In a letter to his son, Joseph B. Smith Jr, January 5, 1923, Joseph B. Smith recalled how
In 1843 Aunt Mary seen Emma Smith
burn the 132 sec. of the D.C. Joseph speaking to Hyrum and making the statement
I w I will write it again and an the 12
will have it.
Elsewhere, Joseph would recall a blessing to his son by Joseph F.
Smith (d. 1918) concerning the source of the Book of Abraham:
You was bless by Joseph F. Smith.
Prophet of the church, and when You and I were in his office YOU was part of
the REVELATION given when spoke that it has to bad that the Abraham papyaham
was burnt in the Chicago fire Joseph F. Smith put his hans to his face and said
Bro Joseph they are not gon and before your sin is 63 years old they will be in
the hands of the Church. You will live to see this and you will know the truth.
(Joseph B. Smith, letter
to Joseph B. Smith Jr., January 5, 1923)
I found it interesting that, according to this source, Joseph F.
Smith did not believe the scroll of the Book of Abraham was destroyed by the
Great Chicago Fire (1871) but instead, would resurface in the future.