A recently published book claims that dna evidence proves that the book of mormon, a book of scripture used in conjunction with the bible by the mormon church, is incorrect and points to an asiatic origin versus a middle eastern origin for the inhabitants of the american continents. While critics may believe that book of mormon dna testing entirely undermines mormon beliefs, it is important to realize that some underlying assumptions may. Would dna analysis show as taught by the book of mormon that many american indians are descended from ancient. I also sent a copy to byu university, to farms, the mormons branch that is in charge of protecting mormon beliefs, asking how i could refute this dvd. The book of mormon recounts the story of small israelite groups headed by lehi and mulek that were brought from ancient. However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon states that lehi and his family are clearly not jews. The book of mormon documentary accurately presents the consensus of the scientific community that northern asia not israel is the place of origin of the native.
Dna evidence of the book of mormon in north america, linking native americans to the jewish population in the middle east. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. New scientific support for the truthfulness of the book of mormon. With pride i tell those who come to my office that a lamanite is a descendant of one lehi who left jerusalem some 600 years before christ and with his family crossed the mighty deep and landed in america.
An essay on book of mormon and dna studies was added on 114 in the topical guide of the website. With pride i tell those who come to my office that a lamanite is a descendant of one lehi who left jerusalem some 600 years before christ and with his family. Correlation and verification through dna, prophetic, scriptural, historical, climatological, archaeological, social, and cultural evidence. Since 2014which was the last time i discussed lehis missing dna theres been a few articles of interest that i thought i would mention and comment on. The book of mormon documentary examines and compares genetic evidence identifying the dna fingerprints of the jewish populations and american indian populations, and presents the testimony of several dna experts in seeking to answer the question, are israelites the principal ancestors of native american indians.
While critics may believe that book of mormon dna testing entirely undermines mormon beliefs, it is important to realize that some underlying assumptions may have lead to faulty conclusions. For these same reasons, arguments that some defenders of the book of mormon make based on dna studies are also speculative. This new evidence, in contrast to the first, appears to provide support for the book of mormon as well as and an interesting geographic paradigm for the events therein. Critics of the lds church recently latched onto dna studies that point to a predominant asiatic origin to the american indians and conclude that the book of mormon cannot be an ancient record as claimed by joseph smith. Most adherents of the latter day saint movement consider the book of. The book of mormon for more than 170 years, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has declared the book of mormon to be a scriptural and literal history. Book of mormon and dna studies church of jesus christ. The book of mormon teaches that these israelites are the principal ancestors of modernday native americans. Richard southerton, thomas murphy, joel kramer, jeremy reyes. Dna and the book of mormon the traditional latterday saint position t he book of mormon recounts the story of a small israelite group led by lehi and also one headed by mulek from ancient jerusalem. Church statement dismisses dna challenges to book of mormon more than a year after dna evidence was first used to chal lenge the notion that native americans are. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x.
Is there dna evidence between native americans and the. The dna truth that the mormon belief that they are related to the american indians is false. This video is an eyeopening look for mormons to see the deception laid before them by clearly proving that there is no evidence to support the book of mormon and, in fact, provides contrary evidence. The book of mormon, the founding document of the latter day saint movement and one of the four books of scripture of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, is an. Nov 06, 2006 the book of mormon teaches that these israelites are the principal ancestors of modernday native americans. May 11, 2009 a recently published book claims that dna evidence proves the book of mormon, one of the books of scripture used by the mormon church, incorrect. The strongest evidence yet against the book of mormon. Prophets who taught of christ were called from among this people for over a millennium, but eventually the people fell. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central. I purchased over 50 copies of this dvd and sent them to mormon temples in the united states and abroad. The largest genealogical group out there is the mormon church, so fundamentally every genealogy company makes their software compatible with the. Critics of the lds church recently latched onto dna studies that point to a predominant asiatic origin to the american indians and conclude that the book of mormon cannot be an ancient.
I purchased over 50 copies of this dvd and sent them to mormon temples in the. After making some contributions here, i am now beginning to wonder if much of this article should not be moved to the stub on book of mormon geography, leaving this page free to document the specific issue of dna research. Dna and the book of mormon, by david stewart takes. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if their genetic profile were known, there are sound scientific reasons that it might remain undetected. Provo ap apologetic press scholars based at brigham young university today announced a new theory to defend the book of mormon s claims about ancient america. Mar 20, 2003 i am familiar with dna sequencing and testing including forensics and a couple of things bothered me about the premise of this movie. It details the strengths and weaknesses of dna research and how it relates to the historicity of the book of mormon as being a second witness of jesus christ. Dna controversy is an issue that most critics believe completely undermines mormon beliefs in the truthfulness of the book. In short, dna studies cannot be used decisively to either affirm or reject the historical authenticity of the book of mormon. Native americans and the book of mormon, are available. Native americans, dna, and the mormon church southerton. Simon southerton submitted to us as to why he left mormonism due to dna evidence is at whyleft125. Dna and population genetics a haplotype is a group of genes derived from dna that are inherited together from a single parent and a haplogroup is a group of similar.
At the time he angrily defended the book of mormon and hinted that. Sorenson molecular genealogy foundation book of mormon. Is there dna evidence between native americans and the lamanites. In summary, dna evidence and the book of mormon is long overdue. Dna and the book of mormon book of mormon archaeological forum. Archaeological and historical evidence dna and the book of. The book of mormon has traditionally been presented as a historical account of the first inhabitants of the americas the principle ancestors of the native americans. The book of mormon makes several scientific claims that can be tested. The documentary is a must see for all those who view the book of mormon as an accurate history of the native american indians. Phylogenetic perspective that book of mormon critics attempting to use dna. The understanding of joseph smith and of traditional mormonism is that the book of mormon reveals that the american indians are descendants of the lamanites, who descended from lehi and are therefore a remnant of the house of israel. Apr 17, 2015 nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if their genetic profile were known, there are sound scientific reasons that it might remain undetected. The book of mormon documentary accurately presents the consensus of the scientific community that northern asia not israel is the place of origin of the native american indians. The book of mormon claims that the native american peoples are descended from the house of israel, but the dna evidence, according to this book, points to an asiatic origin for the american continents native people.
Reviews of dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Genetic drift particularly affects mitochondrial dna and ychromosome dna, but it also leads to the loss of variation in autosomal dna. The book of mormon recounts the story of small israelite groups led by lehi and mulek who were brought by the hand of the lord from ancient jerusalem to the american continent approximately 600 bc. Related topics including the book of mormon and dna. Firetag 49 comments like many people who consider the book of mormon as scripture, i am fascinated by questions about where it has a setting in ancient historical events. The lack of dna evidence linking any native american group to the ancient near east. On january 31, 2014, the lds church published an essay entitled book of mormon and dna studies in the gospel topics series on its official website. The book of mormon and the origin of native americans from a. The controversy arises from dna studies of native american peoples. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints need to realize that. I am familiar with dna sequencing and testing including forensics and a couple of things bothered me about the premise of this movie. I met woodward when i visited the sorenson molecular genealogy foundation smgf in salt lake city a few years ago.
Its been a few years since i talked about dna and the book of mormon. Sorenson, siberian dna, and book of mormon directions date. In early 2008 rodney meldrum published a dvd titled dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon by rich deem introduction. Firetag 49 comments like many people who consider the book of mormon as. After making some contributions here, i am now beginning to wonder if much of this article should not be. Dna and the book of mormon book of mormon archaeological. Most of those who argue that the dna studies which reveal asiatic origins for todays amerindians deal a significant blow to any claim of book of mormon historicity base their claims on the assumption that the book of mormon teaches that there were no other aboriginal cultures already present some. A recently published book claims that dna evidence proves the book of mormon, one of the books of scripture used by the mormon church, incorrect. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence youtube.
This interpretation, still dominant among members of the lds church, remained in the introduction to the book of mormon until recently. Church statement dismisses dna challenges to book of mormon more than a year after dna evidence was first used to challenge the notion that native americans are descended from book of mormon peoples who migrated from the middle east, lds leaders have issued a 125word press release reaffirming the book of mormons historicity and dismissing. The book of mormon recounts the story of small israelite groups led by lehi and mulek who were brought by the hand of the lord from ancient jerusalem to the american continent. It is conceivable that much of the dna of book of mormon peoples did not survive for the same reason. The maxwell institutes statement on book of mormon geography is quite succinct. University of washington, has an article entitled simply implausible. Hendricks, director of mormon research group farms. A recently published book claims that dna evidence proves that the book of mormon, a book of scripture used in conjunction with the bible by the mormon. Rod is a friend of mine and a member of my hp group, but he has oversimplified this dna matter, aside from falsely stating 1 that the maya are the center of interest of those. The chief claim, and the premise of the entire book, is that hebrews carried the message of the coming messiah on a voyage across the atlantic. Mormon leaders, apologists, and scholars have been adamant in declaring the book of mormon to be. The book, who are the children of lehi, gives an objective analysis of dna tracking as it relates to the book of mormon and the different peoples of the americas. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon.
From the time of its publication in 1830, both the book of mormon and its. Sorenson molecular genealogy foundation book of mormon and dna. Items in the bmc archive are made publicly available for noncommercial, private use. Provo ap apologetic press scholars based at brigham young university today announced a new theory to defend the book of mormons claims about ancient america. Dna and the book of mormon, by david stewart takes traditional position. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence general. Dna markers do not always transfer and may easily be lost over a few hundred years through interbreeding, let alone thousands of years as they are testing in this film. Nov 15, 20 dna evidence now links many native american tribes of the northeast with israel. Genetic attacks on the book of mormon focus on the fact that amerindian dna seems closest to asian dna, and not dna from the middle east or jewish dna. Dna and the book of mormon the traditional latterday saint position t he book of mormon recounts the story of a small israelite group led by lehi and also one headed by mulek from.
Dna evidence now links many native american tribes of the northeast with israel. Order the dvd at for more than 170 years, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has declared the. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Modern dna evidence in no way disproves the traditional lds belief that book of mormon peoples represent the principal ancestors of the american. The book of mormon and the new world dna deseret book. At the time he angrily defended the book of mormon and hinted that smgf scientists were finding exciting new evidence that supported the book of mormon must be still finding it. Dna and the book of mormon brigham young university. Book of mormon dna mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture, as well as a true record of the inhabitants of the americas from about 2200 bc to 420 ad. Farms fair shields mormon apologetics farms and fair and shields apologize for the book of mormon and the book of abraham. The book of mormon only mentions one hill cumorah, as does joseph smith, said professor garloy p. The controversy stems from dna studies of native american peoples.
Inclusion within the bmc archive does not imply endorsement. Dna and a mesoamerican setting for the book of mormon that appears in the winter 2003 issue of dialogue. Jun 09, 2016 nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if their genetic profile were known, there are sound scientific reasons that it might remain undetected. Nov 26, 2011 sorenson, siberian dna, and book of mormon directions date. The mainstream scientific consensus about the origin of the ancient americans and peoples is at odds with the claims put forth in the book of mormon, though mormon apologists have made efforts to reconcile these contradictions. All opinions, speakers and presenters represent and express their own individual opinions, and not necessarily the opinions of firm foundation, book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and. Sorenson, siberian dna, and book of mormon directions wheat.
New discoveries in dna research currently allow scientists to test this. Yet at the same time, the church has subtly promoted a fresh interpretation of the book of mormon intended to reconcile the dna findings with. Most of those who argue that the dna studies which reveal asiatic origins for todays amerindians deal a significant blow to any claim of book of. Subtitled another testament of jesus christ, it recounts the story story of an israelite family who immigrated to and fully populated the american continents. Thousands of native americans from more than 150 tribes have been tested to determine their ancestry. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. Sep 08, 2016 response to the essay book of mormon and dna studies in the rest of this article, we will comment on specific statements in the essay book of mormon and dna studies pertaining to what it says about the science of dna research as it applies to the issues raised by the book of mormon. Sorenson, siberian dna, and book of mormon directions. Addressing questions surrounding the book of mormon and dna research. Dna farms dna and the book of mormon, by cooper johnson does dna evidence refute the book of mormon. Simon southerton submitted to us as to why he left mormonism due to dna evidence is at. The lds church released an essay on their website titled book of mormon and dna studies. In the past few years, dna studies have been used to provide what may be the strongest and most convincing evidence so far against the authenticity of the book of mormon.
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