LDS Tours By Mormon Encounter and the Artist John Zamudio
We proudly present the combination of both knowledge and skill to create a painting that doubtlessly will be a referent in the hearts and minds of all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ's visit to America.
While Carlos Alemán (LDS researcher) and John Zamudio (painter) were talking about the time period of the Meso-American cultures, and the people of the Book of Mormon, they realized that most of the paintings already in existence about the subject of Christ in America were showing places, details and cities of a time period far from the time when it is supposed that the Savior visited the new continent. As a result of this discussion, the creation of this project was born; illuminating paintings of Christ's visit to ancient America, showing a combination of the most interesting ruins of the Maya and other Meso-American civilizations, as well as the most accurate historical background about one of the greatest events that ever occurred on this continent, namely: The visit and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the ancient American people.
We give you a warm welcome to this project and sincerely hope you enjoy it.
John Zamudio and Carlos Alemán
About the painting
This painting contains authentic history, symbolism and a fascinating realism.
The place is called Edzna, the meaning of which is not totally clear at present. It could mean "home" or "the home of the itzáes".
The city dates back to 400 BC, and was established in a fertile valley. It's ditches were used as a defense, and it's first builders were apparently very industrious. They created one of the most amazing, technologically advanced Mayan cities.
Twelve men surround the Lord. One of them, a scribe, has brought his wife and children to hear the Lord while he writes the words that comes out of the Savior's mouth.
The temple had many changes in the first century AD, when the Maya added 12 house rooms to the building and crowned their work with the temple.
On one end the Ceiba, Uaca-xan tree or Tree of Life illustrates the Lord's teachings.
The yellow flowers represent the Tajonal flower, from which the non-stinger bee called Melipona or Zunab cab (Real Lady) makes it's honey.
According to their records, the Jaredite nation brought bees to this continent. What better bee to bring than a non-stinger bee. These bees, by the way, originated from Africa. (Ether 2:3)
The men are wearing on their shoulders a protection used by the ancient hunters, which would protect them from stray arrows when in the act of hunting. The main reason these were depicted in the painting was so the viewer might recognize them as what they simply are, hunters, listening the the Savior's words.
After all, the Savior chose fisherman in the Old World, but he promised to send hunters too.
(Jeremiah 16:16)
