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. While gutting the term lamanite of any ethnic significance removes the indicting sting of dna evidence contra the book of mormon, it in turn raises an important question. The book of mormon did come by way of repentant gentiles when joseph smith and the early saints ushered in the restoration of the gospel of jesus christ. Dna farms dna and the book of mormon, by cooper johnson does dna evidence refute the book of mormon.
For these same reasons, arguments that some defenders of the book of mormon make based on dna. With dna sampling, you may or may not find evidence of a connection to the old world, he says. Over the past several years there has been a lot of debate over dna and the book of mormon. In these circumstances, it is possible that a small group of israelites who migrated into the americas and. 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 book of mormon makes several scientific claims that can be tested. Book of mormon dna mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading who are the children of lehi. X2aj is not found in north america but its importance to native american dna is virtually unknown. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence youtube. 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. Dnalamanites are a remnant of the jew book of mormon.
Many mormons believe that american indians are descendants of the lamanites a division of the nephites, but thats not in the scripture. Dna test came back mormon i found this a little funny sad and thought id share. Attacks on the validity of the book of mormon using dna data dna studies by two investigators. 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. When asked about the churchs official position on this matter by a writer, a church spokesman said. Dna evidence of the book of mormon in north america, linking native americans to the jewish population in the middle east. 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. By book of mormon central november 25, 2018 in recent years, genetic evidence uncovered from dna testing has revealed that native americans carry primarily asian dna. The conference is an annual event sponsored by the book of mormon archeological forum. When the churchs essay came out, dna studies were done with mitochondrial maternal and y chromosome paternal analysis. The book of mormon and the new world dna deseret book.
Dna science challenges lds history christian research. Byu gene data may shed light on origin of book of mormon s lamanites. The book of mormon teaches that these israelites are the principal ancestors of modernday native americans. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of. Dna lamanites book of mormon genetics genealogy genesis. Identity of the lamanites in the book of mormon summary. Is there dna evidence between native americans and the. That being said, it only take a smidgen of logic to see that dna research does not disprove the book of mormon. Dna and the book of mormon, by david stewart takes traditional position. Attacks on the book of mormon using results of dna studies. It is an article titled book of mormon and dna studies. Discovering instead that native american dna was almost 100% of asiatic origin, this seriously challenged simons belief that the lamanites are the ancestors of the american indians, and that the book of mormon is a historical document. They were tasked to take the gospel to the lamanites, which they attempted briefly, but instead they took the gospel to the rest of the gentile world.
Simon southerton, dna, lamanites and the book of mormon. It burrows into the historical foundations of the book of mormon, a 175yearold transcription that the. Joseph smith said in the introduction to the book i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone to our religion yet, the evidence shows the book of mormon is not revelation from god, but a fictitious story written by joseph smith. The book of mormon clearly implies that migrant israelites lived over a wide area of the american continent. The controversy stems from dna studies of native american peoples. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints need to realize that. The identity of the lamanites, including especially their identity in the latterdays among native american peoples, remains an open question which readers of the book of mormon grapple with. What people need to hear from the church is an explanation, a new narrative, an explanation for the book of mormon narrative. Book of mormon dna religionwiki fandom powered by wikia.
For these same reasons, arguments that some defenders of the book of mormon make based on dna studies are also speculative. Dna evidence is incredibly problematic for the book of mormon and something no apologist wants to touch anymore. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. The book of mormon does mention other people groups. 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. The book of mormon says lamanites will one day be restored to greatness through the fullness of the gospel. Dna testing has conclusively proven the book of mormon is a work of fiction, as there are no traces of semitic dna markers in north american indians. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon. This evidence is so damning that even high level mormon scholars have left the cult. Dna evidence and the book of mormon conclusive proof that. 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. 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. Mormons and mitochondrial dna by chad ressler in august 2004 simon southerton released a book entitled losing a lost tribe.
In fact most of the children are born with the mongolian birthmark, a bluish birthmark near the small of the back that typically disappears by the time they are 4 or 5 years of age. The dna truth that the mormon belief that they are related to the american indians is false. Lamanites is a term used in the book of mormon and was originally used to describe the descendants of laman, the firstborn son of lehi a prophet who was led by god out of jerusalem to the promised land or the americas, and his followers. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The express purpose of the book is to show unto the remnant of the house of israel what great things the lord hath done for their fathers. The book of mormon was written to the lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of israel.
This page is an appendix to dna and the book of mormon. In summary, dna evidence and the book of mormon is long overdue. 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. Prophets who taught of christ were called from among this people for over a millennium, but eventually the people fell. Sep 15, 2017 dna evidence seems to show that native americans came from asia rather than from the middle east as the book of mormon implies. Book of mormon introduction, lamanites and native americans. Nov 06, 2006 the book of mormon teaches that these israelites are the principal ancestors of modernday native americans. What we need to hear, we dont need to hear the dna excuses for why we cant find their dna. The original 1830 version of the book of mormon said they would become white and. 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 salt lake tribune byu gene data may shed light on. A number of investigators have used genetic and blood testing studies to show that native americans are related closely to the inhabitants of siberia. However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon states. Last updated 05302011, this documents some of the interaction between book of mormon believers and skeptics relating to scientific dna research on lamanites and nephites who lds faithful believe descended from middle easterners centuries ago.
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. 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. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. 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. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is the. The largest genealogical group out there is the mormon church, so fundamentally every genealogy company makes their software compatible with the churchs free familysearch site, tries to market to mormons, and at.
When highresolution tests the type used by police forensics scientists to identify individuals, not large population groups were done, genetic markers for hebrew dna showed up. If one were to design a research program with the stated goal of testing the validity of the book of mormon based on dna information, what specific hypotheses would one test. Would dna analysis show as taught by the book of mormon that many american indians are descended from ancient. New discoveries in dna research currently allow scientists to test this historical claim. When looking at the mormon question the religions claims and whether it is fundamentally a true religion, you have to look at the totality of the evidence, the big picture, if you will.
The book of mormon and lds prophets identify todays native americans as literal descendants of hebrews who traveled from jerusalem in 600 b. Dna controversy is an issue that most critics believe completely undermines mormon beliefs in the truthfulness of the book. If since the close of the book of mormon everyone is a lamanite, then lamanite is no longer a valid ethnic identity or category. Genetics and the book of mormon religionwiki fandom. The book of mormon living hope ministries dna and the book of mormon record, by bill mckeever lamanites no more. Last year, my siblings got a deal on one of those ancestry dna tests and gave it to me for my birthday like a good mormon, im thorough on the genealogy preoccupation. An essay on book of mormon and dna studies was added on 114 in the topical guide of the website. Subtitled another testament of jesus christ, it recounts the story story of an israelite family who immigrated to and fully populated the american continents. Is there dna evidence between native americans and the lamanites. In recent years, genetic evidence uncovered from dna testing has revealed that native americans carry primarily asian dna.
Popular ancestry sites being mined by cops for dna evidence. While dna shows that ultimately all human populations are closely related, to date no intimate genetic link has been found between ancient israelites and indigenous americans, much less within the time frame suggested in the book of mormon. The book of mormon tells us that when the nephites arrived in the new world they found cows, oxen, asses, and goats. Its database was later acquired by the popular website. The strongest evidence yet against the book of mormon. Dna marker x2aj is probably the greatest dna evidence for the book of mormon thus far. On, a reader wrote in and complained that her native american ancestry did not show up in her dna test. The mormon churchs quest to save souls helped fuel the dnatesting boom. I heard the mormons own that theyre facinated by knowing, and cataloging info on every person they can.
Do you really believe god gave the lamanites black skin so they would not be enticing to the nephites. Dna and the book of mormon kindle edition by jeffrey meldrum, trent d. The essay asserts that dna studies cannot be used decisively to either affirm or reject the historical authenticity of the book of mormon. 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. Identifying ancient dna related to book of mormon people summary. Does dna evidence prove the book of mormon to be false. Anti mormon groups claim that a lack of dna evidence connecting the people of south and central america to the middle east is proof that the book of mormon is not a true record of jewish people in the new world. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon by rich deem introduction. The main theme of the book revolves around the descendents of a prophet named lehi, who was a descendent of the biblical manasseh, according. Oct 19, 2015 years ago, new orleans filmmaker michael usrys father gave a dna sample to a mormon churchsponsored genealogical project.
For these stories to be true joseph smiths imaginary civilizations must have been very large and covered a very large area of land. May 21, 2012 i would also point out the absence of any explicit mention of native people in the book of mormon is a problem for apologists that is not so easily dismissed. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The lds church released an essay on their website titled book of mormon and dna studies. 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. I argue that dna testing challenges some common faulty assumptions some people have made about the book of mormon. 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. Even the introduction in recent printings of the book of mormon states that lamanites are the principal. There is generally no support amongst mainstream historians and archaeologists for. This has caused many to wonder how modern native americans could possibly be descendants of lehi. The identity of the lamanites, including especially their identity in the latterdays among native american peoples, remains an open question which readers of the book of mormon. But it just bears no resemblance to the book of mormon account. The churchs response to recent summaries of the scientific evidence in this regard, most notably provided by tom murphy in various published papers, has been to indicate that all is well on its official website, followed by a reference to articles from the journal of book of mormon studies respecting dna and the book of mormon. The book of mormon and the origin of native americans from a.
Thousands of native americans from more than 150 tribes have been tested to determine their ancestry. But additional information is important in helping readers realize that the identity of those called lamanites. Modern dna evidence in no way disproves the traditional lds belief that book of mormon peoples represent the principal ancestors of the american. What influence might the jaredites have had on new world dna. But being the strongest evidence so far against the book of mormon is a relative thing, akin to selecting the best smelling skunk in your local forest. If the book of mormon is false, joseph smith was not a prophet. Dna samples taken from modern american indians show no connection to the dna of the peoples of the middle east.
Dna research and mormon scholars changing basic beliefs. The controversy arises from dna studies of native american peoples. Dna and population genetics from the annotated book of mormon page 556 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 haplotypes that share a common ancestor with a singlenucleotide polymorphism mutation. Thomas murphy, mormon anthropologist, american apocrypha, 2002, p. The mormon churchs quest to save souls helped fuel the dna. The documentary is a must see for all those who view the book of mormon as an accurate history of the native american indians. Even before dna testing, however, the navajo were one of the tribes that was most obviously of asianmongolian origins. They suggest that the book of mormon makes specific predictions about the genetic structure of the nephite lamanite lineage, that this genetic structure should be identifiable in the descendants of the surviving lamanites, and that if the book of mormon is true, then these predictions should be verifiable through dna evidence. 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. 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 title page of the book of mormon states it is an abridgment of the record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamanites written to the lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of israel. Its the 5ton elephant in the room that researchers geneticist do not want to talk about.
The book of mormon and dna studies religious tolerance. Before we begin to discuss book of mormon dna proofs and questions, here is an example that shows the difficulties in finding lamanite dna back to 600 b. 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. As far as anti mormon claims are concerned, the anti mormon critics had been jumping to conclusions based on lowresolution dna tests that are used for population studies. The book of mormon is primarily a religious book containing teachings and doctrine about god and jesus christ. This must mean that amerindians are not descended from book of mormon peoples, and the book of mormon is false. Dear kayla, there is some great information available to help answer your question. 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. This topic is especially relevant to the current debate on the applicability of dna evidence to the question of book of mormon historicity, as such evidence is. I purchased over 50 copies of this dvd and sent them to mormon temples in the united states and abroad. 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. John dehlin november 9, 2007 mormon 9 comments we just recorded a new episode of mormon matters podcast, wherein ronan and john hamer a nonmember of the lds church make a strong case that this dustup about the. The book of mormon describes a single battle between nephites and lamanites where the nephite casualties alone numbered over 100,000 mormon chapter 6.
Brant gardner is a software consultant with training in mesoamerican studies and anthropology. Of course, the book of mormon indicates that the nephites were in the americas, but were all wiped out in 385 a. To treat it primarily as anything else is to treat it as a very shaky foundation. The evidence strongly contradicts the historical accounts contained within the book of mormon and statements in the doctrine and covenants where god referred to the indians in missouri as lamanites. He addressed a book of mormon lands conference on 2007oct20 in salt lake city, ut. Archaeological and historical evidence dna and the book of.
The criticism of the mormon church is the following. From now on, i will discuss only one point regarding the. As to whether these were the first inhabitantswe dont have a position on that. I argue that dna testing challenges some common faulty assumptions some people have made about the book of mormon, but does not attack the text itself. As the book of mormon and prophets since the beginning of the restoration have made clear, the modern native peoples of north and south america, or those with native american ancestry, occupy an important place in the unfolding of gods work among his children in the latter days. From now on, i will discuss only one point regarding the book of mormon im not going to argue about anachronisms, deuteroisaiah, or other issues. The book of mormon clearly implies that migrant israelites lived over a. 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. More nailpounding into the mormon churchs lamanite dna. The book of mormon, one of the four books of scripture of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints see standard works, is an account of three groups of people.
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