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Feb 6 (2 days ago)

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The White God Quetzalcoatl

By Joseph L. Allen.... taken from his book "Exploring the Lands of the
Book of Mormon"

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)

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,
just as today they are given the name Jesus. (hay..suse) 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, the deity Quetzalcoatl apparently 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)


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I'm still not sure what to make of it all, but there are various things that could point to BOM history, like the tree of life stone, Quetzalcoatl, and just the geography in general. It was funny, when we were there (Guatemala) we had a native at a gift shop give us a big rundown of our history. Somehow he knew we were Mormon, and he started telling us how interesting it was that the names nephrite and nephite and jadeite and jaredite were so similar. Lol! It was a funny experience, but I'm pretty sure he just wanted us to buy a piece of jade with the "tree of life stone" carved on it.

Jadeite is one of the minerals recognized as the gemstone jade. The other is nephrite. Jadeite from the Motagua Valley, Guatemala, was used by the Olmec and Maya peoples, as well as the indigenous peoples of Costa Rica. Typically, the most highly valued colors of jadeite are the most intensely green, translucent varieties, though traditionally white has been considered the most valuable of the jades by the Chinese, known for their carefully crafted jade pieces. Other colors, like "Olmec blue" jade, which is characterized by its deep blue-green, translucent hue with white flecking, are also becoming more highly valued because of its unique beauty and historical use by the Mesoamerican Olmec and also in Costa Rica;[11] however, this variety was only recently rediscovered and is only being minimally exploited by native Guatemalans. It is thus difficult to obtain and as yet too rare and little known to have attained great value as a gemstone. When purchasing jade, quality is determined by the degree of translucence, cleanness of color, and purity of color. Occasionally, other minerals like serpentine or quartz are sold as jade but the difference can be determined by cleavage and hardness.

Several years ago when we were still living in Florida, the company I worked for flew several of us down to Mexico to walk through one of the tile factories we dealt with. The last day several of us decided to go to this little "gift type shop" while we still had our interpretor with us. As I was wandering through it, I noticed up on a top shelf a clay figurine with a tree and several leaves attached to it...plus the figure of a man on one side and a woman on the other side. I asked the interpretor to question the sales girl about it to find out just what it was. The answer was extremely interesting. She said it had to do with ancient religion and was called "the Life Tree". Needless to say, I bought a couple to bring home. They were very crude artistically but were points of many a conversation.

Also, Bob...have you ever read the book "He Walked the Americas"? It's out of print and I have a copy that I recently gave to someone to read. I would imagine one could find a used copy on Amazon or perhaps in local libraries. Extremely interesting read regarding some of the stories (myths) of our Native American and Central American brothers and sisters. Worth buying it if you can find a used one! Or, wait until mine is returned and I will get it to you.

I love the history of Ancient America; it’s more ambiguous/mysterious than even Roman and Greek history, but just as fascinating. The thing to remember about the Aztecs, Inca and even the Mayans is that they were the latest layer/ring of civilizations when the Conquistadors showed up. Like rings of a tree, these cultures literally built their architecture and their beliefs using the foundations of those who preceded them. In addition to this cultural layering, these cultures had much that could be traced to a common source culture. The Aztecs worshiped Quetzalcoatl, the Inca worshiped Viracocha, and the Maya worshiped Kulkulkan; all three deities represent the same basic original figure.

Most fascinating is the way these cultures reacted when the Europeans arrived. For brevity I will only mention some circumstances involving the Aztecs. The Aztecs had two chief deities, each honored within their great pyramid complex at their capitol Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs primarily worshiped their war god Huitzilopochtli which demanded a constant stream of human sacrifice to remain appeased. Their entire nobility and priest class was built primarily around Huitzilopochtli and the cult of death. As a sort of insurance policy the Aztecs also worshiped Quetzalcoatl who they inherited from their predecessors the Toltecs. Quetzalcoatl was generally described as fair, bearded, opposed to blood sacrifice and departed by ascending to the star Venus. In many respects Huitzilopochtli and Quetzalcoatl were very much opposed, but the Aztecs feared both deities and worshiped them -- and others -- accordingly. The Aztecs knew according to Toltec legend that Quetzalcoatl would return. The Aztecs feared the return of Quetzalcoatl and the implications for their society which was based primarily around the Huitzilopochtli death cult.

Interestingly the Aztec calendar heralded the year 1519 as an anticipated key event that could signal the end of their culture, but the date came and went. Little did the Aztecs know that Europeans were first spotted around the Yucatan and Gulf in 1519. Now here is where it gets more interesting. The Aztec emperor Montezuma II was advised to let Cortez and the Conquistadors enter their territory because they were not sure if Quetzalcoatl had indeed returned. The Aztecs shrewdly brought the Conquistadors gifts on their approach while contemplating how to employ or destroy them. Some of the Aztec nobles also believed the Conquistadors represented a scourge of white bearded men sent by Quetzalcoatl as punishment. Whatever their disagreements, once the Aztecs realized that Cortez and his men were nothing more than greedy mortals it was too late. Cortez and his men did not conquer the Aztecs on their own; they capitalized upon their perceived role as divine liberators and were joined by tens of thousands of warriors from subjugated tribes. Such information is just a sliver of the enigma that is Ancient America culminating in the Conquest.

In short, I personally believe that Quetzalcoatl/ Viracocha/ Kulkulkan etc represent traditions that do in fact trace back to Jesus Christ. Of course it was very important in ancient America to have the authority and prestige of Quetzalcoatl, thus there was much opportunity for abuse and corruption over time. Its interesting that over 1500 years later the Aztecs and others were still anxiously awaiting the return of this inherited ancient figure; now that’s more than a typical legend!

natasha wrote:Several years ago when we were still living in Florida, the company I worked for flew several of us down to Mexico to walk through one of the tile factories we dealt with. The last day several of us decided to go to this little "gift type shop" while we still had our interpretor with us. As I was wandering through it, I noticed up on a top shelf a clay figurine with a tree and several leaves attached to it...plus the figure of a man on one side and a woman on the other side. I asked the interpretor to question the sales girl about it to find out just what it was. The answer was extremely interesting. She said it had to do with ancient religion and was called "the Life Tree". Needless to say, I bought a couple to bring home. They were very crude artistically but were points of many a conversation.

Also, Bob...have you ever read the book "He Walked the Americas"? It's out of print and I have a copy that I recently gave to someone to read. I would imagine one could find a used copy on Amazon or perhaps in local libraries. Extremely interesting read regarding some of the stories (myths) of our Native American and Central American brothers and sisters. Worth buying it if you can find a used one! Or, wait until mine is returned and I will get it to you.

I do have a copy of that books Sis, it's around here somewhere! I'll have to find it and read it again. I remember reading it with Jo, got her very interested and she finished it. It's a little trick I learned from my mother, as kids my little brother and I were not at all interested in reading. To get us interested in reading and keep us there, Mom would read several chapters of a very exciting book, then she'd slow down, reading just a little bit--then when we were excited about the story and bugged her to hear more, she'd tell us we had to read it ourselves-- worked every time. First book she started reading to us was "Swiss Family Robinson." Mom was always there, helping us with words we couldn't pronounce or didn't understand the meaning of, after a while she taught us how to read a dictionary. Wasn't long before reading was a real strength with my brother and I.

Jo's parents were deaf, she didn't have the same advantages we had, however, on the other side of the coin, we didn't have the same advantages she had, advantages kind of evened out in the end! She had a much greater ability to keep her mind on one subject, while my mind was constantly jumping from one subject to another. When her family was signing to communicate she learned to pay apt attention to what was happening, reading lips, or she didn't get the whole story, message or instructions. By the same token, there were many times my attention wandered when I was being spoken to, Jo's parents didn't allow her mind to wander!

Wow, talk about getting off subject-------Sorry!

Bob

One thing that I find interesting in my studies of the Book of Mormon is how often the law of Moses was mentioned, even by Laman, Nephi's brother, I believe very early on. While I don't believe the Jews practiced the law of Moses, with the ordinances and performances, properly, even as they didn't in the Book of Mormon, evidenced by Abinadi during his interrogation, the people STILL were very familiar with who Moses was. My point is that they knew that Moses lifted up a brazen serpent, which represented Christ, and all the Israelites had to do was look to it to be healed, but they did not because they were stiff necked. For me, it's playful conjecture that the Lamanites, during the course of their apostacies, considered a serpent their deity and that it stemmed from their traditions originating with Moses.