Volume 5, Issue 2 The Sator Square June 15, 2011 By Neil Steede © 2011 The project that has absorbed most of then it had only about 30 years to travel my time as late is called The Mayan Magi around the Mediterranean Sea from Israel to Mission which asserts that the three Magi the west side of Italy to reach Pompeii. For of nativity lore were from the Maya lands most scholars this is not enough time for the of Mesoamerica, and in recent months I migration of this icon. have researched and determined that the The Sator Square is composed of 25 Revelation of the Magi manuscript was smaller squares placed in a 5 by 5 arrange- also written by these men. ment. Each of the 25 squares One of the unique features of contains a letter, thus each of the Magi manuscript is a very the five rows of five letters large cryptogram, the re- each render a five-letter word. search for which has now led Those five-letter words are me to an encounter with a SATOR, AREPO, TENET, well-documented cryptogram OPERA and ROTAS. The known as the Sator Square. words are fit into the larger Many researchers consider square in such a way as to cre- this cryptogram to be very ate a palindrome. True palin- early Christian. In fact, it is dromes are extremely rare and so early that others have cho- it is believed that the Sator sen to classify it as some- Square is the only Latin lan- thing from the Mithras relig- guage five-letter word palin- ion instead of Christian. The drome in existence. earliest known Sator Square By around 230 AD the Sator is found inscribed in two Square had traveled to the different locations in Pompeii edges of Roman Empire expan- just before the city suc- sion, even as far west as Ha- cumbed to Mount Vesuvius This Sator Square is found drian’s Wall in Manchester, in 79 AD. This is what causes on a doorjamb in a Christian England. Sator Squares have concern among scholars; if the owned bakery in Pompeii. been found in several locations Sator Square is truly Christian It predates 79 AD. throughout Western Europe Lead Plates Found in Jordan By Terry Scott On March 3rd 2011, a metallurgist a collection of 70 ancient books found in named Robert Feather told the Jewish Jordan. These books had been found in a Chronicle he was trying to authenticate a cave five years earlier and smuggled into collection of 20 metal books in the posses- Israel. The Jordanian government considers sion of an Israeli Bedouin farmer. Hassan these plates their property and want them Saeda stated his great-grandfather found back.3 Israel has made no effort to return them in a cave a century ago. The Jewish the plates, claiming they are fake and have Chronicle also stated that a piece of leather been in their country for 100 years. Jordon from the same find had already been carbon claims they are genuine and were taken dated to 2,000 years ago.1 To dampen the from Jordon illegally five years ago. Many excitement of this discovery, the IAA are concerned that under such pressure, the (Israel Antiquities Authority) doubts the current owner may destroy them or sell authenticity of the find. They state these them on the black market.3 books contain a “mixture of incompatible The director of the Jordan's Depart- periods and styles without any connection ment of Antiquities, Ziad al-Saad, states the

HILL CUMORAH EXPEDITION TEAM, INC or logic. Such forged motifs can be found in their thousands in the antiquities markets Inside this issue: of Jordan and elsewhere in the Middle The Sator Square Cont. 3 thru 8 East"2 This sounds like the end of the matter, Lead Plates Found in Jordon Cont. 2 & 8 they’re fake right? Looking closer into the Dr. David Kelley 8 situation we find conflicting information. On March 22nd 2011, David Elkington, Adventures in Archaeology 9 & 10 Cumorah Messenger an archeologist, issued a press release about Ziff 11 & 12 Lead Plates Found in Jordon continued books might have been made by follow- where these books were said to have been ers of Jesus in the decades immediately found…[Another] one of the things that following his crucifixion. "They will is most likely pointing towards a Chris- really match, and perhaps be more sig- tian provenance, is that these are not nificant than, the Dead Sea Scrolls," says scrolls but books. The Christians were Mr. Saad.4 particularly associated with writing in a “The hoard consists of up to 70 ring- book form rather than scroll form, and bound books (codices) made of lead and sealed books in particular as part of the copper. Many of them are sealed on all secret tradition of early Christianity.”4 sides. Scrolls, tablets and other artifacts, Philip Davies says the most powerful including an incense bowl, were also evidence for a Christian origin lies in found at the same site. Some of the lead plates cast into a picture map of the holy pages are written in a form of archaic city of Jerusalem. "As soon as I saw that, Hebrew script with ancient messianic I was dumbstruck. That struck me as so symbols. Some of the writing appears to obviously a Christian image," he says. be in a form of code.”3 "There is a cross in the foreground, and One of the only lines of texts to be behind it is what has to be the tomb [of translated from the books says “I shall Jesus], a small building with an opening, walk uprightly.”5 Several scriptures refer and behind that the walls of the city. to walking uprightly. Genesis 17:1-IV; There are walls depicted on other pages Psalms 15:2, 84:11-KV&IV; Proverbs of these books too and they almost cer- Above is an example of the size of the 2:7, 10:9, 15:21, 21:18-KV&IV; Micah tainly refer to Jerusalem." "It is a Chris- plates as well as the way they are bound 2:7-KV&IV. tian crucifixion taking place outside the together with rings. Some of them have Dr Margaret Barker said: “The Book city walls," says Mr. Davies.4 rings all the way around the book that of Revelation tells of a sealed book that Professor Davies also states: “My literally seal them shut. was opened only by the Messiah. Other own scrutiny suggests to me and to sev- texts from the period tell of sealed books eral of my colleagues that the form of the team include: of wisdom and of a secret tradition • The codices show many symbols of passed on by Jesus to his closest disci- the Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot, ples.”3 which was associated with the en- The team studying the plates is led thronement of the ancient Davidic by David Elkington, a British scholar of kings in Jerusalem, and later with the early Christianity and ancient religious coming of the Messiah.3 history. The team includes Dr. Margaret • There are clear images of the menorah Barker, Co-founder of the Temple Stud- (the seven branched lamp), leafy ies Group and former President of the branches and etrogim, the large citrus Society for Old Testament Study, and fruits used at Tabernacles.3 Professor Philip Davies, Emeritus Profes- • There are also fruiting palm trees, sor of Biblical Studies at Sheffield Uni- well known from coins of the late versity and an authority on the Dead Sea Here is an example of one of the larger vol- second temple period and the time of Scrolls. umes with many plates bound together by the Bar Kochba war.3 Margaret Barker states “We do know three large rings. A faint image of a menorah • There are blocks of paleo-Hebrew that on two occasions groups of refugees can be seen on the page to the left. script, which could be from the Has- from the troubles in Jerusalem fled east, monean period, 2nd-1st century BCE, they crossed the Jordan near Jericho and archaic Semitic script corresponds well to but the experts consulted to date be- then they fled east to very approximately what was used in the era 200 BCE-100 lieve these to be in code.3 CE. The codex format of the documents Only preliminary tests have been is also known to have been adopted by made on the plates so far, but the findings Christians from about the first century are: CE. However much of the writing ap- pears to be in code and many of the im- • The collection appears to be of mixed ages are unfamiliar. The possibility of a provenance. But initial metallurgical Hebrew-Christian origin is certainly sug- tests indicate that some of the books gested by the imagery and, if so, these made of lead could date from the first codices are likely to bring dramatic new century CE/AD, based on the form of light to our understanding of a very sig- corrosion which has taken place, nificant but so far little understood period which experts believe would be im- Close-up of the raised markings and 3 of history”.3 possible to achieve artificially. lettering on the lead plates. Some additional observations by the • Conducting tests on two samples of

Page 2 CUMORAH MESSENGER The Sator Square continued including Syria, Greece, Italy, Spain, Por- hollow plus sign that contains the same tugal, Germany, Austria and Hungary. In Aramaic “fish” at the center as the Greek all cases it is associated with Christian cross because it is the center of the Greek sites and it has never been found at a cross. What makes it stand out specifically Mithras site unless that site was later used by early Christians. Therefore, it certainly appears to be Christian. The accepted translation of the Sator Square is problematic. Just as all of the above information can be found on Wikipedia, so can the translations of each word. Sator—sower, planter, founder, progeni- tor (usually divine) originator. Arepo—(arrepo) (I) creep/move stealth- ily towards; also trust, or likely an in- vented proper name; its similarity with If all of the letters of the Sator as an Andrew’s Cross is that the center arrepo, from ad repo, “I creep towards” Square are used it creates the crosswords five squares seem to stand out because the may be coincidental. of “Pater Noster” which translates as the outer four squares all have the letter E. Tenet—hold, keep; comprehend; possess; first words of the Lord’s Prayer; “Our These aspects make the cross both cross- master; preserve. Father.” When creating this crossword linguistic and cross-cultural. Opera—(a) work, care; aid, service, (an) there are two As and two Os left over; The Es are most intriguing, but what effort/trouble. one Alpha and Omega for each “Our could they mean by themselves? I can find Rotas—(rota) wheel, rotate; (roto) (I) Father.” no Middle Eastern language in which they whirl around, revolve, rotate. carry any special significance. However, And from these word identifications in the Maya language the sound of the the translation of the Sator Square reads as letter E is used as a topic marker.1 Could it follows; “The farmer, Arepo, holds (and) be possible that Maya linguistic influence works (his) plow.” While grammatically is embedded here? If correct in Latin, the sentence is essentially the Magi were Mayan, nonsensical so why is this square related then yes, it might be to Christian sites only? Does an alternate possible. The Es are reading exist? Allow me to first reiterate positioned correctly to several accepted observations. imply that man (the fish) is the center and the main topic, and that specific expression of belief is both All of the above is essentially all Gnostic Christian and Maya Christian for available thru Wikipedia on the internet. “man” is the topic at hand. This may seem However, as I viewed the Sator Square I a bit far-fetched, but the Sator Square’s realized that I could see what I believed appearance in the Middle East does fit to be more. It appeared as though the chronologically with the Mayan Magi Sator Square was very similar to the visitation to the baby Christ child. And cryptogram from the Revelation of the there is more evidence still. All five words may be read left to Magi. The following is my opinion of The fish and the right, right to left, up to down and down to concepts imbedded in the Sator Square. four Ts surrounding it up. TENET is an anagram and its first and Many of the aspects about to be discussed form what is called a last letters are Ts which is a type of cross. strongly imply that the Sator Square is quincunx. In Mayan In fact, the words TENET form a cross cross-cultural, cross-linguistic, and possi- iconography the quin- (plus sign) on the face of the square. Each bly cross-dimensional. I will begin with cunx is used to depict T cross bar is flanked by an A and Greek aspects found in the Law of Center2 an O that render, “Alpha and this Latin cross. which states that the Omega; the first and the last.” Andrew’s Cross and the universe was created for the perfection of Moreover, that arrangement creates Greek Cross are both man. The outer four points of the quin- a Greek cross. Greek and the Andrew’s cunx are used to denote the four cardinal At the center of the Greek cross Cross can be found directions with man in the center. While I is an N which is Aramaic for “fish.” within the Greek cross. agree that the implied Mayan concepts do Man is the fish who is sought after The Andrew’s Cross is not prove that the Maya were involved it by the Fisher of Men (Christ). usually depicted as a may imply it. The quincunx was used

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 Page 3 The Sator Square continued throughout the Middle East, though as far as I know, no specific reason is given as to why the Middle East used it or of its particular origin. It also may be coin- cidental. There are other cultural traits to consider that may be important, an exam- ple is the Swastika. Yes, the sign that Hitler made infamous had been a good luck charm for centuries in India. There it was used to depict the four seasons of the Ursa Major constellation (the Big Dipper). This constellation was also im- portant to the Maya. and highlight- ing the spiritual definitions in red, this new Above: This Sator Square is found in France. translation ren- Right: This version was found on a ders, “God (the doorjamb in Pompeii, Italy. Father) says, ‘I Below: This example is found on Hadrian’s move stealthily, Wall in Manchester, England. in an effort to preserve my creations There are a few letter squares we (wheels).’” One have not yet considered such as the let- suggestion ters S, R and P. The S-R might be an interprets the important clue to the creators of the Sator plural wheels Square; this might as a reference to spheres.3 This certainly stand for “Shir” fits with the concept of “creations” as in which is the name of temporal creation and spiritual creation. the homeland given This concept is consistent with Gnostic or by the Magi in the Mayan theology, and if this square was Revelation of the invented by the Magi then it may have its Magi. Of course, this origins with the Maya instead of the is based on the as- Gnostics as proposed by some scholars. sumption that S-R is But, there is still more. read from the outer edge inward just as Since the Sator Square is based on with the other words. numerology (geometry), it seems that There are more clues available note that the first of the three examples, some form of numerological aspect could within the Sator Square. Note the pic- though written correctly, has the Ss re- be built into the square. For that to be true tures of the squares from France, Eng- versed. Yet, it is the best rendition of the the letters need to be converted to num- land and Pompeii. The last two begin three stones. I simply do not believe that bers, but using what format? There are with the word ROTAS with SATOR the ancients were that sloppy or lazy, yet several possibilities. I will attempt the placed at the bottom. Why? In these it my colleagues ignore these clues. conversion using several alphabets in the appears that the accepted translation While the reversed Ss might be a order given here as Latin, Greek, modern about the farmer Arepo and his plow tool employed by the artist to make sure English, and Hebrew. The three ancient would be correct because a plow is that the observer sees the palindrome, the alphabets used letters of their alphabets to drawn above the top line that contains ROTAS squares imply there is more. create numbers, but in the case of modern ROTAS. But, why write the sentence Could the ROTAS squares be focusing English I will assign numbers to the let- upside down? It seems that this is an one to look for the opposite or reversed ters. The modern English alphabet is be- indication that one should look deeper reading? If so, what would that be? A ing used as an object lesson. into the sentence. That is to say, read it reversal of what? Since these inscriptions In each case a Sator Square will be backwards or look at it in another way. are always associated with locations of displayed with the letters of the alphabet The first example shown has good gram- spiritual meetings then that seems to be a that have numeric values highlighted in mar, but the reversed ones do not. Fur- clue. That is to say, read the spiritual red, then one or more charts will be dis- ther, I know of no inscription that reads meaning not the temporal meaning. I then played illustrating the numeric values from the bottom up. Yet, this reversal is try to read the sentence with spiritual assigned to each alphabet letter. This will commonly found in Sator Squares. Also eyes. Returning to the word translations be followed by a Sator Square whose

Page 4 CUMORAH MESSENGER The Sator Square continued letters have been replaced by their nu- seems obvious that the “Isis” factor is ingful and that it is coincidence. Not only meric values. Finally, an attempt will be simply coincidental. This is especially is there no meaning to be extracted from made in each case to “read” any cryptic true since there is no other Greek numer- the series of 10, but even 30 or 50 provide messages hidden within the Sator Square ology message within the Sator Square. no satisfactory result. Therefore, there is numeric code. Before the search for secret mes- no secret message in English in the Sator Latin sages is begun with the Hebrew Kabala, I Square. However, you can be sure that Of the letters depicted on the Sator want to first demonstrate that the Hebrew someone will try to manufacture one. Square there is only one that holds any Kabala exercise may be meaningless. The Hebrew Kabala value in Latin and even that one is debat- This will be demonstrated by using the Before I begin on the Hebrew Kabala able. However, there is no need for de- modern English alphabet to show how it is important for the reader to understand bate since the letter in question is O. easily coincidences can happen. It is ob- how easily the Hebrew Kabala may be Classical Rome did not use a zero, and vious due to a separation of many centu- used on an item like the Sator Square. The there is some debate as to when the zero ries that the modern English alphabet was Hebrew Kabala not only gives numeric began to be used. As seen in our high- not a consideration when the Sator values to all of the Hebrew letters (as they lighted Latin letter Square was designed for the English lan- also do in Greek), but the Kabala goes a numeric Sator guage did not exist. However, this exer- step further and assigns specific concep- Square only the Os cise is done to demonstrate to the reader tual meanings to certain numbers. Those are highlighted. as to how a coincidence can “fog” the two factors make Kabala messages easy to Therefore, there is vision. extract. Because of the generic attachment no hidden message Modern English of concepts to the numbers no grammati- within the Sator The Sator Square letters are all cal rules are really needed. Moreover, all Square as far as found within the modern English alpha- of the concepts are religious which allow Latin is concerned. bet. This is due to the fact that the mod- them to be tied together fairly easily. Greek ern English alphabet essentially uses the Outside of the ease with which the All letters in the Greek alphabet Latin alphabet as its own (I will not dis- Kabala may be applied to an item like the have numeric values assigned to them cuss letters Sator Square, there are other Kabala rules therefore the entire Sator Square depict- such as “J” at to understand. Only about 5% – 7% of the ing the Greek alphabet (in Latin letters) is this point). In numbers between 1 and 1000 have con- highlighted red. Then a Sator Square is modern Eng- cepts assigned to them. And while this shown with those values replacing the lish numbers may seem to be a small percentage most letters within that square. When the are written in of these concepts are assigned to the num- Greek numeric values are added and then Arabic script, bers from 1 – 30. If a number does not resubmitted as Greek letters one can see therefore the have an assigned concept, then that num- that all five resulting words are meaning- modern Eng- ber may be broken down into multiples or less babble in the lish alphabet even single digits in order to extract a Greek language. has no nu- meaning; i.e. while the number 240 does The single meric value not have a specific concept attached to it, possible exception assigned to its it may be broken down in two ways. to that rule is the letters as do 240 = 24 x 10 middle line many ancient Or TENET. The re- alphabets such 240 = 2 – 4 – 0 sulting sum is 666. as Latin, Greek This rule makes conceptual extrac- In a curious carry and Hebrew. tions terribly easy to create. With all of the over from Egyp- To correct this above said, the Kabala extraction I am tian “666” nor- problem I will assign numeric values to about to create will prove nothing. The mally results in a the modern English alphabet. The letter A resultant extraction will only demonstrate message reading will equal 1, B will equal 2 and so forth the possibility of that reading. It will not “S-S-S,” but the down to Z that will equal 26. Those nu- demonstrate the probability of that read- Greeks had a meric values will be placed in the Sator ing. special take on Square. When those values are added by When highlighting the Sator Square this series as they rows and/or columns one finds three with the letters that related it to the sums; 73, 55, and 64. If those values are have numeric val- Egyptian God- changed back to letters the results are G- ues in the Kabala I dess of Isis. C, E-E, and F-D all of which have no find that only the Therefore, in apparent meaning. However, it is interest- Es have no nu- Greek the only ing to note those three numbers, when meric value, there- resultant mes- broken down to single digits and then fore those spaces sage would pos- added together, all equal the number 10. will have no value. sibly be “Isis.” It I believe that this event is not mean- Though, for the

Page 5 CUMORAH MESSENGER The Sator Square continued give the horizontal texts and then the same diagonal. The skipping of the Rs can vertical texts. I will virtually give a repe- be justified as they are not written back- tition (i.e. SATOR runs horizontally wards. This means that only the backward across the top and vertically down the letters are being read in the diagonal and first column). this creates several problems. As previ- Horizontal Texts ously suggested the diagonal corners con- 1. SATOR = the great labor of God’s taining S-R might be referring to the crea- work of judgment is expected. tor’s homeland, namely “Shir.” Now, with 2. AREPO = God’s expectancy of super our backward S-N-S reading, one is skip- labor (completeness). ping the Rs based upon the reversed letters 3. TENET = judgment, redemption, in a single Sator Square. That is to say, judgment these three reversed letters are only re- sake of clarity a zero will replace the E, 4. OPERA = super labor is expected by versed in this particular Sator Square. even though that is not exactly true for God. Most Sator Squares do not carry this letter the Es are not even zeros—they will be 5. ROTAS = expectancy of a labor of reversal phenomenon, therefore until it completely ignored when extracting the judgment is God’s work. can be demonstrated that more than one text. As stated there are two ways to util- Vertical Texts Sator Square has these particular letters ize the Kabala on the Sator Square. One 1. SATOR = the great labor of God’s reversed also it must be considered that is to read each line or row and the resul- work of judgment is expected. the letter reversal present is accidental and tant concepts or one may add the numeric 2. AREPO = God’s expectancy of super not meaningful. values in each row and read those resul- labor (completeness). Continu- tant concepts. Both methods will be at- 3. TENET = judgment, redemption, ing with possi- tempted. judgment ble Maya con- Hebrew Numeric Line Texts 4. OPERA = super labor is expected by nections on the These texts assign a particular con- God. backward S-N- cept to each number then the lines are 5. ROTAS = expectancy of a labor of S diagonal, it is read forward or backward, up or down, judgment is God’s work. possible that a but I will only give the renderings from Hebrew Sum Texts meaning in left to right and from top to bottom. The There are actually only three sums. Maya can make reader may extract the opposites if de- Therefore, there are only three messages. sense when sired, but will find repetition in so doing. 276 = the Son’s perfection is work. readings of both S-N and N-S are consid- Each Latin word (i.e. SATOR) ex- 287 = the Son’s super perfection. ered. Taking a linguistic clue from ancient presses a series of concepts that will be 68 = the super work or labor Hebrew where vowels are ignored, the S- strung together in a loosely formed sen- Cross-Cultural Concepts N (sen) in Maya means “much” or “a tence. In the illustration of this the con- Even more is possible to read into lot.”5 While N-S (niis) means “earth.”6 cepts have been color coded to demon- the Sator Square. When the Mexican Before a reading is made it must be clear strate their order since they do not per- Epigraphic Society began brainstorming that the only presently accepted form of fectly align with the numbers. I will first this cryptogram, participants Joni Glad- reading Maya is in hieroglyphics which do den, Nancy Burke, David Brown and I take vowels into account. However, it has made the following observations when been presented elsewhere7 that there are considering the backward N and the Maya texts in Ogam that are vowelless. backward Ss on the Sator Square from Therefore, there is support for the view of France. reading without vowels to comprehend the As a supportive aspect to Maya in- S-N-S diagonal in the Sator Square. So, if fluence it might be noted that the S and vowels are dropped and if coupled with the backward S denote penitence or re- the Aramaic fish (N) and the Mayan pentance in Maya iconography.4 Because iconographic repentance (S) the result is the Sator Square artist created the Ss essentially the following: “Man must re- backwards it draws the observer’s eyes to pent of most earthly things.” This state- that aspect and then one also notes the ment is profound and fits well with other backward N in the center. If this diagonal concepts in the Sator Square. The fact that is read cross-culturally (as occurs with it fits so well seems to be a testament that the Aramaic fish and the Greek cross) it is not coincidental. The previous Kabala then the diagonal reads in both Maya and reading shows TENET as translating to Aramaic. The rendering results in some- “judgment, repentance, judgment” which thing like, “Repent, fish, repent.” This follows through on that concept. So while rendering is very meaningful when read not provable as to being a correct rendi- this way, however this is only accom- tion, it is supportive of the cross-cultural plished by skipping the Rs within the concept.

Page 6 CUMORAH MESSENGER The Sator Square continued Meanwhile, this diagonal does These readings again fit the context man plays in the physical universe. So this draw attention to possibly reading the two of both the Mayan readings and the gen- Hebrew reading fits with complete accu- diagonal texts of the Sator Square using eral theme of the Sator Square. And racy, and it begs the question concerning the Kabala. One can readily see that they again, while not provable, they are most the opposing diagonal of R-P-N-P-R. are chiastic in nature which is present certainly supportive of the assumptions In the case of R-P-N-P-R only the throughout the Sator Square. The two made above. Therefore, one must at the middle letter is backwards and as it has diagonal lectures render S-R-N-R-S and very least, believe that these readings are already been determined the N renders an R-P-N-P-R. Therefore, these two diago- reasonable and at least one aspect that Aramaic word for fish, therefore I suspect nals should be investigated via the He- supports these readings is that the ques- that the reverse rule works in this case. brew Kabala, and they should be read tions of the usage and meanings of the R- That is to say, that the normal letters are to both as individual letters and as sums. P corners and the implications of the S- be read and not the ones that are reversed First the S-R-N-R-S lecture will be read N-S diagonals are addressed. resulting in R-P. This double consonant and then the R-P-N-P-R lecture will fol- There is even more new information renders a forced reading of R-P-A which low. concerning these two corner to corner curiously translates to “heal” or “stitch aspects. The reversal of the three letters together.”9 Of course, the final judgment S-N-S on the diagonal line brings another does “heal” all injustices and stitches to- question to mind. Does the reversal of gether all that is torn or broken, while it these three letters imply that they belong binds both the wounds of the hurting and to a language that should be read in re- the souls of the men to the level of glory verse? Since they create an anagram to which they have demonstrated in their A great work (is) expected (for) redemp- which reads the same both forward and physical life.10 tion (is) expected (for) a great work backward then there is no point in revers- Finally, this Hebrew connection also And the other diagonal reads: ing how S-N-S is read. Latin, Greek, ties to Maya symbolism. Whereas the Maya and English read from left to right; “bind” strengthens and emphasizes the is it possible that this three letter reversal square; that same square is comprised of is to guide the reader to read the letters in the Latin word ROTAS meaning “wheel” a language that reverses and goes from which can also be read as “spheres.”11 In right to left? Whether Hebrew or the Maya iconography this lends itself to the closely related Aramaic the results are the image of the square as the physical realm (It is) expected (that) a super labor (is same. of life “crossed” with the verbal image of needed for) redemption (for) a super la- In further re- spheres that allude to the spiritual realm.12 bor (is) expected viewing the diago- This concept was graphically depicted by Now for the sum renditions of these same nal we will suppos- the jade cube Pakal held in one hand and lectures. ing that only the S- the jade sphere he held in the other—a N-S should be read sacred (green jade) binding of the two because the Rs are realms. This is yet one more instance of not reversed. The incredible coincidence. Hebrew S-N-S Though these readings are compre- renders the mean- hensible, they do not prove that the Sator ing “bind.”8 I do Square was meant to be read with the Ka- not believe this bala in hand, but this exercise does show rendition is coinci- that it is possible and easily considered to dental for though be beyond coincidence. What I find far The first diagonal sum is 570 all of the other more intriguing are the aspects that appear which according to Kabala rules must be translations relate to have Mayan influence. I fully realize broken down to 5 and 70 (7 x 10). While to the final judg- that at this time there is no proof that the sum of the second diagonal is 610, ment this Hebrew Maya were involved in the design of the which renders 6 and 10, thus the lectures reading is extremely pertinent for the Sator Square, but I here provide a list of of the diagonals state something like the final judgment is one event to which all similarities and parallels between the following: humanity is bound. Moreover, the diago- cryptogram found in the Revelation of the 5 = Redemption nal position of this word serves to not Magi and the cryptogram of the Sator 70 = perfection spiritual order only relate the meaning that binds man to Square. This list is only valid if all of the “Redemption is (part of) spiritual eternal judgment, it also binds the square aspects of the Sator Square touched upon order, or Redemption to perfect spiritual into a whole as the mechanical purpose of in this article are true for at this time we order” a cross-brace is to create uniform strength have no proof—this is only theoretical. 6= labor throughout; this event will not be undone. Both cryptograms seem to have the 10 = perfection of divine order This bind also contains the word fish (N) following parallels: “Labor (is required for) perfection of at the center making another allusion to 1. Cross-cultural divine order” the Law of Center and the important role 2. Cross-linguistic

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 Page 7 The Sator Square continued 3. Cross-dimensional including the 70 Jordanian lead plate 5. Steede, Neil; Mesoamerican Ogam, 4. Bound by time restraints books. All I can say with confidence is unpublished manuscript. 5. Openly hidden that there is much more to the Sator 6. Opinion cited, pg 557. 6. Chiastic Square than what is presently reported. 7. Opinion cited, pg 472. 7. Numerological 8. Consultation with a forensic Hebre- 8. Focused on Christianity Footnotes wologist, Utah State University. 9. Found to have multi-layered symbol- 1. Hofling, Charles Andrew & Tesucun, 9. Consultation with a forensic Hebre- ism Felix Fernando; Itzaj Maya – Spanish wologist, Utah State University. 10. Neither use the name JESUS or – English Dictionary, University of 10. I Corinthians 15 where Paul discusses CHRIST Utah Press, Salt Lake City, UT, 1997. the glories of heaven that result from And this is only to name a few. Article on the letter “E”. the actions and choices of man while There are several advances to watch for 2. Sejourne, Laurette; Burning Water, in the flesh. in the future that may make the matter of Shambala Press, Berkley, 2000. 11. Wikipedia proof far more accessible. One is the 3. Wikipedia 12. Steede, Neil; Book of Mormon Ar- evolution of the Maya hieroglyph transla- 4. vonWuthenau, Alexander, Professor chaeology; Artifact by Artifact, 2008, tions. Another is future findings of early Emeritus University of the Americas, ESRS, PO Box 4175, Indep. MO, Christian texts similar to and possibly private communication. 64051.

Lead Plates Found in Jordon continued

surface corrosion that are they are forgery of? Most fakes are the book was "not a drawn from existing material, but there is recent production".1 nothing like this that I have seen.”6 • The verdict was In the months ahead we can look inconclusive without forward to the continued unfolding story more tests, but he of this remarkable find. If they are indeed (Peter Northover, genuine, they may be as important as the head of the materials Dead Sea Scroll find. science-based archae- Footnotes ology group) said the 1. http://www.thejc.com/judaism/judaism- composition was features/46028/heavy-metal-secrets-a- 'consistent with a mid-east-cave range of ancient 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ lead.'6 Jordan_Lead_Codices • Carbon dating on 3. http://www.scribd.com/doc/51540533/ Lead-Plates-Press-Release Here two luminaries are displayed below the twelve branches of a piece of leather 4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world- a tree; are these the two stars of the twelve tribes; Joseph and found with the plates, middle-east-12888421 Judah? As well as the two planets Jupiter and Saturn that com- with the image of a 5. http:// bined to form a star and announce Christ’s birth? crocodile on it, had results indicating its www.templestudy.com/2011/03/29/ metal from one book, Dr. Northover, about 2,000 years old.1 details-ancient-metal-plates-bbc/ a metals analyst at Oxford University, Margaret Barker concludes “If the 6. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ concluded that their composition was material is genuine then the books could article-1368252/Are-artefacts- "consistent with a range of ancient be 'vital and unique' evidence of the earli- discovered-remote-cave-secret- lead," and that it was clear from the est Christians. If they are a forgery, what writings-years-Jesus.html

Dr. David Kelley By Neil Steede © 2011

Doctor David Kelley of the Univer- Maya Calendar, strong evidences of Pre- meant even in opposition to his personal sity of Calgary has passed. His indelible Columbian transoceanic contact between views. These types of things are what mark upon Mesoamerican archaeology the Middle East and the Maya culture, made Dave great, but believe me there can never be erased—he was one of the conclusive evidence of institutional at- was more, much more. Big Three in Mayan archaeology. Dave tempts to destroy the Valsequillo evi- As far as I know, there is no other was incredibly well-read and well-versed. dence of man’s antiquity in the Americas “Dave” nor can there be. Dave, wherever Some of his contributions to Meso- (which, incidentally, was opposed to you are, I promise to attempt to live up to american archaeology include great addi- David’s own view of early man in ancient your expectation and always “go where tions in the reading of Maya hieroglyphs, America at that time). Dave followed the the evidence leads.” the understanding of the origins of the evidence no matter where it led, and that

Page 8 CUMORAH MESSENGER Adventures In Issue 9 Archaeology 2011

Let me show you how easy it is to learn Mayan math. When you first learned math, you counted on your fingers up to 10, then you start over, up to 20, then 30. In Mayan math you can use your fingers and toes. You count up to 20 and then start over and count up to 40, then 60. When you count 1, 2, 3, 4 fingers, that equals 4 dots in Mayan. When you get to 5 in Mayan you use a bar like a full hand of fingers. When you get to 10, you have 2 full hands or 2 bars. ( see figure 1 ) Now lets compare regular math to Mayan math. ( see Figure 2 ) 2 red Owls + 3 red Owls = 5 red Owls. In Mayan math that would be 2 dots + 3 dots = 1 bar. Look how the 3 green Fish are added to the 4 green Fish and how the 6 blue Jaguars are added to the 8 blue Jaguars. See, that was not too hard was it.

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 Page 9 In our math system we have the 1s, the 10s, the 100s, the 1000s, etc. Each level is 10 times larger than the previous level. The Maya went up 20 times each level. There are the 1s, the 20s, the 400s, the 8000s etc. When working with large numbers the Maya stacked their numbers. The smallest number 1-19 was on the bottom. The next row up would be for numbers 20-399. The next level up would be 400-7999. (see Figure 3) Extra Credit For those of you that want a bit more of a challenge, do the work sheet on the left. Extra, Extra Credit Find the answer to the problems below. There are now 5 levels. What comes after 8000?

http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/science/archaeology/ http://research.history.org/Archaeological_Research/KidsPage.cfm http://www.smm.org/sln/ma/index.html http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pyramids/ http://archaeology.la.asu.edu/teo/ http://www.digonsite.com/drdig/mesoamerica/15.html http://www.precolumbianweapons.com/ For questions e-mail me at [email protected]

Page 10 CUMORAH MESSENGER Ziff By Gary Woods and Neil Steede © 2011 (edited by David Brown) The Book of Mormon makes refer- application of mercury provided a natural was looking for a metal as strong as iron ence to an item called ziff,1 and it is ap- bonding agent for the gold laminate and but as oblivious to rust and corrosion as parent from the context that ziff is a fused to create an alloy called amalgam. gold. Monel is an alloy of copper and metal. This name is curious since the This type of plating required much less nickel. Unknown to most of present-day other metals given in the reference are gold and created a very durable surface. society, monel was discovered to have translated to an English word that allows The downside of this type of plating was been used anciently in South America.3 us to understand what type of metal is that when the gold was applied, the mer- There it was used to form metal “staples” being referenced. Why are the translated cury vaporizes into the air and probably that bound foundation stones together at words for gold, silver, copper, brass and slowly poisoned the artisan. As of the an ancient site in Tiahuanaco, Peru. How- iron provided while ziff is not? Was ziff a time of this article it has not been shown ever, the nickel used in the ancient staples metal that was not yet identified when the that this type of plating was practiced in was tested and determined to be meteorite Book of Mormon was translated so that Central America. Moreover, if this style nickel which is unique because of the an English word referent was not avail- was widely practiced in Mesoamerican it absence of phosphates. Moreover, the able to Joseph Smith Jr.? We believe seems reasonable that more processed crater from the meteorite strike was found there are two possible metals that might (refined) mercury would have been dis- to be a relatively short distance from the fit the reference, and if either of these covered by now.2 While mercury is rela- site. But, the only known nickel available possibilities is correct then each will re- tively easily percolated from heated feld- to Central American people would have quire a separate explanation as to why spar, making it possible that it was a been the nickel deposits in Canada, which they were not translated. commodity that the masses could refine seems to be an unlikely source due to its We must first look into what modern and personally own, these factors in and extensive distance. Moreover, thus far Mesoamerican archaeologists compre- of themselves do not prove that mercury only one small scrap of metal which hend concerning the metals that were was the allusive element called ziff. But, might possibly be monel has been found used by the natives of ancient Central if ziff is mercury why couldn’t Joseph in Mesoamerica and it still awaits test- America. Most present-day Meso- Smith Jr. translate that word from the ing.4 All of these conditions from the lack american archaeologists believe that the plates? Therefore, perhaps ziff is not mer- of nickel found in ancient artifacts to the native Central Americans only had gold, cury. In our effort to be thorough we now lack of its availability strongly imply that silver, and copper. Unnoticed by most, move to other possible elements and in monel is not ziff. However, it is important this view has notably changed within the doing this so it requires a brief discussion to consider the argument that the word past decade with a find at the ancient on brass. “monel” or even the word “copper- Maya city of Lamanai in Belize. The As far as it is known, brass has not nickel,” which is a lower grade of monel, discovery of a small terracotta flask about been discovered in Mesoamerica. It is a would not have an English-word transla- 1-inch in diameter and 3 inches tall was widely held professional opinion that tin tion when Joseph Smith Jr. was translat- found under a hollowed out ball court was not readily available in Central ing. marker. That flask sealed a mica lid in America. The absence of tin which is Therefore, of the two suspected met- place with pitch and contained a small required to blend with copper to make als that ziff could be, mercury seems to amount of mercury. So while most ar- brass causes professionals to believe that head the short list. One must remember chaeologists would not list mercury as the presence of brass in ancient Meso- that until the industrial age there was a lot one of the metals possessed by the Classi- america is ludicrous. Yet, brass is named of confusion surrounding the origin of cal Maya, evidence proves differently. in the scripture being considered. Since metals and alloys.5 Yet, it is known and At the moment there are few theories archaeologists have never reported find- accepted that man knew of Mercury in as to how this metal would have been ing brass it is automatically assumed by very early times,6 thus it should not be a used by the ancient Maya though some them that the natives of Central America great surprise that it was found at La- clues are available. The most accepted did not know of its existence. We suspect manai.7 But, why not translate the word theory is that the ancient Americans that brass has been found but very often ziff as mercury if in fact the author meant sniffed mercury vapors to get “high.” Of misidentified by the finder. Because brass mercury? course such actions would eventually is commonly yellowish in color and ar- It seems much more reasonable that cause the sniffer to suffer mercury poi- chaeologists are not metallurgists we ziff meant mercury as opposed to monel. soning which would eventually result in believe that some of the gold artifacts One argument for not identifying mer- death. found are actually misidentified and cury in the translation in 1830 might be While there is the possibility that should fall under the category of brass. that the claim of mercury would have mercury was used by the ancients in other Because archaeologists know that the only caused another reason for the out- ways, the evidence for this falls outside Native Americans did not have brass, right rejection of the Book of Mormon. of Mesoamerica region. During the last why spend time, money, or energy to test According to most archaeologists even decade it has been discovered that the anything? Never-the-less, brass is men- the claim of iron was enough to make South American natives at Tiahuanaco in tioned in the scripture, so ziff is not a them totally reject the authenticity of the Peru used mercury when plating items brass product. There is one more area of book, and in the 1830’s the only probable with gold. The mercury was painted onto discussion to consider. use for mercury would have been consid- the item that was later dipped or other- Monel is a metal that was discovered ered to have been thermometers. More- wise had melted gold applied. The pre- under a Navy contract in which the Navy over, consider the possibility that if mer-

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 Page 11 The Hill Cumorah Expedition Team, Inc is a Missouri not-for-profit corpo- We’re on the web at ration dedicated to the study, research and dissemination of information as www.hceti.org it pertains to the Book of Mormon. Our primary focus is to research and assemble archaeological and other related information to help establish the historical feasibility of the Book of Mormon. HILL CUMORAH EXPEDITION TEAM, INC Searching for Truth

c/o David B. Brown 311 N Lee Street Buckner, Mo 64016 Phone: 816-650-3904 E-mail: [email protected]

ContributorsContributors and and Editors Editors DavidDavid Brown Brown TerryNeil SteedeScott RandallNeil Steede Lawrence Children’s PageGary by Woods Terry and Chris Scott Children’sPhotographs Page by Terry provided and Chris by: Scott PatPhotographs Beebe and provided David Brown. by: Various Internet Sources

Ziff continued cury was named that its discovery at La- lean toward mercury as the element called 3. Neil Steede in “The Mysterious Ori- manai might have probably been “buried” ziff. gins of Man, Parts I & II,” BC Video, by those who do not want any evidential In our closing comment we wish to New York, NY. support for the Christian claims in the mention iron. Iron and steel are two items 4. This strange piece of metal was found Book of Mormon. Therefore, we can see that are listed separately but are in essence at Teotihuacan by Dr. Sergio Gomez some wisdom in not translating ziff even the same compound. Iron only needs a (private communication). Up to this if it was known word in the 1830s. small amount of carbon to become steel.8 time it is classified as an “unknown Conclusions The barrier of belief that needs to be over- metal” and still waits further testing. While both cases have good argu- come for Mesoamerican archeologists to And the strange hieroglyph found on ments for being so, neither can be proven accept the fact that the Native Americans its surface implies a South American to be ziff. It seems probable that ziff is used steel has already been scaled by origin as opposed to a local one. mercury because it is an element that them.9 Present times are most exciting. 5. http://www.yourdictionary.com/azoth; could have been easily obtained by any Footnotes: http:// enterprising Native American. Though 1. Book of Mormon Mosiah 7:6 “And he valsederholm.blogspot.com/2010/07/ monel is a possibility for ziff, it is not laid a tax of one fifth part of all they ziff-and-palaces-of-kings-noah- probable that the native Mesoamericans possessed; a fifth part of their gold and and.html; http://neon.mems.cmu.edu/ would have commonly possessed this of their silver; and a fifth part of their cramb/Processing/history.html alloy. For the moment ziff could be either ziff, and of their copper, and of their 6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury mercury or monel and only time will tell. brass and their iron; and a fifth part of 7. http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/ There are other opinions as to what ziff their fatlings; and also, a fifth part of all mayan/mayasites.html might be, and we must admit at this point their grain.” 8. Simply stirring molten iron with a that ziff might be neither mercury nor 2. There is a dubious report that a large green stick will cause enough carbon to monel. It could be that there is informa- stone box containing mercury was found enter the iron to become classified as tion yet to come forth that will make the in the tunnel beneath the Pyramid of the low-grade steel. identification of ziff an absolute and that Sun in Teotihuacan. See: Steede, Neil; 9. Hopefully the next newsletter will have it fits none of our proposed categories. The Stone Slabs of Teotihuacan, ESRS, more information on how those barri- However, from our view at this time we 2011. ers are being brought down.