Does dna evidence prove the book of mormon to be false. The book of mormon tells the story of a family from ancient jerusalem that crossed the ocean and colonized somewhere in the western. The book of mormon, the founding document of the latter day saint movement and one of the. A closer examination demonstrates that dna evidence does not discredit. The conclusion of dna evidence brings us the fascinating testimony of an exmormon. 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. Rodney meldrum, dna evidence for book of mormon geography. The book of mormon and the origin of native americans from a maternally inherited dna standpoint.
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. Archaeological and historical evidence dna and the book. Dna evidence for book of mormon geography miscellaneous. 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. While evidence against the book of mormon and its miraculous origins has been. One group of families came from jerusalem in 600 bc and afterward separated into two nations, known as the nephites and the lamanites.
The final test of our views of book of mormon geography will be archaeological. The conclusion of dna evidence brings us the fascinating testimony of an ex mormon. This site provides you with an overview of what the book of mormon claims from an archeological or historic viewpoint, and compares it to nonapologetic apologetic meaning speak to defend scientific and historical resources. The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. A phylogenetic perspective, journal of book of mormon studies 121 2003. New scientific support for the truthfulness of the book of mormon. However, matching and similar finds create parallels that can be. In early 2008 rodney meldrum published a dvd titled dna evidence for book of mormon geography.
In fact, the dna evidence does not refute the claims of the text itself, nor does it preclude a divine origin for the book of mormon. Yes, the most ancient migration to the new world described by the. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. A radically different book of mormon geography theory. Heartland model wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if their. 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. Joseph smith, prophet and translator of the book of mormon, stated. Maxwell institute for religious scholarship formerly farms, aug 2000. Attempts to resolve conflicts between the book of mormon and dna findings. Welcome to the dna evidence for book of mormon blog. In 1975, he submitted a paper to a symposium about book of mormon geography outlining the failure of archaeologists to find old world plants, animals, metals, and scripts in. 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 material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america.
The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. The idea that america may have been overwhelmingly peopled by folks from northeastern asia. The book of mormon states that there were three transoceanic migrations by ship, lehis family, the mulekites and the jaredites. This is some heavy duty gaslighting and throwing the bom under the bus. Simon southerton submitted to us as to why he left mormonism due to dna evidence is at whyleft125. The oldest, that is to say the earliest, rocks thus far identi fied in land. Book of mormon the list of archaeological and historical. The remainder of the video features interviews with experts in history, biology, anthropology, linguistics and archaeology. According to the book, two of these groups originated from ancient israel. Mormon remnant through dna is his effort to present that evidence. Dna evidence for book of mormon geography dvd, 2003 and rediscovering the. Rod meldrum and book of mormon dna byu scholarsarchive. An excellent documentary by rod meldrum for new scientific support for the truthfulness of the book of mormon studying the correlation and verification through dna, prophetic, scriptural, historical, climatological, archaeological, social, and cultural evidence. Summary of problems with rod meldrums heartland theory.
Aug 29, 2008 welcome to the dna evidence for book of mormon blog filed under. Dna controversy is an issue that most critics believe completely undermines mormon beliefs in the truthfulness of the book. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. In 2002, anthropologist thomas murphy published an essay in which he argued that dna evidence points to native americans being related to asians, and therefore this disproves the book of mormon. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. The lds, better known as mormons, believe the book of mormon. This timeframe is consistent with archaeological evidence of the earliest. The book of mormon is clear that it was a literal curse on their skin. 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 controversy stems from dna studies of native american peoples.
Anyone who disagrees with the content of this video, didnt watch it. Wikipedias other article on americas settlement does not. Ancient dna reveals staying power of early people of the andes. Another testament of jesus christ, is true, not false. 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. The evidence assembled to date suggests that the majority of native.
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. Hemispheric geography theory lds have traditionally interpreted the text hemispherically and assumed a blank continent. Watch as wayne may presents the parallels between the geography of the hopewell and adena civilizations and the book of mormon records. Dna evidence of the book of mormon in north america, linking native americans to the jewish population in the middle east. Ample archeological evidence proves the lands of western and central new. The dvd is based upon a popular presentation given in a number of fireside venues since at least the middle of 2007. The dvd is based upon a popular presentation given in a number of fireside. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence general. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica.
Correlation and verification through dna, prophetic, scriptural, historical, climatological, archaeological, social, and cultural evidence rodney meldrum, 2007, mailorder dvd. A detailed book of mormon geography, chapter by chapter. 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. The book of mormon lands have finally been found after 173 years of research and speculation. The book of mormon cannot be authentic in light of the documentary hypothesis because it relies on some material from the priestly source that was not in existence in lehis day. Apr 15, 2008 hi, i just finished watching a dvd titled dna evidence for book of mormon geography. In 1993, he expanded his argument in his book christ in north america. Elephants are mentioned twice in the earliest book of mormon record, the book of ether. Dna evidence reported in nature in november 20 shows support for american indian dna that descends from areas including the middle east. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon by rich deem introduction. Older lds interpretations of the book of mormon implied that north american natives are all descendents of jews who emigrated from the middle east. Book of mormon dna mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs.
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. Book of mormondna evidencegeography issues fairmormon. 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 about 100 genetic studies have been done on about 75 groups out of 500 known native. This issue of book of mormon geography has been around for. Hi, i just finished watching a dvd titled dna evidence for book of mormon geography. It is commonly referred to as the hemispheric geography model because it. This geographical and population model was formally published in an official lds church magazine, the ensign, in a twopart series published in september and october 1984. Critics claim that such studies prove conclusively that there is no evidence of a middle eastern strand within the native american gene pool. Many of these relics are inscribed with various old world or. Mormon revisionists today believe that moroni went from one hill cumorah to the next to bury the plates. Another group came much earlier, when god confounded the tongues at the tower of babel.
There are also some powerful evidences for the book of mormon, including important correlations from the book of mormon text to mesoamerica and hebrew language and customs. 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. 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. Generations of mormons grew up with the notion that american indians are descended from a lost tribe from the house of israel, offspring of a book of mormon figure named lehi, who left jerusalem and sailed to the americas around 600 b. See more ideas about book of mormon, heartland of america and book people. There is generally no direct support amongst mainstream historians and archaeologists for the. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon. The book of mormon makes several scientific claims that can be tested. 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. Although historians and archaeologists consider the book to be an anachronistic invention of joseph smith, many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement believe that it. In the book of mormon, the book of nephi tells the story of a hebrew family that flees the city of jerusalem around 600 b. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting.
Church officials say that nothing in book of mormon scriptures is contradicted by dna evidence. On, a reader wrote in and complained that her native american ancestry did not show up in her dna test. 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 population genetics. Articles which do not invoke any type of limited geography in their discussion include. Understanding the blessings, requirements and judgements upon a promised land from 911 to 2016, with an introduction to the heartland geography 11. Reviews of dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Attacks on the validity of the book of mormon using dna data support for the book of mormon by mormon academics. This blog is dedicated to providing a forum for those who have seen the dvd presentation of dna evidence for book of mormon geography to discuss their thoughs, feeling, questions, and concerns about this research project no crude, vulgar or unethical comments will be allowed, however views differing from the authorseditors will be allowed so long as they are not abusive. It appears that a researcher has forged the link between the ancient place names mentioned in the book of mormon and the current place names in central america.
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. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence that proves the book of mormon. The lds church released an essay on their website titled book of mormon and dna studies. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Three great resources to debunk the dna vs book of mormon. Kristen moulton, book of mormon geography stirring controversy, salt lake. 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. Jun 22, 2016 5 did joseph smith know the geography of the book of mormon. Related topics including the book of mormon and dna. The book of mormon cannot be from authentic ancient israelites because it does not use the psalms heavily like some other biblical writers. The internal consistency of these descriptions is one of the striking features of the book of mormon. However, matching and similar finds create parallels that can be demonstrated when comparing the ohio and illinois hopewell culture with the nephite culture of the book of mormon timeline. Using both the 1st edition and the current edition of the book of mormon to compare against known discoveries.
Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Mormon church says it was an error in their come follow me manual that there was a curse of dark skin. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. 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. The evidence for this conclusion, as has been addressed by many scholars, includes the limited geography of events and travel described in the text and a historical chronology consistent with the archaeological record of the region. In my opinion, many dnabook of mormon controversies. Start reading about the geography, names, places and events, that relate to modern day and book of mormon scripture. George regional conference, book of mormon evidence series. Jan 18, 2018 in 1975, he submitted a paper to a symposium about book of mormon geography outlining the failure of archaeologists to find old world plants, animals, metals, and scripts in mesoamerica. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Archaeological and historical evidence dna and the book of. The limited geography model of the book of mormon supports this position. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly. It is commonly referred to as the hemispheric geography model because it locates.
Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, members and leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints have expressed numerous opinions about the specific locations of the events discussed in the book. While the church has pinned its hopes on the work of limited geography apologetics, the essay makes no mention of geography at all. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. New pieces of evidence from the this land series of books will give you new insight into the book of mormon. Jan 19, 2016 four years before he was murdered, joseph smith read a book by john lloyd stephens then changed his mind claiming the geography of the book of mormon was never in north america but it occurred in mesoamerica because he read a book about maya ruins maya which were later determined in the 60s,70s, 80s, 90s by f. Dna analysis has concluded that native american indians do not originate from the middle east or from israelites but rather from asia. In our view, an ancient mesoamerican setting is best supported by the information given in the book of mormon. This article addresses how it relates to the book of mormon. Devout mormon, daniel peterson, a professor of asian and near eastern languages at brigham young university, said. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Many lds academics and theologians are now promoting a limited geography theory.
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. 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. Does dna evidence prove the book of mormon is false. Hence, moroni had to carry the plates from central america to new york. Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient. 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. Correlation and verification through dna, prophetic, scriptural, historical, climatological, archaeological, social, and cultural evidence. Ces letter links to a poorly written wikipedia article as the basis of their sweeping claim. The basic premise of the research engaged in by the author, rod meldrum, was that there was sufficient evidence in the book of mormon and from the prophet jos smith jr. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. 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. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if their genetic. The oldest hebrew inscription and the psalms in the book.
Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence youtube. For example, a 2010 genetic analysis of a wellpreserved 4,000year old. Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Dna evidence for book of mormon geography documentarytube. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. Book of mormon dna evidence is the holy grail for mormons and antimormons alike. Dna evidence has relatively little to do with the authenticity of the book of mormon, but does provide importance tentative insights into the origins of many ancient american peoples.
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