Mayan Traditions vs Nephite Traditions – Are the similarities too great to go unnoticed?
The history, culture, customs, and religious beliefs of the ancient Mayan people are strikingly similar to those of the Nephites. Considering that the Book of Mormon is not a history of a people or civilization, but rather for ‘the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ’, it is amazing that so many similarities can be found in Mormon’s short abridgment.
Below is a short, unfinished list of some of the customs and culture references which the Mayan and the Nephites share. Much of this list can be found in John L. Sorenson’s latest book, Mormon’s Codex. Each statement below is a culture reference to the Mayan society, followed by a corresponding reference from the Book of Mormon.
A principal deity was associated with mountains, rain, and clouds / Implied in Helaman 11:5-8
Belief that a council of deities assembled to consider the fate of humanity / 1 Nephi 1:8-13
The temple was partitioned according to degrees of holiness / Implied in 2 Nephi 5:16
The innermost (holiest) room of the temple was visited only by one or a few priests / Implied in 2 Nephi 5:16
The temple and its platform were a contact point with heavenly powers / Jacob 1:17 and Mosiah 1:18
A temple was surrounded by a bounded (often walled) sacred area / Implied in Mosiah 2:7
Devout persons made pilgrimages to certain temples or shrines / Implied in Mosiah 1:18, 3 Nephi 19:1-3
Multiple levels of the cosmos were thought to lie above the earth / 1 Nephi 1:14, Alma 1:15, Alma 18:30
Levels were thought to lie below earth’s surface / 1 Nephi 12:16, 1 Nephi 14:3, 2 Nephi 24:9, Moroni 8:14
A large body of water was thought to lie under the earth / Mosiah 13:12
A dragon monster inhabited the subterranean, primal waters / Implied in 2 Nephi 8:9-10; 9:10, 19, 26
The monster had been defeated and tamed by a superior divinity in cosmic time / Implied in 2 Nephi 8:9-10
North was linked with the left hand, bad luck, cursedness, and death / 3 Nephi 3:24
A flood ended one world age / Alma 10:22, 3 Nephi 22:9
A couple of families were preserved in the boat they built / Implied in 3 Nephi 22:9
Sacrifice constituted the central cultic act / Implied in Alma 34:10, 13; Mosiah 2:3; 3 Nephi 9:19
Slaying of an animal was the quintessential sacrifice / Implied in Alma 34:10-13
Blood was considered the essence of life / Implied in Alma 34:10, 13
An altar was sometimes essential for sacrifice or worship / Implies in 1 Nephi 2:7; 2 Nephi 16:6; Alma 15:17
Blood of a sacrificial victim was smeared on the altar / Implied in 1 Nephi 5:9; Mosiah 2:3
All or part of sacrificed animals was consumed by burning on an alter / Implied in Mosiah 2:3
Communion was achieved by eating an emblem or representation of deity / 3 Nephi 18:7
Domestic animals were sacrificed / Implied in Mosiah 2:3
Fowls specifically were sacrificed / Implied in Mosiah 2:3
Humans in general were sacrificed / Mormon 4:14, 15, 21
Children in general were sacrificed / Mormon 4:15, 21
Devotees self-lacerated, considering it a type of sacrifice / Implied in Alma 34:11
The first fruits were offered as sacrifices / Implied in 2 Nephi 2:9; Jacob 4:11; Moroni 8:25
An afterworld/paradise is attainable for some / Alma 40:12, 14; Moroni 10:34
A resurrection in attainable for some / Mosiah 15:21; Alma 11:45; Alma 40:1
A stela (an upright stone) with carvings were made / Implied in Omni 1:20
Purification conducted by healing / 3 Nephi 7:19, 22; 14:22
Purification conduction by baptism or washing / Mosiah 18:10-16; Alma 8:10; Alma 48:19; 3 Nephi 11:21-27
Symbolism included a serpent with a sense of renewal, resurrection and immortality / Helaman 8:14-15
Symbolism included a serpent with a sense of life, healing / 2 Nephi 25:13, 20; Helaman 8:14-15; Alma 33:19
Symbolism of a flying/feathered/elevated serpent / Alma 33:19; 3 Nephi 27:14-15; Helaman 8:14-15
Symbolism of feline-human and other hybrids / Alma 12:21; Alma 42:2-3 (cherubim); 2 Nephi 16:2, 6 (seraphim)
A tree represented life / 1 Nephi 8:24-25; 1 Nephi 11:25; Alma 42:5
A sacred grove was associated with worship / 3 Nephi 21:18
A tree stood symbolically for a people / Jacob 5; Alma 26:36
Political administration and religion were closely related / Words of Mormon 1:15-18; Mosiah 2; Mosiah 11:5-8; Alma 35:5
Kings had priestly roles / Mosiah 1:15-16, 18; Mosiah 2:19; Mosiah 25:14-15, 19; Mosiah 27:1; Mosiah 29:42
Kings were seated by means of a formal coronation rite / Mosiah 1:10, 15-16; Jacob 1:9
An elaborate palace was a symbol of royal power / Mosiah 11:8-9; Alma 22:2
Subjects bowed and cast eyes downward in king’s presence / Mosiah 20:25; Alma 22:2-3
Chiasmus were used / One example of a chiasmus is Mosiah 3:18-19
Paper was used for writing / Alma 14:14
Multiple calendars were used / 3 Nephi 1:1; 3 Nephi 2:5-6
A week was seven days long / Mosiah 13:18
Sacred oaths were made / 1 Nephi 4:35; Mosiah 19:25; Alma 44:8
Idols were worshiped / Alma 17:15; Alma 31:1; Enos 1:20
Temples were “up” on an elevation / Implied in 2 Nephi 12:2-3; Mosiah 1:18; Mosiah 2:1, 5, 10
Mountaintops were used for shrines and rites / 1 Nephi 16:30; 1 Nephi 17:7; 2 Nephi 4:25; Alma 1:15; Alma 26:29; Alma 32:4; Ether 3:1
Although this is not a comprehensive list of the cultural traits shared by both the Nephites and Mayan, it is an impressive list. Visit the Mayan cities of Lamanai, Tulum, and Chocchoben and see the Book of Mormon come to life. Click Here for all the details, dates, and prices of our upcoming Book of Mormon Cruise.
Tom Pettit
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D&C 84:57
