Facsimiles in the Pearl of Great Price : The Prophet Joseph Smith's "Explanations"

The Book of Abraham, with the facsimiles, is a unique scripture to the Latter-day Saints. Its content is closely related to our understanding of the Plan of Happiness. Numerous books and publications have been written about the Egyptology and science in the facsimiles. However, the Egyptians worshiped pagan gods. This book is a unique attempt to consider the Prophet's "Explanations" of the facsimiles as scripture, with a minimum of Egyptian interference. The facsimiles teach wholesome, uplifting and divine principles. They were received by divine revelation and were meant to be studied by that same influence. The Prophet Joseph Smith obtained the Egyptian papyri in July, 1835. He waited seven years before he published his translation in 1842. This was only a few weeks before he performed the first temple endowments in our dispensation. Nothing sacred to the temple is discussed in this text. However, those who make regular temple worship an important component of their lives may have an especially insightful understanding. The facsimiles depict events that actually happened in the lives of the participants. The Pharaoh attempted to sacrifice Abraham, Facsimile 1. Abraham experienced a cosmic tour of the heavens, Facsimile 2. Shulem was sealed by the Priesthood to his wife for time and all eternity, in an authorized temple ceremony. He drew us a picture of it, in representative form, Facsimile 3.