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George Oliver's Antiquities of Freemasonry, 1823 wrote:Abraham was born; a man who was destined to impede the rapid progress of idolatry... and to advance the interests of true Masonry and religion amongst mankind... Brought up among the Chaleans, and his parents and friends interested in the success of idolatry, he was early initiated into the mysteries used by the Chaldeans, and studied their [i]aporreta[i] with the most indefatigable industry and perseverance... He analyzed, with a philosophical eye, their bold cosmogonies, and wondered how the earth could make itself, or be produced by a fortuitous mixture of winds, and chaos, and muddy atoms; his knowledge of astronomy enabled him to take a correct survey of the celestial system, and he proposed to his own mind these startling questions: Can the immense orbs which beautify and adorn the spangled canopy of heaven be formed our of nothing, be suspended in the air without any visible support, and perform their courses with such order and regularity from the sole effect of chance? Did chance ever produce a minor work since the Creation?

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In this state of uncertainty he consulted with the priests and hierophants; but they were too much interested in the success of their own impostures to satisfy his doubts, even if they had been able. Hearing that the old patriarch Shem was living at Salem, he applied to him for assistance and information. The Patriarch on examination, finding him worthy and of good report, admitted him to a participation in those invaluable secrets, which pointed to the one true God, the creator of the universe, as the sold object of adoration. He communicated the true system of creation, and the history of the world before the Flood; shewed that that great judgment was brought on the world for the sins of its inhabitants; revealed the seven precepts of Noah, as the condition of God's covenant with man; imparted the origin of sacrifices, and the most acceptable offering which can be made by man; cautioned his pupil against the mischiefs of idolatry, and finally received him as one of the Noachidae, or faithful followers of Noah.

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The vengeance of the Chaldeans was elicited against the innovator; and they applied to the king of Assyria to stand forward in defense of their religion, which was openly threatened with destruction. The authority which Abraham possessed was scarcely sufficient to protect him from the fury of this potent monarch. Trembling for his own sovereignty, if the mysteries by which his despotism was upheld were exposed to public execration, he overwhelmed the patriarch with every species of persecution, and condemned him to perish by fire. He escaped this judgment by a precipitate flight.

George Oliver, Antiquities of Freemasonry, 1823 wrote:Abraham was stimulated with a desire to propagate his knowledge, and assert the honor of God in other countries, which were deeply impregnated with the defilements of idolatry. In the first rank of the corrupted nations stood Egypt, and thither he resolved to go. Animated with the hopes of vindicating and restoring the worship of God, he introduced to the priests his knowledge of the mysteries acquired in the land of Chaldea, and endeavored to convince them of the great absurdity of their cosmogony, and the dishonor they did to God by encouraging the worship of dead men. He exhibited the superior advantages of the science which he practised, and even initiated some of them into the mysteries. But the temporal honors and emoluments they enjoyed were too valuable to be relinquished for a science, whose rewards were deferred to a future state. The favor and countenance of their monarch, were objects of too great importance, even with the most learned and conscientious of them, to be changed, probably, for persecution and death; and, therefore, though they esteemed Abraham as a man of most extraordinary erudition and ability, they declined embracing his systems for reforming their religion and worship.

George Oliver, Antiquities of Freemasonry, 1823 wrote:Melchizedek or Shem resided at Salem, and maintained the true Patriarchal dignity of king, priest, and prophet, living in the immediate practice of our science, and the genuine worship of the most high God. Hearing of Abraham's success, he went out ceremoniously to meet him on his return; publicly applauded his courage and conduct, in his official capacity of a true and regularly constituted priest of the true God.

1. Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh's throne, by the politeness of the kind, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand.

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Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king's court.

William Clayton, April 11, 1844 wrote:Joseph Smith was "chosen as our Prophet, Priest, and King by Hosannas."