The LDS Restorationist movement,
including the Mormon churches
Attacks on the validity of the
Book of Mormon using DNA data
Sponsored link.
Overview:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other
denominations in the LDS Restorationist movement have taught that Native
Americans are descendents of three groups of
ancient Israelites who came to the new world:
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The Jaredite people came to Central America circa 2250 BCE
but were totally destroyed because of their corruption. |
|
Lehi arrived in America circa 600 BCE. Descendents of his two sons,
Nephi and Laman became the Nephites and the Lamanites. The Lamanites exterminated most of the Nephites circa 385
CE, and became the ancestors of present day Native
Americans. |
The belief that Natives are descendents of Jews was commonly accepted in the
early 19th century when the Book of Mormon was published. The idea has
since gone out of fashion except among the Mormons.
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 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 by an angel. This has caused some Mormons to depart from
their faith.
Topics covered in this section:
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Copyright 1999 to 2005, by Ontario Consultants on Religious
Tolerance
Originally written: 1999-NOV-28.
Latest update: 2005-OCT-17
Author: B.A. Robinson 
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