Book of Abraham facsimiles/Facsimile 2

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The Book of Abraham
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Facsimile 2: The hypocephalus

The illustration represented by Facsimile 2 (view) is a hypocephalus, a disc made of linen, papyrus, or bronze, covered with inscriptions and images which relate to one of the last spells in the Book of the Dead. The disc was placed under the head (hypocephalus = Greek: "under the head") of the deceased in the belief that the spell would cause the head and body to be enveloped in flames or radiance, making the deceased divine.

Joseph Smith's notes to Facsimile 2 identify it as representing God sitting in the heavens among the stars and others of his creations.

Figure 5

For a detailed response, see: Book of Abraham/Astronomy/Kolob-Sun

The hypocephalus was incomplete and was the missing portions were filled in for publication in the Times and Seasons in 1842.

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