Fig. 2. Stands next to Kolob, called by the Egyptians Oliblish, which is the next grand governing creation near to the celestial or the place where God resides; holding the key of power also, pertaining to other planets; as re- vealed from God to Abraham, as he offered sacrifice upon an altar, which he had built unto the Lord. Fig. 3. Is made to represent God sitting upon his throne, clothed with power and authority; with a crown of eternal light upon his head; represent- ing also the grand Key- Words of the Holy Priesthood, as revealed to Adam in the Garden of Eden, as also to Seth, Noah, Melchisedeck, Abraham, and all to whom the Priesthood was revealed. Fig. 4. Answers to the Hebrew word Raukeeyang signifying expanse, or the firmament of the heavens; also a numerical figure, in Egyptian signify- ing one thousand; answering to the measuring of the time of Oliblish, which is equal with Kolob in its revolution and in its measuring of time. "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 317 Fig. 5. Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-on-dosh; this is one of the governing- planets also, and said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow is its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand key, or in other words, the governing power, which ^overns 15 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. Pig. 6. Represents the earth in its four quarters. Fig. 7. Represents God sitting upon his throne through revealing 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. Fig. 8. Contains writing that cannot be revealed unto the world; but is to be had in the Holy Temple of God. Fig. 9. Ought not to be revealed at the present time. Fig. 10. Also. Pig 11. Also. If the world can find out these numbers, so let it be. Amen. Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, will be given in the own due time of the Lord. The above translation is given as far as we have any right to give, at the present time. Plate from the Berlin Museum Collection, In the New York Time* of I December 29th. 1912. Magic Disk for use under mummy's head. Note similarity to Plate No- 4(2) from "The Pearl of Grea Price." 318 IMPROVEMENT ERA A Facsimile from the Book of Abraham. CUT N. 3. EXPLANATION OF THE ABOVE CUT. 1. Abraham sittingupon Pharaoh's throne, by the politeness of the king with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the ' rand Presidency in Heaven; with the sceptre of justice and judgment in his hand. 2. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head. 3. Signifies Abraham in Egypt; referring to Abraham, as given in the ninth number of the Times and Seasons. (Also as given in the first fac-simile of this book). Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written 4. above the hand. Shulem, one of the king's principal waiters, as 5. represented by the characters above his hand. 6. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince. Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of astronomy, in the king's ' "urt. "JOSEPH SMI' JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 319 And this, too, might have an impor- the opportunity of putting these two tant bearing upon the date of the docu- discs sideby side in this article for ments which our jury insists "are all comparison and contrast, and they are many centuries later than Abraham: accordingly published herewith. . . . about 960 to 750 B. C."— Petrie. Two things are established by this Such documents as facsimile No. 2, opportunity for comparison and consaid by the jury to be a sort of funeral trast; first that the fac-similes plate tablet, in common use, "did not appear from the Book of Abraham is not unin any Egyptian burials until over a skillfully executed as charged. As a thousand years after the time of Abra- bit of art engraving it is in every way — ham." Breasted. Of facsimile No. 3, superior to the reproduction of the also related to funeral uses— of which Times plate fac-simile from the Berlin there are many of the kind— "yet it Museum. There is nothing incongru- as certain that the ous between detail and general plan, may be stated as there doubtless would be if any of scene was unknown until about 500 the pictographs had been designedly years after Abraham's day."— Breasted. changed as is charged in respect of It is fortunate for Joseph Smiths this plate (Deveria), or "copied so claims that the learned jury did not de- ignorantly that hardly one of them is cide that the documents were of more correct" (Sayce.) And I leave it to ancient date than Abraham, for that the reader to say if in those parts that would have presented a real difficulty, two are most nearly alike in the but being this side of his day, he may fac-similes the artistic execution is not have been the author of such docu- superior in the Book of Abraham disc. ments, though copies of them may not The second thing established by have been multiplied until centuries publishing the fac-similes of these two later. plates side by side, is that they are Since the above appeared in print, not identical plates. That while there the New York Times has devoted a are certain similarities in the two, page and a half of its valuable space enough to show that they may in part to this subject, and with sensational treat of the same general subjects headlines announced how "Museum (and that is what is required by the walls proclaim fraud of 'Mormon' circumstances as we shall later_see); Prophet." The tone of the Times ar- yet the similarity is not so marked as ticle in general is in sympathy with to the distinctive features between the Bishop Spalding's jury, and contrib- two (and that is what is required by utes its voice against the Prophet. the circumstances as we shall present- The article is illustrated with cuts, one ly see). To establish this distinction of the "Mormon" temple, the three in the conviction of the reader, let him facsimiles from the Book of Abraham, take the middle line of combined pic- and a circular disc from the Berlin tographs and hieroglyphics and con- museum collection, and invites its sider them. While the central figure readers to note similarity to plate No. has enough similarity to indicate the 4 (the number it gives to circular same -idea, yet in the Book of Abra- plate No. 2 in the Pearl of Great ham pictograph there is but one Price). It is only reasonable to pre- disced, dog-headed like animal on sume that after all the claims that are each side; and then four lines of made of this circular disc of the Book closely written hieroglyphics on each of Abraham being practically identi- side. In the Berlin plate there are cal with the funerary discs plentifully three dog-like animals on each side, found in Egyptian tombs and modern and no hieroglyphics, except two or museums, the one most nearly three. In the central figure on the tcp resembling the Book of Abraham disc line there is marked similarity; but in was selected by the Times writer for the Book of Abraham fac-simile there reproduction, in fac-simile. That be- is a perpendicular line of hieroglyph- ing granted as reasonable, I for one ics, and other details absent from the thank the Times writer for giving me Berlin plate. Note also the difference —— 320 IMPROVEMENT ERA in the two plates as to the pictographs years while our record has remained to the right of this central figure. A uncorrupted. Hence the differences. comparison of the hieroglyphics circling the rim of the plate will also II — DISAGREEMENTS AMONG THE JURY OF SAVANTS. show distinctiveness; and there are a number of others, but this is sufficient Plate I. — As to the whole plate: "The well known scene of Anubis to start the reader in making his com- preparing the body of a dead man." parisons and contrasts. — Petrie. Again, respecting these differences in "Apparently the plate represents an the fac-similies from the Book of embalmer [name evidently unknown Abraham and the Egyptian documents just a common undertaker, perhaps. of the museums, relating perhaps, at R.] preparing a body for burial." Pe- — least, to similar subjects, and with ters. "Parts of the well known Book of the which our jury of savants compare and contrast the fac-similies Riven out by — Dead." Meyer. "This figure represents Osiris rais- Joseph Smith: I am of opinion that ing from the dead." (!) —Breasted. the Book of Abraham itself gives a Judging from the plate itself, if I key which may lead to a solution of the were on the jury, I should vote with matter. In that record we are in- Breasted, for surely the whole scene is formed that the first Pharaoh, son of too animated for the embalming of the Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, was a dead. The main figure on the bedsteadrighteous man, but being of the race, like altar, with both hands raised in that was denied the right to the priest- protest, and one foot up, is evidently hood, which had obtained among the not ready for the supposed embalming ancient patriarchs, he nevertheless es- process that Petrie and Peters think is tablished his kingdom and judged his under way. It should be observed, too, people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order that the figure to be"embalmed" is clothed,and presumably in his right (i.e. of the priesthood) established by the fathers in the first generations, in mind judging from the expression the days of the first patriarchal reign, of the open and rather intelligent "even in the reign of Adam, and also of expression of the " eye. It is Noah." Allowing this in the account, more a book of the living like and it may not be denied its place, than of the "dead;" more like rethen we of the "Mormon" side of the sistance to an assassin, as Joseph controversy have the right to say: Smith depicts it, an attempt to offer "Differences in these leaves form the the patriarch Abraham as a sacrifice Book of Abraham and the leaves from to false gods — than either an embalmthe Book of the Dead in your mu- ing scene or a resurrection. seums, and in the hands of your sa- As to the separate figures on plat I: ants? certainly; for our fac- Yes, Figure 1 — The hawk-like bird. similies were written by one holding "The hawk of Horus." —Petrie. the true and ligitimate order of the "A bird in which form Isis is reprepriesthood, and capable of representing — sented" Breasted ("The hawk of Horus" and this alleged representation in pictographs and hieroglyphics of of Isis cannot be regarded as identical his times its true signs and insignia, or as having anything in common, since Isis was the sister and wife of Osiris. and history; what you find in and the mother of Horus; and Horus a the tombs of Egyptians kings solar deity, the avenger of his father and priests, and upon the walls see Rawlinson and others. R.) Egyptian but an "The soul (Kos) is flying away in of imitation of temples, is that ancient order of the form of a bird" — Peters. "The soul in the shape of a bird is things of which book our documents flying above it" (i. e. the body) speak, but yours, doubtless, inaccura- Meyer. tely from the first, being but an imita- "The soul is leaving the body in the moment when the priest (3) is opening tion, and that imitation (again doubt- the body with a knife for mummifaclessly) varied from, in the course of tion" — Bissing. — — "JOSEPH SMITH. JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 321 SOUL OF OSIRIS. sion let us proceed, for there is more to follow. I continue with plate No. To these diverse interpretations or this figure 1, I add that of M. Deveria: 1, Figure 2: "The soul of Osiris, under the form of "The dead person"— PETRIE. a hawk." He also adds, in parenthesis, "The body of the dead lying aba' that the hawk "should have a human (bier)"— MEYER. Yes, or the head of an ass, "The dead man is lying abier"— BIShead." SING. then it could be made to mean some- "The reclining figure lifts one foot thing else than what these other learn- and both arms. This figure represents ed men describe it as meaning. De- Osiris rising from the dead!" BREASTED. veria also says that "figure 3"— which "Osiris coming to life on his funeral Breasted calls an "officiating priest;" couch "—DEVERIA. ! Meyer "a priest approaching it" (i. e. Again, were I on the jury, I should the "bier"); and Peters, an "embalm- this case vote with Breasted and 'er" —Deveria, I say, calls "figure 3" in Deveria, for the figure discussed rep- "The God of Anubis." With this Petrie, resents a very life-like attitude for a of Bishop Spalding's jury, agrees; ex- corpse. If Mark Twain was commentcept that Deveria says he is "effecting ing on the alleged "dead man" he the resurrection of Osiris," and Petrie would doubtless say that the report that "he is the conductor of the souls of his being dead was "very much exof the dead." Petrie makes no com- aggerated." plaint against the form of "figure 3," but Deveria insists that he "should If our good bishop was in any way responsible for all this confusion of have a jackal's head." Yes, or some other change might be suggested, and interpretation of the plates, I should by such process some other meaning laugh outright, for he is no more of may be read into the plate and make it an Egyptologist than I am; but as it is a learned jury of savants that have different from the translation of Joseph Smith. each other by the ears, it will be be- Let us all stand together here a mo- coming in me to place my hand over — ment this jury of savants, and M. De- my mouth and stand demure, as I do veria, and also you and I, bishop, let us now. Tor a moment join the group, though Explanations of plates 2 and 3 are we be no savants we need not be much not as extended as in the case of this abashed for the moment; and let the plate No. 1, for which reason, I take it, is less conflict and more gen- there "mad Hamlet" instruct us: old courtier, eral agreement among members of Polonius, the tiresome has been sent to bring Prince Hamlet the jury than in the explanations of to the presence of his mother, then plate No. 1. But we have tne dictum, on the high authority of Dr. Sayce of "Hamlet: Do you see yonder cloud Oxford, that the hieroglyphic? of plate that's almost the shape of a camel?" No. 3 "have been transformed into "Polonius: By the mass, and 'tis like unintelligible lines;" "that hardly one a camel, indeed." "Hamlet: Methinks it is like a cf them is copied correctly," and how weasel." what it stands for, under such cir- "Polonius: It is backed like a weasel." cumstances, is to be made out is dif- "Hamlet: Or like a whale?" ficult forthe lay mind to comprehend. "Polonius: Very like a whale." should also be remembered that "Hamlet: Then I will ccme to my It mother by and by." these savants in their interpretation of the facsimiles are pointing out All right, bishop, for one, I will what they conceive to be the meaning change my belief in Joseph Smith's of some few of the principal figures translation these Egyptian plates, of but give us no translation of what "by and by," perhaps, but it will not might be thought, by the layman, to be until there is more harmony among be the "script" of the text, namely, your Egyptologists. After this digres- the small characters around the bor- 322 IMPROVEMENT ERA der of the circular disc, as also around simulatneous principle of father and and within the main part of the other son. facsimiles. If, as one of the jury de- Figure 3: "The God Ra, the sun, clares (Mace), "Egyptian characters with a hawk's head seated in his boat. In the field the two symbol- can now be read almost as easily as ical figures according to M. de Greek," one wonders how it is that Rouge, the fixed points of an astronone or other of the plates was not omical period." completely translated, and its story Figure 5; "The mystic cow, the "exhaustively told. Can it be that great cow, symbolizing the inferior Egyptologists are not as sure of their hemisphere of the heavens." knowledge of ancient Egyptian script Joseph Smith's explanation of this No. as the above remark of Dr. Mace 2 circular disc is that it deals with would lead us to think they are? Is the science of astronomy, and wtth not our knowledge of the Egyptian sacred mysteries. For the former see records still in its swaddling band of his explanations of figures 1, 2, 4, 5, infancy? What is said of plate No. 6 circular disc and for the latter, ; 2, however, is more important for an- other reason than for disagreements the sacred — mysteries see — his ex- planation of figure 8 "contains writing among our jury of savants, and that cannot be revealed unto the world which I now proceed to point out. but is to be had in the Holy Temple of III.— IMPORTANT CONFIRMATION God." "Figure 9 ought not to be re- OF JOSEPH SMITH'S DECLARA- vealed at the present time; figure 10 TIONS WITH REFERENCE TO also. Figure 11 also; if the world can PLATE NO. 2. find out these numbers, so let it be. "No. 2 is one of the usual discs with Amen." "Figures 12-20 will be given in magic inscriptions placed beneath the the own due time of the Lord." "Figure head of the dead."— PETRIE. 3," the prophet says, "is made to repre- "Cut No. 2 is a copy of one of the sent God, sitting upon his throne, magical discs which in the late Egyptian period were placed undei the head clothed with power and authority, with of the mummies." —MACE. a crown of eternal light upon his head; "Facsimile No. 2 * * * is commonly representing also the grand key words called among Egyptologists a hypo- of the holy priesthood as revealed to cephalus. It was placed under the head of the mummy, and the various Adam in the Garden of Eden, as also representations upon it were of a mag- to Seth, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, ical power designed to assist the de- and all to whom the priesthood was receased in various ways, especially to vealed." prevent the loss of his head."— BREASTED. "Figure 7," the Prophet also declares, "represents God sitting upon his throne It .is proper to say that our "jury- revealing through the heavens the man" adds: "These did not come into grand key words of the priesthood; as, use until the late centuries, just before also, the sign of the Holy Ghost unto the Christian era." (For an explana- Abraham, in the form of a dove." tion of which see the paragraph quot- To the idea of this plate being "saed from Reynolds later.) cred" or possessed of "magical" power Figure 1. in the Book of Abraham "designed to assist the deceased in fac-simile plate no. 2, is interpreted various ways, especially to prevent by Deveria to be: the loss of his head," and parts of it not to be revealed unto the world, and "The spirit of the four elements, or rather of the four winds, or the — some of it only in holy places to all four cardinal points; the soul of the this, several of cur jury of savants terrestial world." give contributing evidence. But how Figure 2, same plate; "Amon Ra came Joseph Smith by this knowledge, with two human heads, meant prob- that this plate treated of these two ably to represent both the invisible or mysterous principle of Amnion, and things, Astronomy and sacred mysteries the visible or luminous principle of if not by "inspiration," for confes- Ra, the sun; or else the double and sedly he did not obtain it by Egyptian "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 323 scholarship? Neither could he by their dead in the robes of the holy searching find it out, as no means of priesthood. "No doubt the true meaning of these interpreting the Egyptian hieroglyphics 'key words' was soon lost among the was at hand until the publication of Egyptians, but they knew enough to Champollion's Elementary Egyptian understand something of their value, and as ages rolled on, their apostate Grammar was issued, which did not priesthood doubtlessly invented some come from the press until 1841; and myth to take their place."—The Bouk the Book of Abraham and these fac- or Abraham. Its Authenticity estabsimiles were published in March, 1842. lished as a Divine and Ancient Record, 1870, George Reynolds, pp. 21, 22. It is safe to say that Joseph Smith never saw Champollion's grammar, pre- In passing I would call attention to vious to the publication of the Book the fact that this book by Mr. Reyof Abraham if at all. nolds has been very much neglected by On this whole matter of fac-simile the Latter-day Saints. Bishop Spal- No. the late George Reynolds has 2, ding seems not to be aware of its exan enlightening passage: istence, else I feel sure he would not have remarked that the "Mormons" •It has been urged as an argument bad paid little attention to the claims against the veracity of the translation by the Prophet Joseph Smith, of the of M. Deveria, referred to in M. Recircular cut or disc, but why, we cannot mey's books. And if Bishop Spalding's comprehend, that numerous copies of it brochure shall result in attracting any exist, scattered among museums of general attention to this very able Europe. These copies have been found buried with numerous mummies in tne work of the late George Reynolds, the same way as the one that fell into the "Mormons" may forgive the bishop Prophet's hands. Instead of being an for the slight shock he maj momentargument against the truthfulness of the translation given by Joseph Smith, arily have given them by hurling at we consider it a very strong one in its their heads the opinions of his jury of favor. For this reason, Egyptologists savants on the translations of their acknowledge that some peculiar potency was ascribed to it by the ancient Prophet. I commend the book of Mr. Egyptians, but their ideas are very Reynolds to all interested in tne subvague as to in what that power con- ject, especially for itscareful and sisted tne interna) scholarly treatment of "It was customary with the ancient fragment of the evidences of this inhabitants of Egypt to enshroud their dead in hieroglyphic wrappings, on "Mormon" Prophet's work. But to which various facts relating to the life return now to our argument. of the deceased were narrated. This writing was addressed to Osiris, the Of the value of this incidental conchief lord of Amenti, the land of tne firmation of the Prophet Joseph's departed, and amongst other things declaration concerning the general it stated that the acts of the Osir, tne character of circular disc No. 2, esdeceased, had been scrutinized by the seven inquisitors appointed to investi- pecially in the significant passage of gate the lives of men, and that he was Dr. Breasted, we at least may say mat found worthy to pass by those who we are more than compensated for guarded the gates of the eternal worlds, and partake of the blessings of what else of damage it may be thought standing the saved. has been inflicted upon the "Accompanying the mummy is also translator of of Joseph Smith as a often found this sacred disc, or hy- ancient records by the testimony of pocephalus, as the learned term it, this group of Egyptologists. which, if we mistake not, was usually placed under or near the head of the PURPOSE OP BISHOP SPALDING. mummy. The translations given by the professedly learned convey no idea I have a mild, but at the same time, why this was so placed, but the reve- only a respectful curiosity, 1 trust, lations through our martyred prophet, of the to know what interest Bishop Spalding |1j at it contains the key words Joseph holy priesthood, at once makes the can have in the question of Egyptians buried accuracy as a translator, or reason plain. The Smith's sacred Mormon, this disc containing these the historicity of the Book of words with their dead, for very much Abraham. A« » the same reason that the Saints bury or of the Book of 324 IMPROVEMENT ERA understand his position, he follows those of the work of the higher criticism, who go to the farthest frontiers of the four gospels are a complete wreck as historical records. * * * * As auresearch in modern, or higher, crit- thorities for the life of Jesus they are icism of the ancient Hebrew and hopelessly shattered by the assaults of Christian scriptures; and fearlessly ac- the higher criticism. How little they tell us of an historic Jesus! * * * cepts the results of that school of There is only one way in which Christhought, up to the point of believing tianity can survive, and that is by the with many of its leaders that religion surrender of its claim of being a hismay be founded and become a reality torical religion, and the placing of it on a purely spiritual foundation." * in the world, notwithstanding defective Our author argues as follows foi historical origins. this position: If I am right in this opinion of his "Why not listen to the mystic who tells us that it is nothing less than mental attitude in respect to this sub- idolatry to fix. our thought and worject, and I should be sorry to mistake ship on a historical Jesus, who is suphis position, then I might ask of what posed to have lived in Palestine two importance to him is the objective ex- thousand years ago, that a fiesh-and- blood Jesus is a contradiction in terms, istence of the plates of which the Book and that what the gospel writers inof Mormon is said to be a translation; tended to give the world was not hisor the genuineness tory or biography, but spiritual alle- of the Egyptian gory or drama." (!) (Rev. K. C. Anrolls of papyrus,from which it is al- derson, D D., Hibbert Journal, Januleged Joseph Smith translated the Book ary, 1911.) of Abraham, or what matters it if Joseph Smith was or was not an accurate Now, if I am right as to the bishop's attitude on the matter of higher crititranslator of ancient records, Egyptian cism, why does he not treat Mormonor otherwise? If the recent deductions ism as such criticism treats Judaism of higher criticism be accepted, and I understand the bishop to accept them, and Christianity; not on the ground of its historicity, or the accuracy of its then these questions that concern them- translated documents, but from the selves with objective existences, histor- conception that Joseph Smith's puricity, and even accuracy of translations, pose, as higher critics say the purpose or any translation at all, are merely of the New Testament writers was, matters of minor importance, the mere "not to write history, but to edify," to scaffolding of realities and not the real- teach some religious truth "which ities themselves, and really not vital. they regarded as all important;" not Allow me to explain: One of the most to give out correct translations of anemphatic utterances of higher criticism cient documents, but to give the world says: some "spiritual allegory, or drama." "The time has come when it seems The above is written, not to seek to necessary deliberately to raise the ques- shift the basis of the argument, betion whether the story which we have in the four gospels of the birth, life, cause I would escape the difficulties death, resurrection and ascension of involved in the "Mormon" side of the their central figure, was designed by controversy, but just to point out the their authors to be taken as literal history. The higher criticism, indeed, fact to the respected bishop, that is forcing this question to the front, however much others may call in and the time does not seem far dis- question the historical facts in which tnnt when all sections of the church "Mormonism" had its origin; the obwill have to face it." jectiveexistence of the plates, from The result of the higher criticism on which it is alleged the Book of Morthe New Testament he describes as fol- mon was translated; or the accuracy lows: of the Prophet Joseph as a translator