It burrows into the historical foundations of the book of mormon. Dna disproves that the lamanites are the principal ancestors of the indians. Top ten biggest controversies of the mormon lds church the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormons is a religion mired in controversy. For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents. I believe the book of mormon people resided somewhere in the americas. Book of mormon and dna studies response to an essay on book of mormon and dna studies was added on 114 in the topical guide of the website. Fundamental historical claims of the book of mormon are challenged by new genetic research. The geography of the book of mormon has been done to death. Controversial topics abortion and mormonism mormon underwear mountain meadows massacre are mormons christians. Dna and the book of mormon part 1 ancient mormon doctrine. Rod meldrum and book of mormon dna byu scholarsarchive.
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. Antiquities director confronts problems and controversies. Top ten biggest controversies of the mormon lds church. Further, dna evidence disproves the idea that the indians are descendants of the israelites. With mitt romney, a mormon and former bishop of the mormon religion, having run for president, many wonder are mormons christians. Jun 03, 2017 trying to save the book of mormon against the dna evidence, the first presidency approved gospel topic essays can only account for the vanishing of lamanites dna, by admitting that the native.
Three geneticists respond to the lds essay on dna and the book of mormon, and to apologist michael ash. The book of mormon teaches that these israelites are the principle ancestors of the modernday native americans. This person really loves the book of mormon things to write on the title pg of my book of mormon scripture marking book of mo. 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 biggest problem with most anti mormon attacks involving dna and the book of mormon is not so much the lack of scholarship about dna as it is the lack of scholarship concerning the book of mormon. Thousands of native americans from more than 150 tribes have been tested to determine their ancestry. 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. It contains a record of gods dealings with three groups of people who migrated from the near east or west asia to the americas hundreds of years before the arrival of europeans. Gospel topics book of mormon and dna studies, lds church. 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. 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.
Black members of the mormon church could not hold the priesthood until 1978. Order the dvd at for more than 170 years, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has declared the book of. Now, there is new scientific evidence which not only questions but conclusively proves that the book of mormon is a. Jun 22, 2016 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 no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. He was deemed a heretic for saying the mormon scriptures should be considered inspired fiction in light of the dna evidence. The problem is that god himself, as portrayed through the scriptures, doesnt. However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon states. 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. Mar 25, 2011 the cast of the book of mormon on broadway at eugene oneill theatre on mar. Kristen moulton, book of mormon geography stirring controversy, salt lake.
The church of jesus christ of latterday saints affirms that the book of mormon is a volume of sacred scripture comparable to the bible. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from. I suggest that if we are serious about assessing whether what the book of mormon teaches is consistent with dna evidence, we must assess it based on. The strongest evidence yet against the book of mormon. 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. 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. Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. The cast of the book of mormon on broadway at eugene oneill theatre on mar. 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.
These verses in the book of mormon certainly make it sound like god changed the dna of a complete group of people when they sinned against him. Approaches to the book of mormon four major obstacles to viewing the book of mormon as an authentic historical record 1 at a foundational level the book follows distinct early 19th century ideas about the native americans that were ultimately disproven and abandoned 2 dna issues, and major problems facing modern apologetics 3 source. Nov 06, 2006 the book of mormon teaches that these israelites are the principal ancestors of modernday native americans. 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 who consider the book of mormon to be a mesoamerican codex, and 2 that they focus on the maya because they think that joseph smith did so as well. Book of mormon title page markings that is amazing. The book of mormon and the new world dna deseret book. Until all the evidence is in, one must assume the book of mormon claims are valid, and that evidence being found in many other areas less controversial than dna demonstrates that the claims made for the book of mormon are truthful, for example the recent work being done on the book of mormon names and biological and plant exchanges and. New discoveries in dna research currently allow scientists to test this historical claim. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. The critics are using tentative scientific findings to discredit common misconceptions about the book of mormon, not what the text actually teaches.
The conflicts have caused some commentators to conclude that the book of mormon is a human document and was not translated by joseph smith from golden plates given to him. From the churchs beginnings in 1820 with the first vision of joseph smith its founder to a present day membership of over 15 million, the church has faced countless obstacles and controversies. The research herein refutes the claim that dna analysis proves the book of mormon false, on the contrary it explores genetic dna evidence that may actually support the claims of the book of mormon. The book of mormon makes several scientific claims that can be tested. In this article, we will provide some background on this issue focusing on the scientific issues, followed by a point by point response to various statements made in the essay about the book of mormon. Jan 19, 2016 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 who consider the book of mormon to be a mesoamerican codex, and 2 that they focus on the maya because they think that joseph smith did so as well. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence youtube. In the end, god is faithful to once again make the truth plain to those who are willing to assess the evidence honestly. Stephen lovekingetty images the play the book of mormon, which opened on broadway. If this claim is not true then the entire premise upon which mormonism is built comes unglued. Critics maintain that these studies prove conclusively that claims made by the book of mormon could not possibly be true. A new book casts doubts on the plausibility of a basic book of mormon claim, and it is polarizing members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in losing a lost tribe.
Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon by rich deem introduction. Brother sparks inquired about the location of the hill cumorah mentioned in the book of mormon, where the last battle between the nephites and lamanites took place. The book of mormon quotes 25,000 words from the kjv old testament and over. Dna test came back mormon i found this a little funny sad and thought id share.
Prophets who taught of christ were called from among this people for over a millennium, but eventually the people fell. 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. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon and dna studies. 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 no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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. Thomas murphy, mormon anthropologist, american apocrypha, 2002, p. 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. Critics of the authenticity of the book of mormon cite issues such as the lack of any generally accepted correlation between mesoamerican archeology and book of mormon archeology, dna evidence which places the earliest native americans firmly in a northeast asian context, anachronistic technologies, and non. Why doesnt the church engage more fully with controversy. Numerous passages from the scriptures teach that there will be a time when we will be called before god to be judged. The book of mormon teaches that these israelites are the principal ancestors of modernday native americans. Members of the mormon church typically refer to themselves as latterday saints instead of mormons, but have reluctantly accepted the title of mormons.
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. Trying to save the book of mormon against the dna evidence, the first presidency approved gospel topic essays can only account for the vanishing of lamanites dna, by admitting that the native. Loayza, the salt lake city attorney, said the church should embrace the controversy. I cant imagine a scenario in which the book of mormon is scripture from god, but not a literal story. 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 essay asserts that dna studies cannot be used decisively to either affirm or reject the historical authenticity of the book of mormon. In the earlier book of mormon texts, much of the language about god. Rediscovering the book of mormon remnant through dna. 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.
Sep 08, 2016 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. Book of mormon historicity and that it is all a contrived controversy, blown. Scientific studies of dna, facial structure, blood types, and migration patterns have indicated that natives are of siberian origin and are totally unrelated to ancient jews. The lds church released an essay on their website titled book of mormon and dna studies. 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. The church has long maintained, as attested to by references in the writings of general authorities, that the hill cumorah in western new york state is the same as referenced in the. Book of mormon and dna studies church of jesus christ.
I purchased over 50 copies of this dvd and sent them to mormon temples in the united states and abroad. 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 mormon church real name, church of jesus christ of latterday saints is not a racist church. But i read it and i notice things biologyrelated, and its starkly evident that this cannot be, everything from animal husbandry to agriculture and agricultural practices. I believe the book of mormon is to be taken literally. 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. It was released by the church to help explain how the book of mormon s credibility is not harmed due to recent dna evidence which concludes that the native americans are not the descendants of the book of mormon people, and to explain why the churchs credibility is not harmed due to having such a. The book of mormon, the founding document of the latter day saint movement and one of the.
Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon. Christianity there is a lot in the press today concerning mormonism verses traditional christianity. 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. The dna tests reveal the ancestors of the american natives came from asia, not the middle east, thereby casting doubt on many of the historical depictions found in the book of mormon, a 175year. What is the most controversial thing in the book of mormon. Nov 07, 2016 probably the single most controversial passage from the book of mormon is the section from 2 nephi chapter 5, which details how the evil lamanites were cursed with dark skin while the good nephites had white skin. I dont want to touch that subject with a 10foot pole. Oct 01, 2004 a new book casts doubts on the plausibility of a basic book of mormon claim, and it is polarizing members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in losing a lost tribe. The book of mormon presents the evidence from dna researchers, including mormon scientists who are wrestling with the dna dilemma that now faces mormonism. Book of mormon and dna studies as recent as 2005 i was taught by a 35 year old at the timemormon missionary from poland that american indians are the descendants of lamanites who decended from lehis rebel kids lamanlemuel etc. Probably the single most controversial passage from the book of mormon is the section from 2 nephi chapter 5, which details how the evil lamanites were cursed with dark skin while the good nephites had white skin.
I dont know enough about dna to comment on what can or cannot be concluded from the research. In short, dna studies cannot be used decisively to either affirm or reject the historical authenticity of the book of mormon. Then, once converted, the dna of that group changed back. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence general. Subtitled another testament of jesus christ, it recounts the story story of an israelite family who immigrated to and fully populated the american continents.
Whiting, a prominent geneticist whose work has received widespread attention it was featured as the cover story in cover article in nature in midjanuary 2003, recently gave a lecture at byu entitled, does dna evidence refute the authenticity of the book of mormon. 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. John dehlin september 16, 2015 apologetics, book of mormon, top 10 truth claims, top 100, top 5 response to essays 377 comments. The biggest problem with most antimormon attacks involving dna and the book of mormon is not so much the lack of scholarship about dna as it is the lack of scholarship concerning the book of mormon. Numerous passages throughout the book of mormon detail the. Dna evidence of the book of mormon in north america, linking native americans to the jewish population in the middle east. The dna truth that the mormon belief that they are related to the american indians is false. 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 controversy arises from dna studies of native american peoples. Saints released an essay on their website titled book of mormon and dna studies.
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