Attacks on the validity of the
Book of Mormon using DNA data

Introduction

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Introduction:

The LA Times reported that:

"The sacred writings of many faiths make claims that might not stand up to scientific tests. But most faiths avoid conflict with scholarship either because their claims relate to events too far in the past to be tested or because they have reinterpreted their scriptural claims as metaphors, rather than assertions of literal fact."

"For devout Mormons, however, neither of those defenses is available. The Book of Mormon, made public by Joseph Smith in 1830, is a cornerstone of church doctrine and is taken literally by the faithful. It teaches, among other things, that many American Indians are descendants of ancient Israelites who came to this continent 600 years before Christ -- a time period within the reach of modern archaeology and genetics." ₁

Not every statement in a holy book can be verified or disproved scientifically. For example, there is no archaeological evidence that would prove the existence of Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, and other personalities described in the Bible prior to the time of King Solomon. Similarly, most of the events cannot be corroborated with hard evidence outside the Bible. However, one teaching of the Book of Mormon is different. It specifically teaches that three groups of ancient Hebrews came from Israel to the Americas -- the first in 2247 BCE. Their descendants separated into two nations, the Nephites and the Lamanites. Subsequently, all but the Lamanites died off. The Book of Mormon states that the Lamanites are the principal ancestors of modern-day Native Americans. DNA, facial structure, and blood type studies appear to conflict with this belief. They demonstrate that the today's Natives descended from ancient people in Siberia. If the Natives were descendents of Lamanites, then one would expect to find Middle Eastern genetic markers in the DNA, facial structures and blood factors of American Natives. None of these exist.

Christianity Today reports in a year 2004 book review that:

References:

1. William Lobdell and Larry B. Stammer, "Mormon Scientist, Church Clash Over DNA Test; Anthropologist may be ousted for questioning teachings about Native American ancestry," LA Times, 2002-DEC-8, at: http://www.latimes.com/news/
2. John W. Kennedy, "LDS and DNA. Book challenges Native American link to ancient Israel," Christianity Today, October 2004-OCT. See: http://www.christianitytoday.com/
3. Simon G. Southerton, "Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church," Signature Books, (2004). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
4. "Mistakes in the News: DNA and the Book of Mormon," 2003-NOV-11, at: http://www.lds.org/