What is the book of Abraham? Where did it come from? And why is it important? Mormons--more properly referred to as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--believe in a book of scripture called the book of Abraham. It's included, along with a collection of other scriptures, in a volume called the Pearl of Great Price, part of the Church of Jesus Christ's scriptural canon. The book of Abraham contains an account from the life of the ancient prophet Abraham, the same Abraham you might have read about in the Bible. Thousands of years later, Joseph Smith translated the book of Abraham by the gift and power of God. And now it is read, along with other scriptures like the Bible and the Book of Mormon, by millions of Latter-day Saints around the world. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's go back to the early 1800s. Napoleon's invasion of Egypt ushered in the discovery and subsequent removal of many ancient Egyptian artifacts. Among these artifacts was a group of mummies and papyrus scrolls that eventually came into the hands of an entrepreneur in the United States named Michael Chandler. During this time, people in the Western world were fascinated by the artifacts arriving from ancient Egypt. Chandler decided to take his exhibit on tour throughout the United States, selling mummies and scrolls along the way. As part of the tour, Chandler stopped in Kirtland, Ohio, where many members of the Church lived, including Joseph Smith. Joseph was extremely interested in ancient languages and cultures, so he was eager to see Chandler's exhibit. Some friends of Joseph's bought the exhibit from Chandler and gave the artifacts to Joseph. As he examined Chandler's scrolls, Joseph said they contained writings of the Old Testament prophet Abraham. And Joseph translated them by the gift and power of God. The translation revealed that the book of Abraham contains several of the details discussed in the biblical account of Abraham found in Genesis, such as Abraham's covenant with the Lord and his journey into Egypt. However, the book of Abraham also reveals new truths not found in the Genesis account, such as a vision that Abraham had about our premortal existence, when we lived with God as spirits, as well as additional information about the creation of the earth. After its translation, the book of Abraham was first published in 1842 and canonized as scripture in 1880. After Joseph Smith's death in 1844, the papyrus scrolls were sold off to various parties, with most of them ending up in a museum in Chicago. Sadly, historians believe these papyri were destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. However, in the 1960s, 10 fragments of the scrolls were found in the archives of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. These papyrus fragments were subsequently transferred back to the Church. One fragment contains a partial copy of a drawing included in the book of Abraham, called Facsimile 1, which is currently on display in Salt Lake City. Egyptologists have translated these papyrus fragments and determined that they don't directly relate to the book of Abraham. Instead, they contain ancient Egyptian funerary texts. Why did these fragments not contain text from the book of Abraham? Many researchers believe that Joseph translated the book of Abraham from portions of the scrolls that are now lost. Others suggest that Joseph's study of the papyri acted as a catalyst for him to receive the book of Abraham by revelation. One thing is certain. The translation of the book of Abraham was not a typical translation. It came through inspiration from God. So let's review. What is the book of Abraham, and why is it important? The book of Abraham is ancient scripture. It contains many truths about God's plan for us, His children. The Lord also taught Abraham about the creation of the world and all living things. And we can read about Abraham's experiences and the covenants he made with God. The book of Abraham also shows us that our Heavenly Father loves all of His children. He wants us to know Him. He has revealed, and He continues to reveal, His truth to His servants the prophets. Abraham and Joseph Smith were two of those prophets. And they helped bring God's words to us. Now you know.