A Thought on Facsimile No. 2

bryceggorrell
Feb 8
3 min read

Updated: Feb 19

I wonder if the circular illustration included with the Book of Abraham, presumably taken from an ancient Egyptian hypocephalus (an amulet placed under the head of a dead person), is really a pictorial diagram—a simplified map—of our own galaxy, over which our Heavenly Father presides.

God is at the center, near Kolob, the great governing star or planet (Figure 1). (Abraham 3)

It is assumed by many scientists that a supermassive "black hole" is at the center of our galaxy, providing the gravitational influence that keeps all other bodies in regular orbit around the center.

Can God's throne really be located at, near, or inside what we call a "black hole?"

Black holes are invisible to our mortal eyes because of the way they affect light, on which our eyes depend. If we could see finer, more pure or refined light and matter, might we peer inside the pavilion that covers His hiding place? (Doc. & Cov. 88: 11-13, 67; 131: 7-8; 121: 1)

The diagram's round shape and the way some areas are written upside-down and in a circular arc causes one to rotate it as they read and view all the parts.

Is this a way of animating the drawing, showing we are in a rotating spiral galaxy, basically a flattened disc spinning about on an immense scale—perhaps even an eternal round?

Surely a supernatural vision from some higher vantage was required for Abraham—an ancient prophet and patriarch—to take in such a view. Still now, we have no power to take ourselves sufficiently far away from the Milky Way's planar disc to see such a picture.

Recent images of other galaxies and wonders from the Hubble and the James Webb space telescopes are inspiring indeed. What ancient prophets and kings longed to see for only a moment, anyone with access to the internet can now gaze upon to their heart's content!

One of my favorites is of the so-called Whirlpool Galaxy, a "Grand Design Spiral":

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Regarding the historicity of the Book of Abraham, I have no problem accepting that Egyptologists have an interpretation of these things which satisfies them, while they comfortably reject the higher meanings ascribed to them by believers in the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith.

Others, including Joseph Smith and me, understand more to this story than only a common and explainable interpretation including prayers, incantations, curses, and blessings pertaining to an ancient Egyptian understanding of the afterlife.

I believe Abraham taught many truths to the Egyptians that were incorporated into their religious thinking, and which, unfortunately, fell subject to corruption, loss, and digression, as are the teachings of prophets in every age. (Abraham 1-5)

I encourage you to keep a wide enough perspective to consider that the writings on the papyri in question have been corrupted and obscured by false interpolations over the centuries, as was the Holy Bible and other writings, like the Holy Quran.

Scientific inquiry can uncover only so much of these fallen meanings, while the higher teachings require prophetic illumination. Joseph Smith's inspired interpretations were not limited by linguistic analysis or historic comprehension only. He had more with which he could work than only the ink on the page. He could receive penetrating insights into such things by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, the highest teaching tools.

Think about Jesus explaining how a hen gathers chicks, or a fisherman catches fish. (Matthew 23: 37; Luke 5: 4-11)

The "scientists" of the world might say He only talked about fish and chickens, while of course, we know He was teaching us higher and holier things.

Similarly, they might say, "That image is nothing more than a hypocephalus, a ceremonial funerary object important for the ancient Egyptian understanding of the journey to be made by the deceased."

I think there's more to the story.

Improving Our Time

A Thought on Facsimile No. 2

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