June 3, 1966, First Presidency meeting. President [N. Eldon] Tanner called attention to a letter that he has received from Aziz Atiya, who is a Coptic and is teaching at the University of Utah. Mr. Atiya claims to have located the original papyrus of the Book of Abraham, which the Prophet Joseph [Smith] translated, and which now appears in the Pearl of Great Price. With his letter, Mr. Atiya enclosed pictures of some of the papyrus and a copy of a letter which had been found dated May 26, 1846, signed by L[ewis] C. Bidamon and Emma [Smith] Bidamon, and a son of Joseph [Smith]. The letter certifies to the sale of four Egyptian mummies with records, which mummies it is stated were found to be the family of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. Mr. Atiya says that this is the greatest find that he has ever had, that it thrills him more than anything else. He states that if we are satisfied that this papyrus is bona fide, and if we wish to obtain it, he feels that he could arrange to secure it for us through some exchange arrangement. He also suggests that if we should like Dr. Hugh Nibley to check these things he would be glad to have him do so.

It was our sentiment that these things be referred to Dr. Nibley for his study and report