Over 66,000 people viewed the video in the two weeks after it appeared. Mormon scientist jeff lindsay wrote, for the book of mormon, it now appears that a nineteenthcentury assumption that many leaders and members of the church made about the text is incorrect. Examples of book of mormon criticisms based on alleged dna evidence are found in simon g. At this point, dna evidence simply cannot disprove or prove the historicity 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. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. 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. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. Book of mormon dna evidenceissues identifying ancient dna. The book of mormon and the origin of native americans from. The nahom case provides evidence, not of the authenticity of the book of mormon, but of the willingness of lds scholars to look anywhere to find validation for a historically accurate reading of the book of mormon. 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 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.
New scientific support for the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples. Dna puts to rest that any of the culture, civilization or peoples of the book of mormon ever existed. Murphy, lamanite genesis, genealogy, and genetics, inamerican apocrypha. In an essay titled does the dna evidence refute the book of mormon. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. In summary, dna evidence and the book of mormon is long overdue. However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon states. Sep 10, 2016 dna marker x2aj is probably the greatest dna evidence for the book of mormon thus far. 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 nhm inscription is the most important piece of geographical evidence book of mormon supporters have for their claims. Dna evidence conflicts with book of mormon lds facts.
In early 2008 rodney meldrum published a dvd titled dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Lds scholars to write articles and books claiming that dna studies refute the historicity of the book of mormon the lds scholarly community was quick to respond with articles and papers debunking the uninformed false claims that dna evidence proves the book of mormon false. The book of mormon makes several scientific claims that can be tested. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. Rediscovering the bom remnant through dna book of mormon. Dna marker x2aj is probably the greatest dna evidence for the book of mormon thus far. Produced by fair, a nonprofit organization that sponsors conferences and websites in defence of the church, this video dispells what for some is a. The book of mormon teaches that the people of the americas are decendants from lamanites, who originally crossed the oceans from jerusalem, sometime near 600 b. Critics who attempt to rely on dna evidence to attack the truth of the book of mormon misinterpret or misconstrue what. The conclusion states, much as critics and defenders of the book of mormon would like to use dna studies to support their views, the evidence is simply inconclusive. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith.
The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon by rich deem introduction. If anyone tries to tell you differently in either direction, be very skeptical. 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. Dna science challenges lds history christian research. Dna analysis has concluded that native american indians do not originate from the middle east or from israelites but rather from asia. Ces letter links to a poorly written wikipedia article as the basis of their sweeping claim. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Rather, he calls us to prove all things 1 thessalonians 5. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon. Dna experts, and christians attack the bible as well as the book of mormon. Dna research and mormon scholars changing basic beliefs lds.
Now the same dna evidence used in courts of law can credibly speak to the validity of the book of mormon, which serves as the foundation of the mormon religion. In the book of mormon there are three meanings of the word jew including resident of jerusalem. Lost civilizations on north america documentary5, x dna by yates, meldrum. 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. Does dna evidence prove the book of mormon to be false. 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. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Wikipedias other article on americas settlement does not.
Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Well documented facts, and he covered so many different aspects of evidence to back up his video presentation, aside from the compelling dna evidence, he used weather, animal migration, mapping, rivers, water bodies, descriptions from the book of mormon and matched them to the local geography. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Dna science challenges lds history christian research institute. 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. Two of the most prevalent claims for the book of mormon are, there is much archaeological proof to the book of mormon, and the american indians are descendants of israelites who came to america as described in the book of mormon. The dvd is based upon a popular presentation given in a number of fireside. Critics who attempt to rely on dna evidence to attack the truth of the book of mormon mi. Before dna evidence was found the mormon church even produced a filmstrip, which was shown by their missionaries in many countries, called ancient america speaks, where it presented what the rest of the world identifies as inca and mayan ruins, as ruins of the book of mormon peoples. Some mormon researchers claim that it is not valid to use genetics to attempt to prove or disprove the historicity of the book of mormon, citing a lack of source genes and the improbability of tracing israelite dna even if present.
The book of mormon and dna evidence, dna, archive ugo a. Dna samples taken from modern american indians show no connection to the dna of the peoples of the middle east. Jun 09, 2009 in an essay titled does the dna evidence refute the book of mormon. Native americans, dna, and the mormon churchsalt lake city. Correlation and verification through dna, prophetic, scriptural, historical, climatological, archaeological, social, and cultural evidence. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Are israelites the principal ancestors of native americans. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints need to realize that god does not seek to confuse us and lead us away from him through the use of our intellect. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Now im not a geneticist but if you want to hear a population geneticist give you the long version of what i just said, check out the links in the description and have.
If the book of mormon is false, joseph smith was not a prophet. Book of mormon dna evidence is the holy grail for mormons and antimormons alike. Its the 5ton elephant in the room that researchers geneticist do not want to talk about. The only true statements in the book of mormon are those taken from the bible. 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.
This page supports my main mormon answers page on dna evidence and the book of mormon. Reviews of dna evidence for book of mormon geography. 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. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Reviews of dna evidence for book of mormon geography fairmormon.
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. Is there any dna evidence to support the book of mormons. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Whiting journal of book of mormon studies 121 2003. David read the surprising new dna evidence supports the. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Response to rodney meldrums incredible new dna evidence. The criticism of the mormon church is the following. Its not all neat and orderly, as previous generations of latterday saints assumed, or as we would like. 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.
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. Nov 06, 2006 now the same dna evidence used in courts of law can credibly speak to the validity of the book of mormon, which serves as the foundation of the mormon religion. Mormons and mitochondrial dna by chad ressler in august 2004 simon southerton released a book entitled losing a lost tribe. Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient.
Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. 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 book s text. Dna research and mormon scholars changing basic beliefs. Much as critics and defenders of the book of mormon would like to use dna studies to support their views, the evidence is simply inconclusive. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of. This must mean that amerindians are not descended from book of mormon peoples, and the book of mormon is false. The lds church released an essay on their website titled book of mormon and dna studies. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints affirms that the book of mormon is a volume of sacred scripture comparable to the bible. 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 strongest evidence yet against the book of mormon. The book of mormon and the new world dna deseret book. Book of mormon and dna studies church of jesus christ. While evidence against the book of mormon and its miraculous origins has been steadily accumulating for more than a century, modern dna techniques provide new and irrefutable evidence to further bolster decades of anthropology, archaeology and linguistic study. As dna tests and sequencing has become more common critics of the book of mormon have pointed out that if there really was a group of people that traveled to the americas from the middle east west asia then there should be some dna evidence of that found in the modern descendants of those people.
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. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. David read the surprising new dna evidence supports the book of mormon 40m. Dna evidence supporting the book of mormon there is no dna evidence supporting the book of mormon. Subtitled another testament of jesus christ, it recounts the story story of an israelite family who immigrated to and fully populated the american continents. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon and dna studies. Ekins, is decrypting the genetic legacy of americas indigenous populations key to the historicity of the book of mormon. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Understanding the scientific evidence this page supports my main mormon answers page on dna evidence and the book of mormon.
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. Testing of the ychromosome dna and mitochondrial dna are. On its web site, under the mistakes in the news heading, the church declares, recent attacks on the veracity of the book of mormon based on dna evidence are ill considered. The book of mormon presents the evidence from dna researchers. X2aj is not found in north america but its importance to native american dna is virtually unknown. One of most basic tenets of the lds faith maintains that the book of mormon is a literal history of the ancestors of the present day american indian peoples.