Is it a coincidence that the imagery of planting a tree in your heart has deep Mesoamerican roots?

Alma compares God’s word to a seed in Alma 32:

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

The poetic nature of this chapter is something we would not reasonably expect from Joseph Smith’s limited education, furthermore, the analogy of planting a seed in your heart and growing a tree has deep roots in Mesoamerican traditions. This is attested in different inscriptions and illustrations.

What are the odds that an analogy which would be unfamiliar to Joseph Smith would be right at home in Mesoamerica?

See:

Evidence Central – Book of Mormon Evidence: Tree Planted in Heart

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