Edward H. Ashment papers, 1984-2000

The Edward H. Ashment papers (1984-2000) consist of Ashment's manuscript, "The Use of Egyptian Magical Papyri to Authenticate the Book of Abraham," and correspondence pertaining to the research and writing of this paper. In addition, the collection holds two additional articles by H. Donl Peterson and Robert L. Millet, regarding scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and Ashment's critical response to these writings. Ashment's paper, "The Use of Egyptian Magical Papyri to Authenticate the Book of Abraham," responds to two articles by John Gee, a doctoral candidate in Egyptology. Gee's articles were published in Insight: An Ancient Window ("References to Abraham Found in Two Egyptian Texts"), and in Ensign ("Abraham in Ancient Egyptian Text"). These articles discuss the translation of the "Magical Papyrus of London and Leiden" and Joseph Smith's interpretation of Facsimile One of the Book of Abraham. Ashment and Gee disagree as to the translation and meaning of the Egyptian symbols. The correspondence in the Collection, consist of letters between Ashment and Stephen Thompson, a recent Ph.D. in Egyptology at Brown University; and letters from Ashment to Brent Lee Metcalfe, of Salt Lake City. The correspondence relates to the paper written by Ashment and the articles written by John Gee. The collection also contains drafts of two other papers by LDS Church scholars, as well as critical responses written by Ashment.