Human Sacrifice

[inquiringmind]

Given the Mesoamerican theory, the BOM would span the history of central America from 600 B.C. to A.D.?

Does it mention human sacrifice?

Didn't the civilizations of central and South America practice human sacrifice?

[Biz]

Given the Mesoamerican theory, the BOM would span the history of central America from 600 B.C. to A.D.?

Does it mention human sacrifice?

Didn't the civilizations of central and South America practice human sacrifice?

Yes you can find an account in the book of Mormon chapter 4:14 and 4:21

"14. And they did also march forward against the city Teancum, and did drive the inhabitants forth out of her, and did take many prisoners both women and children, and did offer them up as sacrifices unto their idol gods."

"21And when they had come the second time, the Nephites were driven and slaughtered with an exceedingly great slaughter; their women and their children were again sacrificed unto idols."

Biz

[TAO]

It also mentions blood drinking and several other habits as well. Sacrifice was common... well at least at certain time periods among the Lamanites (and the Nephites at the end of the time period of the BoM as well - it seems like they became even worse in that aspect =/).

[Duncan]

I think Nehor? died an "ignonomineous" death at the hands of the nephites, it is all I got, it's late, geez

[Hashbaz]

In Alma 34:10, Amuluk teaches "For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice"

This is especially interesting in light of images such as this Classic period Maya vase http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=8351, that depicts a human being sacrificed, as well as a jaguar (beast) and macaw (fowl) next in line for sacrifice.

[Brant Gardner]

In Alma 34:10, Amuluk teaches "For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice"

I think this tells us that the idea of human sacrifice was around long before Mormon complains about it. I think that a possibility for his particular disgust was not that it was entirely new, but that it specifically included women and children. I doubt that he approved of sacrificing men either, but it seems that he has an increase in horror because of this practice--which I think was new to what he had understood of other cultures.

[Hashbaz]

I think this tells us that the idea of human sacrifice was around long before Mormon complains about it. I think that a possibility for his particular disgust was not that it was entirely new, but that it specifically included women and children. I doubt that he approved of sacrificing men either, but it seems that he has an increase in horror because of this practice--which I think was new to what he had understood of other cultures.

Women and children were often sacrificed in Mesoamerica in connection with rainmaking rituals. Their tears were believed to be the most pure, and through sympathetic magic those tears would bring the rains. It was prophesied in Helaman 13:9 that the final days of the Nephites would be plagued by famine, so it it's not unreasonable to assume the women and children were being sacrificed in hopes it would end a drought.

[Brant Gardner]

Women and children were often sacrificed in Mesoamerica in connection with rainmaking rituals. Their tears were believed to be the most pure, and through sympathetic magic those tears would bring the rains. It was prophesied in Helaman 13:9 that the final days of the Nephites would be plagued by famine, so it it's not unreasonable to assume the women and children were being sacrificed in hopes it would end a drought.

I am familiar with that practice, and for that reason, among the Aztecs. There is evidence for it earlier? I suppose that would have to mean either iconographic or glyphic evidence. Sometimes ethnographic analogy is used and I want to make sure where this comes from.

[Hashbaz]

I am familiar with that practice, and for that reason, among the Aztecs. There is evidence for it earlier? I suppose that would have to mean either iconographic or glyphic evidence. Sometimes ethnographic analogy is used and I want to make sure where this comes from.

There are a number of Classic Maya vases that depict infants in sacrificial bowls or being presented for sacrifice, such as this one: http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=4384

Keep in mind the glyphic corpus is extremely limited in terms of subject matter. Although we have a handful of iconographic references to heart sacrifice, there is no known glyphic phrase that denotes "human sacrifice" or "heart sacrifice". There is a general phrase read ch'ab, which means "penance, fasting, sacrifice", but as far as I know that glyph never actually accompanies scenes of human sacrifice. It is typically used with scenes of autosacrifice when the ruler would let blood from his own genitalia.

This scene shows women and children surrounded by warriors and looking down in despair (perhaps in fear of their fate?): http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=5451

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Yes you can find an account in the book of Mormon chapter 4:14 and 4:21

"14. And they did also march forward against the city Teancum, and did drive the inhabitants forth out of her, and did take many prisoners both women and children, and did offer them up as sacrifices unto their idol gods."

"21And when they had come the second time, the Nephites were driven and slaughtered with an exceedingly great slaughter; their women and their children were again sacrificed unto idols."

Biz

Side Note: The Nephite atrocities were worse...

Moroni 9

9And notwithstanding this great abomination of the Lamanites, it doth not exceed that of our people in Moriantum. For behold, many of the daughters of the Lamanites have they taken prisoners; and after depriving them of that which was most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue—

10And after they had done this thing, they did murder them in a most cruel manner, torturing their bodies even unto death; and after they have done this, they devour their flesh like unto wild beasts, because of the hardness of their hearts; and they do it for a token of bravery.

[Mars]

I thought I had read once that there was a symbolic sacrifice of a king/leader of a local population that would bring about the appeasement of the Gods and that Amulek was trying to tell his audience that while the idea of sacrifice was right, it couldn't be just a man or a human sacrifice, but had to be an infinite and eternal being to be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

I have no references for this though.

[TAO]

I thought I had read once that there was a symbolic sacrifice of a king/leader of a local population that would bring about the appeasement of the Gods and that Amulek was trying to tell his audience that while the idea of sacrifice was right, it couldn't be just a man or a human sacrifice, but had to be an infinite and eternal being to be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

I have no references for this though.

Alma 34. I love that chapter =D.