Joseph Smith’s translation of Fascimile 2 provides a few detailed insights into this question. In the facsimile, there are added numbers which the Book of Abraham labels as Fig. 1 through Fig. 21. Last week, the missionaries visited and brought up Fascimile 2 and asked what I thought about the statement, ‘Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 will be given in the own due time of the Lord’? I admitted that I had never really studied the Fascimilies. Upon reading the Figure translations, Figures 1 and 2 have some direct statements about Time and God that are worth our time at mostmovedmover.com.

Book of Abraham Background

The Book of Moses and Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price and the associated revelations related to them in the Doctrine and Covenants establish much of the religious beliefs that make us atypical to traditional Christians. I remember reading the Book of Moses with a Pastor of another church. He was kind enough not endlessly to mock me as we read, but it was clear that our beliefs amused him in these extra-biblical writings. I enjoyed reading the book with him and seeing his reactions.

The Book of Abraham provides some complexity in the historical understanding of Joseph Smith’s translation methods and abilities. This translation is often a point of attack for those that want to find fault with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I enjoyed Micheal D. Rhodes Teaching the Book of Abraham Fascimiles article in the Religious Educator. Wikipedia’s Book of Abraham page seems to provide a decent summary of the book and related issues. Finally, The Joseph Smith Papers provides a detailed history that starts on the Book of Abraham and Related Manuscripts.

I don’t want to get into the details of the translation process, historical facts, or authenticity of the work. I believe that the Pearl of Great Price is considered canonized scripture in our faith and can be used to understand truths associated with God and His kingdom.

Celestial Time

Figure 1 provides direct statements about celestial time.

Fig. 1. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time. The measurement according to celestial time, which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit. One day in Kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth, which is called by the Egyptians Jah-oh-eh.

In this translation, we have the following statements about time and Kolob.

• ‘First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time.’
• ‘The measurement according to celestial time, which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit.’
• ‘One day in Kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth’

In this translation, we see a prevailing assumption throughout that the Celestial Kingdom resides in time and tandem with D&C 130 that God lives in time. Both scripture verses don’t even question that God lives outside of time. In both, there is simply a description of the time and how time changes based on how close we are to God and His Celestial Kingdom.

first in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time

Figure 2 helps us understand that Kolob is near, but may not be in the Celestial Kingdom where God resides when it says, ‘Stands next to Kolob, called by the Egyptians Oliblish, which is the next grand governing creation near to the celestial or the place where God resides;’ Which also helps us understand that ’last pertaining to the measurement of time’ is about an arrangement or sorting. If we put all the creations of God on a line, then the Celestial is arranged on the line, not outside the line. The Celestial holds the first position concerning creation and government and last in place in regards to time.

one day to a cubit

Hollis R. Johnson explained One Day to a Cubit in the Interpreter Journal.

A hint toward an interpretation of the odd phrase in the Book of Abraham comes from an extended meaning of the word cubit. Although originally and widely employed as a measure of length (above), the use of the word was extended by ancient scholars to include a measure of angle, especially in the sky.

one day is equal to a thousand years

Finally, we get a second scriptural commentary on time that aligns with D&C 130, which explains the time of Kolob in ordered time. Both scriptural accounts take the time to tell the difference between earth time and the time near to God. Neither says that God lives in a timeless position or dimension.

Conclusion

God lives in time, and it appears to be governed by planetary orbit and a sequential ordering. The difference is in its perception, duration, and measurement.

• commentary
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