Posted on : 24 Feb, 2006
Subject : Itzamna: Mayan Messiah
Itzamna: Mayan Messiah
Native American spiritual traditions contain several shadows and semblances of the visitation of the Messiah to this continent. The oral histories of many tribes include one or more stories of a personage visiting them long ago, which are very similar to what the Nephite Record teaches about the Savior’s visit to the land of American.
One of the accounts about which there is surviving information is the Mayan tradition of Itzamna [also spelled Itzam-Na]. Itzamna was worshipped as a god by the Mayan people – as the Creator of mankind and heavenly beings. Itzamna was believed to have been the Great High Priest; He appointed the first Mayan priests, and from Him they received their priestly authority. Itzamna was considered to have been the founder of the Mayan empire. The ancient Mayan priests told the story that Itzamna died, descended into he earth and then rose again from the grave, having overcome death. Tradition says that He gave sacred writings and books to the ancient Mayan people. These are conspicuous things about Itzamna that excite the interest of people who are familiar with the Nephite Record.
The Nephite Record records the event of the Messiah visiting the native peoples of America, following his resurrection. During His visit, He invited the people to “feel the prints of the nails in My hands and in My feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world. And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into His side, and did feel the prints of the nails in His hands and in His feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record that it was He of whom it was written by the prophets that should come.” [3 Nephi 11:14-15]
There are a number of ways in which the many Mayan drawings and statues of Itzamna parallel Jesus Christ. Itzamna was almost always portrayed with pierced hands [and, often, with pierced feet]. In some images, Itzamna is depicted as holding his hands out in front of himself, as if he were showing the holes to someone. [Note the large holes in the hands of the statue of Itzamna.] The glyph symbol that represents Itzamna is a hand with a hole in it. Itzamna’s face was most often portrayed with high cheekbones, a narrow nose, and sometimes wearing a beard
Other prominent parallels include:
· Itzamna had a healing touch, and could raise the dead. People brought their sick to him for healing. [3 Nephi 17:7-9]
· He was sometimes known as Kab-ul, which means “the miraculous hand”. [The prophecies of Isaiah frequently refer to Messiah as ‘the Hand’.]
· He was also known as “the God of the seventh day”. [Matthew 12:8]
· Itzamna was linked with the planet Venus. Venus is also known as the ‘morning star’ – a title which is given to Messiah. [Numbers 24:17; Revelation 2:28]
· Mayan tradition said that Itzamna descended from the sky when he visited the people. Mayan tradition says that Itzamna will return to visit them again. He is expected to return in glory, coming from the East like the rays of the sun, to be with them once again. [Matthew 24:27; Acts 1:11]
Were the ancient Mayans visited by Yahshua? Surviving legends seem to indicate so.
Were the Mayan people Nephites? It is possible – although there are many prophetic descriptions of the Promised Land that was given to Lehi and his descendants that do not match with Central America or Mexico, but which do match the land now known as the United States. It is probable that the Mayans were not Nephites – but, instead, were among those who are mentioned by the Messiah in 3rd Nephi. “And verily, verily, I say unto you, that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land about whither I have been to minister. For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard My voice; neither have I at any time manifested Myself unto them. But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear My voice, and shall be numbered among My sheep, that there may be one fold and one Shepherd; therefore I go to show Myself unto them.” [3 Nephi 16:1-3]
In any case, it seems as though the One whom the Mayans called Itzamna – the Creator – the Lord of the Seventh Day – the Mighty Hand – the High Priest – the Morning Star – the Great Healer – the Giver of the Written Word – is the same as the One known to English-speaking people as Jesus Christ.
David Bruce Clark
Lion of God Ministries
PO Box 33 Oak Grove MO 64075
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