The Ancients: Zarathustra

A lecture by Wesley Cecil PhD. on the influence of Zoroastrianism and Persian civilization on our culture. Delivered at Peninsula College. This is the first in a series that will include lectures on Confucius, Lao Tzu and more.

[@calebgoodfellowcg]

I love this lecture. One thing I want to point out is that some linguistic work has been done in the Avestan language that has kind of changed some of the notions of what Zarathustra himself was teaching quite dramatically. One of the big ones is that the word Mainyu better translate to mind, mentality, or way of being, rather than as spirit. What this does is shifts Zarathustra’s work from spiritual to conscious. For instance Ahriman/Angra Mainyu better translates to destructive mentality. So this, along with understanding that Asha was Zarathustra’s main point, shows that there isn’t really a strong spiritualism, instead it’s a strong dual mental and physical reality. I also want to add that good and evil isn’t entirely an accurate way of understanding Zarathustra’s message. by taking out the concept of Asha you lose the main point of Zarathustra. Asha directly translate to truth, but is best seen as the truth about the ideal reality in which everything is in perfect harmonic happiness and nothing occurs at the expense of another. Zarathustra then says that since we are capable of recognizing in our good minds Asha, how things ideally should be, so we are responsible for the fact that we recognize that something should be different. So good and evil are seen as whether something works toward Asha or strives against it. A couple other notes. Zarathustra describes life after death as states of consciousness. And describes the ultimate good end as the endless lights and the house of song. The Amesha Spentas (archangels) are aspects of Ahura Mazda that humans can possess. And Ahura Mazda means Lord Wisdom/ the wise Lord/Lord of Wisdom, and I believe logically is an abstraction from the concept of Asha. Again all these points are modern reconstructions of Zarathustra’s message and haven’t been believed in this way for millennia. The way Wes explains it is how it evolved, likely due to assimilating other polytheistic religions as well as personalizing the abstract, and how many Zoroastrians today believe it.

[@tigerlilysoma588]

Damn good info. Thanks for sharing

[@climatedamage1811]

In social psychology, Gods equal the significant other; God equals the generalized other.

[@calebgoodfellowcg]

@@climatedamage1811 what’s your source for this? Which social psychologist has made such a simplistic over generalized claim?

[@thomasnash8603]

I have read a lot of books and papers on Zoroastrianism and I have never read a synopsis of it as beautifully written as yours. I particularly enjoyed how you are putting the concept of Asha back to its central place in Zoroastrianism. Most scholars have lost sight of how fundamental it is to the philosophy of Zoroastrianism. Something that might be of interest to you is how closely Asha resembles the concept of Ma'at in ancient Egyptian religion. If Asha did not have a direct equivalent in the Vedic concept of Rta one could have said that Ma'at was the origin of Asha. What is truly ironic and sad is the direct religious descendant of Zoroastrianism and it sublime philosophy is Shi'ism which could not more contrary to the teachings and philosophy of Zoroaster.

[@calebgoodfellowcg]

@@thomasnash8603 Thank you very much, my conception of it at the time was heavily inspired by Dr KD Irani, who I’d highly recommend listening to his interviews if you haven’t before. Now I might explain Asha more along the lines of “order of existence” or “laws of the universe”, although my thinking hasn’t strayed far from Dr Irani’s. To your last point, I as well am very disappointed in Shi’ism, although I wouldn’t call it the descendent of Zoroastrianism. Rather it is the descendant of old Iranian Sunni Islam, both of which were the greatest opponents to Zoroastrianism. There are extremely strong remnants of Zoroastrianism in the common Iranian thought as well as in common conceptions of Islam and religion, but that doesn’t exist in the Institution of Twelver Shi’ism. For instance, the great Shahnameh is in large part a retelling of the stories in the Yashts section of the Avesta. Many names are middle or new Persian equivalents of Zoroastrian names (albeit usually from the Shahnameh), their calendar and it’s month names are Middle Persian of the Amesha Spentas, and even the Persian name for God “Khoda” comes from one of the names for Ahura Mazda, Khvatay. Zoroastrianism does have descendants in Greek Philosophy, in minor(ish) ways in the classically well know ones, but more so on figures like Heraclitus who seems to be just restating Zoroastrian theology/philosophy in certain areas. Mahayana Buddhism seems to be heavily inspired by the more popular version of Zoroastrianism. And Baha’iism also could be seen as a descendant of Zoroastrian, although it bares more resemblance with Islam. There are Zoroastrians still alive today though, and many are still continuing the philosophical tradition. There are some in India called the Parsis, and Iran and in the Iranian diaspora. Numbers are hard, but official Zoroastrians are at about 100 to 200 thousand. There’s a decent chance there’s many more informal Zoroastrian or those found of it. I recently read a study by GAMAAN that found 7% of Iranians identifying as Zoroastrian, which would roughly be 6 million Iranians. None of which would be legally allowed to convert or even practice. Even if the study is off it is very likely there are a lot of people very interested in the faith in Iran. There could be a similar case with the Kurds in Iran, Turkey, and especially Iraq, although I haven’t seen any studies and it’s still something they want to keep hidden for safety. I’m glad you found my synopsis interesting. I have been learning Avestan and working on translating the Gathas of Zarathustra the last 6 months and plan to write a book including that translation and an explanation of his philosophy. I’m glad to know that my viewpoint resonates with some.

[@daraarmand1221]

Wow, finally an honest recognition of Zaratoshtra's philosophy and its global impact. He believed in Godhood of man and saw the world as a garden that we shall cultivate and perfect through Good (constructive) thought, words and actions which form a loop of feedback and as a result help us in defeating Angra-Meinhu (the devil or darkness). A truly simple yet complex philosophy that is transformational in the most positive of fashions. Thank you WES.

[@clauclaux]

Please never stop. I ve had uninterested and uninteresting teachers for 15 years straight. Your lectures are beautiful. I just discovered them and plan to listen to all in the next months.

[@IvanVesely920]

Have you listened to all?

[@jebidiahnewkedkracker1025]

No kidding!! This is one of those RARE KZbin "videos", that not only I listened to ALL the way through without pausing it. (And strangely enough KZbin itself did not interrupt MY "viewing" of it with a single ad!!!)

[@chrissearer1896]

@@jebidiahnewkedkracker1025 Awesome 🤩

[@jebidiahnewkedkracker1025]

Astounding lecture!! Thank you for posting it and thank You Ahura Mazda for letting me stumble on it.😃😃😃😃😃 PS Don't know if I should feel sorry for, or be disgusted at, anyone who does not PAY** attention to this lecture or lacks the attention span to do so. **Assuming you are a genuine SEEKER, you PAY attention to this lecture you WILL get a return on your "investment" of time and attention span.

[@erisdiscord1618]

This was so great to listen to while drawing! Thank you for sharing your lectures. You are one of the few people who explain philosophy well without tainting it with confusion and boredom.

[@InTheRhettRow]

The most interesting and influential religion of all time. Mankinds history (at least post-agriculture) should be defined as pre-Zarathustra and post-Zarathustra.

[@Stroganoffskji]

A big thank you for recording and uploading your lectures Wes. It is truly an amazing time to live in when one can be laying on the couch at home and still be able to listen to your lectures :) Best regards from Sweden

[@ike25young]

Indeed!

[@rleague685]

Lying on the couch

[@firstal3799]

Hello. Just a question. I have seen a lot of Swedes with very good English. Is this comon in Sweden ?

[@Stroganoffskji]

@@firstal3799 Hi, yeah, kind of. English classes is mandatory in swedish schools. We take english classes for about five or six years (at least). We also have A LOT of exposure to english via movies and music, as nothing is dubbed over to swedish; we get everything in it's original language, with subtitles (and we consume mostly american/brittish media, beside swedish, as we understand the english language).

[@ArtOfWarStudios1]

Wes, I've been STARVING for new lectures!!!! Thank You!

[@erwinaquinde7211]

Art Of War Studios Introduction 17 But this was not the only people to whom the Lord had given his laws and his gospel and had blessed with the Priesthood that would allow the children of men to establish churches and places of worship among them. 18 And I have explained unto you that the Lord is no respecter of persons; and that one nation is just as important to him as another. And he sendeth forth his prophets among all his children, even unto as many as will hear his words. The Birth Of Zarathustra 42 And it came to pass that there lived a man and his wife in the eastern part of the wilderness that surrounded the great land of Mesopotamia. And his name was Pouruchathpa, and the name of his wife was Dughdova. 43 And Dughdova was a chosen daughter of God who had the spirit of the Lord with her since the days of her youth. And in the days of her youth she dreamed a dream, in which she saw a great camel descend upon the home of her father. And the camel was golden in color and spoke in her tongue, calling her by name and saying unto her: 44 Behold, truly thou art blessed above all those of the earth. For thou shalt bring forth a son and he shall bring about much righteousness in the land of thy fathers. And in thy heart thou shalt know the things that thou should teach unto him; but the things of thy fathers, even those things which thou hast been taught, teach them not unto him, for he hath been chosen by the great Ahura Mazda, who is thy Lord. 45 And it came to pass that as she grew in stature she kept these things in her heart. And she married Pouruchathpa and did not divulge these things unto him. 46 And Pouruchathpa was an honorable man, who had much business among the merchants of his town. And when Dughdova was ready to deliver her child, she called Pouruchathpa unto her and recounted unto him the dream that she had as a youth. 47 And there were midwives there who heard the things that she told unto her husband. And they immediately spread what they had heard throughout the city. And the priests, who were those that had been appointed over the people to keep them in subjection to the gods that they worshipped, even these did come into the house and mocked Dughdova for the things which she had said concerning her child. 48 And because of the things that they said unto her, she became exceedingly sorrowful and cried that her husband would come in unto her. And when Pouruchathpa had heard all that the priests had said to his wife, he was filled with anger, and he cursed them and their gods and threw them out of the house. 49 And the priests commanded the people of the city to avoid the house of Pouruchathpa and his wife, and their child; for they were condemned from that time forth by the gods of the people. And because of the condemnation of the priests, the midwives did leave the side of Dughdova and would not return again unto her. 50 And Pouruchathpa shut the door of the house and went in unto his wife. And Dughdova cried in pain and delivered the child. And as the child was born, the sun shone down upon the house. And its reflection caused the people of the city to become terrified at the sight, and they ran in among the priests and told them of the great light that shined down upon the house. 51 And the priests surrounded the house and condemned it before their gods. And they commanded the people to cast Pouruchathpa and his wife out from among them. And before an hour had passed after the birth of their son, Pouruchathpa and Dughdova were forced out into the wilderness by the people. 52 And it came to pass that the Lord was with them, and they found shelter and sustenance in the wilderness. And they came upon the house of a man who had lost his sight many years ago from the effects of the sun. And this man was poor and had little effects, but those that he did have, he offered to Pouruchathpa and Dughdova and their son. 53 And they called their son Zarathustra, which being interpreted means, golden camel, after the vision that his mother had in her youth. And it came to pass that Zarathustra spent the days of his childhood in the house of the blind man. But as the days went on according to the days of Zarathustra, even unto the days of his youth, the blind man began to receive his sight. And he looked upon Zarathustra and thanked the gods for that which had been done unto him. 54 But Dughdova rebuked the man and explained unto him, instructing him that he would not teach her son concerning the gods of her fathers, which gods were of the priests that had cast them out of the city.

[@Brandonmehrabi]

Your lectures are A+ and I never like audio lectures over a still frame. Such diversity of historical philosophies

[@johnkaufman6605]

I love these lectures. My one wish is that we could get videos of the lectures. Personally I am visual learner. Seeing the slides, and the lecturer. Having said that: I find the quality of the audio is really good.

[@farbodrad3084]

Interesting perspective as came across this video I thought: geez for once someone is thinking of the auditory (?) learners. Now I don’t have to get distracted by a video so I can just listen and sip on these delicious words 🙂

[@defencebangladesh4068]

same here

[@IronDogger]

Thank you for sharing this interesting lecture with perfect analogies that solidify these influences on humanity over time. I just found your channel and since I’ve become bedridden and can no longer attend lectures, this is like having an incredibly talented professor that delivers dynamic perspectives that are so engaging, I feel like I’m there. It would be helpful to see the slides, but not necessary because the information is quite detailed. Thank you again, I have days worth of contemplative philosophical influences to listen to. I prefer hearing lectures over watching tv, and I thoroughly appreciate your time in educating us.

[@gordonbryce]

Iron Dogger, hope you have recovered, I agree with your sentiment.

[@ZeldaChan]

Sounds like professor Cecil's conception of History, in Jungian analytical psychology terms, is consciousness, Culture is the collective unconsciousness. Great lecture as always.

[@mementocatharsis9372]

Excellent remark. Your insight helped me visualize a completely unrelated idea.

[@truenorthaffirmations7049]

Elaborate

[@S.J.L]

The Persians, like the Vedic Hindus, the Scythians, the Greeks, the Celts, the Romans, the Norse, the Hittites and so on all branches off of the even more ancient "Proto Indo European" religion and language family. Knowing this adds a layer to this talk and many others. It's a major piece of history that isn't discussed often enough.

[@samuraichilton]

i looooove these. this guy and dan carlin are my favorite.

[@OuroborosChoked]

I appreciate the person chopping vegetables right in front of the microphone. Adds a whole new dimension to the lecture.

[@noseltda4685]

Jajajaja 👍

[@tresjordan982]

I was wondering if you had ever read Creation by Gore Vidal ? The protaganist is grand son of Zoroaster and meets Socrates, Confucius , Lao and Buddha along the way .

[@parthianarts7893]

Incredible! Thank you for posting.

[@benquinney2]

Good thoughts,good words,good deeds

[@Fireball5015]

Or as we zoroastrians call it humata hukta hvarashta

[@Goethe-von-Voltaire]

@@Fireball5015 Are you a genuine Zoroastrian? I thought their numbers are dwindling rapidly this day and age..

[@Fireball5015]

@@Goethe-von-Voltaire ya I'm actually a parsi zoroastrian and ya our numbers are dwindling bbc predicts that zoroastrianism will be extinct by 2070

[@douglasdennett4583]

Hello / Hello Mr. Wes Cecil, our Kind KZbin Host & History Teacher / Fantastic Conversation / Enjoyed Every Minute of this / Wow & Amazing!!! Must Share with [ Ms. Angelina Jordan & Loving Family ] Other's in Life / Thank UUU / Very Nice & Well Done Here!!! "Happy "Spring Time" Sunday | End of May - 2023" / Sincerely, DD. Ps. Mr. Zarathustra was very Special / So Special we are sharing his Love for Humanity still / All this time later in modern life...

[@rahulthakar8006]

thank you so much Wes for all this amazing lectures. your positive vibes Soothes my mind everyday after long day of college. btw i am from gujrat India. and as you mentioned there are many Parsi communities lives here peacefully with hindus and muslims. I guess gujarat is few of the only place where parsi hindus and muslims all Live in harmony.

[@samisaleh6186]

Great work Wes!

[@adventuresofjames5877]

I just found you Wes. I'm a lover of history and so ty for your contribution. I look forward tonhearing more from you. I like your format.

[@Whydontyougousetherestroom]

AYYEE! WE BACK. Gone be a correct series!

[@zarathustra3976]

Engaging and enlightening, as delivered by a philosophically inclined lecturer, who gave a thoughtful bird eye view of so much in so little time. I am happy that you tapped into the relation between power, truth and monotheism in this context but I wish there was more detail. The highlight of this lecture for me was your analogy between gravity and evil. I have read and re-read Nietzsche's Zarathustra and I am confident it contains a wealth of signs (where he takes up teaching will to power with hammer). Nietzsche must have became a Magi: what Persian wisdom worshippers or followers of Zarathustra used to be called by Greeks.

[@erwinaquinde7211]

Zarathustra Introduction 17 But this was not the only people to whom the Lord had given his laws and his gospel and had blessed with the Priesthood that would allow the children of men to establish churches and places of worship among them. 18 And I have explained unto you that the Lord is no respecter of persons; and that one nation is just as important to him as another. And he sendeth forth his prophets among all his children, even unto as many as will hear his words. The Birth Of Zarathustra 42 And it came to pass that there lived a man and his wife in the eastern part of the wilderness that surrounded the great land of Mesopotamia. And his name was Pouruchathpa, and the name of his wife was Dughdova. 43 And Dughdova was a chosen daughter of God who had the spirit of the Lord with her since the days of her youth. And in the days of her youth she dreamed a dream, in which she saw a great camel descend upon the home of her father. And the camel was golden in color and spoke in her tongue, calling her by name and saying unto her: 44 Behold, truly thou art blessed above all those of the earth. For thou shalt bring forth a son and he shall bring about much righteousness in the land of thy fathers. And in thy heart thou shalt know the things that thou should teach unto him; but the things of thy fathers, even those things which thou hast been taught, teach them not unto him, for he hath been chosen by the great Ahura Mazda, who is thy Lord. 45 And it came to pass that as she grew in stature she kept these things in her heart. And she married Pouruchathpa and did not divulge these things unto him. 46 And Pouruchathpa was an honorable man, who had much business among the merchants of his town. And when Dughdova was ready to deliver her child, she called Pouruchathpa unto her and recounted unto him the dream that she had as a youth. 47 And there were midwives there who heard the things that she told unto her husband. And they immediately spread what they had heard throughout the city. And the priests, who were those that had been appointed over the people to keep them in subjection to the gods that they worshipped, even these did come into the house and mocked Dughdova for the things which she had said concerning her child. 48 And because of the things that they said unto her, she became exceedingly sorrowful and cried that her husband would come in unto her. And when Pouruchathpa had heard all that the priests had said to his wife, he was filled with anger, and he cursed them and their gods and threw them out of the house. 49 And the priests commanded the people of the city to avoid the house of Pouruchathpa and his wife, and their child; for they were condemned from that time forth by the gods of the people. And because of the condemnation of the priests, the midwives did leave the side of Dughdova and would not return again unto her. 50 And Pouruchathpa shut the door of the house and went in unto his wife. And Dughdova cried in pain and delivered the child. And as the child was born, the sun shone down upon the house. And its reflection caused the people of the city to become terrified at the sight, and they ran in among the priests and told them of the great light that shined down upon the house. 51 And the priests surrounded the house and condemned it before their gods. And they commanded the people to cast Pouruchathpa and his wife out from among them. And before an hour had passed after the birth of their son, Pouruchathpa and Dughdova were forced out into the wilderness by the people. 52 And it came to pass that the Lord was with them, and they found shelter and sustenance in the wilderness. And they came upon the house of a man who had lost his sight many years ago from the effects of the sun. And this man was poor and had little effects, but those that he did have, he offered to Pouruchathpa and Dughdova and their son. 53 And they called their son Zarathustra, which being interpreted means, golden camel, after the vision that his mother had in her youth. And it came to pass that Zarathustra spent the days of his childhood in the house of the blind man. But as the days went on according to the days of Zarathustra, even unto the days of his youth, the blind man began to receive his sight. And he looked upon Zarathustra and thanked the gods for that which had been done unto him. 54 But Dughdova rebuked the man and explained unto him, instructing him that he would not teach her son concerning the gods of her fathers, which gods were of the priests that had cast them out of the city. Becoming a prophet of God to the Great Persian Empire 55 And it came to pass that Zarathustra grew, and he was wrought upon by the ministrations of the spirit world and taught those things that he would one day teach unto the people. And when the days of the pinnacle of his manhood was reached, the Lord sent an angel unto Zarathustra and gave unto him the laws of the gospel and taught unto him all those things that had been corrupted among the children of men. 56 And the Lord called Zarathustra to be a prophet and preach the things that he had learned from the angel, and also those things that he had learned from the ministrations of the Spirit in his youth. And he was taught the plan of God, who was called Ahura Mazda according to the language and the customs of the people. 57 And he also knew of the plan of Lucifer, who was called Ahriman, according to the words of the people. 58 And now, I, Moroni, would that ye should realize, even those who have received these things, that the Father hath allowed his prophets to teach His gospel unto all of His children in their own tongue and according to their customs and traditions, as I have previously explained it unto you in this record. 59 And Ahura Mazda shall be known in the world as the God of Zarathustra, a prophet of God. But this Ahura Mazda is the Father of whom I have spoken of in this record. Thus can ye see that the names which the children of men give unto Him are of little importance to our Father. 60 For the words of Zarathustra were given in their purity to the children of men in the beginning. And he become a prophet to his people. And there were many that followed after his teachings. 61 And it came to pass that he taught the gospel to one of the great kings who was among the people. And this king accepted the teachings of Zarathustra and caused them to be taught throughout the land. Nevertheless, the King would not allow those teachings of Zarathustra to be taught, which would usurp his authority among the people, or in other words, the things that would take away from his own divinity. 62 And Zarathustra taught in the court of the King for many years. But after a time, he went back among the people and began to preach the gospel unto them. And because of his teachings to the King, the people, who were of the nation of the great Persian Empire, which had risen to power after the Babylonian Empire, were ruled with justice.

[@neharajput413]

Very inspiring... your lectures... Thank you 😊💓

[@nasrin-bird]

Is it possible to get PDF version of this lecture? There are many books on zorohaustrian philosophy but not this simple and brief.

[@micah3209]

There is a mention of the "world is good, and the world is for us." I think this precisely inverts Zarathushtra's doctrine, which is the world is good, and we are here to ensure it's continued goodness and preservation. It is an ecological message with a strong apocalyptic sense, human beings are made by Ahura Mazda to guard the goodness of creation and preserve it against harm.

[@Charles-oo8bq]

Truly appreciate this info. Thank you

[@white.rose001]

What a beautiful lecture! Do you have a lecture or a passage or an article where he talks more about the influence of Zoroastrianism on Islam ?

[@casey9789]

most informative video i found so far thank you, as someone who used to be muslim, this explains alot of the motives islam had.

[@nomesa7374]

An ex muslim here too. Islam is so different from the massages of Zarathustra! For example, evil and Good are NOT both creations of the God! Evil (darkness) is just an absence of Good (light). this is a very very significant difference (amongst other vital differences).

[@nomesa7374]

Ferdowsi starts shahname with "in the name of the wise God who gives life" instead of saying "In the name of God, the most merciful and the most compassionate". Ferdowsi's verse is the direct translation of Ahura Mazda (the lord of Wisdom).

[@owl6218]

It would be so nice to have the video. It is so much fun to listen to, just for the wit, apart from the subject...would like to see what is going on on the blackboard...

[@DushevnaSepsa]

Awesome.

[@pedroramsey]

loved everything about this

[@buddahnz8669]

wish there was a video of it

[@jackhartcup]

God I love you Wes!!

[@susanmcdonald6879]

Thank you so much; your lectures are well worth the time! Very insightful & enriching! I would differ with the aspects of first, involving the history of science, why, when the persian empire took over the Ionian coast, that the Greek city-state natural philosophers & that thread of inquiry sort of ends with the takeover, and that philosophical inquiry shifts westward, why?. Second, the dictatorial nature of the Eastern, fall-to-the-floor, submission-don't- breath or look at the king, castrated eunuch slaves to watch over the imprisoned harems, etcetcetc. that the west seems to battle that kind of enslavement of mind & body more than the eastern religious/philosophical notions. You de-emphasize those aspects of Persian Imperial Influences... I love the mention of jacob wrestling with the angel, Gilgamesh defeating a god, more western than eastern in influence? but that kind of fight of the individual, the lowly soldier who speaks out & criticizes the leaders such as Thersites in the Iliad, various soldiers in the Persian/Greek wars that were remembered in Greek tradition, seems lacking in the eastern historical & literary traditions where it seems in the west, the names of often lowly individuals, Odysseus' comrades, as well as heroes like Achilles, who are remembered for openly criticizing their kings, etc. that does not seem as openly available to people in the eastern tradition ...yet this hallmark to criticize itself perhaps uniquely a western phenomenon, but kind of an important detail and difference, don't you think? Third, the fact that the Spartans turned to the Persians for help in defeating the Athenians or the earlier travels of Xenophon & Herodotus through Persia being anthropologists & researchers & open-minded enough to see value in other cultures, but I am not sure of the intellectual centers you mention that so greatly influenced the Greeks, need better detail on that . The murals of those burned centers "of learning" portray different nations lined up giving tribute to the king! So, I believe that the influences swept back & forth! I am not all so sure that the West as you present in some parts of your lecture was a Persian outreach as you put it, and the religious influences, those are just one part of a cultural & scientific progression. Thank you again!!! Important stuff & you present it beautifully!

[@erwinaquinde7211]

Susan McDonald Introduction 17 But this was not the only people to whom the Lord had given his laws and his gospel and had blessed with the Priesthood that would allow the children of men to establish churches and places of worship among them. 18 And I have explained unto you that the Lord is no respecter of persons; and that one nation is just as important to him as another. And he sendeth forth his prophets among all his children, even unto as many as will hear his words. The Birth Of Zarathustra 42 And it came to pass that there lived a man and his wife in the eastern part of the wilderness that surrounded the great land of Mesopotamia. And his name was Pouruchathpa, and the name of his wife was Dughdova. 43 And Dughdova was a chosen daughter of God who had the spirit of the Lord with her since the days of her youth. And in the days of her youth she dreamed a dream, in which she saw a great camel descend upon the home of her father. And the camel was golden in color and spoke in her tongue, calling her by name and saying unto her: 44 Behold, truly thou art blessed above all those of the earth. For thou shalt bring forth a son and he shall bring about much righteousness in the land of thy fathers. And in thy heart thou shalt know the things that thou should teach unto him; but the things of thy fathers, even those things which thou hast been taught, teach them not unto him, for he hath been chosen by the great Ahura Mazda, who is thy Lord. 45 And it came to pass that as she grew in stature she kept these things in her heart. And she married Pouruchathpa and did not divulge these things unto him. 46 And Pouruchathpa was an honorable man, who had much business among the merchants of his town. And when Dughdova was ready to deliver her child, she called Pouruchathpa unto her and recounted unto him the dream that she had as a youth. 47 And there were midwives there who heard the things that she told unto her husband. And they immediately spread what they had heard throughout the city. And the priests, who were those that had been appointed over the people to keep them in subjection to the gods that they worshipped, even these did come into the house and mocked Dughdova for the things which she had said concerning her child. 48 And because of the things that they said unto her, she became exceedingly sorrowful and cried that her husband would come in unto her. And when Pouruchathpa had heard all that the priests had said to his wife, he was filled with anger, and he cursed them and their gods and threw them out of the house. 49 And the priests commanded the people of the city to avoid the house of Pouruchathpa and his wife, and their child; for they were condemned from that time forth by the gods of the people. And because of the condemnation of the priests, the midwives did leave the side of Dughdova and would not return again unto her. 50 And Pouruchathpa shut the door of the house and went in unto his wife. And Dughdova cried in pain and delivered the child. And as the child was born, the sun shone down upon the house. And its reflection caused the people of the city to become terrified at the sight, and they ran in among the priests and told them of the great light that shined down upon the house. 51 And the priests surrounded the house and condemned it before their gods. And they commanded the people to cast Pouruchathpa and his wife out from among them. And before an hour had passed after the birth of their son, Pouruchathpa and Dughdova were forced out into the wilderness by the people. 52 And it came to pass that the Lord was with them, and they found shelter and sustenance in the wilderness. And they came upon the house of a man who had lost his sight many years ago from the effects of the sun. And this man was poor and had little effects, but those that he did have, he offered to Pouruchathpa and Dughdova and their son. 53 And they called their son Zarathustra, which being interpreted means, golden camel, after the vision that his mother had in her youth. And it came to pass that Zarathustra spent the days of his childhood in the house of the blind man. But as the days went on according to the days of Zarathustra, even unto the days of his youth, the blind man began to receive his sight. And he looked upon Zarathustra and thanked the gods for that which had been done unto him. 54 But Dughdova rebuked the man and explained unto him, instructing him that he would not teach her son concerning the gods of her fathers, which gods were of the priests that had cast them out of the city. Becoming a prophet of God to the Great Persian Empire 55 And it came to pass that Zarathustra grew, and he was wrought upon by the ministrations of the spirit world and taught those things that he would one day teach unto the people. And when the days of the pinnacle of his manhood was reached, the Lord sent an angel unto Zarathustra and gave unto him the laws of the gospel and taught unto him all those things that had been corrupted among the children of men. 56 And the Lord called Zarathustra to be a prophet and preach the things that he had learned from the angel, and also those things that he had learned from the ministrations of the Spirit in his youth. And he was taught the plan of God, who was called Ahura Mazda according to the language and the customs of the people. 57 And he also knew of the plan of Lucifer, who was called Ahriman, according to the words of the people. 58 And now, I, Moroni, would that ye should realize, even those who have received these things, that the Father hath allowed his prophets to teach His gospel unto all of His children in their own tongue and according to their customs and traditions, as I have previously explained it unto you in this record. 59 And Ahura Mazda shall be known in the world as the God of Zarathustra, a prophet of God. But this Ahura Mazda is the Father of whom I have spoken of in this record. Thus can ye see that the names which the children of men give unto Him are of little importance to our Father. 60 For the words of Zarathustra were given in their purity to the children of men in the beginning. And he become a prophet to his people. And there were many that followed after his teachings. 61 And it came to pass that he taught the gospel to one of the great kings who was among the people. And this king accepted the teachings of Zarathustra and caused them to be taught throughout the land. Nevertheless, the King would not allow those teachings of Zarathustra to be taught, which would usurp his authority among the people, or in other words, the things that would take away from his own divinity. 62 And Zarathustra taught in the court of the King for many years. But after a time, he went back among the people and began to preach the gospel unto them. And because of his teachings to the King, the people, who were of the nation of the great Persian Empire, which had risen to power after the Babylonian Empire, were ruled with justice.

[@ahappyimago]

Susan McDonald these are great questions and a starting point for fruitful inquiry.

[@a.n.c.australia]

So what are your thoughts on being Zoroastrian??

[@janineroses3819]

Thanks 🙏

[@darvisprime]

thank you

[@user-no7ti7sl7i]

Was Jethro, in exodus, a magi?

[@Daydreamer0605]

What do you think of the idea that Akhenaten formed a monotheistic cult to exert control over the priestly castes who were growing in power, and Akhenaten's 'idea' was taken out of Egypt after his death and maintained orally by priests who had to escape, this being the roots of the monotheism of the Old Testament?

[@NA-yk8ic]

Well presented

[@northwind9657]

Good one! What about Akhenaten?

[@Zoltar69]

Right, this let me to look that up.

[@5836609]

It was around the same time frame I think so probably un related!

[@cryp35]

Zarathustra walked the planet many hundreds of centuries before Akhenaten... if I'm not mistaken.

[@KiwiFuel]

Is it possible to attend these lectures? I wouldn't mind a ferry ride to the Peninsula

[@tommyodonovan3883]

KiwiFuel Ferry Rides....kinky.

[@marcustulliuscicero9512]

KiwiFuel you can always just hide outside the window.

[@KiwiFuel]

The fuck?

[@KiwiFuel]

No, they're over priced, slow, and the food is mediocre

[@daoud1608]

Where’s the original lecture?

[@flyfin108]

im 20mins into this video and i didnt hear a Word from zarasthustra, only claims and opinions, should i continue?

[@mementocatharsis9372]

Culture dictates the norms of whatever people we are studying. So the going with/against the social norm creates.... History.

[@moatazmattar4714]

finally!

[@maryb6074]

Amazing talk very enlightening.

[@returntofleet]

NICE ONE WES!!! =]

[@russelldavis2456]

Thank you

[@DamienPagan]

thank

[@arkantika3927]

Hell Yea!!!!

[@Faraatar]

tanx for the great video i learned alot today but beyond over all of that im kinda sure that persian is not subcategory of the arabic language wich is in sami category, i thought u said that persian is from arabic and its not true

[@NA-yk8ic]

Persians belong to indieuropean groups, while Arabs from sematic belongs to AfroAsiatic groups

[@Humslebanan]

Wow ! 👌🏽🍀🙏🏽

[@jlupus8804]

While both religions are comparable, there’s yet to be evidence for which one heavily influenced the other

[@KiwiFuel]

Yeayah!

[@rover7377]

Where is there any statement recorded by Cyrus that mentions his belief in Ahura Mazda? I know other Persian kings mentioned their belief in Ahura Mazda, but Cyrus? People just assume that he was Mazdayasni because it was the predominant religion at the time, but where is the deductive proof?

[@Thungon]

Finally :D

[@ishinkobayashi282]

I am a bit confused. If these ideas influenced Christianity, then you have some explaining to do on my part. I have had trouble sleeping and could not so much barely keep my eyes clothes and could not so much as keep my eyes clothes. I was told by professional psychologists that I need pills to help me sleep. Well, I did not have my pills for that and so I struggled to sleep until I called on the name of CHRIST. Since then, I have not had trouble sleeping ever since. If the ideas of Christianity are from earth and not of divine origin, then please explain to me how this occured to me. What do you do when you get an actual answer that defies all logic. What are the implications of events like these. Please explain this to me IF YOU CAN!

[@ishinkobayashi282]

Oh and by the way this would not be the first time. It happens all of the time, hmmm I wonder your thoughts on how if what you say is true.

[@vaughnbraeuninger6675]

The placebo effect. Look it up

[@PWizz91]

Hmm... He must of been asleep during the holocaust and woke up just in time to help you go to sleep

[@a.n.c.australia]

It was mentioned in this Lecture, about Alexander the Great, in a very particular context... For explanatory purposes only, as opposed to predictive purposes... do check out Wang Tiling, and the associated Program in Computer Science at the University of Iowa. I am saying explanatory only because... Nobody really, knows exactly what is to be. Not even the Buddha. The Buddha acts on the world, with incommensurable power, so He knows what is going to be, in a certain sense, yet not in the standard sense.

[@a.n.c.australia]

I will think about it... If I want to be Zoroastrian.

[@robinmills3386]

Interesting, seeing this photo/picture is remotely close to that of ma'at

[@a.n.c.australia]

Everyone that is Zoroastrian in this room... hand up!

[@LoverBoy-dg5jb]

✋🏻

[@Goethe-von-Voltaire]

How is it being one? Is it still practiced accordingly? And how about life generally being one?

[@nomesa7374]

More than Shia Islam, it is Sufism which is heavily Zoroastrian, to the extent we call it underground Zoroastrianism. Sufism twisted all the main rituals of Islam and even changed the language to Persian and introduced painting, music, dancing, and Wine Drinking. All of them are Persian culture in nature.

[@pchabanowich]

🙏

[@Felinewisperer]

❤

[@tommyodonovan3883]

Ahura Mazda my Caucasians.

[@JasenChase00]

Ummm yeah we know. Indo EUROPEANS created this religion in Northern Iran and spread it Westward so.....yeah..

[@alan2here]

Odd place to stick the wings.

[@ShockWave67]

Polytheism is the Monotheism that the western world didn't understand. Egyptians had one God but several deities that represented many aspects of this one God. Western scholars could've understood this before by studying African spirituality but since they were busy denying Egypt's African origins...

[@alan2here]

"God" "being" love, and everywhere, and therefore presumably is capable of doing everything at once, and some people love wrestling. So I guess it makes sense that god could wrestle everyone that's up for it whenever they want it.

[@erwinaquinde7211]

Alan Tennant Introduction 17 But this was not the only people to whom the Lord had given his laws and his gospel and had blessed with the Priesthood that would allow the children of men to establish churches and places of worship among them. 18 And I have explained unto you that the Lord is no respecter of persons; and that one nation is just as important to him as another. And he sendeth forth his prophets among all his children, even unto as many as will hear his words. The Birth Of Zarathustra 42 And it came to pass that there lived a man and his wife in the eastern part of the wilderness that surrounded the great land of Mesopotamia. And his name was Pouruchathpa, and the name of his wife was Dughdova. 43 And Dughdova was a chosen daughter of God who had the spirit of the Lord with her since the days of her youth. And in the days of her youth she dreamed a dream, in which she saw a great camel descend upon the home of her father. And the camel was golden in color and spoke in her tongue, calling her by name and saying unto her: 44 Behold, truly thou art blessed above all those of the earth. For thou shalt bring forth a son and he shall bring about much righteousness in the land of thy fathers. And in thy heart thou shalt know the things that thou should teach unto him; but the things of thy fathers, even those things which thou hast been taught, teach them not unto him, for he hath been chosen by the great Ahura Mazda, who is thy Lord. 45 And it came to pass that as she grew in stature she kept these things in her heart. And she married Pouruchathpa and did not divulge these things unto him. 46 And Pouruchathpa was an honorable man, who had much business among the merchants of his town. And when Dughdova was ready to deliver her child, she called Pouruchathpa unto her and recounted unto him the dream that she had as a youth. 47 And there were midwives there who heard the things that she told unto her husband. And they immediately spread what they had heard throughout the city. And the priests, who were those that had been appointed over the people to keep them in subjection to the gods that they worshipped, even these did come into the house and mocked Dughdova for the things which she had said concerning her child. 48 And because of the things that they said unto her, she became exceedingly sorrowful and cried that her husband would come in unto her. And when Pouruchathpa had heard all that the priests had said to his wife, he was filled with anger, and he cursed them and their gods and threw them out of the house. 49 And the priests commanded the people of the city to avoid the house of Pouruchathpa and his wife, and their child; for they were condemned from that time forth by the gods of the people. And because of the condemnation of the priests, the midwives did leave the side of Dughdova and would not return again unto her. 50 And Pouruchathpa shut the door of the house and went in unto his wife. And Dughdova cried in pain and delivered the child. And as the child was born, the sun shone down upon the house. And its reflection caused the people of the city to become terrified at the sight, and they ran in among the priests and told them of the great light that shined down upon the house. 51 And the priests surrounded the house and condemned it before their gods. And they commanded the people to cast Pouruchathpa and his wife out from among them. And before an hour had passed after the birth of their son, Pouruchathpa and Dughdova were forced out into the wilderness by the people. 52 And it came to pass that the Lord was with them, and they found shelter and sustenance in the wilderness. And they came upon the house of a man who had lost his sight many years ago from the effects of the sun. And this man was poor and had little effects, but those that he did have, he offered to Pouruchathpa and Dughdova and their son. 53 And they called their son Zarathustra, which being interpreted means, golden camel, after the vision that his mother had in her youth. And it came to pass that Zarathustra spent the days of his childhood in the house of the blind man. But as the days went on according to the days of Zarathustra, even unto the days of his youth, the blind man began to receive his sight. And he looked upon Zarathustra and thanked the gods for that which had been done unto him. 54 But Dughdova rebuked the man and explained unto him, instructing him that he would not teach her son concerning the gods of her fathers, which gods were of the priests that had cast them out of the city. Becoming a prophet of God to the Great Persian Empire 55 And it came to pass that Zarathustra grew, and he was wrought upon by the ministrations of the spirit world and taught those things that he would one day teach unto the people. And when the days of the pinnacle of his manhood was reached, the Lord sent an angel unto Zarathustra and gave unto him the laws of the gospel and taught unto him all those things that had been corrupted among the children of men. 56 And the Lord called Zarathustra to be a prophet and preach the things that he had learned from the angel, and also those things that he had learned from the ministrations of the Spirit in his youth. And he was taught the plan of God, who was called Ahura Mazda according to the language and the customs of the people. 57 And he also knew of the plan of Lucifer, who was called Ahriman, according to the words of the people. 58 And now, I, Moroni, would that ye should realize, even those who have received these things, that the Father hath allowed his prophets to teach His gospel unto all of His children in their own tongue and according to their customs and traditions, as I have previously explained it unto you in this record. 59 And Ahura Mazda shall be known in the world as the God of Zarathustra, a prophet of God. But this Ahura Mazda is the Father of whom I have spoken of in this record. Thus can ye see that the names which the children of men give unto Him are of little importance to our Father. 60 For the words of Zarathustra were given in their purity to the children of men in the beginning. And he become a prophet to his people. And there were many that followed after his teachings. 61 And it came to pass that he taught the gospel to one of the great kings who was among the people. And this king accepted the teachings of Zarathustra and caused them to be taught throughout the land. Nevertheless, the King would not allow those teachings of Zarathustra to be taught, which would usurp his authority among the people, or in other words, the things that would take away from his own divinity. 62 And Zarathustra taught in the court of the King for many years. But after a time, he went back among the people and began to preach the gospel unto them. And because of his teachings to the King, the people, who were of the nation of the great Persian Empire, which had risen to power after the Babylonian Empire, were ruled with justice.

[@teodoracoman6598]

Who do they worship ? Zoroastriens ?

[@ArcanumArcanorum17]

Ahura mazda

[@tanshihus1]

The Tetragrammaton of Yhwh is much easier to spell!

[@moatazmattar4714]

THAT FUCKING CLIIIIIIICK!!!!

[@bahrambahram3933]

no video

[@aliceinwonderland7826]

The disrespectful prat I've previously just watched Thankyou for this...

[@matsulrich7765]

46:57

[@erwinaquinde7211]

Part 1: Zarathustra: the great prophet of the Persian empire: Introduction 17 But this was not the only people to whom the Lord had given his laws and his gospel and had blessed with the Priesthood that would allow the children of men to establish churches and places of worship among them. 18 And I have explained unto you that the Lord is no respecter of persons; and that one nation is just as important to him as another. And he sendeth forth his prophets among all his children, even unto as many as will hear his words. The Birth Of Zarathustra 42 And it came to pass that there lived a man and his wife in the eastern part of the wilderness that surrounded the great land of Mesopotamia. And his name was Pouruchathpa, and the name of his wife was Dughdova. 43 And Dughdova was a chosen daughter of God who had the spirit of the Lord with her since the days of her youth. And in the days of her youth she dreamed a dream, in which she saw a great camel descend upon the home of her father. And the camel was golden in color and spoke in her tongue, calling her by name and saying unto her: 44 Behold, truly thou art blessed above all those of the earth. For thou shalt bring forth a son and he shall bring about much righteousness in the land of thy fathers. And in thy heart thou shalt know the things that thou should teach unto him; but the things of thy fathers, even those things which thou hast been taught, teach them not unto him, for he hath been chosen by the great Ahura Mazda, who is thy Lord. 45 And it came to pass that as she grew in stature she kept these things in her heart. And she married Pouruchathpa and did not divulge these things unto him. 46 And Pouruchathpa was an honorable man, who had much business among the merchants of his town. And when Dughdova was ready to deliver her child, she called Pouruchathpa unto her and recounted unto him the dream that she had as a youth. 47 And there were midwives there who heard the things that she told unto her husband. And they immediately spread what they had heard throughout the city. And the priests, who were those that had been appointed over the people to keep them in subjection to the gods that they worshipped, even these did come into the house and mocked Dughdova for the things which she had said concerning her child. 48 And because of the things that they said unto her, she became exceedingly sorrowful and cried that her husband would come in unto her. And when Pouruchathpa had heard all that the priests had said to his wife, he was filled with anger, and he cursed them and their gods and threw them out of the house. 49 And the priests commanded the people of the city to avoid the house of Pouruchathpa and his wife, and their child; for they were condemned from that time forth by the gods of the people. And because of the condemnation of the priests, the midwives did leave the side of Dughdova and would not return again unto her. 50 And Pouruchathpa shut the door of the house and went in unto his wife. And Dughdova cried in pain and delivered the child. And as the child was born, the sun shone down upon the house. And its reflection caused the people of the city to become terrified at the sight, and they ran in among the priests and told them of the great light that shined down upon the house. 51 And the priests surrounded the house and condemned it before their gods. And they commanded the people to cast Pouruchathpa and his wife out from among them. And before an hour had passed after the birth of their son, Pouruchathpa and Dughdova were forced out into the wilderness by the people. 52 And it came to pass that the Lord was with them, and they found shelter and sustenance in the wilderness. And they came upon the house of a man who had lost his sight many years ago from the effects of the sun. And this man was poor and had little effects, but those that he did have, he offered to Pouruchathpa and Dughdova and their son. 53 And they called their son Zarathustra, which being interpreted means, golden camel, after the vision that his mother had in her youth. And it came to pass that Zarathustra spent the days of his childhood in the house of the blind man. But as the days went on according to the days of Zarathustra, even unto the days of his youth, the blind man began to receive his sight. And he looked upon Zarathustra and thanked the gods for that which had been done unto him. 54 But Dughdova rebuked the man and explained unto him, instructing him that he would not teach her son concerning the gods of her fathers, which gods were of the priests that had cast them out of the city.

[@mementocatharsis9372]

*caugh* you got any of them, whatcha-callems...sources?

[@mementocatharsis9372]

Is that from Nietzsche?

[@matsulrich7765]

20:03

[@jackdarby2168]

We have Mithra too i think in India

[@InTheRhettRow]

Same origins.

[@Goethe-von-Voltaire]

Mithra, Manichaeism, Baha'i, Ahmadiyya etc..

[@jonathonjubb6626]

20.20 Rivers are worshipped because they are needed (like the sun) duh... Trees are USEFUL and grow. Prayers keep the rivers trees and sun returning - it's not difficult!

[@ike25young]

Do The Priest Class of NASA including origins and beliefs. THNX. :)

[@frans8861]

11:26

[@koowasha]

Wait, isn’t religion of Moses older monotheistic religion?

[@bozorgmaneshrobertsohrabi2248]

If the United States of America is a one god monotheist then the lost cause and effect of cultural inheritance is our beneficial Persian Heritage Colleges and Heritage Clubs.

[@lazarrus8387]

Yess this y he totals IT lol Azar ELAZAR AARON YEA YEA!!

[@climatedamage1811]

In social psychology, Gods equal the significant other; God equals the generalized other.

[@openscienceerichoeven4255]

do you want to know more about philosophy come and take a look at my database

[@eitanschulman1]

Your lectures are amazing! Like to point out though that this idea that Jusaism is not monotheistic religion is wrong. Abraham began to preach monotheism and passed his ideas into the tribes of Jaacob. The passage- "Hear Oh Israel The Lord our God, The Lord is one" is at the epicenter of Judaism and did not appear, as you out it after the Babalonian exile, rather it is featured in The fifth book of Moses. What you pointed out that God is referred to as Gods in the Bible, is inaccurate. In Hebrew some non count nouns take plurality as water is called waters. Additionally, the verb which constantly follows the Names Elokim which you must have been referring to , is always in the singular, as "And Elokim said, let there be light" the verb said is in singular form (in Hebrew, verbs take on plural forms).

[@gulliverdix4322]

T.A. Suffix Wes

[@erwinaquinde7211]

Part 2: Zarathustra, the great prophet of the Persian empire: Becoming a prophet of God to the Great Persian Empire 55 And it came to pass that Zarathustra grew, and he was wrought upon by the ministrations of the spirit world and taught those things that he would one day teach unto the people. And when the days of the pinnacle of his manhood was reached, the Lord sent an angel unto Zarathustra and gave unto him the laws of the gospel and taught unto him all those things that had been corrupted among the children of men. 56 And the Lord called Zarathustra to be a prophet and preach the things that he had learned from the angel, and also those things that he had learned from the ministrations of the Spirit in his youth. And he was taught the plan of God, who was called Ahura Mazda according to the language and the customs of the people. 57 And he also knew of the plan of Lucifer, who was called Ahriman, according to the words of the people. 58 And now, I, Moroni, would that ye should realize, even those who have received these things, that the Father hath allowed his prophets to teach His gospel unto all of His children in their own tongue and according to their customs and traditions, as I have previously explained it unto you in this record. 59 And Ahura Mazda shall be known in the world as the God of Zarathustra, a prophet of God. But this Ahura Mazda is the Father of whom I have spoken of in this record. Thus can ye see that the names which the children of men give unto Him are of little importance to our Father. 60 For the words of Zarathustra were given in their purity to the children of men in the beginning. And he become a prophet to his people. And there were many that followed after his teachings. 61 And it came to pass that he taught the gospel to one of the great kings who was among the people. And this king accepted the teachings of Zarathustra and caused them to be taught throughout the land. Nevertheless, the King would not allow those teachings of Zarathustra to be taught, which would usurp his authority among the people, or in other words, the things that would take away from his own divinity. 62 And Zarathustra taught in the court of the King for many years. But after a time, he went back among the people and began to preach the gospel unto them. And because of his teachings to the King, the people, who were of the nation of the great Persian Empire, which had risen to power after the Babylonian Empire, were ruled with justice.

[@warerepublishingcompany]

Please inform of the book or document that has this written information? Thanks.

[@aMulliganStew]

Random Notes and thoughts. If I were sitting in class jotting down stuff in a notebook, these are some of the asides that I'd also scribble: 1. 19:54 Grand Canyon. 2. 21:22 "Find X." "Whaddareya, blind? You just wrote it down. It's right there on that piece of paper." 3. "Gott Mit Uns!!!" and "♫ Our God... ♫ Is an Awesome God... ♫ He Reigns.... ♫" 4. 27:31 -- Stephen Fry does the Temple Tour in Salt Lake City. 5. 40:27 Dark Matter. Years ago I met him. By coincidence, he also watches Wes Cecil videos. He's an atheist. (Go Figure.) He does animations on his KZbin Channel DarkMatter2525.

[@benquinneyiii7941]

I was walking in darkness…

[@InvisibleCitizen]

Zorothustra is a prophet of the Melchizedek Priesthood just as Jesus was. Monotheism started with Melchizedek! There have been several priest and prophets over the millennia teaching the monotheistic rules of Melchizedek!

[@erwinaquinde7211]

JD W Introduction 17 But this was not the only people to whom the Lord had given his laws and his gospel and had blessed with the Priesthood that would allow the children of men to establish churches and places of worship among them. 18 And I have explained unto you that the Lord is no respecter of persons; and that one nation is just as important to him as another. And he sendeth forth his prophets among all his children, even unto as many as will hear his words. The Birth Of Zarathustra 42 And it came to pass that there lived a man and his wife in the eastern part of the wilderness that surrounded the great land of Mesopotamia. And his name was Pouruchathpa, and the name of his wife was Dughdova. 43 And Dughdova was a chosen daughter of God who had the spirit of the Lord with her since the days of her youth. And in the days of her youth she dreamed a dream, in which she saw a great camel descend upon the home of her father. And the camel was golden in color and spoke in her tongue, calling her by name and saying unto her: 44 Behold, truly thou art blessed above all those of the earth. For thou shalt bring forth a son and he shall bring about much righteousness in the land of thy fathers. And in thy heart thou shalt know the things that thou should teach unto him; but the things of thy fathers, even those things which thou hast been taught, teach them not unto him, for he hath been chosen by the great Ahura Mazda, who is thy Lord. 45 And it came to pass that as she grew in stature she kept these things in her heart. And she married Pouruchathpa and did not divulge these things unto him. 46 And Pouruchathpa was an honorable man, who had much business among the merchants of his town. And when Dughdova was ready to deliver her child, she called Pouruchathpa unto her and recounted unto him the dream that she had as a youth. 47 And there were midwives there who heard the things that she told unto her husband. And they immediately spread what they had heard throughout the city. And the priests, who were those that had been appointed over the people to keep them in subjection to the gods that they worshipped, even these did come into the house and mocked Dughdova for the things which she had said concerning her child. 48 And because of the things that they said unto her, she became exceedingly sorrowful and cried that her husband would come in unto her. And when Pouruchathpa had heard all that the priests had said to his wife, he was filled with anger, and he cursed them and their gods and threw them out of the house. 49 And the priests commanded the people of the city to avoid the house of Pouruchathpa and his wife, and their child; for they were condemned from that time forth by the gods of the people. And because of the condemnation of the priests, the midwives did leave the side of Dughdova and would not return again unto her. 50 And Pouruchathpa shut the door of the house and went in unto his wife. And Dughdova cried in pain and delivered the child. And as the child was born, the sun shone down upon the house. And its reflection caused the people of the city to become terrified at the sight, and they ran in among the priests and told them of the great light that shined down upon the house. 51 And the priests surrounded the house and condemned it before their gods. And they commanded the people to cast Pouruchathpa and his wife out from among them. And before an hour had passed after the birth of their son, Pouruchathpa and Dughdova were forced out into the wilderness by the people. 52 And it came to pass that the Lord was with them, and they found shelter and sustenance in the wilderness. And they came upon the house of a man who had lost his sight many years ago from the effects of the sun. And this man was poor and had little effects, but those that he did have, he offered to Pouruchathpa and Dughdova and their son. 53 And they called their son Zarathustra, which being interpreted means, golden camel, after the vision that his mother had in her youth. And it came to pass that Zarathustra spent the days of his childhood in the house of the blind man. But as the days went on according to the days of Zarathustra, even unto the days of his youth, the blind man began to receive his sight. And he looked upon Zarathustra and thanked the gods for that which had been done unto him. 54 But Dughdova rebuked the man and explained unto him, instructing him that he would not teach her son concerning the gods of her fathers, which gods were of the priests that had cast them out of the city. Becoming a prophet of God to the Great Persian Empire 55 And it came to pass that Zarathustra grew, and he was wrought upon by the ministrations of the spirit world and taught those things that he would one day teach unto the people. And when the days of the pinnacle of his manhood was reached, the Lord sent an angel unto Zarathustra and gave unto him the laws of the gospel and taught unto him all those things that had been corrupted among the children of men. 56 And the Lord called Zarathustra to be a prophet and preach the things that he had learned from the angel, and also those things that he had learned from the ministrations of the Spirit in his youth. And he was taught the plan of God, who was called Ahura Mazda according to the language and the customs of the people. 57 And he also knew of the plan of Lucifer, who was called Ahriman, according to the words of the people. 58 And now, I, Moroni, would that ye should realize, even those who have received these things, that the Father hath allowed his prophets to teach His gospel unto all of His children in their own tongue and according to their customs and traditions, as I have previously explained it unto you in this record. 59 And Ahura Mazda shall be known in the world as the God of Zarathustra, a prophet of God. But this Ahura Mazda is the Father of whom I have spoken of in this record. Thus can ye see that the names which the children of men give unto Him are of little importance to our Father. 60 For the words of Zarathustra were given in their purity to the children of men in the beginning. And he become a prophet to his people. And there were many that followed after his teachings. 61 And it came to pass that he taught the gospel to one of the great kings who was among the people. And this king accepted the teachings of Zarathustra and caused them to be taught throughout the land. Nevertheless, the King would not allow those teachings of Zarathustra to be taught, which would usurp his authority among the people, or in other words, the things that would take away from his own divinity. 62 And Zarathustra taught in the court of the King for many years. But after a time, he went back among the people and began to preach the gospel unto them. And because of his teachings to the King, the people, who were of the nation of the great Persian Empire, which had risen to power after the Babylonian Empire, were ruled with justice.

[@Goethe-von-Voltaire]

From what I know, it all started from Zoroaster as he was supposedly the most ancient of ancients. Like approx. 2nd millennium BC period.

[@Black2th]

Wes, buddy...I love ya....but put the pen down! lol *click click....click click.....click click* gah!

[@marcustulliuscicero9512]

I didn't notice until you mentioned it. thanks...

[@robertburnett5561]

Me too. I hear it now.

[@gordonbryce]

Thanks for this, it was funny and also incisive. I realise that Buddha was influenced by Zarathustra after listening and reflecting on your commentary. Yes, you are right, we have forgotten much time to reawaken!

[@jamesstevenson7725]

Buddha was never influenced by Zoroaster!! If Buddha had net Zoroaster, he would have totally disagreed with him

[@gordonbryce]

@@jamesstevenson7725 Disagree, Buddha took Zoroaster's ideas and superseded him because he came after the Persian prophet and as you imply-he netted his ideas!

[@prashantchaudhary2569]

Frederick Neitchez brought me here

[@kiansedaghaty7900]

Incredible words, I absolutely agree. I am half Persian and I can not stand Islamic traditions. (Though I have respect) I honestly can’t stand the sound of it😂

[@jonathonjubb6626]

8.00 This guy has obviously never heard of Chinese Whispers/Telephone... Oral transmission is incredibly inefficient! Proved multiple times...

[@alexanderwedberg9491]

And if you get to hear the same stories repeated multiple times during your life? Chinese whispers is not too helpful a way of looking at oral tradition. It covers fringe stuff, things people hear only once and then pass on (e.g. when travelling to a foreign land, and returning with some newfangled thing to relay). It does not cover oral tales hammered into the community over and over years and decades until the more attentive members (often women) know the tales by heart. Repetition makes for perfection. You starts memorizing structures, details, nuances, jokes, to an increasing degree. It'll still change over centuries, of course, and diverge locally in a myriad ways given enough time since it's not written dogma and is on top of that open to inventions when some storyteller wishes to improve on a story after his own heart. But oral tradition is not as flimsy as a Chinese whispers game, at least concerning the central tales of a living culture.

[@jonathonjubb6626]

Alexander Wedberg Oral transmission is still nothing like the written word. No amount of your justification will alter that - give it up because you are beginning to sound like an apologist...

[@alexanderwedberg9491]

No, the bogstandard Chinese whispers argument must be punctuated. It leads people to believe that the spoken word is completely unrealiable for conveying detailed information. It gives an impression that is an exaggeration. The detailed and accurate description of a boar's tusk helmet in the Illiad was conveyed through oral tradition, and eventually written down long after the last boar's tusk helmet had long gone away.

[@jonathonjubb6626]

Alexander Wedberg .....bored...

[@alexanderwedberg9491]

Not an intelligent reply. Reported, please remove this spam message. If your intention is to frustrate and provoke others, you might well be on your way to become a master.

[@tuffgonggbUNCTION]

PENIEL face of Christ JESUS

[@Silly.Old.Sisyphus]

Ahura-Mazda was the sun god rendered abstract, a meme derived from Sumer, Babylon, Egypt etc. Nothing new there; the only thing that was different was the claim that he (Ahura Mazda) didnt have a family, the poor lonely old man.

[@pedroah5070]

No youre wrong, sun and fire are symbols of Ahura mazda's power that bring nature and life and purity

[@Silly.Old.Sisyphus]

@@pedroah5070 you can't hold me responsible for the errors of philosophy that Iranians made thousands of years ago - but they were right about the bit about the Sun being the bringer of life, even if we now know that He isn't the only one, let alone the one and only, because there are archaea that live undergound and breathe iron and never see the Sun.

[@pedroah5070]

@@Silly.Old.Sisyphus yes truth buT they need warm place for growth and living, without sun that is symbole of Ahura Mazda's power, earth would be a cold place And in winter people could die without fire .. zoroastrian worship Ahura Mazda near fire because they belive fire and light are their gods power symbols Ahura Mazda is ultimate good and light, not just sun or fire

[@Silly.Old.Sisyphus]

@@pedroah5070 "not just sun" ?! no Sun (note the capital letter), no people; no people, no ideas about (Pedro)Ah(ura-Mazda)... btw, did you know the original Ahrua-Mazda was a woman? kzbin.info/www/bejne/a53WgoinbqqdgqM&ab_channel=djhbrown

[@pedroah5070]

@@Silly.Old.Sisyphus Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds. The existence of only one path which is the path of Truth You have free will and your deeds are matter In this religion these are important not gender of god In persian mithraism religion(before zaratuthra) , mithra is a female god in zoroastrianism ,god has no gender, BTW it is not important I love both religion plus Buddhism, but i prefer zoroastrianism philosophy more than the other religions