LDS Tours in Ek-Balam | LDS Tours in Cancun
One of the ancient Maya cities with the highest artistic and cultural wealth is Ek-Balam, an archaeological site located northeast of Merida, Yucatan, Chichen Itza forty minutes and two hours from Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Ek-Balam means “Star Jaguar”, apparently founded by a ruler with the same name, its greatest cultural expression and abundance occurred during the reign of their king UkitKanLekTok (850/900 AD) who, due to His greatness is depicted on monuments in the area, such as: The Ball and Column 1.
The extension of Ek-Balam came to be 12 km2, the center of the shielded room was built with three walls, lay within the ruling class and the nobility. The wall built also protected the most important buildings, such as: The Twin Oval Palace, the Acropolis and the Ball Game.
The Twins belong to group number 17, the construction is known under this name because it has two identical buildings built on one foundation.
The next building, the Oval Palace, is located in the South Square area has overlapping oval bodies, which were built 10 rooms. Its function was housing, but also believed that served as a ceremonial place, because they have been found different types of offerings and burials.
Later you can see the Acropolis is an enclosure that measures 162 meters wide and 32 high, has six levels stored inside chambers and chambers that communicate with each other. The building is decorated with geometric and plant, human sculptures molded stucco and sculptures of animals.
Another of the buildings you cannot miss is the ball game, where the ancient Maya performed this ancient ritual practice. The ball game is located in the center of the walled area is composed of structures 8 and 9. In building found numerous offerings, part of a frieze and vessels.
IN THE BOOK OF ALMA
SON OF ALMA – CHAPTER 1 TELLS:
Nehor teaches false doctrines, establishes a church, introduces priest craft and slays Gideon-Nehor is executed because of their crimes, are disseminated among the people priest craft and persecution-The priests are supported by their own work, the people cares for the poor and the Church flourishes. Approximately 91-88 B.C.
1 Now it happened that in the first year of the reign of the judges, who thereafter continued on the people of Nephi, because the king Mosiah had gone by way of all the earth, having fought the good fight, walking uprightly before God, not leaving who reign in his stead, but had established laws that the people recognized, therefore, were required to submit to the laws he had made.
2 And it came to pass in the first year of the reign of Alma in the judgment seat, he took a man for trial, a man of great stature and notable for its great strength.
3 And he had walked among the people, preaching what he claimed to be the word of God, pestering the church, declaring that every priest and teacher should be popular, and that they should work with their hands, but that the people should hold .
4 And also testified to the people that all mankind would be saved at the last day, and had no reason to fear nor tremble, but could raise their heads and rejoice, because the Lord had created all men, and also had redeemed all, and at last all men have eternal life.
5 And it happened that both taught these things, many believed in his words, and so many who began to hold him and give him money.
6 And he began to boast with pride of his heart, and very luxurious to wear, yea, and even began to establish a church according to what he preached.
7 And it came to going to preach to those who believed in his word, he found a man who belonged to the church of God, yea, one of his teachers, and began to compete vigorously with him in order to mislead the people of the church, but the man resisted, admonishing the words of God.
8 And this man’s name was Gideon, and was the same as was the instrument in the hands of God to free the captive people of Limhi.
9 Now, because Gideon withstood him with the words of God was wroth with Gideon, and drew his sword and began to beat him. And Gideon was well advanced in years, so could not take his punches, so died by the sword.
10 And the people of the church apprehended the man who killed him, and was brought before Alma to be judged by the crimes he had committed.
11 And it came to appear before Alma and defended with great courage.
12 But Alma said unto him, Behold, this is the first time that has been introduced among this people deception priesthood. And behold, not only are you guilty of the fraud, but have you tried to impose it by the sword, and if priest craft was imposed upon this people, result in their utter destruction.
13 And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yes, a man who has done much good among this people, and if youus forgive, their blood would come upon us for vengeance.
14 Therefore, you are condemned to die, according to the law given to us by Mosiah, our last king, and that these people have recognized, so these people due to submit to the law.
15 And they took pass-and-Nehor was called and took him to the top of the hill Manti, and there he did admit, or rather, admitted between heaven and earth, that what he had taught the people was contrary to the Word of God, and there he suffered an ignominious death.
16 However, this did not stop with the dissemination of priest craft on earth, for there were many who loved the vanities of the world, and went forth preaching false doctrine, and did so for the sake of riches and honors.
17 However, not daring to lie, if it became known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished, so pretended to preach according to their belief, and the law could not exercise any power in any man for his belief.
18 And did not dare to steal, for fear of the law because they were punished, nor dared to steal or murder because the murderer was punished with death.
19 Now it happened that those who did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those who belonged to her and had taken upon themselves the name of Christ.
20 Yes, the persecuted and reviled with every word, and this because of his humility, because they were proud of their very eyes, and because they taught one another the word of God without Money and without price.
21 However, there was a strict law among the people of the church, that no man who belonged to the church was put to persecute those who did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.
22 However, there were among them many who began to wax proud, and contend hotly with his adversaries, even to hit, yes, punched each other.
23 This happened in the second year of the reign of Alma, and was the cause of much affliction to the church itself was the cause of much trouble in it.
The journey to this wonderful archaeological site is scheduled to take place in two hours, check the itinerary of Alma’s LDS Tours to know the other activities that could be scheduled for you and your family during your visit in Yucatan Peninsula.
