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Abraham Facsimiles 2 and 3; Genesis 13 and 22



Abraham Facsimiles 2 and 3; Genesis 13 and 22 Study Guide – to be discussed January 28
Note on Facsimile 2: “The type of drawing depicted in facsimile 2 is known among scholars as a ‘hypocephalus,’ which means ‘under or beneath the head.’ A hypocephalus is a small disk-shaped object made of papyrus, stuccoed linen, bronze, gold, wood, or clay, which the Egyptians placed under the head of their dead. They believed it would magically cause the head and body to be enveloped in flames or radiance, thus making the deceased divine. The hypocephalus itself symbolized the eye or Re or Horus, i.e., the sun, and the scenes portrayed on it relate to the Egyptian concept of the resurrection and life after death” (Michael D. Rhodes, The Joseph Smith Hypocephalus… Seventeen Years Later [F.A.R.M.S. paper, RHO-94], 1 - as quoted in the Pearl of Great Price Student Manual, Religion 327).
Day 1: Study Facsimile 2, Figures 1-3; Abraham 3:2-4; D&C 88:7-13
1. Find Figure 1 at the center of the hypocephalus. According to the explanation for Figure 1, what does it represent? Why do you think it is at the center of the drawing? What feature indicates that God sees all?



2. Find Figure 2 (above Figure 1). Read the explanation for this figure. Is Oliblish greater or lesser than Kolob in governing? greater or lesser than earth?



3. Find Figure 3 (to the right of Figure 2). Read the explanation for this figure with D&C 88:7-13. The “crown of eternal light” over the central figure’s head symbolizes the sun. What is the source of the sun’s light?



Day 2: Study Facsimile 2, Figures 4-11; D&C 88:42-50
4. Find Figure 4 (in the bottom of the section to the left of figure 2). Figures 3 and 4 both have features that resemble a boat. How might these imply eternal progression?



5. Find Figure 5 (upside down, below Figure 1). This picture of a cow is common to almost all hypocephali, representing the sky and/or the “rebirth” of the sun each day. Read D&C 88:42 – 50. What holds the planets and stars in their proper orbits?



6. Find Figure 6 (just left of Figure 5). What do the four figures represent, according to the explanation?



Day 3: Study Facsimile 3, Figures 1-3; Revelation 3:21, D&C 132:29
7. According to the explanation for Figure 1, who was sitting on Pharaoh’s throne? Why? What’s on his head?



BONUS: Read Revelation 3:21 and D&C 132:29. What is the promise to us if we overcome the world?

8. What is on Pharaoh’s head in Figure 2? What might it represent?



9. Figure 3 is repeated in Facsimile 1, Figure 10 and Facsimile 2, Figure 5. The lotus blossom represents “rebirth.” How is this theme reflected in the explanation for Facsimile 2, Figure 3?
Day 4: Study Facsimile 3, Figures 4-6
10. Who is represented in Figure 4? What is on his head? What is he doing with his hands?



11. Who is represented in Figure 5? What is he doing with his hands? Why do you think the Egyptians had so much respect for Abraham?



12. What do the characters in a horizontal line above the main scene look like to you?


Day 5: Read Genesis 13
13. What did Abram and Lot do when they left Egypt?



14. Why did Abram and Lot need to separate? How did they divide the land?



15. List the promises the Lord made to Abram as given in this chapter.



Day 6. Read Genesis 22:1-8
16. Read Genesis 22:1 with footnote 1a. Had Abraham been tested before this time? What was his answer when the Lord called him?



17. What details bear witness of Abraham’s obedience and faith?



18. List details of Abraham’s experience that serve as “types” or remind you of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.



Day 7. Read Genesis 22:9-19
19. If Isaac was a willing sacrifice, why do you think he was bound on the altar?



20. Read footnotes to Genesis 22:14 “a” and “b.” What did Abraham name the mount? Why?




21. List promises given to Abraham because of his faithfulness. Were these promises new to him?

Abraham 3


Abraham 3 Study Guide – to be discussed January 21
Day 1: Read Abraham 3:1-4; D&C 130:6-11; Abraham 1:31
1. For what purpose(s) have the Urim and Thummim been used by prophets in the past? Where did Abraham live when he received the Urim and Thummim? What did he see by their use?



2. Which “star” is nearest the throne of God? Over what does this star govern? How long in earth years is its “day.”



3. Read D&C 130:6-11. What further information about the earth and heavenly bodies is included in this revelation?



BONUS: Review Abraham 1:31. What other source material on astronomy was available to Abraham?


Day 2: Read Abraham 3:5-10; D&C 88:41-50
4. Use the footnote for Abraham 3:5a with verse 7 to restate Abraham 3:5 and 7 in your own words.



5. How did the Lord use the lights in the heavens as object lessons for Abraham?



6. Read D&C 88:41-50. In what way(s) do the heavenly bodies testify of Christ? What is the irony described in D&C 88:48-50?



Day 3: Read Abraham 3:11-14; review Moses 1:4-8; D&C 132:30-32
7. What did the Lord call Abraham in Abraham 3:12?


8. Review Moses 1:4-8. List similarities and differences between Abraham’s and Moses’ experiences.



9. What new object lesson came from Abraham’s night vision in Abraham 3:14?


BONUS: Read D&C 132:30-32. How does the promise made to Abraham apply to us today?


Day 4: Read Abraham 3:15-17; D&C 88:11-13
10. Why did Abraham have this vision before he went into Egypt?



11. Read D&C 88:11-13. How does the order of the universe bear witness of God?
12. How do we know the Lord will finish everything he begins?



Day 5: Read Abraham 3:18-20; Isaiah 40:18-23, 55:8-9
13. Are there magnitudes or orders of brightness among heavenly bodies? How might agency play a part in the degrees of intelligence among God’s children?



14. Is the Lord bragging in Abraham 3:19? Use Isaiah 40:18-23 and 55:8-9 to explain why or why not.



15. List what you learned about the characteristics and attributes of God from these passages in Abraham and Isaiah.



Day 6: Read Abraham 3:21-23; D&C 138:53-56
16. Why did the Lord want Abraham to understand – at least on some level – the extent of His wisdom and power?



17. Read Joseph F. Smith’s vision as recorded in D&C 138:53-56. According to President Smith, who were among the noble and great ones in the pre-mortal world?



18. Who stood in the midst of the noble and great souls in the pre-mortal realms? Why do you think Abraham needed to know he was among that group?



Day 7: Read Abraham 3:24-28; review Moses 4:1-4
19. Why are we here in mortality? (See also 2 Nephi 2:11-27.)



20. What is the “first estate” of man? How and why have we been “added upon”? What is our “second estate” (see footnote 26c)? How can we “keep” this estate?



21. Who asked the question in Abraham 3:27? Who responded? Use Moses 4:1-4 to tell why the first was chosen over the second.



BONUS: Review Abraham 3. How many times is the phrase “these two facts [or things] exist” used?

Abraham 2


Abraham 2 Study Guide – to be discussed January 14
Day 1: Read Abraham 2:1-4; Bible Dictionary entry, “Sarah
1. Who from Abraham’s family died in Ur? What was his relationship to Abraham? How did he die?


2. Look up “Sarah” in the Bible Dictionary. What does the name “Sarah” mean? What was her name before it was Sarah?


3. Who went with Abraham when he left the land of Ur? Where did they go? Why?



Day 2: Read Abraham 2:5-7
4. Review Abraham 1:30. What event encouraged Terah’s repentance? Why do you think he returned to idolatry in Haran?



5. What happened when Abraham and Lot prayed for direction? List two commandments, one promise and one warning from Abraham 2:6.




6. How was Abraham instructed regarding the nature of deity?



BONUS: Look at the notes to map 9 in your Bible appendix (if you do not have a newer edition of the LDS scriptures, go to http://scriptures.lds.org/en/biblemaps/9 online). Read note #8: Haran. Who stayed behind in Haran? See also Gen. 11:32.


Day 3: Read Abraham 2:8-11
7. What did the Lord promise in Abraham 2:8? How did a better understanding of the attributes of deity add to Abraham’s confidence in this promise?



8. List promises to Abraham in Abraham 2:9-11.




9. List responsibilities of Abraham and his seed from Abraham 2:9-11.



BONUS: How do the promises made to Abraham continue to be fulfilled today? See D&C 84:34-43, 99; 110:12; 124:58.


Day 4: Read Abraham 2:12-16 with footnote 16c
10. How did Abraham recognize the Lord’s hand in his life? What did he covenant to do in Abraham 2:13? How do we know Abraham “earnestly” sought the Lord?

11. Who went with Abraham on his journey from Haran to Canaan? How old was Abraham when he departed Haran?



12. How can we make eternity our covering, our rock and our salvation as we journey through this life?



Day 5: Read Abraham 2:17-19; Bible Dictionary entry, “Shechem
13. What did Abraham do in the land of Jershon? What was his petition?



14. What did Abraham do at Shechem? What was his implied petition? How did the Lord answer?



15. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Shechem.” List three things that are associated with this town, other than Abram’s visit.




Day 6: Read Abraham 2:20-21; Bible Dictionary entry, “Bethel
16. What did Abraham do on the mountain east of Bethel?



17. Look up “Bethel” in the Bible Dictionary. What does “Bethel” mean?



18. Why did Abraham continue south to Egypt? Was Egypt Abraham’s land of promise?



Day 7: Read Abraham 2:22-25; Genesis 12:14-20; Genesis 20:11-13
19. Why did Abraham deceive the Egyptians regarding his wife/sister?



20. Read Genesis 12:14-20. How did Abram benefit from his stay in Egypt?




21. Read Genesis 20:11-13. Was Sarah Abraham’s sister?


BONUS: Review Abraham 2. Find each commandment the Lord gave Abraham and Sarah and how they responded to each.