In Genesis 49:24, the Messiah-Redeemer of Israel is referred to as "the stone of Israel." In Jacob 4:16, Jacob says that "according to the scriptures, this stone shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation upon which the Jews can build." It is very intriguing that a similar symbolism was made in ancient Mesoamerica concerning their Messiah-Redeemer god. There the jade stone, native to the region, green and precious, was a symbol of their God of Life--Quetzalcoatl.
Jade is a translucent to opaque green stone that is very tough and highly polishable. Mexican and Central American jades are pure and native. Jade has been found in connection with the highly sophisticated cultures of Mesoamerica. It is very noteworthy that in a manner similar to ancient Mesopotamians and Palestinians, the people of Mesoamerica believed that the green grass, grains, and plants were given birth each year through divine power (see Frankfort 1946, 143). Covarrubias tells us that jade was linked to rain, vegetation, life, godliness, maize, and the sky (Covarrubias 1947, 109).
But one may ask, How can one build on a the qualities of a stone? The ancient Mayan prophet of Yucatan, Chilam Balam, gives the answer. Chilam wrote an allegory in which he compared the Messiah Redeemer to "the first precious stone of grace, the first infinite grace." The allegory alludes to the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection, or "coming forth" of this god. The "precious stone" referred to in the allegory has been authoritatively interpreted to be jade (Thompson 1954, 237). In other words, the "only sure foundation" upon which men can build is the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of the Messiah-Redeemer Jesus Christ.
With this concept in mind, it is noteworthy that in Mesoamerica, beads of jade were put into the mouth of the dead at burial in token of hoped-for rebirth. (Sorenson, 1998, 95). [Adapted from Bruce W. Warren, Blaine M. Yorgason, Harold Brown, New Evidences of Christ in Mesoamerica, Unpublished Manuscript]
Jacob 4:16 This stone [Christ--Jade] . . . the only sure foundation ([Illustration]): The deep green of jadeite stone was one of the most revered colors. It recalled still waters, the crucial maize plant, and all life-giving vegetation. No wonder beads of the material were put into the mouth of the dead at burial, in token of hoped-for rebirth (this was also done in China). These Olmec-style ear ornaments (inserted through holes in the lobes) date long before 500 B.C., but the popularity of jadeite continued right up to the Spanish Conquest. [John L. Sorenson, Images of Ancient America: Visualizing Book of Mormon Life, p. 95]