Back to Lands of the Book of Mormon

The following is quoted from Joseph Allen's Exploring the Lands of the Book of Mormon

Virtually all 16th Century writers wrote about a white god called Quetzalcoatl (KATES-ALL-CO-OUGHT-ALL). This tradition is strong and repetitive. Every school child in Mexico studies Quetzalcoatl and knows the importance of his role.

The symbol of the serpent has long been associated with deities of Mexico and Guatemala. In the Aztec language, the word "coatl" means serpent. By placing the Aztec word "quetzal" in front of the word "coatl," we have the word "Quetzalcoatl." The word "quetzal" means feathers. A beautiful bird, native to Guatemala, carries the name quetzal. Quetzalcoatl, therefore, means "feathered serpent," or serpent with precious feathers. The word quetzal is the name of the coin in Guatemala and also is the national symbol of the country.

Throughout pre-Columbian Mexican history, scores of individuals, both mythological and real, were given the name or title of Quetzalcoatl. Attempts also have been made to attribute the name Quetzalcoatl to only one person. The following quotations are indicative of what is said about Quetzalcoatl:

In all of America's past no figure is more exciting, more tantalizing, or more frustrating that that of the Fair God Quetzalcoatl. (Irwin 1963:33)

Quetzalcoatl was a man of comely appearance and serious disposition. His countenance was white, and he wore a beard. His manner of dress consisted of a long, flowing robe. (Ixtlilxochitl:45)

Just as our era began with Christ, so that of the Aztecs and their predecessors began -- approximately at the same time--with Quetzalcoatl. His image, the plumed serpent, had for pre-Columbian people the same evocative force as has the Crucifix for Christianity. (Sejourne 1957: 25)

The story of the life of the Mexican divinity, Quetzalcoatl, closely resembles that of the Savior, so closely indeed, that we can come to no other conclusion than that Quetzalcoatl and Christ are the same being. (Taylor 201)

We should, however, exercise caution as we correlate Jesus Christ and Quetzalcoatl as identical personages because of the fact that a 10th-Century culture hero called Ce Acatl Topilzin Quetzalcoatl took upon himself the title of the deity Quetzalcoatl. Nevertheless, the deity Quetzalcoatl apparently had its origin in the visit of Jesus Christ to the American continent. (Allen 1970)

Similarities of Christ and Quetzalcoatl include the following:

1. Both Christ and Quetazlcoatl were recognized as creator of all things. (Mosiah 4:2 Saenz 1962:19, 40)
2. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl were born of virgins. (Alma 7:10; Gamiz 95)
3. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl are described ad being white or as wearing a white robe. 3 Nephi 11:8; Torquemada 47)
4. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl taught the ordinance of baptism. (3 Nephi 11:23; Irwin 1963: 170)
5. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl prophesied of future events. (Ixtlilxochitl:40)
6. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl were universal, as opposed to just being recognized as local gods. (3 Nephi 16:1; Sejourne 1962)
7. A great destruction was associated with both Christ and Quetzalcoatl at exactly the same period in history. (3 Nephi 8:5; Ixtlilxochitl:40)
8. The cross was s symbol to both Christ and Quetzalcoatl. (3 Nephi 27:14; Irwin 1963:165)
9. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl sent out disciples to preach their word. (3 Nephi 12:1; Writhe 1978:55)
10. Both Christ and Quetzalcoatl promised that would come a second time. (2 Nephi 6:14; Sahagun 1:40)
11. A new star is associated with both Christ and Quetzalcoatl. (3 Nephi 1:21; Annals de Cauhtitlan 7)
12. The children of both Christ and Quetzalcoatl will become lords and heirs of the earth. (4 Nephi 1:17; Ixtlilxochitl:40)

Question: If the parallels are so strong between Christ and Quetzalcoatl, why do some people question that they are one and the same?

Answer: From the time of Christ to the Conquest of Mexico, many priests and royalty were given the name of Quetzalcoatl. This practice suggests that Quetzalcoatl became a title in much the same way that Nephi became a title:

Wherefore, the people were desirous to retain in remembrance his name. And whoso should reign in his stead were called by the people, second Nephi, third Nephi, and so forth, according to the reigns of the kings; and thus they were called by the people, let them be of whatever name they would. (Jacob 1:11)

One such culture hero, named Topilzin Quetzalcoatl and born c935 AD, left a trail from the Mexico City area to the Yucatan. The great Temple of Kukulcan was dedicated to this Toltec Quetzalcoatl. Kukulcan is the Maya word for feathered serpent. (Allen 1970:86-94)

The priest Topilzin Quetzalcoatl set about to establish a new golden age, a reincarnation of a utopia that existed centuries earlier under the reign of the deity Quetzalcoatl. (Florescano 1964: 164-166)

Furthermore, many pagan attributes became associated with Quetzalcoatl over the years, either by another individual's being named Quetzalcoatl or by the people's entering into apostasy. A case in point is the Temple of Quetzalcoatl located by the pyramids of Teotihuacan. These stone serpents with feathers around their necks well represent a distorted view of Christ.

Question : If the parallels are so strong between Christ and Quetzalcoatl, why would Christ be associated with the serpent? Is not the serpent a symbol for Satan?

Answer: In the Book of Mormon, the serpent is a symbol of Christ. (1 Nephi 17:41; 2 Nephi 25:20; Alma 33:19-21; Helaman 8:14-15) However, the event is couched in Old Testament history and recorded in the Book of Numbers. The children of Israel were residing in the wilderness. Being plagued with poisonous serpents, Moses prayed to the Lord for his people. The Lord instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and attach it to a pole. The Lord promised Moses that anyone looking upon that serpent, made of brass, after having been bitten by a poisonous serpent, would live. (Numbers 21:6-9) Nephi, the son of Helaman in the Book of Mormon, provides an explanation of the meaning of the Brazen serpent Moses lifted up on a pole:

As he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come. And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite heart, might live, even unto that life which is eternal. (Helaman 8:14-15)

John the Beloved portrayed the same type of symbolism as he wrote:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. (John 3:14)

Christ in the Book of Mormon

The impact that the image of Quetzalcoatl has played in the history of Mexico is overwhelming. Of the Pantheon of gods celebrated by the ancient Mexicans, only Quetzalcoatl reached all cultures. An author by the name of Laurette Sejourne of the University of Mexico was so impressed with this concept that she wrote a book called the The Universality of Quetzalcoat.

Although the concept of god became polluted throughout the centuries and although other people took upon themselves the name or symbolism of Quetzalcoatl, the Book of Mormon itself sets the stage for the beginning of the Mesoamerican legend of Quetzalcoatl:

And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.

And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.

And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:

Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name -- hear ye him.

And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they through it was an angel that had appeared unto them.

And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people saying:
Behold, I am Jesus Christ whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. (3 Nephi 11:3-9)

Every Book of Mormon prophet from Lehi to the coming of Christ prophesied of this singular, important event.

Back to Top