Book of Abraham
Pearl of Great Price

 3 July 1835 - Friday

<July 3. Egyptian Mummies.> On the 3rd of July, Michael H. Chandler came to Kirtland to exhibit some Egyptian Mummies. There were four human figures, together with some of the two or more rolls of papyrus, covered with <July 3.> Hieroglyphic, figures and devices. As Mr Chandler had been told that I could translate them, he brought me some of the characters, and I gave him the interpretation, and like a gentleman <6. Certificate of Michael H. Chandler> he gave me the following certificate, 

         “Kirtland July 6th 1835

         “This is to make known to all who may be desirous, concerning the knowledge of Mr Joseph Smith. Junr. in deciphering the Ancient Egyptian Heiroglyphic characters, in my possession, which I have, in many emminent cities, shewed to the most learned: And, from the information that I could ever learn, or meet with, I find that of Mr Joseph Smith, Junr, to correspondent correspondend in the most minute matters.” (signed) “Michael H. Chandler, traveling with, and proprietor of Egyptian Mummies.”

6 July 1835 - Monday

          Purchase of the Egypitan Mummies. Soon after this, some of the Saints at Kirtland, purchased the Mummies and Papyrus (a description of which will appear hereafter) and I, with W[illiam] W. Phelps and O[liver] Cowdery, as scribes, commenced <Translation of some of the Characters> the translation of some of the characters or hieroglyphics, and muc to our joy found that one of the rolls contained the writings of Abraham; another the writings of Joseph of Egypt, &c, a more full account <of which> will appear in their place, as I proceed to examine or unfold them. Truly can we say the Lord is beginning to reveal the abundance of peace and truth.

July 1835

 <Translating the Book of Abraham &c.> The remainder of this month, I was continually engaged in translating an alphabet to the Book of Abraham, and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients.
 

3 October 1835 - Saturday

In the afternoon waited on the twelve most of them at my house and exhibited to them the ancient records in my possession and gave explanation of the same /thus/ <​this​> /the/ day passed off with the blessings of the Lord

7 october 1835 - Wednesday

This afternoon recommenced translating the ancient records
 

14 November 1835 - Saturday 

[place text]
 

17 November 1835 - Tuesday

Tuesday 17th exibited <​the Alphabet​> /some/ of the ancient records to Mr. [Erastus] Holmes and some others, went with him to F[rederick] G. Williams to see the Mumies, /he/ we then took the parting hand, and he started for home, being strong in the faith of the gospel of Christ and determined to obey the requirements of the same.

I returned home and spent the day dictating and comparing letters.
 

19 November 1835 - Thursday

I returned home and spent the day in translating the Egyptian records: /on/ this has been a warm & pleasant day-

24 November 1835 - Tuesday

Tuesday 24th at home, spent the fore noon, instructing those that called to inquire concerning the things of God, in the last days: in the afternoon, we translated some of the Egyptian, records; I have an invitation to attend a wedding at Cr. Hiram [Hyrum] Smith’s in the evening also to solemnize the matrimonial ceremony…
 

25 November 1835 - Wednesday

Wednesday 25th spent the day in Translating. -To-day Harvey Redfield & Jesse Hitchcock arrived here from Missourie; <the latter says that he has no doubt, but that a dose of poison was administered to him in a boll of milk but God delivered him>

26 November 1835 - Thursday

Thursday 26th at home, we spent the day in transcribing Egyptian characters from the papyrus. -I am severely afflicted with a cold.

27 November 1835 - Friday 

Friday 27th much afflicted with my cold, yet able to be about and I am determined to overcom in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, -spent the day in reading Hebrew at home. 

The weather continues cold and unpleasant. -

*While this entry has nothing to do with the Book of Abraham I felt it fitting to include because Joseph Smith had "spent the day in reading Hebrew" which might be evidence for the Catalyst Theory.
 

12 December 1835 - Saturday

/Friday/ Saturday morning /11th/ <​12th​> at home, spent the fore noon in reading, at about 12 oclock a number of young person[s] called to see the /records/ Egyptian records I requested my Scribe to exibit them, he did so, one of the young ladies, who had been examining them, was asked if they had the appearance of Antiquity, she observed with an air of contempt that they did not, on hearing this I was surprised at the ignorance she displayed, and I observed to her that she was an anomaly in creation for all the wise and learned that had ever examined them, without hesitation pronounced them antient, I further remarked that, it was downright wickedness ignorance bigotry and superstition that caused her to make the remark, and that I would put it on record, and I have done so because it is a fair sample of the prevailing spirit of the times showing that the victims of priestcraft and superstition, would not believe though one should rise from the dead.

16 December 1835 - Wednesday 

Returned home Elder McLellen [William E. McLellin] Elder B[righam] Young and Elder J[ared] Carted called and paid me a visit, with which I was much gratified, I exhibited and explained the Egyptian Records to them, and explained many things to them concerning the dealings of God with the ancient<s> and the formation of the planetary System, they seemed much pleased with the interview.

17 February 1836 - Wednesday

Wednesday the 17th attend[ed] the school and read and translated with my class as usual, and my soul delights in reading the word of the Lord in the original, and I am determined to pursue the study of languages until I shall become master of them, if I am permitted to live long enough, at any rate so long as I do live I am determined to make this my object, and with the blessing of God I shall succe[e]d to my satisfaction, -this evening Elder Joseph Coe called to make some arrangements about the Egyptian records and the mummies, he proposes to hire a room at J[ohn] Johnsons Inn and exhibit them there from day to day at certain hours, that some benefit may be derived from them -I complied with his request, and only observed that they must be managed with prudence and care especially the manuscripts
 

6 May 1838 - Sunday 

..He also instructed the Church, in the mistories of the Kingdom of God; giving them a history of the Plannets &c. And of Abrahams writings upon the Plannettary System &c….

25 February 1842 - Wednesday 

Wednesday 23 Settled with and paid Bro. Chases’ [Ezra Chase’s] -and assisted in the counting room in settling with E[benezer] Robinson Esqr- visited the printing office. & gave R. Hadlock [Reuben Hedlock] instructions concerning the cut for the altar & gods in the Records of Abraham. As designed for the Times and Season

24 February 1842 - Thursday

Thursday 24. attending to business at the general office. P.M. was explaining the Records of Abraham. To the Recorder. Sisters Marinda [Marinda Nancy Johnson Hyde] Mary and others present. To hear the Explanations

2 March 1842 - Wednesday

Wednesday 2. Read the Proof of the “Times and Seasons” as Editor for the First time, No. 9[th] Vol 3rd in which is the commencement of the Book of Abraham. Paid taxes. To Bagley…
 

4 March 1842 - Friday

March 4 Friday Exhibeting the Book of Abraham. in the original. To Bro Reuben Hadlock [Hedlock]. so that he might take the size of the several plates or cuts. & prepare the blocks for the Times & Seasons. & also gave instruction concerning the arrangement of the writing on the Large cut. illustrating the principles of Astronomy. (in his office) with other general business

8 March 1842 - Tuesday

/Wednesday/ <​Tuesday​> 8 Commenced Translating from the Book of Abraham, for the 10 No of the Times and seasons—123 and was engagd at his office day & evening—