The first published description of the acquisition of mummies and papyri by the Church from Michael Chandler, was in the LDS Church periodical Messenger and Advocate. This publication reproduces a letter written by Oliver Cowdery to William Frye, regarding the mummies and papyrus, with some observations and speculations on the acquired materials. The letter was published in Messenger and Advocate 2/3 (December 1835):233-237. This letter was also reproduced, in part, in the History of the Church; however, B.H. Roberts (editor) provides this information in the first person narrative (i.e., Joseph Smith), rather than the actual author, Oliver Cowdery.1 The information below provides some very important details in assisting to identify the materials then owned by the Church, and adds context to understanding the papyri currently owned by the Church.
_______________________________
1 B.H. Roberts, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (7 Vols.; Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret News, 1904), 2:348-351
No comments:
Post a Comment