Kieth Merrill will accompany Joseph Allen on a land tour leaving Jan. 15,
2004. He laughs that
it is a “location scouting trip” for another movie.
He invites you to bring your digital camera and come
along. Learn more here
Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites author, Chris Heimerdinger
will be on a Book of Mormon Symposium at Sea with Blake Allen
leaving Feb. 6, 2004 Click
here
for details.
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And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards
heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven;
and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood
in the midst of them.... (3 Nephi 11:8)
INTRODUCTION
Virtually all 16th Century
writers wrote about a white god called Quetzalcoatl (KATES-ALL-CO-OUGHT-ALL).
This tradition is strong and repetitive. Every school child
in Mexico studies Quetzalcoatl and knows the importance of his
role.
The symbol of the serpent
has long been associated with deities of Mexico and Guatemala.
In the Aztec language, the word "coatl" means serpent.
By placing the Aztec word "quetzal" in front of the
word "coatl" we have the word, "Quetzalcoatl".
The word "quetzal"
means feathers. A beautiful bird, native to Guatemala, carries
the name quetzal. Quetzalcoatl, therefore, means, "feathered
serpent," or serpent with precious feathers. The word quetzal
is the name of the coin in Guatemala and also is the national
symbol of the country.
Throughout pre-Columbian
Mexican history, scores of individuals, both mythological and
real, were given the name or title of Quetzalcoatl. Attempts
also have been made to attribute the name Quetzalcoatl to only
one person. The following quotations are indicative of what
is said about Quetzalcoatl.
~
In all of America's past no figure is more exciting, more tantalizing,
or more frustrating than that of the Fair God Quetzalcoatl;
(Irwin 1963:33)
Quetzalcoatl
was a man of comely appearance and serious disposition. His
countenance was white, and he wore a beard. His manner of dress
consisted of a long, flowing robe. (Ixtlilxochitl: 45)
Just as our era began with Christ, so that of the Aztecs
and their predecessors began‑approximately at the same
time‑with Quetzalcoatl. His image, the plumed serpent,
had for pre‑Columbian people the same evocative force
as has the Crucifix for Christianity. (Sejourne 1957:25)
The
story of the life of the Mexican divinity, Quetzalcoatl closely
resembles that of the Savior‑, so closely indeed, that
we can come to no other conclusion than that Quetzalcoatl and
Christ are the same being. (Taylor 201)
We should, however, exercise
caution as we correlate Jesus Christ and Quetzalcoatl as identical
personages because of the fact that a 10th Century culture hero
called Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl took upon himself the
title of the deity Quetzalcoatl. (As well as many others) Nevertheless,
it could be that the deity Quetzalcoatl
had its origin in the visit of Jesus Christ to the American
continent. (See Allen 1970.)
Similarities of Christ and Quetzalcoatl include the following:
1. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl were recognized as
creator of all things. (Mosiah 4:2; Saenz 1962:19, 40)
2. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl were born of virgins.
(Alma 7: 10; Gamiz 95)
3. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl are described as being
white or as wearing a white robe. (3 Nephi 11:8; Torquemada
47)
4. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl performed miracles.
(3 Nephi 26:15; Sejourne 136‑137)
5. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl taught the ordinance
of baptism. (3 Nephi 11:23; Irwin 1963:170)
6. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl prophesied of future
events. (Ixtlilxochitl: 40)
7. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl were universal as opposed
to just being recognized as local gods. (3 Nephi 16: 1; Sejourne
1962)
8. A great destruction was associated with both Christ
and Quetzalcoatl at exactly the same time period in history.
(3 Nephi 8:5; Ixtlilxochitl: 40)
9. The cross was a symbol to both Christ and Quetzalcoatl.
(3 Nephi 27:14; Irwin 1963:165)
10. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl sent out disciples
to preach their word. (3 Nephi 12:1; Wirth 1978:55)
11. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl promised they would
come a second time. (2 Nephi 6:14; Sahagun 1:40)
12. A new star is associated with both Christ and Quetzalcoatl.
(3 Nephi 1:21; Anales de Cuauhtitlan 7)
13. The children of both Christ and Quetzalcoatl will
become lords and heirs of the earth. (4 Nephi 1: 17; Ixtlilxochitl:
40)
Copyright
© 1999-2002 Ancient America Foundation.
To
learn about Book of Mormon land tours and cruises led by Joseph
Allen or his sons, Blake Allen and Todd Allen, go to www.meridiantrips.com
