New Witnesses for God (Volume 3 of 3)Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Religion
New Witnesses for God (Volume 3 of 3)
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Book of Mormon; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
to eat the flesh of sacrifices of atonement. There are many points
of resemblance between Tezcatlipoca and Jehovah. Ablutions formed
an essential part of the ceremonial law of the Jews and Mexicans.
The opinions of the Mexicans with regard to the resurrection of the
body, accorded with those of the Jews. The Mexican temple, like the
Jewish, faced the east. "As amongst the Jews the ark was a sort of
portable temple in which the deity was supposed to be continually
present, and which was accordingly borne on the shoulders of the
priests as a sure refuge and defense from their enemies, so amongst
the Mexicans and the Indians of Michoacan and Honduras an ark was
held in the highest veneration, and was considered an object too
sacred to be touched by any but the priests. * * * * * The Yucatec
conception of a trinity resembles the Hebrews. It is probable that
Quetzalcohuatl whose proper name signifies "feathered serpent,"
was so called after the brazen serpent which Moses lifted up in
the wilderness, the feathers perhaps alluding to the rabbinical
tradition that the fiery serpents which god sent against the
Israelites were of a winged species. The Mexicans, like the Jews,
saluted the four cardinal points, in their worship. There was much
in connection with sacrifices that was common to Mexicans and Jews.
* * * * * * In various religious rites and observances, such as
circumcision, confession, and communion, there was much similarity.
Salt was an article highly esteemed by the Mexicans, and the Jews
always offered it in their oblations. Among the Jews, the firstling
of an ass had to be redeemed with a lamb, or if unredeemed, its
neck was broken. This command of Moses should be considered in
reference to the custom of sacrificing children which existed in
Mexico and Peru. The spectacle of a king performing a dance as an
act of religion was witnessed by the Jews as well as by Mexicans.
As the Israelites were conducted from Egypt by Moses and Aaron who
were accompanied by their sister Miriam, so the Aztecs departed
from Astlan under the guidance of Huitziton and Tecpatzin, the
former of whom is named by Acosta and Herrera, Mexi, attended
likewise by their sister Quilaztli, or, as she is otherwise named,
Chimalman or Malinalli, both of which latter names have some
resemblance to Miriam, as Mexi has to Moses. * * * * * * * It is
impossible, on reading what Mexican mythology records of the war
in heaven and of the fall of Tzontemoc and the other rebellious
spirits; of the creation of light by the word of Tonacatecutli, and
of the division of the waters; of the sin of Ytztlacoliuhqui, and
his blindness and nakedness; of the temptation of Suchiquecal, and
her disobedience in gathering roses from a tree, and the consequent
misery and disgrace of herself and her posterity--not to recognize
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account