THOUGHT: "EVERY DAY DO SOMETHING THAT WILL INCH YOU CLOSER
TO A BETTER TOMORROW! Doug Firebaugh
Saturday - We had an opportunity to meet at the pyramids with a member who is an archeologist for the second half of his presentation. The pyramids at Teotehuacan were built about 200 AD or during what they call the "classic ere" of the Mexica (pronounced Meshica) which in Nahuac language means the people of the Messiah. The Spaniards when they arrived did not like this referral to Christ and called them the Azteca. It was designed as an outdoor temple complex. People started at the temple of Quetzalcoatl on the south end (Quetzalcoatl was the Nahuac name for Jesus Christ) where they received instruction. They then started the upward trail now called the Calzada de los muertos or avenue of the dead where they had to cross a river which was used for baptisms for the dead and washing and anointing. They then passed various rooms used for instructions or the endowment. They then arrived at the pyramid of the sun. The steps up the pyramid of the sun are very narrow, steep and tall. This required everyone who climbed to bow in humility as they climbed. At the top was a room (no longer there but was at the turn of the 20th century) which had holes on either side for a pole which held a veil. We were able to see many of the original murals. At the end near the pyramid of the moon was what is now called the temple of quetzalpopotl which shows figures decorated with butterflies which were used to represent the after life - caterpillars go through a complete change and become something truly beautiful. It is estimated that during the heyday of the temples here that around 500,000 people lived around the temples. As the early americans destroyed the Nephites and became more wicked this site was abandoned around 800 - 900 AD and was not used for worship. When the Spaniards came it was abandoned. The Tenochtitlan were worshipping other gods but their leaders (Moctezuma and Cuahtemoc) were still considered "high priests" and wore special robes signifying their "priesthood" powers. Peg and I climbed up the pyramid of the Moon and got some photos. We afterwards went to where many of the murals were on display and later to a compound a ways away where people actually lived - no one lived on the temple complex. We then went and ate in a cavern - wonderful restaurant. We returned home tired and did a little shopping.
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| hillside as we drive to the pyramids - houses go almost to the summit |
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| Pyramid of the Moon |
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| With President and Sister Titensor in front of the pyramid of the Moon |
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| Quetzal bird with butterfly wings signifying the resurrection of Jesus Christ |
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| These rooms are where the early americans actually lived. |
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| Beautiful murals in natural colors (made from plants) that decorate their living spaces. |
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| More views of living quarters |
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| Brother Tovar - member of the church who is an archeologist - he was our guide. |
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| We ate lunch in this cave (grotto) |
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| Beautiful floral arrangement in the grotto |
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| Out of focus picture of the grotto It wouldn't focus because of the way the light is coming in! |
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| Peg's beef fajitas lunch |
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| flowering cactus on the walls of the grotto |
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| View of grotto from above |
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| Here's the group of senior missionaries from the Mexico Area offices, MTC and the North mission |
Sunday - It was fast and testimony day and seminary graduation. Most of the youth who attend seminary (early morning) got up and bore their testimony. The bench where the deacons sit was so crowded that people were standing. The youth in our ward are strong and bore strong testimonies. When the bishop stood up ten minutes after we were supposed to stop there were still 4 adults waiting to bear their testimony. I am not sure I have ever seen that happen in the US. On fast Sundays we all get together for dinner - there were 22 of us. Peg was on main course and outdid herself. It was a great day.
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