In terms of concepts,
many of the definitions given parallel Abraham 1:24-25, 31. Consider the following
set of parallels emphasized here:
|
Egyptian
Alphabet – Oliver Cowdery handwriting |
Book of
Abraham |
|
The
land of Egypt first discovered under water by a woman |
When this
woman discovered the land it was under water, who afterward
settled her sons in it; and thus, from Ham, sprang that race which preserved
the curse in the land. (Abraham 1:24) |
|
What
other person is that? Who. |
|
|
Reign, government,
power, kingdom, or dominion. |
Now the
first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son
of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the
government of Ham, which was patriarchal. (Abraham 1:25) |
|
The
beginning, first, before, or pointing to. |
|
|
In the
beginning of the earth, or creation |
But the
records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning the right of
Priesthood, the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands; therefore a
knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets,
and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers, have I kept even
unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this
record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me. (Abraham
1:31) |
It is clear that the
Egyptian document depends on the text of the Book of Abraham, but the Book of
Abraham is not derivative of the Egyptian Alphabet document. Too much has to be
supplied to claim that the Book of Abraham is derived from the scattered
concepts of the Egyptian Alphabet. (John Gee, “Prolegomena
to a Study of the Egyptian Alphabet Documents in the Joseph Smith Papers,” Interpreter:
A journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship volume 42[2021]:77-98,
here, pp. 92-93)
