Chapter XXX

Emigration of the Saints from England to Nauvoo--The Book of Abraham.

_Sunday, January 30, 1842_.--I preached at my house morning and evening, concerning the different spirits, their operations, designs, &c.

_Monday, 31_.--Assisted in appraising the tithings of Saturday with Emma. Received many calls. Read in the Book of Mormon. After dinner visited Brother Chase who was very sick, and in the evening was in council with Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and Willard Richards concerning Brother Snyder and the printing office; spent the evening very cheerfully, and retired about ten o'clock.

_Tuesday, February 1_.--Two large stones, for door sills, for the Nauvoo House, were landed.

The following article is from the _Millennial Star_ of this date:

Emigration.

In the midst of the general distress which prevails in this
country on account of the want of employment, the high price of
provisions, the oppression, priestcraft, and iniquity of the
land, it is pleasing to the household of faith to contemplate a
country reserved by the Almighty as a sure asylum for the poor
and oppressed,--a country every way adapted to their wants and
conditions--and still more pleasing to think that thousands of the
Saints have already made their escape from this country, and all
its abuses and distress, and that they have found a home, where, by
persevering industry, they may enjoy all the blessings of liberty,
peace and plenty.

It is not yet two years since the Saints in England, in obedience
to the command of their heavenly Father, commenced a general plan
of emigration to the land of Zion.

They were few in number, generally poor, and had every opposition
{511} to encounter, both from a want of means and from the enemies
of truth, who circulated every falsehood calculated to hinder or
discourage them. Newspapers and tracts were put in circulation,
sermons and public speeches were delivered in abundance, to warn
the people that Nauvoo was a barren waste on the sea shore--that
it was a wild and uninhabited swamp--that it was full of savages,
wild beasts and serpents--that all the English Saints who should
go there would be immediately sold for slaves by the leaders of
the Church--that there was nothing to eat, no water, and no way
possible to obtain a living; that all who went there would have
their money taken from them, and themselves imprisoned, &c. But
notwithstanding all these things, thousands have emigrated from
this country, and now find themselves comfortably situated, and in
the enjoyment of the comforts of life, and in the midst of society
where God is worshiped in the spirit of truth and union, and where
nearly all are agreed in religious principles. They all find plenty
of employment and good wages, while the expense of living is about
one-eighth of what it costs in this country. For instance--beef and
pork costs about one penny per pound, flour from 2s to 3s for forty
pounds, and Indian meal about one shilling for sixty pounds; butter
from 4d to 6d per pound, while milch cows are to be had in plenty
for about £3 per head, and other things in proportion. Millions on
millions of acres of land lie before them unoccupied, with a soil
as rich as Eden, and a surface as smooth, clear, and ready for the
plough as the park scenery of England.

Instead of a lonely swamp or dense forest filled with savages, wild
beasts and serpents, large cities and villages are springing up
in their midst, with schools, colleges, and temples. The mingled
noise of mechanism, the bustle of trade, the song of devotion, are
heard in the distance, while thousands of flocks and herds are seen
grazing peacefully on the plains, and the fields and gardens smile
with plenty, and the wild red men of the forest are only seen as
they come on a friendly visit to the Saints and to learn the way of
the Lord.

Several large ships have been chartered by the Saints during the
present fall and winter, and have been filled with emigrants, who
have gone forth with songs of joy; and some of them have already
arrived safely in the promised land, while others are, doubtless,
still tossing upon the ocean.

The expense of passage and provisions to New Orleans has, at no
time this season, exceeded £4, and it is generally as low as three
pounds fifteen shillings. This is remarkable when we reflect that
each passenger has provisions and water provided in plenty for ten
weeks. But it is obtained at this low price by a union of effort
among the Saints, and by the faithful and persevering exertions
of their agents. For instance {512} they purchase provisions by
the quantity, and duty free, and the moment they bid farewell to
their native shores they hoist the _Flag of Liberty_--the Ensign of
Zion--the stars and stripes of the American Union; and under its
protection they completely and practically nullify the bread tax.
They eat free bread, free tea, free sugar, free everything, and
thus accomplish a journey of five thousand miles on the same money
that is would cost to feed them for the same length of time in
England.

Who that has a heart to feel, or a soul to rejoice, will not be
glad at so glorious a plan of deliverance? Who will not hail the
messengers of the Latter-day Saints as the friends of humanity--the
benefactors of mankind.

Thousands have gone, and millions more must go,
The Gentiles as a stream to Zion flow.

Yes, friends, this glorious work has but just commenced; and we
now call upon the Saints to come forward with united effort, with
persevering exertion, and with union of action, and help yourselves
and one another to emigrate to the Land of Promise.

In this way we shall not only bring about the deliverance of tens
of thousands, who must otherwise suffer in this country, but we
shall add to the strength of Zion, and help to rear her cities and
temples--"to make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the
garden of the Lord," while the young men and the middle aged will
serve to increase her legions--to strengthen her bulwarks--that the
enemies of law and order who have sought her destruction, may stand
afar off and tremble, and her banner become terrible to the wicked.

Ye children of Zion, once more we say, in the name of Israel's God,
arise, break off your shackles, loose yourselves from the bands of
your neck, and go forth to inherit the earth, and to build up waste
places of many generations.

All who would go before September next, should go in the early part
of March, as it is as late as is advisable to venture by way of
New Orleans, on account of the extreme heat of summer; and to go
by New York or Quebec, will be double the expense. Experience has
taught us that an emigrant can go from Liverpool to New Orleans,
and from thence 1,500 miles up the river to Nauvoo for something
like £5 per head, including all provisions and expenses; while by
way of New York or Quebec it will cost from ten to thirteen pounds;
and besides there is another consideration, and that is, goods will
cost but a trifle for freight up the Mississippi on a steamer,
while the expense would be immense the other way.

Therefore the Saints will please take notice, that after the 10th
of March next, emigration had better entirely cease, till about the
20th of {513} September following. If thousands should wish to go
between this time and the 10th of March, they have only to furnish
us with their names and about £4 per head (children under fourteen
years half price), and we will provide them passage and provisions,
for the voyage, and return the overplus, if any, at Liverpool.

We would again urge upon emigrants the important fact that if
they make known to us their intentions, and send their money and
names some weeks beforehand, it will be a great convenience, and
save confusion, trouble and expense. All applications should
be addressed to Messrs. Pratt and Fielding, 36 Chapel street,
Liverpool, or to the _Star_ office, 47 Oxford street, Manchester.

We do not wish to confine the benefit of our emigration plan to
the Saints, but are willing to grant all industrious, honest, and
well-disposed persons who may apply to us the same information and
assistance as emigrants to the western states, there being abundant
room for more than a hundred millions of inhabitants.

[Sidenote: Death of Laura Phelps.]

_Wednesday, 2_.--Sister Laura Phelps, wife of Morris Phelps, died, aged 36 years. She was driven from Jackson county in 1833, was in the persecution of Missouri, in 1838, and went from Iowa to Missouri to assist in liberating her husband, and was left in the prison yard when he made his escape, willing to suffer all the abuses a savage horde could inflict upon her to set her companion free from the grasp of his murderous enemies. Her rest is glorious.

I spent the day in council with Dr. Isaac Galland and Calvin A. Warren, Esq.

_Thursday, 3_.--In council with Calvin A. Warren, Esq., concerning a settlement with the estate of Oliver Granger, and delivered him the necessary papers.

Elder Woodruff took the superintendence of the printing office, and Elder Taylor the editorial department of the _Times and Seasons_; and he commenced by taking an inventory of the establishment this day.

_Friday, 4_.--Instructed that an invoice of Dr. Galland's scrip be made.

[Sidenote: Debates in Nauvoo.]

Closed a contract with Ebenezer Robinson for the printing office on the corner of Bain and Water streets, also {514} the paper fixtures, bookbindery, and stereotype foundry, by proxy, namely, Willard Richards, cost between 7,000 and 8,000 dollars. In the evening attended a debate. At this time debates were held weekly, and entered into by men of the first talents in the city, young and old, for the purpose of eliciting truth, acquiring knowledge, and improving in public speaking.

[Sidenote: Vindication of Daniel Wood.]

_Saturday, 5_.--Elder Daniel Wood, who had been silenced by Presidents Smith and Young, on a complaint for teaching false doctrine, came before the High Council at Nauvoo, and proved that he had not taught false doctrine, but had been complained of by those who had prejudice and hardness against him, and was restored to his former standing in the Church.

This being Tithing Day, upwards of $1,000 worth of property was received.

The ship _Hope_ sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans with 270 Saints.

_Sunday, 6_.--Elders Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball went to La Harpe to hold a two-days meeting.

From this time I was engaged in counseling the brethren and attending to the common vocations of life and my calling, reading the Book of Mormon, &c.

_Thursday, 10_.--I was sick and kept my bed.

The war continues to rage between England and China.

_Friday, 11_.--I was convalescent, and walked twice to the store.

_Saturday, 12_.--An ordinance regulating weights and measures was passed, also an ordinance regulating auctions, by the city council which I attended. During the sitting of the council the subject of our chartered rights was discussed.

In the afternoon, plead in an action of slander before the mayor, in behalf of the city against Lyman O. {515} Littlefield, and obtained judgment of $500 bonds to keep the peace.

_Sunday, 13_--In council with the mayor, Brother Hyrum and Elder Willard Richards, and visited Samuel Bennett (who was sick) in company with William Law and wife.

_Monday, 14_.--Spent the day at my office, transacting a variety of business, and continued to do the same from day to day till the 17th.

_Thursday, 17_.--I attended a special session of the city council, when an ordinance was passed authorizing and regulating marriages in the city of Nauvoo.

_Letter of Alfred Cordon to Joseph Smith--Reporting Affairs in
England_.

Hanley, Stafford County, England, February 17, 1842.

President Joseph Smith:--The work in which we are engaged rolls
on in this lands and in spite of all its enemies, moves onward
in majesty and power; there are many who devote all their time
and talent in endeavoring to overthrow it; but I discover that
they can "do nothing against the truth but for the truth." Many
tracts have been published against us, containing all manner of
lies, but in the end good will be the result. "He that knoweth
God, heareth us." Some of the tools of Satan are doing more in
spreading the truth than we are able to do; one in particular, a
Mr. Brindley, is publishing a periodical showing the "errors and
blasphemies" of "Mormonism;" and in order to do this, he publishes
many of the revelations of God given to us, and through this means,
the testimony is visiting the mansions of the high and mighty
ones--the "reverends, right reverends" and all the noble champions
of sectarians receive them as a precious morsel; and they are
read with much interest; whereas, if we had sent them, they would
have been spurned from their dwellings, and would not have been
considered worth reading.

The state of this country is very awful, and is, according to
prospects, on the eve of a mighty revolution; all confidence is
gone between master and man, and men are afraid of each other;
peace is fast removing from this land; in the course of the last
few days, in many parts of this isle, they have been burning
the effigy of the great men of this nation--poverty, distress
and starvation abound on every hand. The groans, and tears and
wretchedness of the thousands of people are enough to rend the
hearts of demons; many of the Saints are suffering much {516}
through hunger and nakedness; many with large families can scarcely
get bread and water enough to hold the spirit in the tabernacle;
many, very many, are out of employment, and cannot get work to do,
and others that do work hard fourteen or fifteen hours per day, can
scarcely earn enough to enable them to live upon the earth. Surely
there is need of deliverance in Zion, and I am ready to exclaim,
thanks be to Thy name, O Lord, for remembering Thy covenants! and
that the "set time to favor Zion has come," and that He has chosen
the west for a refuge for His people.

Wishing you all success, I remain, yours in the new and everlasting
covenant.

Alfred Cordon.

[Sidenote: Confidence in the Nauvoo Charter.]

_Friday, 18_.--I attended an adjourned city council, and spoke at considerable length in committee of the whole on the great privileges of the Nauvoo Charter, and especially on the registry of deeds for Nauvoo, and prophesied in the name of the Lord God, that Judge Douglas and no other judge of the Circuit Court will ever set aside a law of the city council, establishing a registry of deeds in the city of Nauvoo.

_Saturday, 19_.--I was engaged in the Recorder's Office (in the first story of the Brick Store), on the tithings, and in council in my office with Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and others.

A severe shock of an earthquake threw down all the parapets, bastions, and guard houses constructed by Sir Robert Sale, and demolished a third part of the town of Jellalabad, India.

_Sunday, 20_.--I attended the meeting on the hill. About this time the ship _John Cummins_ sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans with Saints. The _Tremont_ sailed on the 12th of January with 143 passengers, mostly Saints. The expenses of passage from Liverpool to New Orleans averages from £3, 15s to £4, including provisions.

_Monday, 21_.--I was visiting in the city in the morning, and transacting a variety of business at the office in the afternoon and evening.

{517} _Announcement of the Trustee in Trust for the Church
Respecting Work on the Temple_.

To The Brethren In Nauvoo City: Greeting--It is highly important
for the forwarding of the Temple, that an equal distribution of
labor should be made in relation to time; as a superabundance of
hands one week, and none the next, tends to retard the progress of
the work: therefore every brother is requested to be particular
to labor on the day set apart for the same, in his ward; and to
remember that he that sows sparingly, shall also reap sparingly, so
that if the brethren want a plentiful harvest, they will do well to
be at the place of labor in good season in the morning, bringing
all necessary tools, according to their occupation, and those who
have teams bring them also, unless otherwise advised by the Temple
Committee. Should any one be detained from his labor by unavoidable
circumstances on the day appointed, let him labor the next day, or
the first day possible.

N. B--The captains of the respective wards are particularly
requested to be at the place of labor on their respective days,
and keep an accurate account of each man's work, and be ready to
exhibit a list of the same when called for.

The heart of the Trustee is daily made to rejoice in the good
feelings of the brethren, made manifest in their exertion to carry
forward the work of the Lord, and rear His Temple; and it is hoped
that neither planting, sowing, or reaping will hereafter be made to
interfere with the regulations hinted at above.

Joseph Smith, Trustee in Trust.

_An Additional Word from the Twelve_.

Recorders Office Febr. 21, 1842.

We would also say to all the churches, that inasmuch as they want
the blessings of God and angels, as also of the Church of Jesus
Christ, and wish to see it spread and prosper through the world,
and Zion built up and truth and righteousness prevail,--let all
the different branches of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints in all the world, call meetings in their respective places
and tithe themselves and send up to this place to the Trustee in
Trust, so that his hands may be loosed, and the Temple go on, and
other works be done, such as the new translation of the Bible, and
the record of Father Abraham published to the world.

Beloved brethren, we as the messengers of the Lord feel to call
upon you to help roll on the mighty work, it is our duty so to do,
and it is your reasonable service--and the Lord will bless you in
so doing.

{518} We subscribe ourselves your humble servants, and standard
bearers to the world. Brigham Young, President,

Willard Richards, Clerk of the Twelve.

_Tuesday, 22_.--Attended to a variety of business as usual.

_Wednesday, 23_.--Settled with and paid Brother Chase, and assisted in the counting room in settling with Ebenezer Robinson, visiting the printing office, and gave Reuben Hedlock instruction concerning the cut for the altar and gods in the Records of Abraham, as designed for the _Times and Seasons_.

_Thursday, 24_.--Engaged in council with the brethren, attended to business at the general office. In the afternoon explained the records of Abraham to the recorder. Sisters Marinda, Mary, and others present to hear the explanations.

_Letter of the Prophet's to an Unknown Brother on Tithing_.

Nauvoo, Feb. 24, 1842.

Beloved Brother--Yours of the 24th ult. is received, in relation
to certain tithings of your neighborhood being transferred to your
account, which you hold against the Church to the amount of $305,
including $150 of your own.

There are no receipts issued for property received on tithing; but
an entry is made in the Book of the Law of the Lord, and parties
living at a distance notified of the same.

If the parties named will pay you the sum specified in your letter,
and you will endorse the same, i. e. $305, on the obligation you
hold against the Church, and give me notice accordingly, with a
schedule of individuals' names and payments, the same shall be
entered to their credit on tithing. Yours, &c.

Joseph Smith,

Willard Richards, Scribe.

_Friday, 25_.--Engaged in counseling and general business.

_Saturday, 26_.--At the recorder's office engaged in the tithing, and at the court at the office of the Patriarch.

_Sunday, 27_.--Engaged in counseling the Saints.

_Monday, 28_.--I offered a settlement to Father Snow by {519} Jenkins' notes, which he declined, choosing to take land in Ramus; paid Brother Robert Pierce $2,700, the balance due him for a farm Dr. Galland bought of Brother Pierce in Brandywine Township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, for $5,000, namely a deed for lot 2, block 94, $1,100, and lot 1, block 95, $800, and lot 4, block 78, $806, the remainder having been previously paid. The bond was cancelled and given up, and Brother Pierce expressed his satisfaction of the whole, in the _Times and Seasons_, as follows--

_Note of Robert Pierce--Expressing Satisfaction at Financial
Settlement_.

Nauvoo, Feb. 28, 1842.

_President Joseph Smith_.

Dear Sir--I feel anxious to express my feelings concerning the
business transactions between the Church and myself; as it is well
known to many, that Dr. Galland, as agent for the Church, purchased
my farm while I was living in Brandywine Township, Chester county,
Pennsylvania, and many supposed, or pretended to suppose, I would
get nothing in return; but I wish to say to all my old friends
and enemies in Pennsylvania, through the medium of the _Times and
Seasons_, that I have received my pay in full from the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through yourself, sir, as their
trustee in trust, according to the original contract; and that from
my acquaintance with yourself, and those brethren who are assisting
you in the great and increasing business of the Church, I have the
fullest confidence in all the transactions of the Church, and I
request those papers in Philadelphia, who published concerning my
sale and loss, with such bitter lamentations, to publish this also.

I am, sir, your brother and well-wisher,

Robert Pierce.

_Thursday, March 1, 1842_.--During the forenoon I was at my office and the printing office, correcting the first plate or cut of the records of Father Abraham, prepared by Reuben Hedlock, for the _Times and Seasons_, and in council in my office, in the afternoon; and in the evening with the Twelve and their wives at Elder Woodruff's, at which time I explained many important principles in relation to progressive improvement in the scale of intelligent existence.

{520} I commenced publishing my translations of the Book of Abraham in the _Times and Seasons_ as follows--

Fac-Simile From the Book of Abraham--No. 1.

Explanation of the Above Cut.

Fig. 1. The Angel of the Lord.

Fig. 2. Abraham fastened upon an altar.

Fig. 3. The idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to offer up Abraham as a sacrifice.

Fig. 4. The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, Korash, and Pharaoh.

Fig. 5. The idolatrous god of Elkenah.

Fig. 6. The idolatrous god of Libnah.

Fig. 7. The idolatrous god of Mahmackrah.

Fig. 8. The idolatrous god of Korash.

Fig. 9. The idolatrous god of Pharaoh.

Fig. 10. Abraham in Egypt.

Fig. 11. Designed to represent the pillars of heaven, as understood by the Egyptians.

Fig. 12. Raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament over our heads; but in this case, in relation to this subject, the Egyptians meant it to signify Shaumau, to be high, or the heavens; answering to the Hebrew word, Shaumahyeem.

{521}

Fac-Simile From the Book of Abraham--No. 2.

Explanation of the Above Cut.

Fig. 1. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time. The measurement according to celestial time; which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit. One day in Kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth, which is called by the Egyptians Jah-oh-eh.

Fig. 2. Stands next to Kolob, called by the Egyptians Oliblish, which is the next grand governing creation near to the celestial or the place where God resides; holding the key of power also, pertaining to other planets; as revealed from God to Abraham, as he offered sacrifice upon an altar, which he had built unto the Lord.

Fig. 3. Is made to represent God, sitting upon His throne, clothed with power and authority; with a crown of eternal light upon his head; representing, also, the grand key words of the Holy Priesthood, as revealed to Adam in the Garden of Eden, as also to Seth, Noah, Melchisedek, Abraham, and all to whom the Priesthood was revealed.

Fig. 4. Answers to the Hebrew word Raukeeyang, signifying expanse or the firmament of the heavens; also a numerical figure, in Egyptian signifying one thousand; answering to the measuring of the time of Oliblish, which is equal with Kolob in its revolution and in its measuring of time.

Fig. 5. Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-on-dosh; this is one of the governing planets also, and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light {522} from Kolob, through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand Key, or, in other words, the governing power, which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars, as also Floeese or the Moon, the Earth and the Sun in their annual revolutions. This planet receives its power through the medium of Kli-flos-is-es, or Hah-ko-kau-beam, the stars represented by numbers 22, and 23, receiving light from the revolutions of Kolob.

Fig. 6. Represents this earth in its four quarters.

Fig. 7. Represents God sitting upon His throne, revealing through the heavens the grand Key-words of the Priesthood; as also the sign of the Holy Ghost unto Abraham, in the form of a dove.

Fig. 8. Contains writings that cannot be revealed unto the world; but is to be had in the Holy Temple of God.

Fig. 9. Ought not to be revealed at the present time.

Fig. 10. Also.

Fig. 11. Also.--If the world can find out these numbers, so let it be. Amen.

Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, will be given in the own due time of the Lord.

The above translation is given as far as we have any right to give at the present time.

Explanation on Cut No. 3.

Fig. 1. Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh's throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven, with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand.

Fig. 2. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head.

Fig. 3. Signifies Abraham in Egypt; referring to Abraham, as given also in the ninth number of the Times and Seasons. (Also as given in the first fac-simile of this book.)

Fig. 4. Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand.

Fig. 5. Shulem, one of the king's principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand.

Fig. 6. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince.

Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king's court.

{523} Fac-Simile From The Book of Abraham--No 3.

{524}

The Book Of Abraham. [1]

Translated from the Papyrus, by Joseph Smith. [2]

_A Translation of some Ancient Records that have fallen into our
hands, from the Catacombs of Egypt, purporting to be the writings
of Abraham, while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham,
written by his own hand upon papyrus_.

In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I
Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place
of residence, and finding there was greater happiness, and peace
and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and
the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same;
having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to
be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower
of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a
father of many nations, a prince of peace; and desiring to receive
instructions and to keep the commandments of God, I became a
rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the
fathers; it was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down
from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the
beginning, or before the foundations of the earth, to the present
time, even the right of the first born, or the first man, who is
Adam, our first Father, through the fathers, unto me.

2. I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to
the appointment of God unto the fathers, concerning the seed. My
{525} fathers having turned from their righteousness, and from the
holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them,
unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refused to
hearken to my voice; for their hearts were set to do evil, and were
wholly turned to the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the
god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh,
king of Egypt, therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrifice
of the heathen in offering up their children unto their dumb idols,
and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my
life by the hand of the priest of Elkenah--the priest of Elkenah
was also the priest of Pharaoh.

3. Now at this time it was the custom of the priest of Pharaoh,
the king of Egypt, to offer up upon the altar which was built in
the land of Chaldea, for the offering unto these strange gods,
men, women and children. And it came to pass that the priest
made an offering unto the god of Pharaoh, and also unto the god
of Shagreel, even after the manner of the Egyptians. Now the god
of Shagreel was the Sun. Even the thank-offering of a child did
the priest of Pharaoh offer upon this altar, which stood by the
hill called Potiphar's hill, at the head of the plain of Olishem.
Now, this priest had offered upon the altar three virgins at one
time, who were the daughters of Onitah, one of the royal descent,
directly from the loins of Ham. These virgins were offered up
because of their virtue; they would not bow down to worship gods of
wood, or of stone, therefore they were killed upon this altar, and
it was done after the manner of the Egyptians.

4. And it came to pass that the priests laid violence upon me,
that they might slay me also, as they did those virgins, upon this
altar; and that you may have a knowledge of this altar, I will
refer you to the representation at the commencement of this record.
It was made after the form of a bedstead, such as was had among
the Chaldeans, and it stood before the gods of Elkenah, Libna,
Mahmackrah, Korash, and also a god like unto that of Pharaoh, king
of Egypt. That you may have an understanding of these gods, I have
given you the fashion of them in the figures at the beginning,
which manner of the figures is called by the Chaldeans Rahleenos,
which signifies hieroglyphics.

5. And as they lifted up their hands upon me, that they might offer
me up and take away my life, behold I lifted up my voice unto the
Lord my God; and the Lord hearkened and heard, and he filled me
with a vision of the Almighty, and the angel of his presence stood
by me, and immediately unloosed my bands, and his voice was unto
me, Abraham! Abraham! behold my name is JEHOVAH, and I have heard
thee, and have come down to deliver thee, and to take thee away
from thy father's house, and from all thy kinsfolk, into a strange
land that thou knowest {526} not of, and this because they have
turned their hearts away from me, to worship the god of Elkenah,
and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of
Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; therefore I have
come down to visit them, and to destroy him who hath lifted up his
hand against thee, Abraham my son, to take away thy life. Behold I
will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee to put upon thee my
name, even the Priesthood of thy father; and my power shall be over
thee; as it was with Noah so shall it be with thee, but through thy
ministry my name shall be known in the earth for ever, for I am thy
God.

6. Behold Potiphar's Hill was in the land of Ur, of Chaldea; and
the Lord broke down the altar of Elkenah, and of the gods of the
land, and utterly destroyed them, and smote the priest that he
died; and there was great mourning in Chaldea, and also in the
court of Pharaoh, which Pharaoh signifies king by royal blood.
Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the loins of Ham,
and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth. From
this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the
Canaanites was preserved in the land.

7. The land of Egypt being first discovered by a woman, who
was the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Egyptus, which,
in the Chaldean, signifies Egypt, which signifies, that which
is forbidden. When this woman discovered the land it was under
water, who afterwards settled her sons in it: and thus from Ham,
sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land. 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. Pharaoh being a
righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely
and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order
established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of
the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of
Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth,
and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to
the Priesthood.

8. Now Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have
the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain
claim it from Noah, through Ham, therefore my father was led away
by their idolatry; but I shall endeavor hereafter to delineate
the chronology, running back from myself to the beginning of the
creation, for the records have come into my hands which I hold unto
this present time.

9. Now, after the priest of Elkenah was smitten, that he died,
there came a fulfillment of those things which were said unto me
concerning the land of Chaldea, that there should be a famine in
the land. Accordingly a famine prevailed throughout all the land of
Chaldea, and my {527} father was sorely tormented because of the
famine, and he repented of the evil which he had determined against
me, to take away my life. 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.

10. Now, the Lord God caused the famine to wax sore in the land of
Ur, insomuch that Haran, my brother died, but Terah, my father,
yet lived in the land of Ur of the Chaldees. And it came to pass
that I, Abraham, took Sarai to wife, and Nehor, my brother, took
Milcah to wife, who were the daughters of Haran. Now the Lord said
unto me, Abraham, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred
and from thy father's house unto a land that I will show thee.
Therefore I left the land of Ur, of the Chaldees, to go into the
land of Canaan; and I took Lot, my brother's son, and his wife, and
Sarai, my wife, and also my father followed after me, unto the land
which we denominated Haran. And the famine abated; and my father
tarried in Haran and dwelt there, as there were many flocks in
Haran; and my father turned again unto his idolatry, therefore he
continued in Haran.

11. But I, Abraham, and Lot, my brother's son, prayed unto the
Lord, and the Lord appeared unto me, and said unto me, arise, and
take Lot with thee, for I have purposed to take thee away out of
Haran, and to make of thee a minister, to bear my name in a strange
land which I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting
possession, when they hearken to my voice, for I am the Lord thy
God; I dwell in heaven, the earth is my footstool; I stretch my
hand over the sea, and it obeys my voice; I cause the wind and the
fire to be my chariot; I say to the mountains depart hence, and
behold they are taken away by a whirlwind, in an instant, suddenly.
My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning,
therefore, my hand shall be over thee, and I will make of thee a
great nation, and I will bless thee above measure; and make thy
name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy
seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry
and Priesthood unto all nations; and I will bless them through thy
name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after
thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and
bless thee, as their father, and I will bless them that bless
thee, and curse them that curse thee, and in thee (that is, in thy
Priesthood), and in thy seed (that is thy Priesthood), for I give
unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in
thy seed after thee (that is to say, the {528} literal seed, or the
seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed,
even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of
salvation, even of life eternal.

12. Now, after the Lord had withdrawn from speaking to me, and
withdrawn his face from me, I said in my heart, thy servant has
sought thee earnestly, now I have found thee. Thou didst send thine
angel to deliver me from the gods of Elkenah, and I will do well
to hearken unto thy voice, therefore let thy servant rise up and
depart in peace. So I, Abraham, departed as the Lord had said unto
me, and Lot with me, and I, Abraham, was sixty and two years old
when I departed out of Haran. And I took Sarai, whom I took to
wife when I was in Ur in Chaldea, and Lot, my brother's son, and
all our substance that we had gathered, and the souls that we had
won in Haran, and came forth in the way to the land of Canaan, and
dwelt in tents, as we came on our way; therefore, eternity was our
covering, and our rock, and our salvation, as we journeyed from
Haran by the way of Jershon, to come to the land of Canaan.

13. Now I, Abraham, built an altar in the land of Jershon, and
made an offering unto the Lord, and prayed that the famine might
be turned away from my father's house, that they might not perish;
and then we passed from Jershon through the land, unto the place
of Sechem. It was situated in the plains of Moreh, and we had
already come into the borders of the land of the Canaanites, and I
offered sacrifice there in the plains of Moreh, and called on the
Lord devoutly, because we had already come into the land of this
idolatrous nation.

14. And the Lord appeared unto me in answer to my prayers, and
said unto me, unto thy seed will I give this land. And I, Abraham
arose from the place of the altar which I had built unto the Lord,
and removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and
pitched my tent there; Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east; and
there I built another altar unto the Lord, and called again upon
the name of the Lord.

15. And I, Abraham, journeyed, going on still towards the south;
and there was a continuation of a famine in the land, and I,
Abraham, concluded to go down into Egypt, to sojourn there, for the
famine became very grievous. And it came to pass when I was come
near to enter into Egypt, the Lord said unto me, behold Sarai, thy
wife, is a very fair woman to look upon, therefore it shall come
to pass, when the Egyptians shall see her they will say, she is
his wife; and they will kill you, but they will save her alive:
therefore, see that ye do on this wise, let her say unto the
Egyptians she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live. And it came
to pass that I, Abraham, told Sarai, my wife, all that the Lord had
said unto me; therefore, say unto them, I pray thee, thou art {529}
my sister, that it may be well with me for thy sake, and my soul
shall live because of thee.

16. And I, Abraham, had the Urim and Thummim, which the Lord my
God had given unto me, in Ur of the Chaldees; and I saw the stars,
that they were very great, and that one of them was nearest unto
the throne of God: and there were many great ones which were near
unto it: and the Lord said unto me, these are the governing ones;
and the name of the great one is Kolob, because it is near unto me;
for I am the Lord thy God. I have set this one to govern all those
which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest.
And the Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim, that Kolob was
after the manner of the Lord, according to its times and seasons
in the revolutions thereof, that one revolution was a day unto the
Lord, after His manner of reckoning, it being one thousand years
according to the time appointed unto that whereon thou standest;
this is the reckoning of the Lord's time, according to the
reckoning of Kolob.

17. And the Lord said unto me, the planet which is the lesser
light, lesser than that which is to rule the day, even the night,
is above, or greater than that upon which thou standest in point
of reckoning, for it moveth in order more slow; this is in order,
because it standeth above the earth upon which thou standest,
therefore the reckoning of its time is not so many as to its number
of days, and of months and of years. And the Lord said unto me, Now
Abraham, these two facts exist, behold thine eyes see it; it is
given unto thee to know the times of reckoning, and the set time,
yea, the set time of the earth upon which thou standest, and the
set time of the greater light, which is set to rule the day, and
the set time of the lesser light, which is set to rule the night.

18. Now the set time of the lesser light, is a longer time as to
its reckoning than the reckoning of the time of the earth upon
which thou standest; and where these two facts exist, there shall
be another fact above them; that is, there shall be another planet
whose reckoning of time shall be longer still; and thus there shall
be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until
thou come nigh unto Kolob, which Kolob is after the reckoning of
the Lord's time; which Kolob is set nigh unto the throne of God,
to govern all those planets which belong to the same order as that
upon which thou standest. And it is given unto thee to know the set
time of all the stars, that are set to give light, until thou come
near unto the throne of God.

19. Thus I, Abraham, talked with the Lord face to face, as one man
talketh with another; and He told me of the works which His hands
had made; and He said unto me, My son, my son, (and His hand was
stretched out,) behold, I will show you all these. And He put His
hand upon mine eyes, and I saw those things which His hands had
made, {530} which were many; and they multiplied before mine eyes,
and I could not see the end thereof; and He said unto me this is
Shinehah which is the sun. And He said unto me, Kokob, which is
star. And He said unto me, Olea, which is the moon. And He said
unto me, Kokaubeam, which signifies stars, or all the great lights
which were in the firmament of heaven. And it was in the night time
when the Lord spake these words unto me: I will multiply thee and
thy seed after thee, like unto these; and if thou canst count the
number of sands so shall be the number of thy seeds.

20. And the Lord said unto me, Abraham, I show these things unto
thee, before ye go into Egypt, that ye may declare all these words.
If two things exist, and there be one above the other, there shall
be greater things above them; therefore Kolob is the greatest of
all the Kokaubeam that thou hast seen, because it is nearest unto
me; now if there be two things, one above the other, and the moon
be above the earth, then it may be that a planet, or a star may
exist above it, (and there is nothing that the Lord thy God shall
take in His heart to do, but what He will do it;) howbeit that He
made the greater star; as, also, if there be two spirits, and one
shall be more intelligent than the other, yet these two spirits,
notwithstanding one is more intelligent than the other, have no
beginning, they existed before; they shall have no end, they shall
exist after, for they are gnolaum or eternal.

21. And the Lord said unto me, these two facts do exist, that there
are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other, there
shall be another more intelligent than they: I am the Lord thy God,
I am more intelligent than they all. The Lord thy God sent His
angel to deliver thee from the hands of the priest of Elkenah. I
dwell in the midst of them all; I, now, therefore, have come down
unto thee, to deliver unto thee the works which my hands have made,
wherein my wisdom excelleth them all, for I rule in the heavens
above, and in the earth beneath, in all wisdom and prudence, over
all the intelligences thine eyes have seen from the beginning; I
came down in the beginning in the midst of all the intelligences
thou hast seen.

22. Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that
were organized before the world was; and among all these there were
many of the noble and great ones, and God saw these souls that they
were good, and He stood in the midst of them, and He said, These I
will make my rulers; for He stood among those that were spirits,
and he saw that they were good; and He said unto me, Abraham, thou
art one of them, thou wast chosen before thou wast born. And there
stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those
who were with Him, We will go down, for there is space there, and
we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon
these may {531} dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if
they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command
them; and they who keep their first estate, shall be added upon;
and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in
the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they
who keep their second estate, shall have glory added upon their
heads for ever and ever.

23. And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like
unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me and another answered and
said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.
And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate, and at
that day many followed after him. And then the Lord said: Let us
go down; and they went down at the beginning, and they (that is,
the Gods), organized and formed the heavens and the earth. And the
earth, after it was formed, was empty and desolate; because they
had not formed anything but the earth; and darkness reigned upon
the face of the deep, and the Spirit of the Gods was brooding upon
the face of the waters.

24. And they (the Gods), said; Let there be light, and there was
light. And they, the Gods, comprehended the light for it was
bright; and they divided the light, or caused it to be divided from
the darkness, and the Gods called the light day, and the darkness
they called night. And it came to pass that from the evening until
morning they called night; and from the morning until the evening
they called day; and this was the first, or the beginning of that
which they called day and night.

25. And the Gods also said: Let there be an expanse in the midst of
the waters and it shall divide the waters from the waters. And the
Gods ordered the expanse, so that it divided the waters which were
under the expanse, from the waters which were above the expanse,
and it was so, even as they ordered. And the Gods called the
expanse heaven. And it came to pass that it was from evening until
morning that they called night; and it came to pass that it was
from morning until evening that they called day; and this was the
second time that they called night and day.

26. And the Gods ordered, saying: Let the waters under the heaven
be gathered together unto one place, and let the earth come up dry,
and it was so, as they ordered; and the Gods pronounced the dry
land earth and the gathering together of the waters, pronounced
they great waters: and the Gods saw that they were obeyed. And the
Gods said: Let us prepare the earth to bring forth grass; the herb
yielding seed; the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose
seed in itself yieldeth its own likeness upon the earth; and it
was so, even as they ordered. And the Gods organized the earth to
bring forth grass from its own seed, and the herb to bring forth
herb from its own seed, yielding seed {532} after his kind, and the
earth to bring forth the tree from its own seed, yielding fruit,
whose seed could only bring forth the same, in itself after his
kind; and the Gods saw that they were obeyed. And it came to pass
that they numbered the days: from the evening until the morning
they called night. And it came to pass from the morning until the
evening they called day; and it was the third time.

27. And the Gods organized the lights in the expanse of the
heavens, and caused them to divide the day from the night; and
organized them to be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and
for years and organized them to be for lights in the expanse of the
heaven, to give light upon the earth; and it was so. And the Gods
organized the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day,
and the lesser light to rule the night, with the lesser light they
set the stars, also; and the Gods set them in the expanse of the
heavens, to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and
over the night, and to cause to divide the light from the darkness.
And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered, until
they obeyed. And it came to pass that it was from evening until
morning that it was night; and it came to pass that it was from
morning until evening that it was day; and it was the fourth time.

28. And the Gods said, Let us prepare the waters to bring forth
abundantly the moving creatures that have life; and the fowl that
they may fly above the earth, in the open expanse of heaven, And
the Gods prepared the waters that they might bring forth great
whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters
were to bring forth abundantly after their kind; and every winged
fowl after their kind; and the Gods saw that they would be obeyed,
and that their plan was good. And the Gods said, We will bless them
and cause them to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in
the seas, or great waters; and cause the fowl to multiply in the
earth. And it came to pass that it was from evening until morning
that they called night; and it came to pass that it was from
morning until evening that they called day; and it was the fifth
time.

29. And the Gods prepared the earth to bring forth the living
creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts
of the earth after their kind; and it was so as they had said. And
the Gods organized the earth to bring forth the beasts after their
kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth
upon the earth after its kind; and the Gods saw they would obey.
And the Gods took counsel among themselves, and said: Let us go
down, and form man in our image, after our likeness, and we will
give them dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of
the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over
every creeping thing, that creepeth upon the earth. So the Gods
went down {533} to organize man in their own image, in the image
of the Gods, to form they him male and female, to form they them;
and the Gods said We will bless them. And the Gods said, We will
cause them to be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth,
and subdue it, and to have dominion over the fish of the sea, and
over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth
upon the earth. And the Gods said, Behold, we will give them every
herb bearing seed that shall come upon the face of all the earth,
and every tree which shall have fruit upon it, yea the fruit of
the tree, yielding seed to them we will give it, it shall be for
their meat; and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of
the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, behold we
will give them life, and also we will give to them every green herb
for meat, and all these things shall be thus organized. And the
Gods said, We will do everything that we have said, and organize
them; and behold, they shall be very obedient. And it came to pass
that it was from evening until morning that they called night; and
it came to pass that it was from morning until evening that they
called day, and they numbered the sixth time.

30. And thus we will finish the heavens and the earth, and all the
hosts of them. And the Gods said among themselves, On the seventh
time, we will end our work, which we have counseled; and we will
rest on the seventh time from all our work which we have counseled.
And the Gods concluded upon the seventh time, because that on the
seventh time they would rest from all their works, which they, the
Gods, counseled among themselves to form, and sanctified it. And
thus were their decisions, at the time that they counseled among
themselves to form the heavens and the earth. And the Gods came
down and formed these, the generations of the heavens and of the
earth, when they were formed, in the day that the Gods formed the
earth and the heavens, according to all that which they had said,
concerning every plant of the field, before it was in the earth,
and every herb of the field, before it grew; for the Gods had not
caused it to rain upon the earth, when they counseled to do them;
and had not formed a man to till the ground; but there went up a
mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
And the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground, and took his
spirit, that is the man's spirit, and put it into him, and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

31. And the Gods planted a garden, eastward in Eden, and there they
put the man, whose spirit they had put into the body, which they
had formed. And out of the ground made the Gods to grow every tree
that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life
also, in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good
{534} and evil. There was a river running out of Eden, to water the
garden, and from thence it was parted and became into four heads.
And the Gods took the man and put him in the garden of Eden, to
dress it and to keep it; and the Gods commanded the man, saying: Of
every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree
of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in
the time that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. Now I,
Abraham, saw that it was after the Lord's time, which was after the
time of Kolob; for as yet, the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his
reckoning.

32. And the Gods said, Let us make an helpmeet for the man, for it
is not good that the man should be alone, therefore we will form
an helpmeet for him. And the Gods caused a deep sleep to fall upon
Adam; and he slept, and they took one of his ribs, and closed up
the flesh in the stead thereof, and of the rib which the Gods had
taken from man, formed they a woman, and brought her unto the man.
And Adam said this was bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh,
now she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man;
therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall
cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. And they were
both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. And out of
the ground the Gods formed every beast of the field, and every fowl
of the air, and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call
them, and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that should
be the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, to the fowl
of the air, to every beast of the field; and for Adam, there was
found an helpmeet for him.

Footnotes:

1. For an account of how the Prophet came into possession of the Book of Abraham see this History Vol. II, pp. 235, 6, 8; also 286, and more especially pp. 349-50, and _note_ p. 350.

2. The Book of Abraham was first published in the _Times and Seasons_ in two numbers, Vol. III, Nos. 9 and 10, March 1 and March 15, 1842, respectively. In this form it was copied into the Prophet's history with the several historical items which occurred between the dates of the publication of the two parts, and in this form is found in the _Millennial Star_, Vol. XIX, pp. 100-103 and 164-168; but it is now thought proper to publish the Book of Abraham entire without dividing it into two articles, as in the above named periodicals.

It is important to note also that the Book of Abraham was published in the _Times and Seasons_ when the Prophet was responsible editor of the periodical (he announces his editorial responsibility in No. 9 of Vol. III, p. 710). Attention is called to this fact, in passing, because it is contended on the part of some, that the doctrine of the plurality of divine personages, as now understood by the Church, was not a doctrine taught by Joseph Smith; whereas it is a doctrine of the Book of Abraham, as will be seen by reference to it, published by him in a periodical of which he was the responsible editor; and, moreover, the Book of Abraham was often referred to by the Prophet in approving terms.

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