Deseret News | Natural shrines abound in the Mountain West

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Natural shrines abound in the Mountain West

Anonymous | 1:15 p.m. April 25, 2009

Mae Tso is quoted as saying, "If you take us away to another land, we will not survive." Yet all archeological evidence suggests that the Navajo arrived in the Southwest no earlier than a few centuries before the Spaniards did, meaning that they originated in another land (or at least that they had been very slowly (over the course of millenia) passing through many lands).

I believe nature is sacred, but I also believe we can find the sacred in nature wherever we happen to be.

Lloyd | 2:37 p.m. April 25, 2009

To Anonymous. I agree with your final statement, but I feel it has nothing to do with the Navajos. A few centuries before the Spaniards and a couple since is certainly pleanty of time for a culture to grow and feel it is "their" land; and time for traditions and legends to emerge. It is sacred land to them.
Really, how many cultures have not been displaced; either by other cultures or natural changes such as drought?

Scott in Texas | 3:11 p.m. April 25, 2009

I visited the region numerous times as a child and into my teenage years. The beauty and serenity of these landmarks, particularly Rainbow Bridge and Navajo Mountain, made a deep impression on me, and it's easy to see why Navajos hold them sacred. Zion National Park, particularly the Temple of Sinewava (sp) is another that comes readily to mind as a place held sacred by Native Americans, and there are few other places, manmade or natural that make me feel closer to my Creator.

Comments continue below

Bart | 4:20 p.m. April 25, 2009

Bad first line. Christians associate nothing with temples!

John | 6:44 p.m. April 25, 2009

Bart, there are many christians of different denominations that associate temples as being holy places.

Re; John | 10:49 p.m. April 25, 2009

Huh?? Not in the current day and obviously not the the mormon ones.

John | 8:28 a.m. April 26, 2009

Bart you do not get around much. Just look in our own country in the south and some of the midwest not to mention other parts of the world and you will see temples erected that Christians consider sacred.

Fairness | 9:47 a.m. May 1, 2009

Christians who believe that Christ's atonement is so powerful that people who die without knowing about him or being able to accept him still have a chance to be saved through his grace associate with temples.

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