The controversy stems from dna studies of native american peoples. 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. He also has an excellent article, dna and the book of mormon. Dna tests contradict mormon scripture religion news blog. What does dna science have to say about this doctrine. The bm and essentially the universal teaching of the lds church state that american indians henceforth amerinds descend from israelites. Order the dvd at for more than 170 years, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has declared the book of. It is used in courts of law as first level evidence and can determine life or death. For more than 170 years the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has. The church says the studies are being twisted to attack its beliefs.
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. In short, dna studies cannot be used decisively to either affirm or reject the historical authenticity of the book of mormon. 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. Book of mormon and dna studies church of jesus christ. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence general. According to the book, two of these groups originated from ancient israel. Critics claim that such studies prove conclusively that there is no evidence of a middle eastern strand within the native american gene pool. Subtitled another testament of jesus christ, it recounts the story story of an israelite family who immigrated to and fully populated the american continents. A youtube clip entitled dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence is causing a stir among mormons as it has appeared on websites such as, ldsliving, prepare to serve youtube site and lds smile. Misunderstanding of both dnarelated science and the nature of the book of mormon led to premature rejoicing in some circles over the alleged refutation of that key scriptural text for latterday saints, as previously discussed here and on my ldsfaq essay on dna and the book of mormon.
The only true statements in the book of mormon are those taken from the bible. The book of mormon and the new world dna deseret book. There is generally no direct support amongst mainstream historians and archaeologists for the. 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 dna truth that the mormon belief that they are related to the american indians is false. The book of mormon henceforth dnabm offers a sustained argument focused, as the title suggests, on the implications of dna research for the historicity of the book of mormon henceforth bm. The book of mormon is not the only target for confused attacks misunderstanding of both dna related science and the nature of the book of mormon led to premature rejoicing in some circles over the alleged refutation of that key scriptural text for latterday saints, as previously discussed here and on my ldsfaq essay. Dna evidence of the book of mormon in north america, linking native americans to the jewish population in the middle east. Three geneticists respond to the lds essay on dna and. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. Lds scientist ugo perego, who has undoubtedly helped in the writing of the essay, has dated native american x lineages using very robust modern methods, and it arrived in the new world. Nothing is known about the extent of intermarriage and genetic mixing between book of mormon peoples or their descendants and other inhabitants of the americas, though some mixing appears evident, even during the period covered by the books text.
Sep 16, 2015 in response to mormon apologetics in 2004 he published losing a lost tribe, which explores the origins of amerindian and polynesian dna and its implications for lds beliefs arising from the book of mormon. The lds church released an essay on their website titled book of mormon and dna studies. Response to rodney meldrums incredible new dna evidence. Book of mormon dna mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. Dna controversy is an issue that most critics believe completely undermines mormon beliefs in the truthfulness of the book.
There is generally no direct support amongst mainstream historians and. The book of mormon, scientists examined the genes of north american native tribes. He is a snakeoil salesman exploiting elderly mormons. 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. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon. For more than 170 years, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormonism has declared the book of mormon to be godbreathed, inspired scriptures. Another testament of jesus christ, is true, not false. In summary, dna evidence and the book of mormon is long overdue. The critics are using tentative scientific findings to discredit common misconceptions about the book of mormon, not what the text actually teaches. The book of mormon teaches that these israelites are the principal ancestors of modernday native americans. 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. Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints need to realize that.
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 bm and essentially the universal teaching of the lds church state that american indians henceforth amerinds descend from israelites, but dna research tells a completely different story the evidence strongly supports the theory that amerinds descend from the inhabitants of the northern part of eastern asia. 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. 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. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by. 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. They found that 94% of the dna segments studied were totally alien to middle eastern people. Fundamental historical claims of the book of mormon are challenged by new genetic research. 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. 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 loses its original ethnic traces after so many hundreds of years. 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. Richard southerton, thomas murphy, joel kramer, jeremy reyes.
Thousands of native americans from more than 150 tribes have been tested to determine their ancestry. 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. Certainly such a civilization would have left abundant ruins, according to the wars mentioned in the book. This documentary provides compelling scientific evidence that much of what joseph smith and subsequent mormon prophets, apostles, and missionaries have taught for nearly 200 years about native americans and their foundational ties to the book of mormon is false. 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. Evangelical and protestant groups that have latched onto bogus claims of dissident and exmormon scholars that modern dna evidence disproves book of mormon historicity in their effort to combat the mormon threat at any cost. Sep 22, 2017 certainly such a civilization would have left abundant ruins, according to the wars mentioned in the book. Mormonisms founding prophet, joseph smith, once said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion. Christians have to dance around it, but mormons are getting tripped up on it.
Dna evidence is a much bigger problem for mormonology than it is for christianity. Simon is married to jane who is an english teacherlibrarian. The strongest evidence yet against the book of mormon. New discoveries in dna research currently allow scientists to test this historical claim. 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 that fizzled. When the bible and the book of mormon are tested for authenticity, which one will pass the test. In the end, god is faithful to once again make the truth plain to those who. This video carefully examines the complex issues of genetic research, revealing the significant flaws in the process.
Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence that proves the book of mormon. Dna puts to rest that any of the culture, civilization or peoples of the book of mormon ever existed. Theres a good lds article concerning this, but its on my old computer, which i dont feel like starting up again and looking for. 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. Southerton and professor murphy in a discussion of the problems dna research poses for book of mormon claims. Features interviews with both lds and nonlds scholars and scientists. An essay on book of mormon and dna studies was added on 114 in the topical guide of the website. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. 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. 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 presents the evidence from dna researchers, including mormon scientists who are wrestling with the dna dilemma that now faces mormonism.
Recently, a video was made 20022003 entitled dna vs. As clearly shown by those scientists used in the video, see thomas murphys article in the book american apocrypha, simon southertons book losing a lost tribe, and trent stephens book evolution and mormonism, all these works by these three used in the video demonstrates that dna has helped confirm evolution using that exact same. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of. Mormons only how do you respond to claims that dna demonstrates that native americans are descended from asiatic peoples and are not in any way related to hebrews. 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 church of jesus christ of latterday saints affirms that the book of mormon is a volume of sacred scripture comparable to the bible. 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 claim that such studies prove conclusively that there is no evidence of a middle eastern strand within the native american. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon by rich deem introduction. Dna data is only a problem for the book of mormon is one. I purchased over 50 copies of this dvd and sent them to mormon temples in the united states and abroad. 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. From the time he was a child in peru, the mormon church instilled in jose a. The book of mormon documentary examines and compares genetic evidence identifying the dna fingerprints of the jewish populations and american indian. 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. A new dvd in which several scientists have joined with dr. Loayza the conviction that he and millions of other native americans were descended from a lost tribe of israel that reached the new world more than 2,000 years ago. The essay asserts that dna studies cannot be used decisively to either affirm or reject the historical authenticity of the book of mormon.
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. The book of mormon claims native americans are descended from israelites. 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. In the end, god is faithful to once again make the truth plain to those who are willing to assess the evidence honestly. I purchased over 50 copies of this dvd and sent them to. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence youtube. Book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or.
A phylogenetic perspective in the journal of book of mormon studies, nov. 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. 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. 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. Dna fingerprinting has been validated as a very effective tool in genetic relationships and research. 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. 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.
Mormons and mitochondrial dna by chad ressler in august 2004 simon southerton released a book entitled losing a lost tribe. 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. Over 66,000 people viewed the video in the two weeks after it appeared. When we examine the implications of their claims and apply the same standards. Jan 21, 2016 a youtube clip entitled dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence is causing a stir among mormons as it has appeared on websites such as, ldsliving, prepare to serve youtube site and lds smile.
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