National geographic society statement on the book of mormon. The title page of the book of mormon states it is an abridgment of the record of the. Book of mormon dna evidence is the holy grail for mormons and antimormons alike. The lds church claims they are and the validity of the book of mormon requires that they are. Simon southerton submitted to us as to why he left mormonism due to dna evidence is at whyleft125. Dna evidence of the book of mormon in north america, linking native americans to the jewish population in the middle east. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence youtube.
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. Related topics including the book of mormon and dna. Home book of mormon science, ancient history, and the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon language. 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 mormon. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other denominations in the lds restorationist movement have taught that native americans are descendents of three groups of ancient israelites who came to the new world. In the last few years, the topic of how dna research fits in with the text of the book of mormon has become increasingly divisive. Polynesian dna the legend of fu sand and the book of mormon is all evidence that the populating of north american was done by ship and not on artic land masses. 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. It occurs in a list with food items, namely, corn, wheat, barley, neas another book of mormon hapax legomenon, and fruit seeds. Dna and 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.
Their book of mormon is a 3rd thing entirely, and they do not find jesus nor god divine. Male mormon leaders routinely interview children ages 1218 in private, 1on1 sessions behind closed doors. Now, finally, incontrovertible scientific evidence can either prove the book of mormon to be true and therefore mormonism is the true, restored gospel or the book of mormon. Apparently the same story, a test of faith, dna research challenges the book of mormon, was published on march 19, 2005, with a front page emphasis in section d of the spectrum. For example, the bible speaks of abinadab, the book of mormon mentions abinadi and abinadom. The criticism of the mormon church is the following. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples. Dna analysis has concluded that native american indians do not originate from the middle east or.
I think mormon s are not out dueling their beliefs with others because theirs is so chock full of content and. Mormons and mitochondrial dna by chad ressler in august 2004 simon southerton released a book entitled losing a lost tribe. This evidence is so damning that even high level mormon. Fundamental historical claims of the book of mormon are. The final test of our views of book of mormon geography will be archaeological work in the ground itself, ferguson wrote in 1951 to his friend. He addressed a book of mormon lands conference on 2007oct20 in salt lake city, ut. 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. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. 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. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. Is there dna evidence between native americans and the lamanites. Despite popular belief, the currently available dna evidence supports the book of mormon.
David read the surprising new dna evidence supports the. New discoveries in dna research currently allow scientists to test this. 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 all have sinned, and come short of the glory of god. 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. Many scientists date the genetic divergence of modern native americans as having arisen from migrations between 10,000 and 15,000 b. Annotated book of mormon by david hocking and rod meldrum page 91. Even if such information were known, processes such as population bottleneck, genetic drift, and postcolumbian immigration from west eurasia make it unlikely that their dna could be detected today. 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. David stewart in his online article found on the churchs website titled dna and the book of mormon.
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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. To test the book of mormon s claim that israelite colonists arrived in america anciently, flourished as nations, and their descendants survived in the people without a name, generally called the indians or native americans, it is proposed that we could just check the dna. These chapters also include queries about mormons abridgment, the plates of ether, the small plates of nephi, and moronis final additions to the book of mormon. Rediscovering the book of mormon remnant through dna. Dna samples taken from modern american indians show no connection to the dna of the peoples of the middle east. 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. I have watched more than 20 hours of wayne may book of mormon lecture videos and conversed with both wayne may and rod meldrum in person. It is an article titled book of mormon and dna studies. Common lds references to native americans as lamanites is certainly logical under the broad definition. End mormons sexually invasive interviews of children. 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.
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. Many names not found in the bible seem to be made up by rearranging various syllables or changing the ending of bible names. 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. Filmed on location in the middle east, journey of faith chronicles the courage and. Nephi opens the first chapter of the book of mormon identifying himself as the author of what follows, establishing who it is that writes and credentials the books of nephi. The dna challenge to the book of mormon main street. In 2014 the church quietly published book of mormon and dna studies, an essay which distills an avalanche of mormon apologetics published solely in lds journals, and attempts to address. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence general. Further, they have overlooked the entire concept of hypothesis testing in science and believe that just because they label their results as based on dna, they. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if.
Ron did a good job but there are so many references to the lds lifestyle that a person not of the faith would have a hard time understanding much of it. This book is a great tribute to randy and a good followup to the message but doesnt add much to understanding ndes. Its not all neat and orderly, as previous generations of latterday saints assumed, or as we would like. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of. Dna science challenges lds history christian research. Does dna evidence prove the book of mormon to be false. Jan 19, 2016 the book of mormon states that there were three transoceanic migrations by ship, lehis family, the mulekites and the jaredites. The documentary is a must see for all those who view the book of mormon as an accurate history of the native american indians. Baker is a comedian and storyteller living in new york. Dna and the book of mormon mesoamerican antiquities. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations.
A documentary of insights and evidences of the book of mormon. 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. Is there any dna evidence to support the book of mormons. Cherokeephoenician dna connection book of mormon evidence. The heartland model or heartland theory of book of mormon geography states that the book of mormon events primarily occurred in the heartland of north america. 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 introduction page of the book of mormon goes on to say that after thousands of years, all were destroyed, except the lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the american indians. The book of first nephi, the first book in the volume, describes the actions of lehi and his family in leaving jerusalem before its destruction, following the counsel of the lord, and wandering through the wilderness for several years before embarking on a transoceanic voyage to somewhere in or near central america. Sep 19, 2009 last wednesday, rod meldrum visited nauvoo and gave a presentation on dna and the book of mormon. The book of mormon uses the term lamanite in several ways, including a genetic sense for those who are descended from laman and lemuel, but also in a cultural or sociopolitical sense to refer to those others who were not nephites. Although it serves primarily as a religious text, it is to be interpreted literally as being an actual, historical record of the inhabitants of the ancient americas. The dna challenge to the book of mormon main street church. The book of mormon also uses the greek words alpha and omega.
Feb 08, 2008 this is a clip from the video journey of faith. Based on these claims of the book of mormon, the lds church has traditionally taught that modernday native americans are descended from lamanites. Discussion regarding the historicity of the book of mormon often focuses on archaeological issues, some of which relate to the large size and the long time span of the civilizations mentioned in the book. 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. Smith retrieved the plates, and his translation of them was published in 1830 and titled the book of mormon. There is generally no direct support amongst mainstream historians and archaeologists for the. The book of mormon teaches that all native americans are descended exclusively from hebrews dna studies of native americans show that their ancient ancestry is exclusively asian, with no trace of jewish ancestry. 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. The book of mormon and the new world dna deseret book. Prophets who taught of christ were called from among this people for over a millennium, but eventually the people fell. Their promise to all who study the book with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in christ, is that god will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the holy ghost.
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. 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. Jan 01, 20 the book begins with a visitation of mormon history including joseph smiths visions, brigham youngs moses like journey to utah, and parley pratt my opinion was a little colored as i recently saw the broadway show the book of mormon. Interview with elna baker by common consent, a mormon blog. I also sent a copy to byu university, to farms, the mormons branch that is in charge of protecting mormon. The controversy arises from dna studies of native american peoples. Critics who attempt to rely on dna evidence to attack the truth of the book of mormon misinterpret or misconstrue what the dna evidence actually shows. Oct 20, 2009 if you arent already familiar with the writing and performing of elna baker, prepare yourself for awesomeness.
The book of mormon makes several scientific claims that can be tested. The book is well written, uplifting, enjoyable, and very lds. In the book of mormon there are three meanings of the word jew including resident of jerusalem. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon by rich deem introduction. The lenba sic are a group of 80,000 south africans who claim jewish heritage, practice many jewish. According to the book, two of these groups originated from ancient israel. This book was printed on thirtyseven sheets and folded into thirtyseven gatherings of eight leaves each, making a text block of 592 pages. It burrows into the historical foundations of the book of mormon, a 175yearold transcription that the. John dehlins mormon stories essay on dna and the book of mormon makes the following claim. The hill cumorah in ontario county ny is the hill where joseph smith found the golden plates and is the same hill where the civilizations of the nephites cumorah and the jaredites ramah fought their last battles. Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. John sorenson has made the most likely suggestion, that neas is the same as mixe nij chilipepper, which aligns with paul hoskissons notion that neas may have been borrowed into lehite from a native, indigenous vocabel, perhaps along the lines of huauzontle, chia, teosinte, quinoa, amaranth, jocote mombin, manioc cassava, or other grain or food plant native to the.
The book is organized into six chapters that address questions that enhance your knowledge of the coming forth of the book of mormon and how this sacred scripture testifies of christ. 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. In recent years, genetic evidence uncovered from dna testing has revealed that native americans carry primarily asian dna. 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. Dna marker x2aj is probably the greatest dna evidence for the book of mormon thus far. 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. Recent research has been conducted on native american dna, studies potentially related to the book of mormon that may lend support to its claims. 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 account of three groups of people. For countless individuals who have applied this test of the books authenticity, the. Dna and the book of mormon archives mormon stories essays.
Bible, book of mormon and lds scripture compared life after. This must mean that amerindians are not descended from book of mormon peoples, and the book of mormon is false. 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. 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. Book of mormon dna mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs.
Now, for the first time in one volume, respected dna scientists, geneticists, and book of mormon scholars provide their views on dna and the book of mormon. The book of mormon presents the evidence from dna researchers, including mormon scientists who are wrestling with the dna dilemma that now faces mormonism. Brant gardner is a software consultant with training in mesoamerican studies and anthropology. His attempt was to make the case that dna studies do indeed prove the validity, accuracy, and historicity of the book of mormon.
Near death experiences and me signs of the times mormon. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Book of mormon, 1830, page 0 the joseph smith papers. The only part of the data that has not yet been explained in harmony with the book of mormon story is the timing. Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible, in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other mormon churches.
Book of mormon and dna studies church of jesus christ. In this episode, three geneticists respond to the lds essay book of mormon and dna studies, and to apologist michael ashs article entitled the dna challenge to the book of mormon. I purchased over 50 copies of this dvd and sent them to mormon temples in the united states and abroad. The book of mormon is a religious record that was published in 1830 by joseph smith, the founder and prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saintsor the mormon church, as it has been unofficially dubbed. However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon. Murphy set out to test a key principle of his mormon faith with the latest technology. New discoveries in dna research currently allow scientists to test this historical claim. Would dna analysis show as taught by the book of mormon. The conference is an annual event sponsored by the book of mormon archeological forum. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. Dna and 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.
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