In my book Christ’s Mission to Ancient South America, I describe the Inca temple in Cusco, Peru, and explain why it was probably built on the same site that Nephi constructed his original temple. Archaeologists know that the Inca temple the Spanish conquistadors found was rebuilt and improved over the centuries until it was the most expensive building ever constructed up to that time.
The Book of Mormon describes Nephi’s temple as being constructed after the manner of Solomon’s temple, but “not built of so many precious things: for they were not to be found upon the land” (2 Nephi 5:16). The sacred book also records how Nephi’s temple was transformed over time into a richly decorated shrine. Four hundred years after Nephi built his simple temple, king Noah: “caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of copper and of brass. And the seats which were set apart for the high priest, which were above all the other seats, he did ornament with pure gold” (Mosiah 11:10-11).
When the conquistadors first saw the temple in Cusco, they were stunned. The exterior and interior walls of the temple were lined with gold. They immediately plundered the world’s richest treasure. The soldiers melted down the gold into bars and shipped them to Spain. Besides the gold plates that lined the temple’s five buildings, what did the Spanish find within the temple walls? We will never know for sure, since all the items were destroyed. However, the Spanish conquistador recorded seeing two gold items. Archaeologist Brian Bauer noted that the Cusco temple included “the finest gold and silver objects of the empire, including “a seat of very fine gold.”[i] Cieza de Leon wrote that the Spaniards found in the temple two gold benches.[ii]
We also know that King Noah expanded the temple complex by building a very high tower near the temple (Mosiah 11:12). Next to the Inca temple in Cusco was a high tower.
You can read more about the Inca temple in Cusco, and how it mirrors ancient and modern temples of true worship, by requesting a free copy of the book Christ’s Mission in Ancient South America. Just email George Potter for an e-copy at follownephi@yahoo.com.
You can also learn more about ancient Book of Mormon sites in the Andes by going to YouTube and searching for our presentations at “Christ in Peru” or “christinperu.”
[i] Bauer, Ancient Cusco, 145.
[ii] Ibid,148.