Replies

The View of the Hebrews

(18) Quetzalcotle (So often called in literature “The Mexican Messiah”):
The legends of Quetzalcotle are stated in the “View of the Hebrews” at some length, I greatly abbreviate. “The pyramids of Cholula was an altar dedicated to Quetzalcotle or the serpent of green feathers; as his name is said to imply. This is the most mysterious being of the whole Mexican mythology. He is said to be a white and bearded man. He was High Priest of Tula, legislator, chief of a religious sect, who inflicted on themselves the most cruel penance—”he appeased by his pennance divine wrath, (In other words atonement).—The reign of Quetzalcotle was a golden age of the people of Anahuac, he dwelt twenty years among them, ordered fasts and regulated the Taltic year. “He preached peace to men”- - -He disappeared after he had declared to the Cholulans that he would return and govern them again and renew their happiness.”
Ethan Smith speaks of him as “appeasing divine wrath,” “may have a striking allusion to the system of the Mosaic sacrifices including also the mediation of Moses, as a type of Christ, and God’s turning away his fierce wrath from Israel at his intercession as was repeatedly the case. (Ethan Smith “View of the Hebrews” pp. 206—)

The legitimate query: did this character spoken of in the “View of the Hebrews,” published five years before the Book of Mormon, furnish the suggestion of the Christ on the Western Continent?

The Book of Mormon

(18) The Messiah on the Western Continent:
It may be said that the chief event, the greatest and most important of all events in the Book of Mormon, is the appearance of the Christ—the Hebrew Messiah—in the western world. He was anticipated in prophecy, and spoken of in expectation of His coming, and the purpose of that coming. Finally, in third Nephi, a magnificent description of His appearing to the Nephites is given, an account of His ministry among the Nephites. His stay was comparatively brief, and when he departed in light and glory, He promised at some future time to return. (See III Nephi ch. 11 et sq.

(From “Studies of the Book of Mormon” by Brigham H Roberts,)

Nana’s Note...Ethan Smith, The man who wrote A View of the Hebrews was also the pastor of the church that Oliver Cowdery, and his family attended, DURING THE TIME OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE BOOK..

Oliver Cowdery was later one of the scribes for the book of mormon and became a extremely close and trusted buddy to Joey Smith within weeks of their meeting...

To the point that within one month of the start of their early acquaintance, Joey Smith wrote Chapter VII 1-5 of the Book of Commandments, which later became D&C 8:1-12, just for Oliver...telling him he could have anything he wanted...Hardly the type of thing that Joey Smith would have promised someone who was not of great use to him...but just an example of how people were manipulated by the conman, Joet Smith...
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Book of Commandments Chapter VII

A Revelation given to Oliver, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, April, 1829.

7:1 Oliver, verily, verily I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, which is your God and your Redeemer, even so sure shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with and honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which have been spoken, by the manifestation of my Spirit; yea, behold I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

7:2 Now, behold this is the Spirit of revelation:—behold this is the Spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red sea on dry ground: therefore, this is thy gift; apply unto it and blessed art thou, for it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, when, if it were not so, they would slay you and bring your soul to destruction.

7:3 O remember, these words and keep my commandments. Remember this is your gift. Now this is not all, for you have another gift, which is the gift of working with the rod: behold it has told you things: behold there is no other power save God, that can cause this rod of nature, to work in your hands, for it is the work of God; and therefore whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, that you shall know.

7:4 Remember that without faith you can do nothing. Trifle not with these things. Do not ask for that which you ought not. Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate all those ancient records, which have been hid up, which are sacred, and according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

7:5 Behold it is I that have spoken it, I am the same which spake unto you from the beginning:—Amen.
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Doctrine and Covenants Section 8

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. HC 1:36-37. In the course of the translation of the Book of Mormon, Oliver, who continued to serve as scribe, writing at the Prophet’s dictation, desired to be endowed with the gift of translation. The Lord responded to his supplication by granting this revelation.

8:1 Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit.

8:2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

8:3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

8:4 Therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it, and blessed art thou, for it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, when, if it were not so, they would slay you and bring your soul to destruction.

8:5 Oh, remember these words, and keep my commandments. Remember, this is your gift.

8:6 Now this is not all thy gift; for you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron; behold, it has told you many things;

8:7 Behold, there is no other power, save the power of God, that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you.

8:8 Therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God; and you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands, for it is the work of God.

8:9 And, therefore, whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, and you shall have knowledge concerning it.

8:10 Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not.

8:11 Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred; and according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

8:12 Behold, it is I that have spoken it; and I am the same that spake unto you from the beginning. Amen.
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RLDS Version -

D&C SECTION 8 (Also Book of Commandments Chapter VII 1-7)

Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., to Oliver Cowdery, April 1829, at Harmony, Pennsylvania. It was occasioned by Oliver’s questions and concerns as he entered into more intimate association with Joseph during this first month of their acquaintance.

[Sec 8:1a] Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer,

[Sec 8:1b] even so sure shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which have been spoken, by the manifestation of my Spirit;

[Sec 8:1c] yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you, and which shall dwell in your heart.

[Sec 8:2a] Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the Spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground;

[Sec 8:2b] therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it and blessed art thou, for it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, when, if it were not so, they would slay you, and bring your soul to destruction.

[Sec 8:3a] Oh, remember these words, and keep my commandments! Remember this is your gift.

[Sec 8:3b] Now this is not all your gift, for you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron; behold, it has told you many things; behold, there is no other power save the power of God that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you;

[Sec 8:3c] therefore doubt not, for it is the gift of God, and you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands, for it is the work of God.

[Sec 8:3d] And, therefore, whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, and you shall have knowledge concerning it; remember, that without faith you can do nothing.

[Sec 8:3e] Therefore, ask in faith.

[Sec 8:3f] Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not; ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred, and according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

[Sec 8:3g] Behold, it is I that have spoken it; and I am the same who spake unto you from the beginning. Amen.