MAP COMPARISONS

There are, among the nations of Guatemala and southern Mexico, many strange legends of seven caves, and, no matter how absurd they may have become in the many centuries they have been handed down, they had a beginning in fact. And now, with the history of the ancient people before us, we may detect the facts which have become distorted in the legends. The Quiche Indians of Guatemala had legends of the seven caves. These Indians, I have no doubt, were descendants of the people of Ammon, and are still living in the land of Jershon. Their ancestors knew, at one time, of the history of the Jaredites, and of Ether, the man of God, hiding in caves, while the last war that brought about the destruction of the Jaredites was being fought. One of the legends is as follows:

“There had been men- upon the earth previous to the final and perfect creation and they, at the place (or in the land) of the seven caves, had been swept away by a succession of great destructions.” (“Native Races,” Vol. III., pp. 49-64.)

“The Mexicans round Cholula had a special legend connecting the escape of a remnant from the great deluge who found safety in seven caves.” (“Native Races,” Vol. III., p. 67.)

Ether, in following up the armies of the Jaredites, must have hidden in a number of caves, as we read his descriptions of their last war. This Jaredite record was translated by King Mosiah, and he caused the translation to be 759 written and given to the people of Zarahemla (Guatemala). Thus we can dis cern the facts that the legends of the Indians are built upon.

LOCATION OF SOME OF THE CITIES.

Aaron ....................................Naranjo, ruins ....................................Guatemala.

Angola ..................................Huin Anguillo, ruins............................Mexico.

Bountiful............................Palenque, ruins........................................Chiapas, Mexico.

Desolation ............................Milta, ruins ........................................Mexico.

Gid .........................................Piedras Negras, ruins .......................Mexico.

Ishmael ..................................Ruins at Opico ..................................Salvador.

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LOCATION OF LANDS DESCRIBED IN THE RECORD

Honduras and Salvador ............................ “The land of Nephi.”

Guatemala and British Honduras ....... “Zarahemla.”

West Valley of the Usumacinta ...........“Land of Melek.”

From Melek to Isthmus of Tehuantepec “Bountiful.”

From Isthmus to Tula .......................... ‘“Land of Desolation.”

From Tula to Panuco ............................ “Land of Moron.”

“Land of Jershon” ..................................... Valleys throughout southern Guatemala.

“Land of Antionum” ...............................Valley of Montagua, southwestern Guatemala.

. . .

ANCIENT INDIAN TRIBES OF HISTORY

Nahuas .........................................................Nephites.

Olmecs .........................................................Muleks.

Xicalancas .................................................. Zarahemlas.

Quiches ........................................................ Descendants of people of Ammon.

Mayas ........................................................... Lamanites.