Native American Hebrew like temples

Historians have recorded Native American temple practices similar to Hebrew temple practices

“They call themselves Aquanuskion (Algonquin), or ye Covenant People.”
(Louise Welles Murray 1908)

(Gaspesian/Micmac Indians)

“Not an Indian would ever dare to appear before the others without having in his hand, on his skin, or on his garments this sacred sign.”
(Clercq 1680 pg. 147)

Mosiah 11:10 – And he also 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.

(In reference to the Natchez of Mississippi, who said a race that preceded them built temples with much skill, and also taught them to build temples)

“Their temples were built with much skill and labor. They made very beautiful things with all kinds of materials, such as gold, silver, stones, wood, fabrics, feathers, and many other things in which they made their skill appear.
“A remarkable temple was situated in the town of Talmaco, upon the Savannah River, three miles distant from Cutifatchique, near Silver Bluff. It was more than one hundred feet in length, and fifty feet in width. The walls were high in proportion, and the roof steep and covered with mats of split cane, interwoven so compactly that they resembled the rush carpeting of the Moors.”
(Jones, The American Naturalist, Vol 3 1869)

“In 1934, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), was constructing a dam which would flood a portion of the Clinch River in East Tennessee. Because the area to be flooded included a Hopewell Native American mound, a group of archeologists were called in to excavate the site. The archeologists came upon an amazing discovery when they uncovered the ruins of a large stone and wood structure. So unlike any other find found at a Hopewell site, British Egyptologist, James Rendel Harris from the London Museum, was consulted. At the site, Harris identified the structure as an “Egyptian Temple”. A single newspaper article documents this account.
“In the center of the mound, about three feet from its surface, I uncovered a large sacrificial vase, or altar, forty-three inches in diameter, composed of a mixture of clay and river shells. The rim of the vase was three inches in height. The entire vessel had been molded in a large wicker basket, formed of split canes, and the leaves of the cane, the impressions of which were plainly visible upon the outer surface. The circle of the vase appeared to be almost mathematically correct. The surface of the altar was covered with a layer of ashes, about one inch in thickness, and these ashes had the appearance and composition of having been derived from the burning.”
(Jones, The American Naturalist, Vol 3 1869)

(During ancient times, Hebrews were commanded to maintain an eternal flame at the tabernacle/temple - Exodus 27:20, 21)

“Henri de Tonto, who travelled with de la Salle and wrote an extensive report, thought them most “polished” people he had seen. As with the Illinois and Natchez, they maintained a sacred fire that was never allowed to go out in their major Temple… an elaborate palace with decorated walls ten feet high.”
(A Cultural History of the Atlantic World, 1250-1820, by John K. Thornton)

“The Potta-wat-um-ees moved up Lake Michigan, and by taking with them, or for a time perpetuating the national fire, which according to tradition was sacredly kept alive in their more primitive days, they have obtained the name of “those who make or keep the fire,” which is the literal meaning of their tribal cognomen.”
(Warren Williams, Ojibwa History)

(Gaspesian/Micmac Indians)

“In a word, they value the [Greek style] Cross so highly that they order it to be interred with them in their coffins after death, in the belief that this Cross will bear them company in the other world, and that they would not be recognised by their ancestors if they had not with them the symbol and honourable token which distinguishes the Cross-bearers from all the other Indians of New France.”
(Clercq 1680 pg. 151)

(Incense)

To this day Native Americans hold tobacco sacred it is used in their religious ceremonies. As described by a Native American, when the tobacco smoke rises, it sends their prayers up to the creator. In the days of Moses and the Old Testament, incense was burned in the temple. It represented prayers ascending to God.

“Near Portsmouth, a flourishing town at the mouth of the Scioto, a medal was found in alluvial earth, several years since, by a Mr. White, a number of feet below the surface….This medal, I regret to state, is not in my possession, but it has been described to me by Gen. Robert Lucas and the Hon. Ezra Osborn, Esq. It was Masonic; the device on one side of it, represented a human heart with a sprig of cassia growing out of it; on the other side was a temple, with a cupola and spire, at the summit of which was a half moon, and there was a star in front of the temple. There were Roman letters on both sides of this medal, but what they were, Gen. Lucas and Judge Osborn have forgotten; they were probably abbreviations.”
(Atwater 1833, pg. 117)

The depiction on the right seems to show some type of religious ceremony being done in a bowl type alter. Notice the Greek style cross is present on the clothes of the Priest. The bowl on the left is an artifact that also gives the impression of an alter type vase. The bowl is from the Pine Tree Mound the depiction is from a Spiro Oklahoma artifact.

Below is an engineer drawing of an 1823 Hopewell mound believed to be fake? The engineer drawing was attributed to Maj. Isaac Roberdeau of a Hopewell mound in the shape of a Middle Eastern style lamp and menorah.

Hanukah happened after Lehi, so that is not a factor. But the menorah and eternal flame (oil lamp) were both commanded to be used in the temple by God. The menorah in this depiction is a nine stick menorah. According to Jewish traditions. A seven stick menorah could not be outside the temple. Jews would use a nine stick menorah outside the temple to adhere to the sacred nature of the menorah.
Hanukkah Mound and other Hopewell mounds:

When studying the Natchez temples many of the same implements found in Hebrew temples was also present in the Natchez temple. In Hebrew temples, you have a rectangular shaped building with high walls, all constructed and furnished with great craftsmanship and lavishness. Inside you have the menorah, an eternal light (oil lamp), a veil, and the Ark of the Covenant. The Natchez have many similarities. They have an eternal fire that it is held with such regard that if it goes out those responsible for it are put to death. They have an alter inside their temple. They have a curtain or veil. Behind the veil is a wicker basket that no one is allowed to open. The way that the Wicker basket is presented in their temple behind a curtain that nobody is allowed to view has obvious similarities to the Ark of the Covenant.

The Native American greeting is quite interesting. I’m sure many older people have seen the old western cowboy and Indian movies. Native Americans have greetings that are reminiscent of sustaining church members in there calling during sacrament meeting. They also have other types of greetings. The Native American greeting is to bring the right arm to the square and say “how”.

The Algonquin Indians have another greeting that after you have made a friendship with that tribe. There is a special way using both hands to greet a member of that tribe to show a friendship or trust has been established with that tribe. I can’t vouch for the source. I received this picture from Wayne May:

Freemasons of the 19^th and 20^th century have noticed similarities to Native American ceremonies and freemasonry. There have been some books written about this subject. Freemasons have assumed that the Native Americans have learned this from other Freemasons, but that is only an unverified idea. The other option is explained by the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

For more background on Free masonry see link

The Native American ceremony of Red Hand is very interesting. The tribes that conducted this ceremony in their long houses are the Iroquois, that being the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, or Mohawk. Keep in mind Red Hand is a Native American ceremony, nothing else. The account has been edited for relevance.

The proceedings began with 4 raps at the door. The candidate was brought in and listened to the story of Red Hand, the ancient leader. The candidate assumes the identity of the object of the story.

Red Hand was a young Chief who received certain mysterious knowledge from the Creator of All. He was kind, generous, and loved by all.

One day in battle, a poisoned arrow felled him. The enemy Indian rushed upon him, demanding the secret of his power or his life. Red Hand refused to divulge the secrets, so he was scalped.

A lone wolf came upon the body and howled so loud he brought all the animals from the forest. They each contributed a part of their bodies and revived the scalp, which they put on Red Hand’s head. They formed a circle around him and chanted for signs of life. Red Hand listened with his eyes closed when a voice asked him these questions:

VOICE: “Hast thou cleansed thyself from human guilt and impurity?”

RED HAND: “I have.”

VOICE: “Hast thou ill will toward any of thy fellow creatures?”

RED HAND: “I have not.”

VOICE: “Wilt thou trust and obey us, keeping thyself always chaste and valorous?”

RED HAND: “I will.”

VOICE: “Wilt thou hold this power with which we endow thee for thine own chosen company only?”

RED HAND: “I will.”

VOICE: “Wilt thou endure death or torture in its cause?”

RED HAND: “I will.”

VOICE: “”Wilt thou vow this secret never to be revealed save at thy death hour?’

RED HAND: “I will.”

VOICE: “Thy death hour will be revealed to thee; thou wilt be allowed to choose thy successor, and at the end of thy journey thou wilt be rewarded for faith and obedience.”

The circle drew closer and the brother who is the bear touched the breast of Red Hand. All stood erect. The bear grasped the hand of the leader who was to be raised, though slain, and by a strong grip pulled Red Hand to his feet.

http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/native_american_rituals.htm