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| Moses and the Brass Serpent. Story from Numbers 21:4-9 Symbolically illustrated as Christ on the Cross in John 3:14-15 not the Devil. |
Here's another example of a misleading presentation from Neil Andi Anderson, who claims that the figure of Quetzalcoatl was a doctrine taught in the Church. It's quite funny because Neil insists he’s been a longtime member of the Church and believes he understands such teachings—yet, he seems unaware that this isn't an official doctrine. Instead, the whole notion stems from a study based on an article by John Taylor, which we are about to explore further in this blog post.
So, let’s dive in and take a closer look at Neil's comments.
Neil seems to have taken something he read or heard and assumed it was doctrinal. However, Quetzalcoatl, a Mesoamerican deity often associated with a feathered serpent, isn't a figure that’s taught as part of the official doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Historical and scriptural teachings in the Church have never canonized Quetzalcoatl as a religious figure. This misconception might come from the fact that some early Latter-day Saint leaders speculated about Quetzalcoatl, sometimes drawing parallels between this deity and Jesus Christ. John Taylor, a former President of the Church, wrote articles that delved into such topics, sparking further interest and speculation among members and scholars.
Neil's misunderstanding highlights the importance of distinguishing personal interpretation and scholarly exploration from actual Church doctrine. Doctrines are teachings that are established through revelation and sustained by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Speculative writings and thoughts, even from influential Church leaders, don't equate to doctrinal teachings unless formally adopted by these governing bodies.
This common mistake of conflating personal or scholarly theories with official doctrine can lead to confusion. While the Church encourages members to engage in deep study and seek personal revelation, it’s crucial to differentiate between what is doctrinally binding and what's speculative or interpretative.
Neil's assertion unwittingly underscores the broader challenge within the Church—that of ensuring members understand where doctrines come from and how they’re established. For example, the belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior and the principles outlined in the Articles of Faith represent core doctrines. On the other hand, discussions about various cultural or historical figures, such as Quetzalcoatl, typically fall into the realm of personal or academic exploration rather than formal doctrine.
In addressing Neil's comments, it's essential to maintain a respectful tone and provide clarity. Misunderstandings like his offer an opportunity to educate and bring greater light to these subjects. By exploring what John Taylor wrote and understanding the context in which he wrote it, members can gain a more rounded perspective and avoid misconceptions.
So, let's move forward and dissect John Taylor’s article to understand how this confusion might have arisen. By doing so, we can separate fact from fiction and help build a clearer, more accurate understanding of Church teachings versus individual interpretations and scholarly musings.
Ultimately, such discussions enrich our collective knowledge and strengthen our ability to discern and appreciate the depth and breadth of the Gospel. -
Jerry Nuñez Bustillo Ikaw ang lumuloko sa asarili mo, akalain mo una paglalasap ng maraming babae na ginawang asawa ay doktrina daw ito sa ebanghelyo ni Cristo? Saang talata? WALA!
His above statement were diverting the issue but it's fun to see how the Iglesia Ni Kristo were taught from their Minister brainwashing them about the LDS church without knowing the historical Context. Such ideology seems ignorantly taught and the sad part was it was planted over and over by their ministers the part they only knew as doctrine but was actually revelation as part of restoration and covenant of marriage. Most Iglesia Ni Christo mindset were limited to just sex and adultery, so when Biblical Prophets and patriarchs had practice of such revelation, they easily accept it as erroneous and unholy didn't even mind that it was part of cultural and religious practices. Neil Andi Anderson in his part here simply was a copy paste program that they had been taught of just sex and adultery and marriage might be just an option in eternity.
Akalain mo propeta niyo ang sabi na ang demunyong dragon na si Quetzalcoatl ay siya daw ang simbolo ni Cristo na nagpapakita sa Mayan people.
Was Quetzalcoatl the Devil as Biblical context says about it?
So here we are, he opened it up thinking that Quetzalcoatl or the feathered serpent was indeed a demon and the LDS prophet, especially John Taylor taught it as symbolically was the Christ who appears in the people of ancient America like the Mayans. Will, there are things needed to be fixed here first and let's try to get into the part of John Taylor's study about the Quetzalcoatl.
First of all, Quetzalcoatl was never taught as a demon. In the history of the ancient Americas, he was never portrayed that way. Instead, he was believed to be one of their principal deities. Quetzalcoatl was associated with a wide range of positive attributes such as wisdom, wind, and learning. Our Iglesia ni Cristo friend, Neil Andi Anderson, thought that this ancient belief had something to do with the Revelation of John, specifically where it mentions a dragon who opposes and fights against God. He refers to Revelation 12:9, which states:
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
However, Neil Andi Anderson fails to understand the cultural context of the Mesoamerican tribes, who acknowledged Quetzalcoatl as holding positive attributes. This has nothing to do with the biblical reference in John's Revelation. Revelation's portrayal of the serpent as Satan has no direct correlation to the ancient feathered serpent deity of Mesoamerica.
Misinterpreting cultural symbols and deities by applying outside religious contexts can lead to significant misconceptions. Understanding ancient beliefs requires studying their unique historical and cultural backgrounds. Quetzalcoatl symbolized goodness, knowledge, and civilization to the Mesoamerican people, vastly different from the negative aspects ascribed to Satan in the Bible.
Our friend Neil Andi Anderson needs to delve deeper into both the scriptures and the historical context of these ancient cultures.
Second, there's no mention of any biblical references that says about Quetzalcoatl. The qualities of biblical serpent as if in Genesis where Satan symbolically appears as a serpent either you take it literally or not, and some other references like as Dragon as a serpent looking creature with wings, has no common connections in mesoamerican teachings and belief of their Deity. Our Friend Neil Andi Anderson simply assumes the same figure of biblical mentions but didn't think anything that he might consider linking it's attributions. Making commentaries without factual or full studied evidence is nonsense. This might lead to fallacious argument of Hasty Generalization. You can't just simply conclude something you might think it is without understanding the rest of the lines. That unreasonable and senseless. So Neil Andi Anderson failed on the first place where he thinks this was all about by just simply referring biblical terminology.
At sa pagkakasabi nito ang mga mormonoy ay naniwala. Diba nakakatawang pakinggan.
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| This is actually a sticker commonly used art. Though traditional designs but not actually the actual figure. |
Ito ang hitsura ni kokulkan o quetzalcoatl na Cristo daw.
This is funny! 😂 I don't necessarily see this as depicting the authentic figure of Quetzalcoatl. However, since it’s been widely represented on the web in this manner, we can go with that. Of course, it doesn’t fully capture the intricate details of the ancient origin's actual appearance. But hey, it makes for a decent sticker!
Now, Neil Andi Anderson, the real issue lies in your thought process. You've readily accepted something posted online as fact without understanding the correct context. This approach makes it easy for anyone to be misled by such portrayals. Truly grasping the historical background would guide you to the accurate representation.
Anyway, That's your Problem to address. Use your brain.
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| This might be what Neil Andi Anderson meant |
Was Quetzalcoatl the Christ in LDS teachings?
There is no such teachings that Quetzalcoatl was indeed the Christ in the Ancient America, there is perhaps speculations of traditional belief and traditions that might fit the history of Quetzalcoatl. Now let's take some of it and see how were they related.
Take note, these are some of the selected attribute that might believed to be similar but not all of it since LDS didn't take the Mesoamerican traditions as Doctrine but rather some Common Cultural practices or Religious movement during their era that faded eventually or corrupted through time. So here's what some sources that was gathered that perhaps might be interesting in your personal view, and yes it's also my personal view, not a DOCTRINE. Here we go (links will be provided after the article) -
Similarities between Quetzalcoatl and Jesus Christ
- Virgin Birth:
- Jesus Christ: Born of the Virgin Mary.
- Quetzalcoatl: Some legends suggest he was born of a virgin mother, Chimalman.
- Divine Being:
- Jesus Christ: Considered the Son of God and divine.
- Quetzalcoatl: Revered as a god or a divine being.
- Teachings of Peace and Morality:
- Jesus Christ: Taught love, peace, and turning the other cheek (Sermon on the Mount).
- Quetzalcoatl: Associated with kindness, knowledge, and was said to have provided moral laws.
- Atonement and Sacrifice:
- Jesus Christ: His suffering and crucifixion were for the salvation of mankind.
- Quetzalcoatl: Some versions of the story say he sacrificed himself to benefit humanity.
- Symbolism:
- Jesus Christ: Often symbolized by a lamb, known for purity and sacrifice.
- Quetzalcoatl: Represented as a feathered serpent, symbolizing a creator god with both earthly and divine attributes.
- Resurrection and Return:
- Jesus Christ: Resurrected on the third day and promised to return.
- Quetzalcoatl: Said to have left but promised to return in the future.
"It is said by both tradition and history that the Savior visited this continent, and the people had a knowledge of Christianity, which Mr. Lord says was Quetzaliscoatl, or, as he terms it, the Christlians of that period. We have evidence also of this in the Book of Mormon, which was written on the American Continent as spoken of in the Bible, in Ezekiel 37:15-20. Again a Mexican historian named Don Juan Torquemada, who was the first to collect the Mesoamerican traditions and histories, said, ‘The very ancient people of pre-historic times who inhabited Mexico and the adjoining lands were ahead of all the nations of the world in wisdom. They say that one of the principal reasons for this great wisdom was the fact that "the White God" descended and taught them.' "
As it has been said, the legend of Quetzalcoatl has intrigued many people, including some Latter-day Saints, but it has never been taught as official doctrine by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Instead, the interest comes from the parallels some have drawn between the legend of Quetzalcoatl and the story of Jesus Christ. So basically Neil Andi Anderson lied as if he thinks this was taught during his time as he said he belongs to LDS and fail his understanding about the restored Gospel.
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| Sources from Wikipedia |
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| Continue from the same source (Wikipedia) |
Kayong mga mormon anong masasabi niyo ni huwad na propetang si John Taylor? Pakikisagot lang po ang mga alamat ninyo.
Done with the Answers, and I'll be waiting for your rebuttal. Thank you and have a nice day.
- Jerry Nuñez Bustillo
Links for additional insights. (Click on the link to go directly to the site)-
- Historyheist.com
- Wikipedia.org
- Mythopedia.com
- Scholars Archive
- Britannica
- people.howstuffworks.com
- World History
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Thank you so much for stopping by my weblog. I just wanted to give you a heads-up that I have made some updates to make your browsing experience even better. I fixed broken links and updated some of my posts. However, if you happen to come across any issues, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm always here and happy to help in any way I can.
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