Joseph Smith, Jr., as a Translator: A Critical Examination of the Fac-Similes in the Book of Abraham · Improvement Era

"Joseph Smith, Jr., as a Translator"

[This scholarly criticism by Dr. Webb, appeared in the Descret News, January 18, and has been corrected by the author for the Improvement Era. The editor of The News introduced the article by the following note "The author is a non- :

resident of Utah, and is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The article as received by The News was accompanied by the statement that the author had written it upon his own initiative, without request or suggestion from any member of the Church, and solely because of his interest in the subject, to which his attention had been drawn by the publication of the pamphlet by Episcopal Bishop F. S. Spalding, and comments thereon." The Editors.]

A Critical Examination of the Fac -Similes in the Book of Abraham BY ROBERT C. WEBB, PH. D.

The title of this review is also the one by one, able to take his points, title of a pamphlet recently issued and analyze them. He lv.s given us, by the Right Rev. F. S. Spalding, however, only a few extremely gen- Bishop of Utah, "with the kind as- eral criticisms, the common kernel of sistance of capable scholars," which which seems to be this, "Joseph Smith embodies a discussion of the ''Mor- could have known nothing of Egypmon" prophet's abilities as a trans- tian therefore drawings; he knew dcouments including lator of ancient — nothing." The scholars quoted evithe Book of'Mormon ("for the sake of not consider the CAUSE dently do argument") in the — light of his CELEBRE, Spalding VS. Smith, a apparent failure to rightly in- matter of sufficient importance to

terpret certain Egyptian drawings, warrant the giving of desirable details commonly included with, and be- in their expert testimony, and, in lieu lieved to illustrate, the Book of of these essentialand interesting facts, Abraham. Joseph Smith's failure which should have beeen presented, to interpret these drawings is, pre- seem inclined to fill valuable space sumably, established by the opin- with sundry expressions of contempt at the efforts of a non-professional ions of several prominent Egyptologists, who have been consulted by translator. These authorities, All this is a genuine disappointment Bishop Spalding. while differing among themselves in to the candid reader, who, in view of some all join in stating that details, the promises made before publication, Smith's interpretations are entirely had expected to find Smith's points wrong, and, in the words of one of discussed and attacked, one by one, their number a "farrago of nonsense." until all were disposed of. If possible, This looks very like a final disproof one might then have presented availof the Prophet's claims, in this in- able counter-proofs and arguments in stance, at least, and has been received rebuttal. But, as it is, the prosecution as such by a goodly portion of the rests case on the reputations and its

public. standing of its witnesses, rather than that the Bishop's It is to be regretted on what they have established as re- a more gards the matter at issue. Consepamphlet not in itself is scholarly production, showing evi- quently, the argument of the defense is entirely constructive. dences of some original research on the matter in hand, in addition to the In view of all the adverse testimony opinions of the several scholars quot- at hand, what may be said on the ed by him. We should then have been other side of the present controversy?

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Has the defense a "leg to stand on?" Is there even a shadow of justification for the traditional explanations of the plates in question, as offered by, or attributed to Joseph Smith? In order to determine these issues, it will be necessary for the defense to do what Bishop Spalding or some one of his coterie experts should have done of — at the start take up each point in order, examine Joseph Smith's ex- planation, and determine, by research and reliance on the statements of com- petent scholars, precisely how far from, or how near to, the truth he has come in each and every case. That this is the proper course to follow is trouble seems to be, not that they have given the defense too much to answer, but that they have not given enough. One and all they have said far too little for the Bishop's cause. In starting this discussion we must bear in mind that, as emphasized by several of Bishop Spalding's "capable scholars," the science of Egyptology began with Champollion's discovery of the key to hieroglyphic writing in 1822. Furthermore, we must not forget that available to the world until the period, 1836-41, when his grammar was course of publication. It is evident, then, as pointed out by Dr. Breasted, "that if Joseph Smith could read an- cient Egyptian writing, his ability to do so had no connection with the decipherment of hieroglyphics by European scholars." Consequently, if Smith be found correct in more than one or two minor particulars, which should be evident to anyone, the in- ference is that his claim to extra- ordinary guidance seems in way to confirmation. If we find him right in any one or his wide reading on Egyptian subjects, since most of the matters at issue were very imperfectly understood and presented in his day, also, few, if any, of the best books then current wer° probably available to him, even had he wished to consult them. If, then, he was right in one, or even several, particulars, the fact may be explained by coincidence; if he is found to be right in a majority of particulars in any given connection, it is clear that he must have been, at the least, an unusually successful guesser. Again, we must carefully remember . that the point at issue in the present controversy is only the correctness of his interpretation of the three plates usually included with the text of the Book of Abraham. No claim is made that any of the hieroglyphics here found form an essential part of the revelaobvious when we consider that the tion to the "Father of the Faithful," which the book professes to embody. In the case of the circular figure, which our scholars agree in terming a "hypocephalus," or plate to be placed good of the under the head of a mummy, for cer- tain ceremonial reasons, Joseph Smith explicitly declares that the "writing . . cannot be revealed unto . the world;" "ought not to be revealed at the present time;" "will be given in the own due time of the Lord," etc. He does not even state that he under- stands them himself, or that he bethe results of his discovery were not lieves that he ^ understands them. In the third plate, also, he attempts no in direct translation, except to state thai the name of "Shulem" is "represented by the characters above his hand." On the showing in this matter, we may safely assert that, had Smith been the sort of person many of his critics would have us believe, he would probably have "rushed in" where even scholars "fear to tread," and given us some "translation," or other that might have been easily discredited on scientific examination. Particularly evident does this conclusion seem in view of the statement of Prof. Petrie in his "Abydos" (vol. 1) that the inseveral essential particulars, such fact scriptions on hypocephali are commonmay not be consistently explained by ly so confused, erratic and uncertain that consistent translations may not be attempted. It is curious, indeed, that the very class of inscriptions found difficult by scholars should have been declared by Joseph Smith

"JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR' 437

to contain hidden and mystical mat- represents "an embalmer preparing a ters that should not be declared to the body for burial." The others seem world. similarly opinioned, Dr. Bissing adding, Several significant statements are however, that ''the soul is leaving the made regarding these plates. Dr. body in the moment when the priest is Peters calls them "very poor imita- opening the body with a knife for tions of Egyptian originals, apparently mummification." None of these eminnot of any one original, but of Egyp- ent authorities suggests that the tian originals in general." Dr. Breast- drawing has been altered. Dr. Lythgoe ed asserts that "these three facsimiles of New York, however, as reported . . depict the most common objects . in an interview in the NEW YORK in the mortuary religion of Egypt." TIMES (Dec. 29, 1912.) asserts that We may admit, after examination of the knife in the hand of the standing the usual line of Egyptian drawings, figure has been added, and, also, that as found in numerous works in our this figure is "shown with a human great libraries, that Plates 1 and 3 and strangely un-Egyptian head," in do not represent the highest reach of place of the jackal head of Anubis, Egyptian art, or of art after the which h e thinks was in the original. Egyptian style. However, that they This latter defect might be attributed are taken from originals, either to the unskilfulness of the original Egyptian, or after the Egyptian style, engraver, who worked without the there seems to be no question among help of photography, and has alour commentators. There is one point ready been roundly blamed for "ignorthat must be emphasized, however, ant copying" of the hieroglyphics. and this is that, unless these drawings These slight variations of opinion, have been altered in several essential while in no way impugning the auparticulars, either in the process of thority of any of these eminent transferring them to the printing scholars, may reasonably be accepted blocks, or at some other time, they as presumptive evidence that the plate, do not represent the common run of as shown in the Book of Abraham, is illustrations in the Book of the Dead, not familiar to Egyptologists, and that the best known, and most typical of no duplicate is known. There are Egyptian mortuary papyri. If there is numerous representations of Anubis, no evidence that they were not alter- "protector of the dead," standing be- side the corpse or mummy on its ed in copying, there is also no evidence bier. It may be safe to assert, howthat they were so altered. Consequently, it seems logical to consider them ever, that, in all such drawings, Anubis

precisely as they are. This, indeed, is is shown in the conventional manner,

all that can be done in the present having a jackal's head with elongatdiscussion, since any arguments based ed snout, never with a human head. on presumed alterations would prob- Furthermore, in all such scenes, the ably be rejected by the Latter-day dead lies in perfectly composed posi- Saints; while the claim that these pic- tion, also flat upon the couch, any tures may be in their original form such elevation of the limbs, or raising seems to be assumed by the Bishop's of the body, as is shown in the Book panel of "capable scholars." Of Abraham plate, being entirely un- known. It is evident that the position F AC-SIMILE NO. 1. of the limbs, and of the body led Dr. In the discussion of the first of Breasted to believe the scene to reprethese plates in Bishop Spalding's sent the resurrection of Osiris. pamphlet, there is a slight variation That the picture indicates a person Thus dead, about to die, or in the act of of opinion among the experts. Prof. Petrie calls the scene "Anubis rising from the dead, seems demonpreparing the body of the dead man." strated, and on this point all explana- Dr. Breasted calls it "Osiris rising from tions agree. But before proceeding to a

the dead." Dr. Peters declares that it discussion of the explanation given in

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jections furnish the basis for just such connection with the Book of Abra- order to inquire as to a careful inquiry into the claims of ham, it is in precisely what reference is made to Joseph Smith as Latter-day Saints are Here Abraham constantly inviting. this picture in the text. Briefly expressed, the findings of the is represented as saying: Egyptologists, as given in the "And it came to pass that the priests Spalding pamphlet, agree in the state- laid violence upon me, that they might slay me upon this altar; ment that the "gods of Elkenah, Lib- nah, Mahmackrah and Korash" are ... It was made after the form of a merely the "mummy pots" for conbedstead, such as was had among the taining the viscera of the deceased, as Chaldeans, and it stood before the shown in innumerable Egyptian death gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmack- scenes, and that the presence of the rah, Korash, and also a god like unto that of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. — heads on the covers the hawk, the jackal, the cynocephalus and the man "That you may have an understanding of these gods, I have given you — indicates a period far posterior to Abraham's In the words of lifetime. the fashion of them in the figures at Dr. Lythgoe, as quoted in the NEW the beginning, which manner of the figures is called by the Chaldeans, YORK TIMES interview, there were three distinct stages in the develop- Rahleenos, which signifies hiero- ment of these mummy pots. "In the glyphics. earliest, when Egyptian art consisted This passage may be interpreted to ide- of things made from Nile mud, the signify that the representation is jars had ordinary flat lids. Afterward ographic, rather than literal. The sev- beneath the they contained the head of a single eral idols are disposed human as a stock design for the lid, couch, or altar, rather than in the and afterward the heads of the four position indicated in the text, which sons of the mythological god Horus specifies that this altar "stood before appeared on the lids." These facts led the gods." If, then, we are to under- Dr. Lythgoe to place the date of the stand that this figure constitutes an Book of Abraham picture in the third hieroglyphic ideogram, it is perfectly period of development, which should consistent to see the representation of fall somewhere after 3 400 B. C. — a human sacrifice or attempted sacrifice— in the positions shown here for As the history and identity of these four sons of Horus are important to all elements of the picture, the gods this discussion, the following (quotabeing shown in the most available tion from Dr. Budge (Book of the empty space in the drawing. However, reasonable as this explana- Dead) may be given here: tion appears, and consistent with the "The four children of Horus are text, as it seems to be, there are sev- named Hapi, Tuamautef, Amset, Qeberal real difficulties in the way of sennuf. The deceased is called their proposing it as an immediate solution father. His two arms are identified of the matter. In other words, sundry with Hapi and Tuamautef, and his two — objections well founded enough in legs, with Amset and Qebsennuf; and when he entered into Sekhet-Aanru themselves, and not of necessity hostile in character — must be met and consid- [the Field of Aanru flowers, the Islands ered on their merits. These objections of the Blessed] they accompanied him have been made, as all know, by as guides, and went in with him, two recognized authorities on Egyptology; on each side. They took all hunger and men who have devoted careful atten- thirst from him, they gave him life in tion to Egyptian drawings and inscrip- heaven and protected it when given. tions, who are recognized authorities . . Originally they represented the .

in their field,and who, in addition, four pillars which support the sky, or have no immediate interest in any con- Horus. Each was supposed to be lord troversy between the "Mormons" and of one of the quarters of the world, and other bodies. Furthermore, these ob- finally became the god of the cardinal

"JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR' 439

point. Hapi was the god of the North the figures" is hieroglyphical, signify- Tuamautef was the god of the East. ing, possibly, symbolic. Amset was the god of the South. Qeb- According to the accepted Biblical sennuf was the god of the West. In the chronology, Abraham visited Egypt in xviiith Dynasty the Egyptians originat- the latter part of the nineteenth cened the custom of embalming the intes- tury B. C, although some modern histines of the body separately, and they torians have placed the date several placed them in four jars, each of which centuries earlier. It has been believed, was devoted to the protection of one however, that he was in Egypt in the of the children of Horus, that is to the early centuries of the Hyksos dominacare of one of the gods of the cardinal tion,which would probably place the points. The god of the North protected date later than 2100 B. C, and earlier the small viscera. The god of the East than 1700 B. C. This latter supposition protected the heart and lungs. The god would seem to account for his hospitof the South protected the stomach able reception by the Pharaoh of the and small intestine. The god of the time, also, in part, for the numerous West protected the liver and gall blad- Abraham legends found among Semitic der." peoples and in the Koran. It is possi- This quotation suffices to show that ble, also, on the basis of certain histhese four "canopic deities" possessed toric testimony, to hold that Joseph, attributes quite above and independent who probably came to Egypt about two of the somewhat ignoble duty of fur- centuries later than Abraham, took nishing convenient receptables for con- service under one of the later Hyksos taining the entrails of the mummied kings. The overthrow of the Hyksos, dead. They were, in fact, as the gods and the incoming of the Eighteenth of the four quarters, also typical of the Dynasty under Aahmes, would seem peoples of the four quarters; hence of to correspond to the accession of the the world in general, outside as well "Pharaoh that knew not Joseph." as inside of Egypt: that the text of According to the testimony of an- "Abraham" mentions the "idolatrous tiquity, and of the Oriental World, god of Pharaoh," as distinct from these Abraham was a very important person; four is interesting. Whatever the au- not only beloved of God, but also very thor of the Book of Abraham intended great among men. The belief, then, to indicate by calling these gods by that he was held in such high esteem the names of Elkenah, Libnah, Mah- among the Egyptians, that a cult was mackrah, and Korash is not clear, but, formed to represent him or his reported on any hypothesis it is possible to hold teachings may be ranked among tolthat they are typical of the "gods of erable hypotheses. That he should have the nations round about," the tute- written a book, embodying his religious laries of several definite tribes, one lo- and other beliefs, or that such a book cated, perhaps, in the Biblical town of should have been produced and at- Libnah. The eclectic priesthood that tributed to him, are among the possiworshipped them, also worshipped the bilities. Provided that these supposicrocodile god of Egypt, thus forming a tions are in any sense correct, such a pantheon by no means unusual in an- book might have come to be so highly cient times, when the rule was for one esteemed, for its holiness, even for nation to identify the gods of others supposed "magical potency," among with members of its own company of pome portions of the Egyptian populadeities, or even to adopt the gods of tion, at least, that it would have been

foreigners. Had any such document as buried with their dead, as was the the Book of Abraham been found and . Book of the Dead, the Sorrows of Isis translated by scholars, some such line and Nephthys, and other mortuary volof reasoning would probably have been umes. followed, in view, particularly, of the That the Book of Abraham purports direct statement that the "manner of to besuch a work is shown by the ac-

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cepted account of its finding and trans- day. The same remark may be made lation. According to Joseph Smith's concerning the third plate, and the own story, the papyrus on which the many difficulties suggested by scholars three plates under consideration ap- .°.re thus explained. peared was found upon a mummy pur- Nor does this theory seem wholly abchased from a Mr. Chandler, who had s 'rd, in view of the fact that such an

had it on exhibition at various places. attempted sacrifice as is described in Chandler had come to the Prophet ask- connection with the first plate, or such ing for assistance in translating court scene as is alleged to be repthe "hieroglyphic figures and de- i sented by the third plate, might very vices," and later gave him a let- "-adily have been confused with the ter stating that his interpreta- ,,n ore familiar "embalming" or "resur- "c tions agreed with those given by ction,'' on the one hand, and "Osiris the "most learned" of several cities 'idging the dead," or "Osiris receiving "in the most minute matters." Subse- doration,'' on the other. '

quent to the purchase of Chandler's If, in addition to these evident occa-

mummies and papyri by "some of the c ons of misunderstanding, the hierosaints at Kirtland," Joseph Smith set "lyphic writing expressed, not Egyphimself industriously to the task of tian, but Semitic, words the language — translation. He records that "with W. r f Abraham, in fact — the confusion in W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery as the mind of the scribe would seem to scribes, I commenced the translation of have been nearly inevitable. Assuming, some of the characters or hieroglyphics, pven if only "for the sake of arguand much to our joy, found that one of ment," as Bishop Spalding has done in the rolls contained the writings of another matter mentioned in his pam- Abraham, another the writings of Jo- phlet, that Joseph Smith reallv transseph of Egypt." The Book of Joseph, lated the papyrus in his hand, the hypoit would appear ras never given to thesis assuming a Semitic dialect, writthe world. ten in hieroglyphics, seems reasonable Some of the Latter-day Saints seem from his use of several Semitic words to have believed that the papyri in — Kolob, etc., which Dr. Sayce assures question represented the actual auto- ps "are unknown to the Egyptian langraphic work of Abraham and Joseph guage." It also explains the confident that the hand of Abraham had pressed manner which he ascribes the use in the very papyrus handled by Joseph of such Semitic words to the Egyptians. Smith. Such a conclusion, however, Furthermore, if the second figure, does not seem to be involved in the the "hypocephalus," be claimed as origtext of Smith's account, and need not ; nal with the author of the Book of be considered authoritative. Smith un- \braham, the subsequent use oi predoubtedly believed that the documents cisely similar charts for mortuary purin his hands were books written by noses would seem to add new weight to Abraham and Joseph, but he does not (he hypothesis that the book in quesstate that they might not have been tion was familiar in some quarters; copies of the originals. Assuming, then, '^ence that thehypocephalus came into that he made a correct translation, its known historical use because of the through superhuman guidance, or < vident mystical significance of its sevotherwise, the criticisms alleging dates eral figure-elements. later than Abraham's time are effect- Although this explanation of the matually answered. The copyist of some ter can be expected to carry no very later day, finding images of the "Cano- strong presumption of probability to the pic gods," or of any similar animal- '-finds of Egyptologists, who will probheaded gods for that matter, shown ably continue to regard Smith's ex- "after the manner of hieroglyphics," as planations as quite in line with those of previously stated, naturally disposed Athanasius Kirscher, the immensely them in the order most familiar in his learned Jesuit of the seventeenth cen-

"JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR' 441

tury, or of Dr. Adolph Seyffarth. whose sistent on the supposition that the scheme for interpreting hieroglyphics scene is one from the Book of the Dead, harl its partisans, even after the ac- or some other mortuary work of the curacy Champollion's conclusions of Egyptians, although the form and posihad been accepted, the fact that Jo- tion of the figure differ widely from seph Smith actually gave the true and conventional usage. The "hawk of subsequently-ascertained meaning to a Horus," usually considered as a repvery large proportion of the objects, resentation of Isis, who, according to which he professed to describe, is a the fable, gave birth to Horus in the fact demanding some comment other form of a hawk, is often shown in than ridicule. mortuary pictures, but usually appears Turning now from consideration of standing upright, with folded wing*, the standing and reclining figures, at the head of the bier, while the godabout which there seems to be a very dess Nephthys, also in hawk form, pronounced difference of opinion, also stands in similar pose at the foot. The from the "gods of the four quarters," hawk in the air, or in flight, is conwhose association with mummy pots ventionally represented side on, with seems to constitute a very evident loss wings on the down stroke, extending of caste in the minds of most observ- beneath its body. In this form Isis may ers, we may take up the other matters occasionally be identified in the death in turn.Thus, we see the crocodile, chamber, but very usually in company like theother "gods" beneath the with Nephthys. Furthermore, the con- "altar." His presence there might be ventional representation of the "soul interpreted to signify the evil genius flying away in the form of a bird" who ever lay in wait to deprive the dead shows a human head on its shoulders, of his "magical power of coming safe- '

and the wings similarly on the down ly into the presence of the gods of stroke. So much for the conventional Amenti (the Netherworld), and of sur- manner of representing the flying bird viving their judgments. Such a repre- in such connections. sentation of the crocodile is undoubtedly a part of his functions as the God On the of one of the supposition Sebek, a form of Ra, as indicating the has been altered, critics that this plate

"destroying power of the sun," and and that a "human and strangely unwho was worshiped in Egypt as far Egyptian head" has been drawn on the back as the time of the xiiith standing figure, which he calls "An- Dynasty. "There may have been a ubis," it is strange that the bird is

time," says Dr. Charles K. C. Davis, changed in no particular. The ascribe! "when he was worshiped throughout character of an angel would undoubted- Egypt, but in the Graeco-Roman period ly have seemed to demand the change

he was a local deity so disliked in most of the head, or of the whole body, fo-

parts of Egypt that the Arsinoite nome, that matter, to human form. Had a where he was worshipped, does not ap- human head appeared in the original, pear in the geographical lists." the change to the bird head is not to be Another notable figure in this plate considered. Here, it would undoubtedis the flying bird, marked 1. Joseph ly have appeared, was an angel in the

Smith calls it "the angel of the Lord," proper traditional form, no change bebut it is notable that it is not identi- ing demanded to fit the description. If fied with a dove, or other sacred em- the bird was drawn in upon the original blem. The authorities quoted in Spald- scene, which did not show it, the rea-

ing's pamphlet call this figure "the sons for not inserting some figure like hawk of Horus"; "a bird, in which an angel, instead, must seem obscure. form Isis represented"; "the soul is In view, however, of its decidedly un- in the form of a away Egyptian appearance, it seems allow- (Kos) flying able to state that + he interpretation bird"; "the soul in the shape of the making this figure to indicate the bird," and "Isis." Any one of these ex- "Angel of the Lord" has quite as great planations is perfectly logical and con-

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presumption of proDability as any of as a cow, whose four legs, like the the other proposed. explanations. foui limbs of the human Noot, form The figure marked 10 in this plate, the pillars of heaven. In one familiar and evidently a votive table, is, for hieroglyphic ideogram for the sky or apparently obscure reasons, said to the heavens, Noot is shown bending as signify "Abraham in Egypt." But this ahovn described, over symbols of the interpretation will be discussed in con- air and earth. Also, as shown in nection with Plate 3, where it is re- Champollion's Dictionary, two squared, peated. or rectangular, hoops, the one within We find the number 11 attached to a the other, indicate the sky, or the panel of apparently haphazard lines heavens. and rectangles, and indicating the The Canopic Gods, as the four pillar? interpretation, "designed to represent of heaven, are sometimes represented the pillars of heaven, as understood by ideographically by four perpendicular the Egyptians." While the Egyptians lines, each an elongated "Y." Some did not "understand" so many "pillars suggestion of such an ideogram occurs of heaven" as are apparently shown at the right end of this panel. Similar here, we find several interesting coin- perpendicular lines, surmounted by a cidences of shape, if nothing more, bow-shaped curve, form the traditional with certain pictures and ideograms ideogram for "rain," "storm," etc., the having meanings similar to those men- bow indicating the sky. Some of these tioned in this explanation. For example, "correspondences" seem interesting. near the left end of this panel we find The section marked 12 is explained a fairly good diagram of one of the as indicating "the firmament over our several traditional representations of heads, . the heavens." . . Although the construction of the heavens. But the symbolism is not clear, the croco- dile figure is in the correct surroundfor the broken lines in the print, we ings, if we understand it to indicate should see here three squared hoops or Sebek, "a form of Ra (the Sun God) rectangles, the second within the first and the third within the second. This is and the destroying power of the sun;" for such was the "idolatrous god of a fairly correct diagram of the God- Pharaoh" at an early Egyptian period. dess Noot bending over the earth, her Perhaps the animal-headed idols also body unnaturally elongated to form appeared originally, also, in "the heavthe sky, and her feet and hands ens." This would account for the ''conresting upon the ground. Along fusion," which ultimately resulted in her belly the sun daily moves their transfer to places "beneath the from east to west. Beneath her is altar." Accoiding to the Book, Abraanother shorter and smaller figure in ham must have derived some idea that similar pose, which is believed to rep- these "gods" were real existences, resent the night sky, along whose even if "false" objects of worship; body the moon travels nightly in pre- and "the heavens" usually house all cisely similar fashion. Below ibis fig- "gods." ure again, and within the arch formed by her body, stands yet a third, Shu, FAC-SIMILE NO. 2. the brother of Noot and god of the The consideration of Joseph Smith's air, whose task it is to uphold his interpretations of the second plate of sister in her rather uncomfortable po- the series repeals several surprising sition. He is represented as standing facts. Indeed, while one mast feel somewhat impossibly, upon his feet obliged to consider respectfully the and shoulders, while his head and neck statements of Egyptologists touching lie along the ground to the front ot the details of this plate, their comhis body, and his arms to the rear. mon conclusion that Smith's explana- This fantastic group shows one tradi- tions are all wrong seems very illtional Egyptian concept of the heav- founded, ana may be questioned. ens and of the "pillars of heaven." In All our authorities agree in calling another figure the sky is represented this figu^p a "hypocephalus," which is

"JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 443

to say, a disk drawn on papyrus, en- be demanded by the directions touchameled fabric, metal or clay, and ing amulets, etc., in the Book of the placed beneath the mummy's head in Dead. It may be admissible, therea late period of Egyptian history. fore, to hold that such disks had These hypocephali are frequently re- originally some significance independferred to as "magical disks," and ent of mortuary use, and that they their assumed effect has been stated came to be used for the purpose specito have been "to prevent the loss of fied for certain — reasons including the mummy's head," "to keep the de- probably the presence of the cow figceased warm in the Netherworld," etc. ure—that are not wholly apparent, Regarding the origin of these disks even after exhaustive research. or the interpretation of their inscrip- The general appearance of the drawtions, scholars are very uncertain. ing would seem to suggest an astro- Prof. Petrie says ("Abydos," vol. 1): nomical or astrological diagram, al- "The latter [inscriptions] are hope- though the disposition of the several lessly confused; many of the groups figures, mostly familiarin Egyptian of signs having but a faint resemb- art and religion, might warrant the lance, if any, to known words. Al- conclusion that the real ultimate though there are some thirty specimens meaning is properly esoteric, intrain the various museums, a comparison temple or sacerdotal. As the secret of these does not help much in . . . lore of the Egyptians was evidently their decipherment; and it would committed to writing very seldom, if therefore be very undesirable to offer ever, it is not remarkable that Egypeven a conditional translation tologists must base their explanations The hypocephalus appears to have had largely upon exoteric, extra-temple its origin in connection with chapter and popular sources of information. clxii ofthe Book of the Dead. From Hence many theories on these matters the rubric of this chapter we learn may be regarded as insufficient and that the figure of the cow Hathor tentative, because they leave so much was to be fashioned in gold, and placed still to be explained. The theory of upon the neck of the mummy; and that an origin and significance for hypoanother was to be drawn upon papy- cephali, independent of mortuary use, rus, and placed under the head, the successfully evades the inferences of criticism, that these idea being to give 'warmth to the Dr. Breasted's deceased in the Underworld. After drawings "did not appear in any Egypthe eighteenth dynasty the cow-amu- tian burials until over a thousand let fell into disuse, and the drawing years after the time of Abraham." upon papyrus developed into the hy- The date of their origin may be held pocephalus, upon which the cow al- to be quits as uncertain as their origways remained an important figure. inal significance. Papyrus was almost entirely aband- The majorityof known hypocephali

oned in favor of more durable material, conform general details with the in

such as linen, stucco, and rarely second plate of the Book of Abraham. bronze. The fashion, however, was The common, hence, apparently, the not long-lived, and did not survive the essential features are those designated fall of the thirtieth dynasty." here by the figures, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 22, 23. This theory, which may be held to in space 3 several hypocephali have two explain, in part at least, the mortuary boats, the one above the other. In space use of hypocephali, because of the 7 an attenuated ramphant animal fig-

presence of the "cow of Hathor" as an ure with a long tail, commonly identi- "important figure." probably would fied with Nehebka, the serpent god, apnot be urged as a fall solution for pears on some examples, instead of thethe origin and entire significance of one shown in the Book of Abraham this type of document. The cow figure diagram. Other hypocephali show the is obviously no more prominent than seated figure, 7, close to the circumseveral others, which do t seem to m ference of the inner circle, with no

444 IMPROVEMENT ERA

other figure in front of it. Some have The double-faced figure is, also, priseveral cynocephali in addition to 22 marily, a representation of Ra, the and 23, usually four more, making six Sun God, and is so drawn to combine in all; these occupying the spaces to his two personified aspects, Khephera, the right and left here filled with hiero- the morning, or rising, sun, and Tmu, glyphics. In several, also, additional the evening, or setting, sun. Commentfigures aredrawn behind the Canopic ing on a hypocephalus showing a fig- Gods, shown at 6. What these varia- ure at 2 very similar to the one shown tions may signify it is, of course, im- here, Prof. Petrie remarks: "At the possible to determine. Egyptologists top is the double god, who personified agree fairly well, however, as to the the rising and setting sun." On this identity of most of the figures, al- showing it is reasonable to conclude though the meaning of the whole may that the double-faced figure at 1 also not yet have been decided upon. represents the sun, or a sun, having its The explanations of this chart or rising and setting. This conclusion bediagram in connection with the Book comes all the more probable in view of of Abraham, it is desirable to em- the presence of the two cynocephali, 22 phasize, deals solely with the pic- and 23. Dr. Petrie ("Abydos," vol. i), torial elements. No interpretation of commenting on a hypocephalus also the inscriptionsis offered. The com- containing only two such figures, says ment in reference to 8, "writing that "Two small apes, the final degradation cannot be revealed unto the world; of the eight adoring cynocephali [who but may be had in the Holy Temple are often shown greeting the rising of God," is reasonable, in view of the sun] may be noticed. These represent probably esoteric significance of the the four primeval pairs of gods of drawing, as already suggested. The ex- chaos, called collectively planation of the diagrams as astrono- 'KHEMENU.' Figures such as . . .

mical or cosmological agrees very these are to be found on nearly all closely with the findings of scholars, known hypocephali, however erratic even as stated in the Spalding pam- the inscriptions." phlet. Herein, indeed, is the most not- These cynocephali are pictured in reable example of the fact that too lit- presentations of the rising sun shown tle, and not too much, has been said :r numerous papyri of the Book of the

in the controversy. Dead. A common device shows the ris- The central figure, numbered 1, evi- ing sun supported by a pair of arms dently double-faced, seated and hold- starting from the tau cross (the crux ing some form of sceptre or symbolic ansata,) or ''symbol of life" (ANKH,) staff in the outstretched right ha»d, which, in turn, is supported on a ribdiffers from the figure occupying the bed pillar (TAT,) the "symbol of same position in other hypocephali. In Osiris,'' the God, or King of the general, this central figure is shown Netherworld. Isis and Nephthys, in with four heads or faces, two looking either human or symbolic form, kneel each way, and appears to warrant the at the base of the column, while the explanation of Dr. Petrie that it in- company of cynocephali, sometimes dicates the four-ram-headed god of six, sometimes seven, occasionally Memphis, a form of Ra, the Sun God, eight, the "transformed openers of the whose heads indicate "the spirits of eastern portals of heaven," follow the the four elements, RA (fire,) SHU sun upward, "raising their hands in (air,) GEB (earth,) and USAR adoration." (water,)" supposed to be united in Such examples show that these him. Since. however, the figure cynocephali, whatever their original under consideration evidently does signification, are the proper tradinot show four heads of rams or other tionalcompanions and worshippers of beings, and is evidently double-faced the sun. On hypocephali, however, only, it is reasonable to conclude that these apes are shown with globes or some different explanation must apply disks upon their heads, which is a here. notable departure from the common

•'JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 445

line of drawings showing them with in the explanation given by Joseph the rising sun. The figurative signi- Smith. ficance of the globe, or disk, upon the The figure marked 5 is called in the head of a figure, or in inscriptions, is Book of Abraham caption, "one of that of the sun or moon. In this case the governing planets .... said the disks evidently rest upon an arc- by the Egyptians to be the sun." The shaped base, strongly suggestive of the agreement among Egyptologists is horned moon, and presenting a very that it represents the "cow of Hathor," good reproduction of the hieroglyphic which identification is evidently based ideogram for moon, which is so writ- on the assumption, as above noted, ten. Unless, therefore, we quite mis- that the hypocephalus originated in understand the significance of Egyp- obedience to the directions of the tian symbolism, it seems probable Book of the Dead specifying an amulet that these ape figures, crowned with for the dead shaped like a cow. By disks or globes, indicate moons or itself, this figure might be held to satellites of some sun or planet, which signify any one of several different they are following "adoringly." It is possible symbols. In juxtaposition with clear, therefore, that, whatever else the four Canopic Gods (6) in front, may be imphed in this figure, we and the curious figure, apparently have here some one of the numerous feminine, to the rear, there is a strong forms of Ra, which is to say the sun, suggestion of a mystic group appearor a sun, with his accompanying ing in several papyri of the Book of KHEMENU, or else planets or moons. the Dead. In this group as shown, for The explanation given in connection example in the Papyri of Ani and of with this figure is that it indicates Henefer, the UZAT eye, the eye of "Kolob, signifying the first creation, Horus, is mounted on a pedestal imnearest to the Celestial." The mediately in front of the recumbent figure of "the great cow Mehurit, the form of this word would seem to suggest a Tamitic etymology, akin, Eye of Ra." To the rear of Mehurit, again, is a group showing the Canopic perhaps, to the Hebrew word KALAB, a dog; whence, possibly, Sirius, the Gods standing at the four corners of Dog-star, so called. According to a tomb, or funeral chest, from which the further explanation, it gives emerges the form of the divine Ra, holding the ANKH, the symbol of life, light to the sun and other bodies, in each hand. Undoubtedly, the group through the medium of 2 2 and 2 3, thus described shows the sun under which are called, collectively, Hah- three different mythological, or ko-kau-beam. This curious word is esoteric, similitudes. In the present diaalso Hebrew, although judging from the spelling, the pronunciation is ex- gram the UZAT eye serves as the entire pressed, rather than the direct trans- face of the female figure standing beliteration. It is the Hebrew, KOKOB, a hind the cow, which, in turn, looks tostar, KOKOBIM, stars; the syllable ward the Canopic Gods. HAH, representing the definite arti- In the curious symbolism of the ancle, whence, "the stars." cient Egyptians some phase of sun lore By a similar line of argument, as al- seems emerge from benlnd nearlv to from Con- every one of their greatest gods. ready noted in the quotation Prof. Petrie, the figure marked 2 may sidering their pantheon as a finished w^hole, it may be said that they woralso be found to indicate the sun, or a sun, also having his rising and shipped the sun under manifold forms, setting. Provided that this body be and that they worshipped a mysterious visible from the earth, or any other hidden supreme God through the visiplanet, for that matter, the statement ble medium of the sun. Thus, Ra and is obviously correct. On the whole, the Horus both indicate the sun. Horus inclusion of two separate figures, each is the youthful or rising sun. also the evidently indicating a sun, may be sky, as previously suggested. He is, held to imply that they are too sepa- mythologically speaking, distinct from rate bodies, which is what is stated Ra, who is generally considered as the

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Sun God proper. As the sky god, known, except when in combination Horus is represented as saying in a with others." Prof. Adolf Erman certain ritual hymn, "I am Horus, and ("Handbook of the Egyptian Religion") I come to search for mine eyes." In calls him "the ancient Memphite god a similar poem, he is paid to regain of the dead." Broderick and Morton his eye, the sun, at the dawn of day. ("Dictionary of Egyptian Archaeol- The Goddess Hathor also figures in ogy") state that, "he was the sun the sun cycle as the sky at dawn, god at one time, and his emblem (a from which association is derived her sparrow hawk) was carried around at character as the Goddess of love and festivals in the sacred bark called beauty— she is known to the Hebrew HENNU. The great festival of So- Scriptures as Ashtoreth. Her original karis was held at Memphis in conform seems to have been that of a cow, nection with the winter solstice. To the memory of which was always re- him, it seems, especially belonged the tained in the horns shown on her fourth and fifth hours of the night, coiffure or head dress. The heifer through which Ra, the Sun, nightly Mehurit, or Mehurt, is sometimes iden- passed on his journey from sunset to tified with the cow Hathor, sometimes, dawn. He is represented as a mummy with Noot, who, as already explained, with a hawk's head." Easily the most is often represented in the form of a familiar form of Sokar is in the triune cow. In both cases the cow is said to deity, Ptah-Seker-Ausar (Osiris), thu

represent the sky at dawn, when the god of the resurrection, who seems to sun is born of his mother Noot; or have combined the attributes of the else "that part of the sky where the ancient gods, Ptah and Seker, with sun is;" hence, by no very remote fig- those of Osiris. Ptah is an ancient ure, the sun himself. In brief, this form of the supreme god of the Egypfigure, "is said by the Egvptlans to be tians. Sokar himseir, like Horus, the sun." seems god of the sun or of to be the The group marked 6 evidently pic- the sky, or firmament, both material tures the four Canopic Gods, the chil- and eternal. dren of Horus, who, as already stated, Whether, or not, this figure indicates represent the four cardinal points. The any particular god or sacred symbol of sole difference between this statement the divine is eveidently uncertain. "We and that given in the Book of Abra- may assert, however, that the boat is ham caption, "represents the earth in merely the "sky-boat" of sun and its four quarters," is precisely the dif- moon deities in general, while, except ference between moving around an for the spread wings, the bird figure arc on the circumference of a circle closelyapproximates the hieroglyphic and cutting across a chord. ideogram for birds in general. That it The figure marked 4 in the plate is indicates sme reference to the sky, or explained as the "expanse, or the the "expanse of the heavens," is evifirmament of the Com- heavens." dent. menting on a precisely similar retire The explanation of this figure 4 adds on a hypocephalus described and fig- further, "also a numerical figure in ured in his "Abydos," Prof. Petrie Egyptian, signiying one thousand." It calls it "Horus." In the Spalding is a curious fact that one having "no

pamphlet, however, Prof. von. Bissing connection with .... European identifies it with "the God Sokar in scholars" should have suspected that the Sacred Boat" (misprinted "Book"). any numeral whatever was indicated Both identifications have good author- by this figure. It is well to note, howity. If it is Horus, however, the case ever, that the "HENNU" boat indiis clear; if Sokar, we must inquire re- cates a million, a million years, rather garding his 'history and significations. than a thousand. Sokar, Sokaris or Seker was a very The explanation of the figure ancient deity, "of whom very little is marked 7 is given in the words, "rep-

"JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 447

resents God sitting uponhis throne, hypocephalus. There is, however, no also the sign of the Holy obvious reason for changing from Ghost in the form of a dove." The the phallic to the non-phallic characanalysis of this group is very nearly ter, it" we consider this only one of a

the most interesting of any on the en- genera] run of Egyptian documents. tire plate. In virtually all "hypo- On the other hand, there is a very cephali" examined the space corre- good and sufficient reason for making sponding to this group is occupied the change from such a group as this by a seated winged figure, before to the phallic character, if the interwhich, in general, stands the phallic pretation offered by Joseph Smith is in serpent "Nehebka," as already sug- any sense correct. Smith called this gested, holding the UZAT eye in out- seated figure "God sitting upon his stretched hands. The figure called throne," hence the Creator of the uni- "Nehebka," however, is radically dif- verse. According to tne conception ferent from the one shown in the evidently held by him, and, presumpresent plate, the only common point, ably also, by the original compiler of in addition to the position, is the sa- this group, the Almighty Creator opercred eye held before the face of the ates by virtue of a word of power. seated figure. In another point this To the Egyptian artist, the symbol of group differs from other"hypocephali" creative power is the phallic symbol. examined, and that is in the presence Hence, knowing, perhaps, that this of the prayer table here shown. This group represented God, he embelsign, a table surmounted by suppli- lished it according to one of the most cating or adoring hands and arms, popular of Egyptian concepts, relating is always the sign of the presence of to the beginnings of things. The fa- God, or of a god. miliar variation of this group adds The group shown in the common strong presumption in favor of the run of hypocephali is evidently en- description given in Smith's caption. tirely phallic, the seated figure being The presence of the UZAT eye in usually identified with the dual god, this group is also interesting. It is

Horus-Min, who, in certain local cults, probably the commonest of all Egypcombines the offices and functions of tian symbols, both as a familiar ele- Horus and a deity known as Min. ment in sacred pictures and sculp- This latter was, according to Egyptol- tures, also as an amulet for the dead ogists, originally a local god of the and the living. Originally, of course, desert, and of strangers, in general. it indicates the sun, which is often He is also identified with a deity called described as the "eye of Ra," etc., as Amsu. By other, or later, ascriptions, already suggested. In this sense, by a he becomes identified with the creative poetic figure, understoood literally, it principle of nature, or the universal is also the eye of God, the all-seeing generative power typified in phallic eye. Consequently, as this "divine symbols. In this matter we may un- eye" (the sun) is the most evident derstand his partial, or occasional, proof of God's presence, both physidentification with Amen-Ra, the su- ically and spiritually, its image is the preme god, the Creator, according to most logical reminder of Him. Bethe theology resulting from the recog- cause of this, perhaps, the image of nition and assimilation of the Theban the divine eye came into almost unideity Amen (Ammon or Amun). versal use as an amulet, and was be- Whence, some authorities have called lieved to be effective, not only in this seated figure Horammon (Horus- warding off evils and mishaps of vari- Ammon). ous kinds, but also as indicating good There may be allowed to be a differ- gifts and good wishes in general. For ence of opinion, as to whether the this latter reason, this symbol came group shown here is the original form, to be known as the UZAT eye, which or whether it is merely a variation of is to say the eye of all that is the usual, as shown on the common "healthy" and "nourishing;" for such

448 IMPROVEMENT ERA

is the meaning of this word in the a charm, under the head of the ordi- Egyptian language. The eye offered, nary mummy." as in the group under consideration, It may be that Dr. Lythgoe is able to an image of deity, may indicate to translate the hieroglyphics on this either a gift of all good things by disk,although he has favored us with ascription through this their type, or none of the "snatches." However, his merely as an ideogram of divine at- remarks on "monotheistic Abraham" tributes. are scarcely applicable, since, as any We may see, therefore, that this reader of the Book of Abraham can group certainly represents "God sitting readily perceive, it does not inculcate upon his throne," because it represents the variety of monotheism which de- God as a Creator, which is evidently nies the existence of "other gods." A what the Egyptians understood it to large part of it, in fact, is devoted to a signify, when they varied it, as al- version of the creation story, in which, ready shown. The conventional rep- following the Hebrew usage of a plural resentation of a throne is shown in noun (ELOHIM) for the word usually this group, as also in Fig. 3, where it translated "God." the creation of the is mounted on the boat. earth and its inhabitants is attributed This brings us to a consideration of to "the gods." Pig. 3, which is explained as "made to The figure seated in the HENNU represent God sitting upon his throne, Boat, crowned with the disk of the sun, clothed with power and authority; is usually identified with Ra, the Suwith a crown of eternal light upon his preme God, who was worshiped head: representing also the srand key- through the symbol of the sun. In his words of the Holy Priesthood.'' As to boat, called the "Bark of Millions of how this figure represents the^e sa- Years," meaning, perhaps, of eternity, cred "keywords" must he. of course, he floats daily across the sky, crowned a matter hidden from the uninformed. with the glory of the everlasting sun. Regarding the other statements, how- Of this conception of God, Dr. Budge ever, several very happy coincidences says: are to be found. "Ra was the name given to the sun According to Dr. A. M. Dythsroe, as by the Egyptians in a remote antiquity, reported in the NEW YORK TIMES but the meaning of the word, or the atinterview, "The representation is the tribute which they attributed to the sun most common of all in Egyptian pa- by it, is unknown. Ra was the visible pyri. It the view of the sun god is emblem of God, and was regarded as in his boat. The 'Mormon' version is the god of this earth, to whom offerings right in that this is tne picture of a and sacrifices were made daily; and god. but it is the chief god of a when he appeared above the horizon at polytheistic people, instead of the God the creation, time began. In the pyrawho was worshipped by monotheistic mid texts the soul of the deceased Abraham, and pictures of him were makes its way to where Ra is in heavamong the widely distributed pictures en, and Ra is entreated to give it a in Egypt." place in the 'fcark of millions of years,' The article then proceeds to animad- wherein he sails over the sky. . . .

vert on the Prophet's explanations for In his daily course he vanquished night, presenting no translations of the hiero- and darkness and mist and cloud disglyphics in this chart, remarking that appeared from before his rays. Subsethis shows "that at times the divine quently the Egyptians invented the power . left him." . . It then con- moral conception of the sun, representtinues: "The things that puzzled the ing the victory of right over wrong and inspired 'Mormon' translator were no of truth over falsehood." puzzle at all to Dr. Lythgoe. They An investigation of the God Ra, his were simply snatches of a hymn to the attributes and the hymns addressed to Sun god inserted on every flat disk him, seems to furnish a strong confirmthat was put, for its magical effect as ation in point for the remark of Prof.

"JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 449

Rawlinson ("Religions of the Ancient have reason, and, however many be World") that, "Altogether the theory to their forms, thou givest them life, and which the facts on the whole point is thou dos*. distinguish the shape and the existence of a primitive religion stature of each from his neighbor. communicated to man from without, Thou nearest the prayer of the afflictwhereof monotheism and expiatory sac- ed, and thou art gracious unto him rifice were parts, and the gradual that crieth unto thee; thou deliverest clouding over of this primitive religion the feeble one from the oppressor, and everywhere." thou judgest between the strong and This conclusion is further reinforced the weak. . Thou only form, the . .

by such a hymn as the following, ad- Maker of all that is, One only, the Credressed to the Sun God in the form of ator of all that shall be. Mankind Amen-Ra, and quoted by Dr. Budge hath come forth from thine eyes, the from the collections of Gebaut and gods have come into being at thy word. Thou makest tne herbs for the Wiedemann. It is also in point in this use of beasts and cattle, and the staff connection, since one of our critics has of life for the need of man. Thou givdeclared the text of this disk to include est life to the fish of the stream and passages from such a hymn. We may to the fowl of the air, and breath to learn here the kind of hymns the Egyp- the germ in the egg; thou givest life tians composed and sang to their God. creep, and things that fly, and every- "Adoration to thee. O Amen-Ra, the thing that belongeth thereunto. Thou bull of Annu, the Ruler of all the gods, providest food for the rats in the holes, the beautiful and beloved god. who and for the birds that sit among the givest life by means of every kind of branches, . Thou One, thou Only . .

food and fine cattle. One, whose arms are many. All men "Hail to thee, O Amen-Ra, Lord of unto the grasshopper, and thou makest the world's throne. . . . The King of to live the wild fowl, and things that Heaven and Sovereign of the earth, and all creatures adore thee, and thou Lord of things that exist; praises come unto thee from the thou Stablisher of Creation; thou height of heaven, from earth's widest Supporter of the Universe. Thou art space and from the depths of the sea, one in thine attributes among the . . thou One, thou Only One, who .

gods, thou Beautiful Bull of the com- hast no second, whose names are manipany of the gods; thou Chief of all fold and innumerable." Gods; Lord of Truth (Maat); Father This is the line of ascriptions which of the gods; Creator of men; Maker of the Egyptian* made to the God, who. beasts and cattle; Lord of all that as we are informed, Joseph Smith erexisteth; Maker of the staff of life; roneously identified with the Almighty. Creator of the herbs which give life to There can be no doubt but that he beasts and cattle Thou art made an unusually happy guess in this the Creator of all thina-s celestial and matter. A Being described, as in the terrestrial: thou illuminest the uni- above hymn, could very probably be verse. . . . The gods cast themselves held to "represent also the grand keyat thy feet when they perceive thee. words of the Holy Priesthood." In Hymns of Praise to thee, O deed, if some of the sacred words do Father of the gods, who hast spread not occur in such a hymn as this, there out the heavens and laid down the are certainly close analogues of several earth, thou Master of eterni- . .. of them. Could Joseph Smith really ty and everlastingness. . . . read these "snatches of a hymn to the Hail to thee, O Ra. Lord of Truth. sun god," and was it, for this reason, Thou art hidden in thy shrine, Lord of that he identified their object with the the gods. Thou art the morning (Khe- Almighty? However, upon the popular notion phera) in thy bark, and when thou despite the lofty sentiments of sendest forth the word the gods come that,

into being. Thou art the Evening such hymns, the "chief god of a poly- people" must ever be some (Tmu), the Maker of beings which theistic

450 IMPROVEMENT ERA

person quite other than the One God of hand," says Dr. Breasted. " The Godthe Bible, or of "monotheism," the fol- dess Maat (Truth) is introducing the lowing remarks of Prof. Budge seem dead (5) and his shadow (6) before quite pertinent: Osiris," says Dr. von Bissing. "Looking at the Egyptian words in As in the discussion of the other their simple meaning, it is pretty cer- plates of this series, it would be futile tain that when the Egyptians declared to begin with a challenge or contradicthat their God was one and that he tion of the opinions of these scholars, had no second, they had the same ideas which are evidently expressed in all

as the Jews and Muhammedans, when honesty, and are certainly founded on a they proclaimed their God to be 'one' basis of accurate information on mat- and alone. (Deut. vi: 5; iv: 35; Isaiah ters Egyptian. We must admit the close xlv: 5.) It has been urged that the resemblance of the seated figure to the Egyptians never advanced to pure traditional representations of Osiris, monotheism, because they never suc- wearing the double plumed crown, and ceeded in freeing themselves from the holding the flail, or scourge, and the belief in the existence of other gods, hook, or crook, in hand. The either but when they say that a god has figures before behind him also and 'no second,' even though they men- closely suggest the goddesses mentioned tion other 'gods,' it is quite evident by our critics. Nevertheless, there are that, like the Jews, they conceived several things to be said in regard to him to be an entirely different being this scene, which should import a from the existences, which, for want strong presumption of uncertainty, at of a better word, or because these pos- least, as to the finality of the abovesessed superhuman attributes, they quoted opinions. named 'gods.' " In the first place, the scene differs in The truth of this line of reasoning several important details from the commay be shown by simple reference to mon run of representations of Osiris the Old Testament, from which and judging the dead. In the Book of the the Christian Scriptures, nearly all the Dead, the scene habitually contains grand ascriptions of the above hymn other figures, each of which has some may be reproduced. From among such special and particular part in the award passages we may select at random: of justice, or the administration of con- Deut. x: 17; II Chron. ii: 5; Psa. lxxxii: sequent blessings or penalties. Prom- 1; lxxxvi: 8; xcvii: 9; cxxxvi: 2. inent among these is the pair of scale* in which the heart, or conscience, of the FAC-SIMILE NO. 3. deceased is weighed against the weight It is now in order to turn to the con- of truth or righteousness, often represideration of the third plate of the sented by the feather of Maat. Anubis series usually included with the text of I'sually superintends this test, the recthe Book of Abraham. According to ord of which is made by the ibis-headed the descriptive caption, it represents Thoth, the god of metes and bounds. "Abraham upon sitting Pharaoh's Another, figure proper to this scene is throne. . reasoning upon the prin- . that of Amemit, the Devourer, the ciples of astronomy in the king's "Eater-up of souls," who is represented court.'' Not so, say our critics, who as an incongruous monster of the feidentify the scene with some traditional male sex, having the head of a crocorepresentation of Osiris and Isis in the dile, the fore-quarters of a lion or pan- World of the Dead. "The Goddess Maat ther, and the hind-quarters of a hippoleading the Pharaoh before Osiris," potamus. This hideous Frankenstein of says Dr. Sayce. "The dead person be- the Netherworld typifies the eternal fore the judgment seat of Osiris," says terrors awaiting evil-doers. Further- Dr. Petrie. "The God Osiris enthroned before him three fig- — more, not alone Isis she is often acat the left, . . . companied by Nephthys—assists Osiris ures. The middle one, a man, led . . . in rendering judgment, but the company by the Goddess Truth, who grasps his of the "forty-two judges of the dead"

"JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR' 451

also appears, drawn usually on a frieze ists, who were ever most particular to above the main scene. The Canopic maintain truthfulness in pose and de- Gods also appear frequently, their fav- tail, whatever variation of idea their orite place being upon the open petals work may have expressed. of a lotus flower, placed directly in On any assumption, however, this front of Osiris. picture differs from familiar scenes of Although the Book of the Dead, the the judgment or adoration in one or typical mortuary ritual work of the two notable particulars. It may be as- Egyptians, presents few variations serted with reasonable confidence that from the particulars of the judgment in neither case, as shown in familiar scene, as noted above, there are varia- papyri, does the "deceased' advance tions in some other books of the same with the confident assurance evidently import, particularly in later ages. depicted in the pose of Pig. 5. The de- Among such latter may be mentioned ceased is led to judgment in pose much the papyrus, or Kerasher, or Kersher resembling that of any prisoner brought containing the so-called "Book of before the bar of a "court of competent Breathings." This papyrus, published jurisdiction." He attempts no salutain facsimile by the British Museum, tion of the judge, but stands, arms and shows the deceased Kerasher, he was hands down, as if awaiting the results evidently a negro, whose woolly hair is nf the assize with proper anxiety. Even prominently shown, led before Osiris by Kerasher, despite the huge bale of ofthe jackal-headed Anubis, and followed ferings, seems diffidently uncertain that by a figure described as "Maat," which he will' be counted worthy to be called shoves the head of a hare, or some an- the justified in Osiris." In the adoraimal of similar visage. The space usual- tion, also, the deceased makes his salu- ly given to the weighing scene is in tation humbly and with reverence, often this picture occupied by a large square with bent body. If he ever comes into mass, evidently a bale of votive offer- the Presences, stalking confidently, like ings, flowers, etc., representing, per- "Shulem, one of the King's principal haps, the good deeds of the man now waiters" (courtiers?), the papyrus so before the bar of judgment. This varia- showing him has not been included in tion of the judgment scene may be published collections. typical of some modification of ideas The figure shown here is probably "ii the matter, and, according to ac- making a salutation of some kind, but counts, has several close analogues in evidently not of the kind usually due ether papyri. from mortals to the gods who hold the Besides the judgment scene, the Book balances of eternal weal or woe. The of the Dead frequently shows the de- peculiar headgear is another element ceased, after acquittal, purged of all of variation. It is very doubtful if any guilt and blame, brought again before genuine judgment or adoration scene Osiris, king of the dead, to whom he shows the deceased crowned or hatted offers -adoration and thanksgiving. In before the Judge of Amenti. There s ch scene, however, he is usually ac- every pose of body and every detail of companied by but one guide or sponsor, dress suggest humility abased and unalthough there are variations in this, as adorned. in other matters. That the scene under The figure marked 6 is another diffi- consideration represents the adoration culty in the present plate. This is at- 'of Osiris, rather than the judgment, tested by the testimonies of the author- seems to be the opinion of Dr. E. A. W. ities quoted in the Spalding pamphlet,

Budge of the British Museum, who "in who differ even radically, in widely, a letter to Dr. Henry Woodward, dated their judgments. Thus, Prof. Petrie in 1903, says: "Adoration of Osiris by calls it "the God Anubis." Dr. Breasted some deceased person. It is a falsified says, "the head probably should be ropy." Undoubtedly, he notes some of that of a wolf or jackal, but ... is the radical variations in this scene from here badly drawn." Prof von Bissing the common practice of Egyptian art- sees here "the d'-ad (5) and his shadow

452 IMPROVEMENT ERA

(6),'' but adds, "6 only may be inter- any further guess on what it may reppreted in different ways, but never as resent,it would seem safe to say that

Smith did." Dr. Lythgoe, as quoted in the resemblances to usual Osirian the NEW YORK TIMES, opines that scenes end with figures 5 and 6. The this figure represents a priest, judging best available refuge of a critic of Jofrom his shaven head, as compared seph Smith's interpretation lies, therewith the wigs commonly shown on fore, in the statement of Dr. Budge gods and deceased; also, that the black that this is "a falsified copy." There color of this figure reproduces the red is one difficulty with this assumption, shade given to male persons in Egyptian however, and that is that such falsipaintings, the women being colored in fication as may be consistently suslight yellow. This statement is made — pected quite entirely in the construcin spite of the fact that a priest, sel- tion of figures 5 and 6, if we leave out dom if ever, evidently appears- in either of account the sundry other matters the judgment or adoration scenes be- — already noted is all in minor matters, fore Osiris. and not at all in the interest of ren- The criticisms of the Egyptologists dering the group more consistent with quoted above must be considered with the explanations offered in regard to the respectful attention always due it. The strong suspicion of femininity to the opinions of competent schol- adhering to fig. 4 could haidly have ars; but, like the judgments noted in escaped any observer. Consequently, connection with the first plate, they the presumable changes of 5 and 6 from evidently derive most of their weight the usual must appear unspeakably from the assumption that these plates stupid, when this one is left untouched. come from, and belong in, the Book of The inference is reasonably strong, the Dead, as Dr. Meyer does not hesi- then, that these plates must have come tate to state, or in some other mor- to the hands of Joseph Smith in the tuary document. As a matter of fact, form shown at the present time, with no such figure as 6 appears in any pa- such allowances as may reasonably be pyrus of the Book of the Dead that made, of course, for inaccuracy of has been published in facsimile, or drawing in the' process of transference shown in American museums. The to the printing blocks. dress suggests that it is a male fig- In regard to the caption of this plate ure, but by the same token, it con- another interesting situation occurs. stitutes an extremely unusual repre- In the first place, the incident presentation of Anubis, or of any other sumably depicted is not mentioned in male deity commonly present in such the text of the Book of Abraham, so scenes. The priestly character might far, at least, as it has been given to be admissible, but not, properly, in the world. The scene might logically the confines of the Osirian court. The seem to depict "Abraham brought bepose, also, is most unusual, to say the fore Pharaoh;" "Abraham preaching, least. It may be safe to assert, on or expounding, before Pharaoh," or, in the basis of the facts just noted, that, view of the mention of '"Joseph of if this plate be considered to be in Egypt" in Joseph Smith's account of anything like the original form, and the translation of these papyri, "Joif it be insisted that it represent one seph interpreting Pharaoh's Dream." of the usual run of scenes showing That none of these explanations is the deceased before Osiris, it departs chosen, but rather one referring to the sufficiently far from the usual reverent unfamiliar and undescribed scene inand consistent presentation to be dicated in the caption must excite surclassed as the veriest caricature. If prise, if the assumption be made that it does not represent any such scenes, both book and captions were "made this judgment must of course be modi- from the whole cloth." fied accordingly. The explanation inevitably occurring Without attempting any further in- to a believer in the work and mission terpretation of the plate, or hazarding of Joseph Smith is that both plates and

"JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR' 453

descriptions came to him in the man- nificance is AUTHORITY and POWner set forth in his account, and that ER. The plume at either side typifies such "inconsistencies" and "inaccur- TRUTH, JUSTICE, RIGHT, LAW, acies,"' as have been noted by our and, as such, became the symbol tracritics, originated in a day far prior ditionally associated with Maat the to Smith's lifetime. Such a person Goddess of Truth, etc. The plume was would explain these slips, provided he chosen for this significance by the were willing- to discuss them at all, Egyptians, because of the tradition by a line of reasoning precisely similar that all the feathers of an ostrich ai e to that suggested in connection with of the same length, hence, justly and plate 1, an easily explainable, and equably measured. It is respectfully readily imaginable, scribal confusion submitted for determination, whether beween this scene, presumably de- the qualities of AUTHORITY and scribed in the text of the complete TRUTH fully represent the priestbook, with which it is associated, with hood, or emblem the governance of certain more familiar scenes of the God. varieties discussed above. Thus, the If this plate, like the first, is after seated figure, stated to represent Abra- Hie "manner of . . . hieroglyphics," ham, becomes closely approximated to which is to say, symbolic still other the general traditional appearance oe (symbols are found correctly inter- Osiris, and sundry other changes are preted. For example, the "scepter or made, as it were, "to confound the justice and ;"udgment" is mentioned. wise." Thus we may venture an ex- So far as one can determine, the seated planation of the "falsified copy." figure, like Ojiris, Horus, and others Whatever may be said of the fore- shown in Egyptian pictures is repregoing suggestions, it seems not too sented holding the flail or scourge in much to sav that the "other side," one hand, and the .-ook. or crook, in which we have tried to present, will the other. These have been called the, demand some consideration from can- "emblems of sovereignty and power." did minds. This is particularly prob- However, the king or god so holding able, in view of the fact, already them shows 'hereby that he is tne demonstrated, that Joseph Smith cer- punisher of the wicked, as with the tainly "guessed" the meaning of tht. scourge, r.nd the shepherd of the majority of the figures shown in these righteous. His office is shown to conplates, as already discussed, and, that sist, therefore, in thj exercise ot "his ability to do so had no connec- JUSTICE, on the one hand, and of tion with the decipherment of hiero- JUDGMENT, or righteous authority, glyphics bv European scholars." Fur- protecting the good and law-abiding, thermore, several notable examples of on the other. Is this another good the same ability to interpret symbolic guess? meanings exist in the third plate also. Regarding the figure marked 3 the In this third platt, speaking of Fig. explanation, "signifies Abraham in

1, which he identifies with Abraham, Egypt" is somewhat incomprehensible he says, "with a crown upon his head, at first glance. It is evidently a simple representing the Priesthood, as em- offering table for holding fruit, flower blematical of the grand Presidency in and food offerings, and is a familiar Heaven, with the sceptre of justice figure in ZJgyotian art. Thus, we find and judgment in his hand." How it called "the stand of offerings with

could this crown represent the "Priest- lotus flowers" (Petrie); "a lotus-

hood," or emblem +he "Presidency in crowned standard bearing food" Heaven?" Probably by indicating the (Breasted); "an offering table" (Von qualities characterizing them. The Bissing). Although these statements crown is probably the "PSHENT," or of our Egyptologists are correct bedouble crown of the two Egypts, or yond question, we are concerned with perhaps only the crown of Lower the symbolic meaning after the "man- Egypt. In either case the clear sig- ner of ... hieroglyphics," and,

454 IMPROVEMENT ERA

seeking for this, we And some things Orient, from which, in relation to not mentioned by our critics. Egypt, Abraham had come. The use The offering table has its significance of "AB," "AV," "IB," or "IV," to inin hieroglyphic as both writing, a dicate Abraham is quite analogous to "phonogram," or indicator of sound the use of the familiar tri-grammator not spelled in letters, and as an "ideo- IHS (Greek for IES) to indicate the gram," or sign indicating an idea, in- name "Jesus;" in both cases the first

dependent of words, or in connection syllable denotes the full name. In the with spelled words. Its pnonographic latter case the example is only one of significance, as given by modern a -eneral run of instances in which Egyptologists, is either HAU-T or proper names and other words are ab- HAWT, in which the A indicates a breviated in Greek manuscripts. breathing similar to the Hebrew Considered hieroglynhically, there- ADEPH, the first sign of the alpha- fore, there is no doubt but what the bet, which may indicate, not only "a" "lotus-crowned standard" may be inbut also any other vowel or semi- terpreted to signify "Egypt and the vowel whatever, according to pointing Orient," or "Egypt and lb (raim), Iv or usage. Champollion's grammar (raim), or Ab (ram)," quite as clearly transliterates this sign with EIEBT. and certainly as it connotes the ac- As an ideogram this figure signifies tual use to which it was devoted. the "Orient," the "East." In view of the points above noted, it The flowers shown upon the table seems safe to say that the assertion closely resemble those shown in the made by one of our critics to the efconventional cluster, which constitutes fect that "Smith .has misinter- . .

the familiar ideogram for Lower preted the significance of every one Egypt. figure" stands now with burden of We have, therefore, a figure closely proof shifted to the shoulders of those suggesting an association of Egypt who reject him, both as a prophet of with some word or name indicated by God and even as a man of ordinary a combination of ALEPH and a labial honesty. consonant (B or V), or else with the

1 Comments on the Spaulding Pamphlet BY JOHN A. WIDTSOE, A. M., PH. D.

Rt. Rev. F. S. Spalding, D.D., Salt Lake not convinced. Your argument has dis- City, Utah. appointed me, for I had hoped to find — My Dear. Dr. Spalding The pressure in your book an investigation that of official work has made it very dif- would be worthy of the steel of "Morficult to find the time necessary to keep monism." Instead, I have come to the my promise to give you my opinion of conclusion that you have only begun your book, "Joseph Smith, Jr., As a the inquiry, which you announce has Translator." I have, however, read the been concluded. work several times and have given the Do not misunderstand me. You have matter with which it deals consider- given your word that you are sincere able thought. In the hour at my dis- in this inquiry. That is enough. The posal I can only suggest some of the apparent unfairness on some of your many thoughts that have come as pages can well be charged to the aber- I have followed your argument against rations of vision which beset every the correctness of Joseph Smith's in- person who takes sides on any questerpretation of the hieroglyphics print- tion. ed in the Pearl of Great Price. Your title page is splendid. "Joseph I may as well say at once that I am Smith, Jr., as a Translator. An Inquiry * From the Desetet News of Jan. 11, 1913