Oliblish

Detail of Figure No. 2 (the Hypocephalus of Sheshonq), which in LDS theology represents a governing planet, second in importance to Kolob.

Oliblish is the name given to a star or planet described in the Book of Abraham, a text considered sacred to many denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(LDS Church). Several Latter Day Saint denominations hold the Book of Abraham to have been translated from an Egyptian papyrus scroll by Joseph Smith, the founder of the movement.[1] According to this work, the term Oliblish was given as the meaning of the main symbols in one of the images of Smith's hypocephalus. Smith stated that the image is meant to represent a heavenly body located nearest to the central Kolob, the planet or star closest to the throne of God.[2]

The image appears on Figure No 2 of the scrolls, over the shoulders of which are jackal heads. In the left hand of the character is the staff of Wepwawet. The figure to the right was not present in the damaged original.[3] The symbol of life is said to be held by this celestial object that represented a symbol of God's power.[2]

  1. ^ Pratt, J. P. (2004). Abraham's Three Truths of Astronomy. Meridian Magazine, 9. Accessed 1 April 2021
  2. ^ a b Rhodes, M. D. (1994). The Joseph Smith Hypocephalus… Twenty years later. Brigham Young University Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies.
  3. ^ Ritner, Robert Kriech. The Joseph Smith Egyptian Papyri: a Complete Edition ; P. JS 1-4 and the Hypocephalus of Sheshonq. The Smith Pettit Foundation, 2013. page 268. Accessed 1 April 2021.