To day I paid Br. Joseph a visit . . . Viewed four mummies, one male and three females, brought from Ancient Thebes, in Egypt.– saw the Roll of Papyrus, and the writings thereon, taken from off the bosom of the Male Mummy, being some of the writings of ancient Abraham and of Joseph that was sold into Egypt. The writings are chiefly in the Egyptian language, with the exception of a little Hebrew I believe. They give a description of some of the scenes in Ancient Egypt, of their worship, their Idol gods &c. The writings are beautiful and plain; composed of red, and black ink. There is a perceptible difference between the writings. Joseph appears to have been the best scribe. There are also representations of men, beasts, Birds, fowls, and oxen attached to a kind of Plough, and a female guiding it, Also: the serpent when he beguiled Eve. He appears with two legs, erect in the form and appearance of man. But his head in the form, and representing the serpent, with his forked tongue extended. There are likewise representations of an Alter erected, with a man bound and laid thereon, and a Priest, with a knife in his hand, standing at the feet, with a dove over the person bound on the Alter, with several Idol gods standing around it. A Celestial Globe with the planet "Kolob or first creation of the supreme Being – a planet of light, which planet – makes a revolution one in a thousand years. – Also the Lord revealing the grand key words of the Holy Priesthood to Adam in the garden of Eden, as also to Seth, Noah, Melchizedeck, Abraham, and to all whom the Priesthood was revealed. – Abraham also in the court of Pharaoh, sitting upon the kings throne reasoning upon Astronomy with a crown upon his head representing the Priesthood as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven, with the sceptre of Justice and Judgment in his hand. And King Pharaoh standing behind him together with a Prince – a principal waiter, and a black slave of the king. A geneaology of the Mummies, and Epitaphs on their deaths? &c &c, and all distinctly represented on the Papyrus which is called the "Book of Abraham"

The Male mummy was one of the Ancient – Pharaohs of Egypt, and a Priest, as he is embalmed with his tongue extended, representing a speaker. The female was his wife and two daughters, as a part of the writing has been translated, and informs us, who they were, also whose writing it is and when those mummies were embalmed which is nearly four thousand years ago. There is also a vivid description given on the Papyrus of the Creation, far more accurately no minutely than the account given in the Bible. Likewise when the Idolatrous Priest "Elkenah" attempted to offer up Abraham as a sacrifice to their Idol gods in Egypt. (as represented by the Altar & figure referenced to). But was delivered by the interposition of Almighty power, representing the Dove, near the Alter, when Abraham was Bound which broke the cords by which he was bound, tore down the Altar, and killed the Priest. For the benefit of the Reader I will here insert an extract from the Papyrus – concerning the above, and also the first Settlement of the Land of Egypt..

From the Book of Abraham, translated by Joseph Smith, the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator of the Church of "Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"

[Excerpt of Abraham 1:15–31]