Some cool parallels between The Book of Mormon and Central America by John Sorenson. “The text of the Book of Mormon can be compared with the findings of Mesoamerican scholarship at several levels. As an example, consider the story of the climactic battle in the land of Cumorah in which the Nephites were exterminated. Mormon’s text says that the Nephite forces were organized in armies of 10,000 men (e.g., “Limnah…with his ten thousand; and Jeneum…with his ten thousand,” etc., Mormon 6:14). According to Bernal Diaz, the Tlaxcalan forces whom Cortez met on his approach to the Aztec capital were organized into five armies: “of the followers of the old Xicotenga…there were ten thousand; of another great chief…another ten thousand; and of a third… there were as many more.” This comparison is interesting, although the single parallel does not constitute a particularly compelling evidence for a connection. However, when additional related correspondences are considered, we are justifiably more impressed. So we note the action of Moroni, a chief commander in the Nephite armies, who mustered forces by writing an inspiring motto on a piece torn from his coat. He “fastened it upon the end of a pole” and “went forth among the people.” (Alma 46:12, 19), assemebling loyalists to his cause. They responded by arming themselves and running together to follow his command (v. 21). Bernal Diaz reported that Tlaxcalan commanders led their men to battle with a “great standard” or flag on a pole strapped to their backs. This sounds like substantially the same custom. Elsewhere we learn that “warriors serving under [a Mesoamerican military leader] were conceptualized in a kinship framework as ‘sons.’” We then note with interest Helaman and the 2,000 youthful warriors whom he led and considered “my little sons” (Alma 56:39)” Mormon’s Codex pg 109-110
Posted on: Sun, 08 Jun 2014 02:34:48 +0000
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