An illustration of a figure with the body of a thin, white man and a large carved stone head. The figure holds a Book of Mormon in its hands.

Close-up illustration of the forehead of a large face carved out of gray stone. There is an upside-down five-pointed star inscribed on the figure's forehead.

Stars are a common motif on Church of Latter-day Saints temples, sometimes facing up and sometimes down. Their meaning may be different depending on their number, orientation, and position on the temple; some represent the Celestial Kingdom, some represent the priesthood, and some just represent actual stars. Inverted stars are a particular feature of the Nauvoo Temple, the second-ever Mormon temple, located in Nauvoo, Illinois, and are thought to represent the "morning star," i.e., Jesus Christ.

A close-up illustration of gray stone into which the letters "CTR" have been carved.

"Choose the right" is a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints motto that is taught to kids and used as a reminder to Church members to make choices that will help them live righteously. The phrase comes from a popular Mormon hymn. A ring with this shield design is frequently worn by Church members as a sign of their religious affiliation.

An illustration of a large, carved head made of gray stone. The face has broad, rounded features, and the illustration has a multicolored background.

The colossal Olmec heads are distinctive monuments of this culture, the first one to develop in Mesoamerica. Made of basalt, they range from 3.5 to over 11 feet tall. So far, 17 sculptures have been found spread across four different sites in the states of Veracruz and Tabasco, Mexico — including at La Venta in Tabasco, one of the locations visited by the tour in our feature story — with most dating to between 1500 BCE and 1000 BCE. It's believed that the heads represent powerful Olmec rulers.

Close-up of an illustration of a name tag that says "Elder Huehueteoh, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Huehueteoh (pronounced WAY-way-TAY-oh-tl) or Huehueteotl is the god of fire, one of the oldest in Mesoamerica; he is a figure in Aztec and Central Mexican pre-Hispanic cultures. His powers were purifying, and in rituals he was invoked to restore the cycle of life. Here, his name in on the nametag commonly worn by Church of Latter-day Saints members while engaging in missionary work.

Close-up illustration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City temple, a large white building with may spires.

The Salt Lake City Temple is one of the most important precincts for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is the largest Church temple in the world. Like all Church of Latter-day Saints temples, it is considered a sacred space, and a "temple recommend," which authorizes admission, is needed to enter. Unlike other temples, the Salt Lake City temple includes a space called the "Holy of Holies," in which the church's president can act as High Priest of Israel in direct relationship with God, in accordance with the Church's interpretation of the Book of Exodus.

An illustration of a Book of Mormon. The text on the cover is in Spanish: El Libro De Mormón: Otro Testamento de Jesu Cristo.

The Book of Mormon is one of the holy texts recognized by the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book was published by Joseph Smith in March 1830, who claimed to have translated it from the writings of prophets and hagiographers who inhabited pre-Columbian America. In Mexico, you'll find both Spanish- and Mayan-language Books of Mormon.

Close-up illustration of a stepped pyramid made of light brown stone, surrounded by leaves and fronts.

La Venta is an archaeological zone located in the extreme northwest of the Mexican state of Tabasco. It was a key ceremonial and population center for Olmec culture, and is home to several of the colossal Olmec heads along with a complex collections of tombs, pyramids, mounds, altars, and monuments.

Close-up of an illustration of a palm tree on a bright orange background.

All the flora depicted are native to regions the Book of Mormon tour visits — specifically, Tabasco and Veracruz, Mexico.