He Walked the Americas

by L. Taylor Hansen

Almost two thousand years ago a mysterious white man walked from tribe to tribe among the American Nations. He came to Peru from the Pacific. He traveled through the South and Central America, among the Mayans, into Mexico and all of North America, then back to ancient Tula, from whence he departed across the Atlantic to the land of his origin. Who was this white Prophet who spoke a thousand languages, healed the sick, raised the dead, and taught in the same words a Jesus Himself? These are true Indian legends, gathered during twenty-five years of research by L. Taylor Hansen, archologist, from many different tribes all over the Americas. By consulting museums, libraries and experts on folk-lore, it has been possible to correlate the findings into this fascinating book, backed up by the spades of the diggers into ancient ruins, and by all the sciences with which L. Taylor Hansen is familiar. This is a book that will back up the New Testament of the East, with the Christian Indian legends of the West. In this book is proof that the Savior came not only to one continent, but to all the world. This book will strengthen your faith as no other could!

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Mormonism

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1963

About the author

Lucile Taylor Hansen

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed reading this book. It was a collection of stories centered around a person described as a Prophet, a Healer, and stranger who spoke many languages. These different stories come from various Nations of the Native American people like the Inca, Shawnee, Maya and Aztecs, Seminole, and from various geographic regions like Native American Oklahoma, Guatemala, Mexico, and others. The Healer was a pale-skinned man with a beard and robe who came from the ocean.

And just as mysteriously as he appeared he went back and became legend.

The interesting fact is the author is non-LDS and this chronicle parallels the Book of Mormon account of Jesus Christ visiting the America's after his death.

Overall pretty cool book about a topic little discussed. Thanks!

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fascinating--it's a collection of legends from native groups all over the Americas and islands about a white God that taught them to love one another, had marks in His hands, had the power to move mountains, and organized twelve disciples. From a personal perspective, the interesting thing is that the Author is not LDS and not affiliated with the LDS church--she concludes that this Man was a prophet. But for anyone that believes the Book of Mormon or that the Savior visited his "other sheep" in the Americas, it's glaringly obvious who this Man was.

[Gregory Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The important thing to know about this book is that the author is not affiliated in any way with the LDS Church.

This book is really really good up until the point at which she completely misses the big picture.
She spent a lot of time doing a lot of research about the beliefs of Native Americans about a pale skinned or white god that came among them, taught a gospel, organized a governing body of 12 men, established lodges with secret signs and symbols, established a priesthood authorirty, and so forth.
Discusses the many miracles he performed while among the various tribes and even shares the names by which he was known to the various tribes. To the Chippewa tribe he was known as CHEEZOOS...
She learned from the Apache that the Sun dance was done to memorialize him who was pierced and raised up on the pole.
She also discusses what was told to her about the great cities and trade routes that once existed along the major rivers in North America and how the populations of the various tribes were decimated as a result of their many wars and conflicts.
(See the writings of Hubert H. BANCROFT and his studies on The Mound Builders and other Native Races of North america... http://www.bookofmormongeography.net/...)

As she travels further south through Mexico and eventually into South America and then to the South Pacific Islands, the traditions tend to stray further and further away from what was gathered from the Northern tribes.
In the end, she never quite accepts that it was actually Jesus that walked among the Native Americans but possibly a disciple or devoted follower if not just a preist of some sort.

I got what I needed from the book anyway.

[CynthyB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! L. Taylor Hansen has gathered the oral histories concerning the pale God who visited native American tribes all over the Americas. It is a fascinating collection of stories and legends that are remarkably similar in the their description of the Prophet who came from the far off land across the ocean. The Prophet was also known as Kate-Zahl (Quetzalcoatl), Vira Cocha, Mahnt-Azoma, Chee-zoos, Tah-co-mah, The Healer, The Lord-of-Wind-and-Water, Wakea, and other names depending on the location. The stories are recorded as they were told to Hansen during the 1950s and 60s.

A fascinating read!

[Apzmarshl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of stories gathered from Islanders as well as North, Central, and South American natives. The legends describe their dealings with the great Prophet. Fascinating.

Max and Co made it most of the way through, while we studied the places by map and made Native American crafts.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much of this book reads like scripture. What I mean is that while reading, the sacred and revered nature of many of the Native American legends comes through quite strongly. I found the subject matter to be very interesting, especially because the stories of the Prophet coincide so well with the Book of Mormon's account of Jesus Christ visiting the Americas. Being a Mormon myself, this is endlessly fascinating because Ms. Hansen was not a Mormon nor affiliated with the LDS Church.
Praise aside, I was disappointed in the poorly documented and poorly referenced nature of the book. It was written almost 50 years ago, and I don't know what the standards in anthropological works were then, but I think that Ms. Hansen didn't meet them. The book ends up as more of a story and less a scientific work. The bibliography is extensive but many of the works in it were claimed as lost, destroyed, or "very difficult to find". So that was another big disappointment. The spelling of native words was casual at best and varied considerably. Many artifacts were described in detail, but very few photographs or illustrations accompanied them. However, the book was riddled with photographs and illustrations mostly of Mesoamerican origin, but they seemed to have nothing at all to do with the text and were essentially misleading fluff put in to make the book attractive.
The topic of the book is so interesting to me that I almost want to redo the research myself in a more comprehensive and scientific way. But since anthropology, and more specifically Native American legends and Mesoamerican hieroglyphics are not my forte, I'll have to leave that to someone else.

[Jenny Tibbetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I truly understood the native American tribes, first Nation Tribes, Polynesians, ancient indigenous peoples of South America on a whole new level. You can feel the spirits of the past literally speak to you in the words of this author. To know that L. Taylor Hansen traveled for many years and interviewed many of the elderly populations among the tribes (the ones who could still remember their grandfathers stories) was a touching addition to the reality of how much work and research went into her book.

[jacqs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat hard to follow and a little dry and repetitive. I often wondered about the sources and the veracity of the accounts. However, the basic premise is very interesting, that Jesus or another Essene visited people around the Americas during the time of Jesus.

[Ernie Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seminal work was written by L. (Linda) Taylor Hansen who happens Not to be LDS as far as we know. She documents Christ's visits to Ancient America "after" Book of Mormon times. It's really quite the classic.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so interesting. It really solidifies to me what LDS people believe about Christ visiting the people in the Americas. Well worth the read.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about legends of a white man who taught the native people of America (N&S)the gospel. It is very interesting and is told through the Native legends. I thought it was fascinating.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, He did, He walked the Americas.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the stories in this book were really interesting, however the writing of them left something to be desired. This is a collection of mostly Native American legends about a Prophet who came. I would just really have liked some context to the stories. Where was the she when she heard the stories? What questions did she ask that brought the answers? It just felt too stilted.

That said, I didn't realize there were so many Native American traditions that included Christ. (She kind of missed the boat when she just counted Him as a great prophet. She should read the Book of Mormon.) :) There were things in here that gave me some really good food for thought.

[Paul Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recounts stories from those who lived in the Americas long before the arrival of English or Spaniards. These are remarkable tales about a bearded prophet who taught peace and performed miracles. He had the sign of a cross in his palms and on the fringes of his long white robe.

I think some of the stories could be visits of Jesus Christ to peoples in the Americas.

I felt the spirit warm me, and I wanted to as much as force for good as he was.

I first read this decades ago, but wanted to reread it to record it here.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to rate this book. The content is fascinating, but it has few and very unconventional footnotes. I found myself compelled to keep reading, even though I wasn't sure what to make of the stories. I find myself wondering about the secrets of the past, where sacred things are couched in symbolic legend or in silence; about lost-lost documents destroyed by invading armies; about evidences and artifacts which are discarded because they don't fit current narratives and assumptions. This book will give me much to ponder in coming days.

[Fabrizio Poli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a few years ago for the first time and just recently revisited the book. This is well researched and I was aware of the Mound builders from the Book of Mormon. There is a lot of evidence throughout American Indian folklore, traditions, spiritual practices and lots more that a White God/Prophet visited them. He brought peace, taught prosperity and was also a healer. He showed the people a philosophy of life that brought peace and happiness. If you enjoyed this book you must read both the Book of Mormon and the Nemenhah Records.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of oral histories about a "white god" or prophet that came to visit the people in the Americas. It's interesting to see the somewhat similarities in each story, but because nothing comes from a written record, the stories vary dramatically. It's obvious who this person was--Jesus Christ, but the author never directly states that.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been familiar with the stories of Quetzalcoatl, and was fascinated to learn that is just one of many legends wherein a “Fair one” “God of Wind and Water,” “The Prophet” or “Plumed Serpent” walked the ancient America’s about 2,000 years ago. Such a wonderful book which inspires much wonder and important questions as well!

[Cherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating legends and traditions involve a man who taught the people to love, to take care of each other, and taught them agricultural skills and how he appears in many different tribal stories and legends.

[JC Elkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clear example of a history that is near extinction due to the action of conquering peoples, assimilation into the conquerors' culture, and an oral tradition that is dying out. Newly discovered artifacts could be informed by the knowledge lost.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting collection of some fascinating tales.

[Brent Winslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compendium of stories from various countries regarding visits from a white-clad prophet approximately 2,000 years ago. "Other sheep I have."

[Heather Judd · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fascinating... but about half way through all of the stories started sounding the exact same and, while it proved the point, it was a bit redundant.

[Abby Wheelwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the legends, and learned about native tribes, some of whom are certainly related to me.

Interesting thoughts:

Crosses on palms

The stories all say that the Prophet/Healer/Lord of Wind and Water had crosses in the palms of his hands, scars. I did some research, and since Romans used square, tapered nails, with sharp corners, which widened the wound as they went in, it might be possible to leave a scar (probably small) shaped like an X or cross after a crucifixion. Such scars would not be common, as crucifixion was usually done by rope, not nails. Also, bodies would be dead before they had a chance to heal and scar. It's worth noting that Native American crosses resemble a plus sign, and are not offset, or shorter on top like the crosses of modern Christianity.

The Healer's appearance

The chants describe the Healer as a tall, pale God, with light, curly hair, green -gray eyes, and a beard. It's known that ancient or primitive languages don't have words for colors, until they develop them over time. The first colors are always white and black. Next red, then yellow and green, (either may come first,) then blue. Blue is last, and frequently, until there is a word for blue, the word for green is used for both. This is because, although blue was visible in the sky and sea, most cultures lacked blue dyes, or any way to make blue. Hence, there was no need to have a word explaining just what hue was wanted. As cultures advance, they develop a word for blue. Since the languages and cultures in the Americas were young, and constantly changing, it's likely that many didn't have a word for blue. What I'm saying here is, the Prophet's eyes may have been blue, but were described as gray-green, or like the sea. One legend calls them blue like turquoise stone.

I also found out that Middle Easterners do carry genes for blue eyes, green eyes, pale skin, and red or blond hair. In fact these genes originated in the Middle East, and can be found mostly on the Levant. They are not common, but they do occur, without any European genes. You may easily find pictures on a web search. Additionally, an excavated cave in Upper Galilee contained skeletons from 6000 years ago, and about half of them carried the allele for blue eyes and light skin.

(This means that saying Jesus was pale or light eyed is not inherently racist, or inaccurate.) Since I haven't seen Jesus myself, I am trying to learn from those who have. The new testament doesn't tell, but these legends, and other accounts do. I pondered this a good deal because of Joseph Smith reportedly saying that Jesus was pale and had blue eyes. Doctrinally speaking, colors don't really matter, but it's interesting. This isn't to say Jesus can't appear to different people in different ways, but it makes more sense to me to be consistent, and more easily recognized because of consistency. Also, Jesus was not one to trick or confuse. He was certainly very honest, and it would make sense for him to look like himself.

From the book, I found many things interesting, such as how quetzal feathers or birds, represent wind and air, and serpents represent water. Tl means Lord. Quetzalcoatl means Lord of wind and water. Kate Zahl sounds like quetzal.

I'm enjoying how the legends subtly teach us that instead of a god for wind, another for water, fire, earth, lightning, animals etc., there is just one who commands all.

Every part was interesting, including the bibliography.

The downsides are these: sometimes the legends are difficult to follow, using words with multiple meanings. Also, it's a pity we can't access many of the sources.

I enjoyed doing research on the things I read, including learning about the mounds, terraces, and water systems in Chihuahua. Also, the meaning of many names, including Chihuahua. I found the symbols of the cross in native American traditions most fascinating.

And I learned a tiny bit about the cross tattoo, in between the thumb and first finger of the hand. Namely, people sometimes have it. I haven't found out why.

[David Nishimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have throughly enjoyed retracing the trail of Christ in America. There are a number of connections I was aware of but unable to link until after reading the book.

The Pale one taught the doctrines of Christ.

The pale one went to ek balaam where the priesthood of the tiger waited to deceive and kill him. The priests wanted him to accept their sacrifice and become the hypocrite by going against his teachings of human sacrifice. If he did not take the sacrifice he would be a man and the priests would grab him and sacrifice him to their idol false god. They had cannibalized their society and rule by the fear of their sacrifices. The priest were like ravenous beady. In many ways they were provoking a show down between Jehovah and the priest of Baal as was done in Israel.
The pale walked along the highway receiving flowers placed in his path. He enjoyed the gesture of love. He had become a beacon of freedom from the priests. He healed the sick and injured, as he had done in Israel. Some were heal by touching his garment. He was a holy man, a God in the flesh walking among them. The multitude of people increased as his fame increased. They walked to see the messiah. He had a mission to complete. He was walking towards the temple to cast out the corrupt priest cast. He walked into the court of the bloody tiger and the people joined him. In times past, entrance to the court with permission would have meant death by sacrifice.
The pale one was confronted by the priest of the bloody tiger. The priest wanted to know if the pale one came as a man or God. He was confident in his plot to deceive and denounce the pale one. It was not the believe of the wicked priest that he pale one was a God. Why should he believe? Seeing was not believing. The priest appealed to the pale ones ego calling him a god and called to have a human sacrifice brought to be sacrificed to the God. The priest was screaming the pale one was a demon. Before the priest could slay the victim bound in chains. The pale one touched the chain holding the man captive and they shattered. The pale raised his hands at the attacking priest and the torn flesh in his hands were visible. The victim walked down the steps of the temple back among the people. The people saw the miracles and knew the deliverer had come. The priest rose to slay the messiah but he could not. The power of the pale one prevented him from action. The priest cast had lost their grasp over the people.
The pale one taught the nations that live by the law of the jungle, kill or be kill, do not survive over time. Empires do not last because people can not tolerate the oppression long term

[Cameron Reid Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always had a love, respect, and fascination for Native American history, and I love so much of their spirituality and storytelling traditions. This book is really interesting from that little anthropologist in me (I had a great anthropology teacher in my undergrad). This book is a collection of stories that an anthropologist noticed being told in many different tribes from the southern tip of South America all the way to Alaska and so she started to investigate and record these stories and put them in a book. I also find it interesting that the author wrote this book specifically to build people's faith in Christ and that He is over all people.

A number of interesting parts of this book are that some tribes had no problem telling the story of the prophet and other tribes held this story so sacred that they will ether only share with specific stipulations or they would punish the person who shared the story (one person was made blind in both eyes because he shared the story outside the tribe).

[Tym · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up LDS (Mormon) but I haven't practiced the religion in over 15 years so I have a unique experience from the average reader of this volume. I had given it a 2-star rating, mostly because there are some "facts" that aren't exactly correct and it can mislead someone to make false correlations. However, I must say for what it is trying to do this book does a good job. The illustrations are very pretty and the writing flows well and while a bit dated it still is an easy read. I can't recommend it to anyone who isn't LDS as it is not a good introduction to the LDS religion. I would recommend going straight to the horse's mouth and read the Book of Mormon. I upped it to 3 stars.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

First printing from 1963 so there isn't an ISBN.

Interesting book with some interesting theories. The bibliography gives some further reading, if you can find them as they are quite old books long out of print.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collection of Indian tales from North and South America of the travels of a white god. Arranged in a geographical and chronological order that fits the stories together in a logical way.

[Joe Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting. Curious. But not exactly thrilling reading.