This was a concern of the ancient mesoamerican rulers who commissioned the carving of monuments for the sake of their own glory, and this all accords with the ancient tradition of art and culture within which stela 5 fits comfortably. Replica of mormon tree of life stone unveiled in wvc the. The kaminal juyu stela 10 dated 10 november 147 bc edmonson 1988, 25 appears to be written in paired columns read left to right within each individual pair being read right to left. She postulated that izapa stela 5 presented a fantastic visual myth. Why do some mormons believe the izapa stela 5 stone is. Wells jakeman chairman of the department of archaeology at brigham young university concluded that the scene carved on stela 5 was a depiction of lehis vision of the tree of life described in 1 nephi 8.
Weighing and measuring in the worlds of the book of mormon. The basic theme of stela 5 may be the king as intercessor with the gods on behalf of his. Regarding archaeological evidence do you not find the lehi stone in chiapas, mexico to be intriguing. Nevertheless, if we are to build a strong web of interlocking evidence, incorrect correspondences such as the claim that izapa stela 5 represents lehis dream must be set aside. Mar 23, 2011 izapa stela 5 is one of a number of carved stones that were found in the 1930s in the chiapas, mexico, region along the presentday guatemalan border. These stelae date from roughly 300 bce to 50 or 100 bce, 1 although some argue for dates as late as 250 ce. While the relation to the book of mormon is heavily debated, it is at least interesting to consider the theories. But even if izapa stela 5 has absolutely nothing to do with the book of mormon, the fact that some. This article will explore the complex iconography of izapa stela 5 and compare it with details in popol vuh, the book of mormon, and other ancient artistic portrayals. Jul 10, 2016 this article will explore the complex iconography of izapa stela 5 and compare it with details in popol vuh, the book of mormon, and other ancient artistic portrayals. When i first encountered the book of mormon, i assumed it was a hoax.
The book of mormon, the vision was received in a dream by the prophet lehi, and later in vision by his son nephi, who wrote about it in the first book of nephi. Izapa stela 5 does not support the book of mormon a careful. Stela 5 and lehis vision of the tree of life mormonism research. Some church authors have used izapa stela 5 as evidence for the book of mormon. That is one of the clearest objects that corroborates the writings found in the book of. But even if izapa stela 5 has absolutely nothing to do with the book of mormon, the fact that some latterday saint have misinterpreted it provides no evidence against the book of mormon. Wells jakeman of the byu department of archaeology suggested that a complicated scene carved on stela 5 in izapa was a depiction of a book of mormon event called lehis dream, which features a vision of. Many mormons believe this to be linked with lehis dream, thus proving the bom with evidence. Garth norman, on the other hand, tells anyone who will listen that izapa was a nephite temple center. The scene on stela 5 from izapa, mexico, as a representation of lehis vision of the tree of life stewart w.
Izapa stela 5 is one of a number of large, carved stelae found in the ancient mesoamerican site of izapa, in the soconusco region of chiapas, mexico along the presentday guatemalan border. The first, of course, is that izapa stela 5 is thus the first ancient monument to be discovered as actually recording a specifically book of mormon event. Advances in our understanding of mesoamerican art and iconography have led most lds researchers with knowledge of the relevant disciplines to be very skeptical about a direct link between the stela and the book of mormon. I am trying to remain agnostic, but the story told in the book of mormon does have an uncanny resemblance to the artifact.
In the area of book of mormon archaeology, probably the bestknown mistake is izapa stela 5, the socalled lehis tree of life stone. For the past 46 years, the carved stone monument known as izapa stela 5 from southernmost mexico has been discussed as a possible depiction of lehis dream reported in 1 nephi 8. First, though, since izapa stela 5 has been controversial within book of mormon studies circles, we need to document the accuracy of our images. Feb 18, 2018 back in the 1950s, byu professor jakeman saw in stela 5 similarities with details in lehis dream found in the 8th chapter of the book of mormon and prematurely concluded that there was a connection. I have a question the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The scene on stela 5 from izapa, mexico, as a representation of lehis vision of the tree of life. It is the fifth and largest carved stone slabs out of more than 60 carved stone monuments that were found at izapa. Izapa stela 5 does not support the book of mormon a. The stone carving has been dated to the preclassic guillen phase between 300 bc and 50 ad. Izapas tree of life stela 5 was created with the babylonian cubit golden mandala.
In a 1958 paper strictly concerned with stela 5, jakeman argued that it depicted a passage from the book of mormon concerned with a tree of life discovered by the ancestors of the church of jesus christ, latterday saints byus founder 49. Many wellinformed people in the church continue to believe stela 5 is the single most compelling evidence for the book of mormon yet found in mesoamerica. The story of how it came about is rather fantastic, after all, and the simplest explanation is that the book was a deliberate deception. Its significance in ancient american religion masters thesis, brigham young university, 1950. Book of mormon central archive the history of an idea. Griffith, the lehi tree of life story in the book of mormon still supported by izapa stela 5, newsletter and proceedings of the society for early historic archaeology 151 december. It is a little hard for me to believe that the ancient people who carved this izapa stela 5 stone could have accidentally carved so many items that seem to match lehis and nephis vision as recorded in the book of mormon, without having at least some knowledge or information about this vision. The izapa stela 5 hereafter is5 is regarded by some popular mormon apologists as a convincing proof of the book of mormon s authenticity. Physical and spiritual evidences book of mormon evidence. Jakeman was the first to publish an lds interpretation of stela 5.
Drawing by madman2001, wikimedia commons, creative commons attribution 3. The book of mormon, the vision was received in a dream by the prophet lehi, and later in vision by his son nephi, who. Responsible physical evidence the book of mormon in north. The scene on stela 5 from izapa, mexico, as a representation of lehis vision of the tree of life the history of an idea. In bold type it states, extreme caution should be used in invoking izapa stela 5 as evidence for the book of mormons historicity. It stood in the temple courts at the ancient ruin city called izapa in the south western corner of mexico. Some of the more important recent latterday saint studies of izapa stela 5 since the tanners publication which they have never dealt with include. Kaminal juyu stela 10 coronation of limhi book of mormon. Excerpts from byu journal of book of mormon studies, a new artistic rendering of izapa stela 5.
The seeds of the controversy are as old as the book of mormon itself, but the nature of the arguments have changed. To me the connection with the book of mormon is possible, but tenuous. This stela 5 stone carving was found in october 1939, by matthew w. This digital photo confirms original nwaf photos of 1965, 1966, 1973 vgn. The tree of life stone ancient carving resembles lehis. Stela 5 and lehis vision of the tree of life mormonism.
Anderson wrote on the witnesses of the book of mormon, garth v. This question arises and appears interesting only if we are already committed to stela 5 as depicting lehis dream. Interpretations of izapa stella 5 as a possible representation of lehis vision of the tree of life. If there is room in the book of mormon world for other peoples, the inhabitants of izapa and the ones who produced the art there would get my vote. Maya ruins parallels to the book of mormon tree of life. Go here to read lehis vision in the book of mormon a nice web page with more information regarding izapa stela 5 and more pictures drawing of izapa stela 5. It is the fifth and largest carved stone slabs out of more than. A step toward improved interpretation, journal of book of mormon studies 8. Jan, 2017 in the area of book of mormon archaeology, probably the bestknown mistake is izapa stela 5, the socalled lehis tree of life stone. Ancient near east, civilization, culture, book of mormon, books, ether abstract aided by creative techniques, ajax moreno carefully prepared more accurate, detailed renderings of the izapa monuments, including stela 5, with its complex scenes of gods and other supernatural creatures, royalty, animals invested with mythic and value symbolism.
Thus came the inclusion of articles dealing with themes and purposes of the book of mormon, historical background of the coming forth of the book of mormon, isaiah commentary on each book of mormon isaiah chapter, and articles of general interest such as archaeology, olive trees, tree of life in ancient cultures, stela 5. Stirling in 1941, stela 5 is composed of volcanic andesite and weighs around oneandahalf tons. The significance of this conclusion will be immediately apparent to the reader. The book of mormon is a testimony of jesus christ, who is introduced in the twin visions of the tree of life given to the books leading characters, lehi and nephi. Given the nature of lds interest in stela 5, most of my discussion has been forced to focus on what the scene is not. The tree of life vision is a vision discussed in the book of mormon, one of the scriptures of the latter day saint movement, published by joseph smith in 1830. In 1842, the latterday saints in navuoo were excited to learn about the discovery of large engraved stones in guatemala. Rti digital photo of izapa tree of lifestela 5izapa, mexico 2012 by dr. Interpretations of izapa stella 5 as a possible representation of lehis vision of the tree of life summary.
Izapa stela 5 is one of a number of carved stones that were found in the 1930s in the chiapas, mexico, region along the presentday guatemalan border. We will never know for certain what izapa stela 5 meant to its creators. Archaeological and historical evidence the izapa, stela. See the article art and iconography 4 to judge for yourself. Stirling, the archaeologist who found it in 1941, labeled the stone stela 5. Izapa stela 5 is one of a number of large, carved stelae found in the ancient mesoamerican site. For example, julia guernsey kappelman, author of a definitive work on izapan culture, finds that jakemans research belies an obvious religious agenda that ignored izapa stela 5s heritage. Porter on the printing and publication of the book of mormon, royal skousen on book of mormon editions and manuscripts, john w. A laymans consideration of the tree of life stone book of mormon archaeology, a rich source for lds folklore.
Some latterday saints may still feel the need to seek a relationship between stela 5 and book of mormon history. Christensen book of mormon enthusiasts have long shown a keen interest in the carved stone monument known at stela 5, found in 1941 at the ruins of izapa, chiapas, mexico, which is believed to represent the prophet lehis vision of the tree of life as recorded in the book of mormon, 1 nephi 8. Advances in our understanding of mesoamerican art and. Since that time, scholars have continued to learn more about the carved stelae in mesoamerica. Izapa stela 5 wikipedia, the free encyclopedia an illustration of izapa stela 5. In this book he explains how he obtained the stone from a friend of his, jesus padilla orozco. Izapa stela 5 is a rock found chiapas, mexico with ancient carvings. The book of mormon reference companion religious studies. For decades, it was promoted as proof that the book of mormon took place in mesoamerica. Thanks to the internet, the early summer of 2015 has seen a public exchange about the historicity of the book of mormon.
Izapa is unique in that it is a very large site with many stela. Ten years later, the real discussion over this monument began when a mormon professor, m. Why was coriantumrs record engraved on a large stone. Apr, 2016 in zarahemla, a large stone was brought to mosiah the elder, which engraved with the record of a man named coriantumr, the last of the jaredites. The book of mormon reference companion religious studies center.
These stella stones were given to jerry ainsworth for some of the following reasons. Perhaps not to be outdone, mormonisms founder joseph smith includes an important tree in the book of mormon. First, though, since izapa stela 5 has been controversial within book of mormon studies circles, we. Jakeman, izapa stela 5 and the book of mormon, book of mormon institute, div. Jan 10, 2016 garth norman, on the other hand, tells anyone who will listen that izapa was a nephite temple center. Advances in our understanding of mesoamerican art and iconography have led most. Izapa, mexico stela 5 tree of life monument mesoamerican. It has been identified by a byu scholar to be a record of the book of mormon tree of life vision.
Mayan civilization and parallels to the book of mormon. The izapa stela 5 hereafter is5 is regarded by some popular mormon apologists as a convincing proof of the book of mormons authenticity. The maya creation story recorded in the book of chilam balam of chumayel states, our lord, god the father measured his footstep. These stelae date from roughly 300 bce to 50 or 100 bce, although some argue for dates as late as 250 ce. In bold type it states, extreme caution should be used in invoking izapa stela 5 as evidence for the book of mormon s historicity. History and historicity in the book of mormon fairmormon. This stone, currently possessed by the smithsonian, was discovered in the ancient mesoamerican city of izapa, in 1941, by archaeologist matthew w. Physical evidence of the book of mormon or just a coincidence. Back in the 1950s, byu professor jakeman saw in stela 5 similarities with details in lehis dream found in the 8th chapter of the book of mormon and prematurely concluded that there was a connection. However, at present, extreme caution should be used in invoking izapa stela 5 as evidence for the book of mormons historicity.
He compares the composition to symbols described in the story, mainly a fruitbearing tree, its. A step toward improved interpretation, by byu mesoamerican archaeologist john e. Wells jakeman of the byu department of archaeology suggested that a complicated scene carved on stela 5 in izapa was a depiction of a book of mormon event called lehis dream, which features a vision of the tree of life. In spite of the strong evidence that stela 5 has nothing to do with the book of mormon, the lds community has been very slow to abandon this favorite piece of evidence. Wells jakeman proposed that the image was a representation of a tree of life vision found in the book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence the izapa, stela 5 stone. The tree of life, lehi stone, or stela 5 from my tbm brother. Stela 31 from tikal book of mormon archaeological forum. Researcher garth norman, for example, has counted at least 12 human figures, a dozen animals, over 25 botanical or inanimate objects, and 9 stylized deity masks. Stela 5 presents the most complex imagery of all the stelae at izapa. Izapa stela 5 wikipedia, the free encyclopedia an illustration of. Mainstream mesoamerican scholars do not support linking izapa stela 5 to the bible, the book of mormon, or an out of africa theory. The scene, if it does not depict lehis dream, fits clearly in mesoamerican art in theme, style, technical execution, and meaning.
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