The Book of Abraham Papyri Arrive in Kirtland and Are Examined by Joseph Smith (1835)
Published August 19, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Contributed by
Todd Morgan
Beaumont, CA, 92223
In 1835, traveling showman Michael H. Chandler arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, exhibiting eleven Egyptian mummies and several papyrus rolls, which he had acquired after they were excavated near Thebes by Antonio Lebolo. Chandler had spent years unsuccessfully seeking a translation for the papyri in various American cities, often being referred to Joseph Smith, whose reputation as a translator preceded him. Upon arriving in Kirtland around July 1835, Chandler showed the artifacts to Smith, who confirmed he could decipher the ancient characters. On July 6, 1835, Chandler provided an unsolicited certificate stating that Smith’s deciphering of the characters corresponded with his own findings in "the most minute matters." Shortly thereafter, Church leaders including Smith, Joseph Coe, and Simeon Andrews purchased the four remaining mummies and the associated papyri for $2,400. Oliver Cowdery later detailed in the 'Messenger and Advocate' that the rolls were written in black and red ink and contained the writings of Abraham and Joseph, including significant depictions of the judgment and the creation. These papyri eventually served as the foundation for the Book of Abraham, first published by Smith in the 'Times and Seasons' in 1842.
In Their Own Words
“On the 3d of July, Michael H. Chandler came to Kirtland to exhibit some Egyptian mummies. There were four human figures, together with some two or more rolls of papyrus covered with hieroglyphic figures and devices. As Mr. Chandler had been told I could translate them, he brought me the characters, and I gave him the interpretation, and like a gentleman he gave me the following certificate: 'Kirtland, July 6, 1835. This is to make known to all who may be desirous, concerning the knowledge of Mr. Joseph Smith, jr. in deciphering the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic characters, in my possession, which I have, in many eminent cities, shown to the most learned: And, from the information that I could even learn, or meet with, I find that of Mr. Joseph Smith, jr. to correspond in the most minute matters. Michael H. Chandler.' Soon after this, some of the Saints in Kirtland purchased the mummies and papyrus, a description of which will appear hereafter, and I commenced the translation of some of the characters or hieroglyphics, and much to our joy found that one of the rolls contained the writings of Abraham, another the writings of Joseph of Egypt, etc.—a more full account of which will appear in its place, as I proceed to examine or unfold them.”
— Joseph Smith Jr., History of the Church
Sources & References
Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate (Kirtland, Ohio, October 1834–September 1837), December 1835 (Vol. 2, No. 3). https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_latter-day-saints-messenger-and-advocate_1835-12_2_3 (account extracted verbatim from the issue's Internet Archive OCR text; research confidence: high) Joseph Smith Papers, Journal, 1835–1836, entries for July 1835 (acquisition of the papyri), josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-1835-1836/1. History of the Church, vol. 2, pp. 235–236, 348–351 (purchase and early translation). Times and Seasons, vol. 3 (1842), serial publication of the Book of Abraham. Pearl of Great Price, Book of Abraham. Joseph Smith Papers Project, “Translation and His… Additional sources (periodical research): The Joseph Smith Papers, Certificate from Michael Chandler, 6 July 1835. https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/certificate-from-michael-chandler-6-july-1835 Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate, Vol. 2, No. 3 (December 1835), "Egyptian Mummies—Ancient Records." https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Latter_Day_Saints%27_Messenger_and_Advocate/Volume_2/Number_3/Letter_to_Wm._Frye_from_Oliver_Cowdery Full first-person account: History of the Church, Vol. 2, pp. 235–236 https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/history-of-the-church/volume-2/
Filed under
Related Miracles
Similar miracle types and stories from the 1830s.
Miracle of the Week
One remarkable, documented account in your inbox every Monday, drawn from the full archive.