Book of Abraham Facsimile 3

Much criticism has been made about Joseph Smith when it comes to the Book of Abraham. While, I believe, the original egyptian text from which the Book of Abraham was translated is still lost or was destroyed in the Chicago fire of 1871, some of the source material concerning what are called the Facsimiles or three illustrations associated with the Book of Abraham did survive and can be examined.  

One major criticism of Joseph Smith and the Book of Abraham centers on Facsimile 3 which Joseph Smith said depicts Abraham sitting of the throne of Egypt. Pharoah is standing behind Abraham. However Egyptologists can read the text above the heads of each character and immediately see that what is depicted is Hathor, Pharaoh, Maat and Anubis. So, is that it?. Joseph Smith got this wrong proving him a fraud?

Not at all. We need to remember a key detail about Facsimile 3 that many critics overlook. This vignette is not a simple family portrait. Instead, Facsimile 3 is a depiction of a ritual play. So we should not forget that for each figure in the vignette, we will need to understand the actual person who is participating (Abraham. Pharaoh, Prince, Waiter, Servant) in this possible marriage ceremony ritual. and the Egyptian gods that these characters represent (Hathor. Maat, Anubis, etc).

Again, Fascimile 3 is an illustration of a religious ritual. So, we need to keep in mind that what is being depicted is an actor as well as their respective character. 

This is similar to seeing a photograph of a scene from the movie "Star Wars". You could describe the figures in the scene in terms of the charactors: Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Pincess Leah or in terms of the actual actors Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher. 

It shouldn't be a surprise that God through Joseph Smith is more concerned in telling us how Abraham sat upon the throne and taught the Egyptians principles of astronomy more than telling us about Egypt's false gods. 

Heartland Model Distances

Knoxsville (Clinch River) to Nauvoo = 613 miles (direct), 645 miles (indirect).

Knoxsville to Nashville = 185 miles.

Nashville to Nauvoo = 460 miles.

Nashville to Cairo, Il (Little Egypt) = 168 miles

Mosiah’s 16 explorers travel from the city of Zarahemla to Lehi-Nephi in 40 days = 15 miles/day = 600 miles. (perfect mileage and pace)

Alma fled 8 days from the Waters of Mormon to the “Land of Helam” and 12 days from Helam to the “Land of Zarahemla”. Traveling from the city of Nephi to the city of Zarahemla could represent over 600 miles / 20 days = 30 miles/day. That would be an unrealistic pace on foot with their flocks and grain.

However, this daily mileage could be increased significantly if Alma’s group were 1. on horseback/wagons 2. travelled downriver on barges, and 3. were “fleeing” the armies of King Noah and not pacing themselves for a months-long migration. 4. generally younger and healthy.

Average Daily Mileage:

LDS handcart pioneer = 15.7 miles/day.

Appalachian Trail Thru-hiker = 2200 miles/5 months = 15 miles/day, (20-25 max daily miles)

Horse-Mounted Company = 30 miles/day

Alma traveling with flocks and grain suggests the refugees were utilized domesticated beasts of burden, carts and wagons. Therefore, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Alma’s likely energetic group could have pushed near 2.5 mph for 12 hr/day for 8 days = 240 miles max range. Knoxville to Nashville is a very doable 185 miles (23 mil/day, 2.3 mph for 10 hours/day) 

Also, the Book of Mormon may be counting the distance from the Waters of Mormon only to the borders of the “land of Helam” (Mos 23:3), and not the city of Nephi itself to the city of Helam. (ie adjacent river valley). Also, Mormon reports that it was only 12 days from the city of Helam to the “Land of Zarahemla” and does not specify the city of Zarahemla itself (Mos 24:25). Nashville to the border of the Land of Zarahemla (Cairo, Il) would only be a leisurely 168 miles. (1.5 mph x 10 hours/day = 10.5 mil/day x 12 days).  

So, considering the text, we may save on total distance needed to traveled. And, while Alma’s numbers are tight, they are not an order of magnitude off reality. Also, the Limhi detachment running into the Ohio River instead of the Mississippi and mistakenly following the Ohio River up to Upstate New York (Land of Desolation) is a good fit.