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. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon by rich deem introduction. Does dna evidence prove the book of mormon is false. 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.
Further, there is currently no archaeological evidence of american bison. 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. Mormon revisionists today believe that moroni went from one hill cumorah to the next to bury the plates. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon.
Dna evidence for book of mormon geography by rod meldrum. Three great resources to debunk the dna vs book of mormon. The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. Using both the 1st edition and the current edition of the book of mormon to compare against known discoveries. Book of mormondna evidencegeography issues fairmormon. 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, 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. Anyone who disagrees with the content of this video, didnt watch it.
An overzealous individual trying to expand his version of missionary work had an assistant, even the brother of joseph smith, and the two succeeded despite numerous. 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. Another testament of jesus christ, is true, not false. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. 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 evidence assembled to date suggests that the majority of native. Enjoy an educationpacked day of presentations by distinguished authors, researchers and speakers presenting the latest book of mormon evidence research. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. One group of families came from jerusalem in 600 bc and afterward separated into two nations, known as the nephites and the lamanites. 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. Older lds interpretations of the book of mormon implied that north american natives are all descendents of jews who emigrated from the middle east.
The lds church released an essay on their website titled book of mormon and dna studies. Another group came much earlier, when god confounded the tongues at the tower of babel. Ancient dna reveals staying power of early people of the andes. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. In 1993, he expanded his argument in his book christ in north america. In the past, bmc has highlighted evidence for the book of mormon. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. Correlation and verification through dna, prophetic, scriptural, historical, climatological, archaeological, social, and cultural evidence rodney meldrum, 2007, mailorder dvd. 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. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Correlation and verification through dna, prophetic, scriptural, historical, climatological, archaeological, social, and cultural evidence. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence that proves the book of mormon. Today we will talk about some common criticisms of the book of mormon around archaeological evidence that some say proves or disproves the truthfulness of the book of mormon.
Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Rodney meldrum, dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient. Articles which do not invoke any type of limited geography in their discussion include. In 1841 joseph smith read stephens incidents of travel in central america. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. A phylogenetic perspective, journal of book of mormon studies 121 2003.
But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly. 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. Ces letter links to a poorly written wikipedia article as the basis of their sweeping claim. 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. 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. This faithstrengthening event will provide new insights and information that supports the truthfulness of the restored gospel of jesus christ, his prophet, joseph smith, and the book of mormon. 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. Elephants are mentioned twice in the earliest book of mormon record, the book of ether. Dna strands in the book of mormon sunstone magazine. All lds students of book of mormon geography who have worked systematically with the problem in recent decades have come to agree on this sorenson 1985, 2930. Book of mormon dna evidence is the holy grail for mormons and antimormons alike. Mormon scholars argue that the book of mormon israelites who lived in the americas were assimilated into other nations. 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 internal consistency of these descriptions is one of the striking features of the book of mormon.
While the church has pinned its hopes on the work of limited geography apologetics, the essay makes no mention of geography at all. Welcome to the dna evidence for book of mormon blog. George regional conference, book of mormon evidence series. In early 2008 rodney meldrum published a dvd titled dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Geographical issues related to dna and the book of mormon identifying ancient dna related to book of mormon people responding to critical claims regarding.
The book of mormon makes several scientific claims that can be tested. Hi, i just finished watching a dvd titled dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Welcome to the dna evidence for book of mormon blog filed under. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon.
According to the book, two of these groups originated from ancient israel. 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. Ancient genome suggests native americans really did. The dvd is based upon a popular presentation given in a number of fireside. 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted.
The book of mormon cannot be from authentic ancient israelites because it does not use the psalms heavily like some other biblical writers. Book of mormon geography posted by mormon heretic on january 25, 2008 in book of mormon, central america, geography, malay, mormon, science, south america about 7 years ago, i was introduced to the idea that the book of mormon lands didnt take place in. Joseph smiths statements regarding book of mormon geography. 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. New scientific support for the truthfulness of the book of mormon.
The conclusion of dna evidence brings us the fascinating testimony of an exmormon. The book of mormon tells the story of a family from ancient jerusalem that crossed the ocean and colonized somewhere in the western. This article describes the origin of the myth that the book of mormon events occurred in south america. In my opinion, many dnabook of mormon controversies. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. 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. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. This is some heavy duty gaslighting and throwing the bom under the bus. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, members and.
While evidence against the book of mormon and its miraculous origins has. New pieces of evidence from the this land series of books will give you new insight into the book of mormon. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. The idea that america may have been overwhelmingly peopled by folks from northeastern asia. This article answers the claim that the book of mormon figure called sherem is an example of a nonisraelite. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence youtube.
Book of mormon geography in north america wayne may. Attempts to resolve conflicts between the book of mormon and dna findings. Dna evidence for book of mormon geography, the original dvd introducing the heartland geography model, has been discontinued following more than 60,000 copies being distributed over the past 7 years. The book of mormon is clear that it was a literal curse on their skin. Archaeological and historical evidence dna and the book.
Joseph smith made several comments which suggest that ancient. 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. In our view, an ancient mesoamerican setting is best supported by the information given in the book of mormon. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. 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. Jun 22, 2016 5 did joseph smith know the geography of the book of mormon. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. A radically different book of mormon geography theory. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if their genetic profile.
The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Watch as wayne may presents the parallels between the geography of the hopewell and adena civilizations and the book of mormon records. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. 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. But the book of mormon never mentions any other nations. The book of mormon itself is the best source for understanding the geographical locations contained therein. 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. Book of mormon the list of archaeological and historical. Attacks on the validity of the book of mormon using dna data support for the book of mormon by mormon academics. 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. 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. Archaeological and historical evidence dna and the book of. Heartland model wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america.
Heartland model wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in. Dna evidence contradicts this origin story, and the lds church has had to. 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. There is generally no direct support amongst mainstream historians and archaeologists for the. Hence, moroni had to carry the plates from central america to new york. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. Wikipedias other article on americas settlement does not. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. 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 oldest hebrew inscription and the psalms in the book. It is the most widely distributed dvd in the history of the church on the subject of book of mormon geography.
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. Dna evidence reported in nature in november 20 shows support for american indian dna that descends from areas including the middle east. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of. 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.
Mormon church says it was an error in their come follow me manual that there was a curse of dark skin. It is commonly referred to as the hemispheric geography model because it locates. Some argue dna disproves the historicity of the book of mormon while. Problems with the antimormon approach to the geography. Hemispheric geography theory lds have traditionally interpreted the text hemispherically and assumed a blank continent. 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. The one and only river mentioned in the entire book of mormon is called the sidon. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Aug 29, 2008 welcome to the dna evidence for book of mormon blog filed under. Native american indian genes are traced to ancient people living in. 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 evidence for book of mormon geography documentarytube. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. 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.
This article addresses how it relates to the book of mormon. Internal book of mormon geography focuses on the relationships between lands and other geographic features, independent of where they might be physically located on todays maps. Reviews of dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Meldrum, dna evidence for book of mormon geography dvd, 2003 and. Dna evidence for book of mormon geography miscellaneous. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. The book of mormon specifically mentions that they are descendants of ephraim and manasseh. The remainder of the video features interviews with experts in history, biology, anthropology, linguistics and archaeology. Dna analysis has concluded that native american indians do not originate from the middle east or from israelites but rather from asia.
Apr 15, 2008 hi, i just finished watching a dvd titled dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book. 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 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. The final test of our views of book of mormon geography will be. Summary of problems with rod meldrums heartland theory. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence general. Many lds academics and theologians are now promoting a limited geography theory. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. It, therefore, is an important geographical indicator. Devout mormon, daniel peterson, a professor of asian and near eastern languages at brigham young university, said.
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