Celestial Visits in the Scriptures, and a Plausible Mesoamerican Tradition

Title

Celestial Visits in the Scriptures, and a Plausible Mesoamerican Tradition

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2015

Authors

Wirth, Diane E. (Primary)

Journal

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

Pagination

55-75

Volume

14

Terms of use

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Bibliographic Citation

Abstract

Scriptural accounts of celestial beings visiting the earth are abundant in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Whether a descending deity or angelic beings from celestial realms, they were often accompanied by clouds. In this paper a short analysis of the various types of clouds, including imitation clouds (incense), will be discussed. The relation between the phenomenon of supernatural beings, sometimes in clouds, may have had a great influence on descendants of Book of Mormon cultures. For these people, stories that were told from one generation to the next would have been considered ancient mythological lore. It may be plausible that future generations attempted to duplicate the same type scenario of celestial beings speaking and visiting their people. These events were sometimes recorded in stone.

Angel
Mesoamerica
Ancient America
Messenger

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