New scientific support for the truthfulness of the book of mormon. A clip from the dvd book of mormon and new world dna produce by us at fair. Book of mormon geography, lands, map, dna true evidence. Historical antecedents and early interpretations, by matthew roper farms limited geography bibliography. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful, and more. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new york. In 1991, john sorenson of byu, the dean of book of mormon geography, created a book called the geography of book of mormon events. Critics claim that such studies prove conclusively that there is no evidence of a middle eastern strand within the native american gene pool. Those interested in knowing more about dna and the book of mormon can find information on the fair website or on the fair wiki. We at book of mormon christian believe that if you take the record alone without any alleged statements by joseph smith, the truth will speak very loud and very clear. He also has an excellent article, dna and the book of mormon. Firetag 49 comments like many people who consider the book of mormon as scripture, i am fascinated by questions about where it has a setting in ancient historical events.
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. Dna strands in the book of mormon sunstone magazine. 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. 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. Sadly, all other book of mormon believing denominations are following the lead of the lds church and believe in a mesoamerican model as well. Geography moronis america the north american setting. Rediscovering the book of mormon, edited by john sorenson and melvin thorne, appeared in 1991. Book of mormon dna religionwiki fandom powered by wikia. The foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms was an informal collaboration of academics devoted to latterday saint historical scholarship.
Some argue dna disproves the historicity of the book of mormon. Dna evidence of the book of mormon in north america, linking. Dna research and mormon scholars changing basic beliefs. Nov 22, 2018 training in archaeology, anthropology, ancient warfare, linguistics, law, geology, botany, zoology, genetics, and many other fields have helped scholars establish and illuminate plausible historical settings for the book of mormon. Jan 30, 2019 this statement was cited in the 2014 gospel topics essay book of mormon and dna studies n. In 1997, the group became a formal part of brigham young university byu, which is owned and operated by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. Book of mormondna evidencegeography issues fairmormon.
Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. He graduated summa cum laude from byu and received masters and doctoral degrees in history from the university of wisconsinmadison. They flatly reject the hemispheric geography, the view accepted by most mormons and all the prophets. The controversy stems from dna studies of native american peoples. In 1977, long before the advent of dna population studies. Revisiting the land of jerusalem, in pressing forward with the book of mormon. Mormon revisionists today believe that moroni went from one hill cumorah to the next to bury the plates.
Chief among these is the fact that we know we certainty where the story beginsin old world jerusalem. Another testament of jesus christ, is true, not false. Geographical issues related to dna and the book of mormon. Joseph smiths visions a comparison of accounts by joseph smith and oliver cowdery. 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. At the time he angrily defended the book of mormon and hinted that smgf scientists were finding exciting new evidence that supported the book of mormon must be still finding it. In my opinion, many dnabook of mormon controversies. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Clark book of mormon geography digging into the book of mormon.
In this book are a number of future book of mormon names, which appeared within alphabetized lists. This book was a common household reference in young joseph smiths time and place. I met woodward when i visited the sorenson molecular genealogy foundation smgf in salt lake city a few years ago. For those interested, an overview of book of mormon geography and the various geographical models offered over the years is available on on the fair wiki. Book lot mormon lds evidences map geography structure dna. Miller author matthew roper when the book of mormon first appeared, skeptics said that references to horses, asses, elephants, and other animals such as swine and cows were out of place.
The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon and dna studies. Genetic drift particularly affects mitochondrial dna and ychromosome dna, but it also leads to the loss of variation in autosomal dna. Hemispheric interpretations of book of mormon geography. Modern apologist organizations like fairmormon, book of mormon central, and the interpreter foundation have also cited mesoamerican evidence for the. Sorenson, siberian dna, and book of mormon directions. Kristen moulton, book of mormon geography stirring controversy, salt lake. Sep 08, 2016 response to the essay book of mormon and dna studies in the rest of this article, we will comment on specific statements in the essay book of mormon and dna studies pertaining to what it says about the science of dna research as it applies to the issues raised by the book of mormon. Meldrum, titled book of mormon evidence has taken 8 years of intensive research, 3 years of filming and 9 months of editing to bring together the most compelling evidence supporting the validity of the book of mormon ever assembled. Controversy, evidence, and two cumorahs the book of mormon is not intended to be a history book or a guide to geography, science, or any other secular topic. This page is about the book of mormon geography by rodney meldrum and has the same deficiencies as wayne may, jonathan neville, and other heartland modelers. The limited geography model of the book of mormon supports this position.
His contention is that the dna research thus far doesnt support the book of mormon, peterson said. Sorensons an ancient american setting for the book of mormon has become quite popular among lds readers, despite presenting what is known as the limited geography viewpoint of the book of mormon a view we shall examine later. It is important to remember that most dna apologists defending the book of mormon, do so on the assumption that lehi and his family made a small genetic impact in the americas. A phylogenetic perspective that book of mormon critics attempting to use dna have not given us anything that would pass the muster of peer. What role should scholarship play in studying the book of mormon. Whiting, director of brigham young universitys dna sequencing center and an associate professor in byus department of integrative biology, concluded in his article dna and the book of mormon. In early 2008 rodney meldrum published a dvd titled dna evidence for book of mormon geography. As far as antimormon claims are concerned, the antimormon critics had been jumping to conclusions based on lowresolution dna tests that are used for population studies. The book of mormon geography book, a promised land, the land of promise, is one of our books at alpha publishing available for purchase at virginia elieson was inspired with this geography, while with her patriarch husband and mission president in dallas here organized into a book by peter covino, jr. The book of mormon geography and map with dna evidence and the location of lands and cities such as zarahemla, cumorah, the narrow neck, mexico, caribbean sea, american indians, and true evidence are all here.
There was a book published in 1791 by john walker entitled, a key to the classical pronunciation of greek, latin, and scripture proper names. There is generally no direct support amongst mainstream historians and archaeologists for the. A twentyfirst century construction of exit narratives first published by interpreter magazine. 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. He is also associate professor of history at brigham young university, where he teaches american religious history. Correlation and verification through dna, prophetic, scriptural, historical, climatological, archaeological, social, and cultural evidence rodney meldrum, 2007, mailorder dvd. Official statement on book of mormon geography and its. Dna, zelph, and the book of mormon july 27, 2004 by bccjohnh patty henetz of the associated press has written an article on dna and the book of mormon, focusing on geneticist simon southerton and his forthcoming book, losing a lost tribe.
The book of mormon itself is the best source for understanding the geographical locations contained therein. In some circles they are known as professional branch of mormon apologetics. Perego, is decrypting the genetic legacy of americas indigenous populations key to the historicity of. Finding the bible in the book of mormon biblical phrases abound in the book of mormon. The book of mormon archeology foundation has a handy short list of major flaws with the recent heartland model for book of mormon geography. Regarding point 1, i have read all of sorensons works and most of what farms and the maxwell institute have. Established in 1979 as a private organization, farms is a group of mormon scholars dedicated to studying and defending the mormon faith. This was followed in 1992 by reexploring the book of mormon, edited by john welch, and in 1997 by book of mormon authorship revisited. Rediscovering the book of mormon remnant through dna rod l. 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. Roberts concluded, assuming a hemispheric geography theory for the book of mormon, sufficient parallels existed that future critics could claim that view of the hebrews had provided a structural foundation for the book of mormon story. Book of mormon dna mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. In this episode, three geneticists respond to the lds essay book of mormon and dna studies, and to apologist michael ashs article entitled the dna challenge to the book of mormon that fizzled. Knowing where the book of mormon took place would allow readers to better understand its own internal.
The contents, structure, and authorship of the book of mormon by jn washburn 247 pages. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. Farms stands for the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies. While the majority of the events described in the book of mormon took place in the americas, the opening chapters are set in the ancient near east. Articles which do not invoke any type of limited geography in their discussion include. Sorenson and matthew roper, before dna, journal of. 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. Limited geography and the book of mormon byu scholarsarchive. Jan 30, 2019 the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms, a major mormon apologetic powerhouse established in 1979, unabashedly promoted mesoamerican theories for book of mormon geography. No sea directly west of zarahemla no sea directly east of zarahemla stated travel times make it clear book of mormon lands were small. Recent defenses of the book of mormon a look at farms research. We at book of mormon christian believe that if you take the record alone without any alleged statements by joseph. While most lds scholars who grapple with details of book of mormon geography see mesoamerica as the most likely or only reasonably candidate for the ancient new world setting of the book of mormon, several people have. Hence, moroni had to carry the plates from central america to new york.
A discussion of the arabian, or old world, geography of the book of mormon enjoys many advantages over discussion of new world matters. Spencer fluhman is the executive director of the neal a. The final test of our views of book of mormon geography will be. The evidence for ancient origins, edited by noel reynolds. Reviews of dna evidence for book of mormon geography. Rediscovering the book of mormon remnant through dna. Limited geography and the book of mormon roper 229 and signi. The book of mormon and dna research edited by daniel peterson 287 pages. Peterson and ricks have produced the popularlevel lds apologetic work mentioned above. 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. Using the book of mormon to combat falsehoods in organic evolution by clark a.
The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. According to the book, two of these groups originated from ancient israel. Correlation and verification through dna, prophetic, scriptural, historical, climatological, archaeological, social, and cultural evidence. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Historical antecedents and early interpretations matthew roper introduction the book of mormon is a record prepared and written by ancient american prophets. The arguments claiming that near eastern dna is not found in the americas is also disproved by haplogroup x mtdna. For these same reasons, arguments that some defenders of the book of mormon make based on dna studies are also speculative. Dna controversy is an issue that most critics believe completely undermines mormon beliefs in the truthfulness of the book. Jonathan, because most of your comments are sound and reasonable, but once in a while they stray, such as your reasoning for thinking that book of mormon geography matters, i shall repeat the comment i made in your blog pitting scholars against prophets on cumorah, with a bit of editing. As has been reported elsewhere here and here, the new entry in the gospel topics section book of mormon geography states, the church takes no position on the specific geographic location of. Rod meldrum and book of mormon dna byu scholarsarchive.
A phylogenetic perspective, journal of book of mormon studies 121 2003. The documentary is a must see for all those who view the book of mormon as an accurate history of the native american indians. Reviews of dna evidence for book of mormon geography fairmormon. For these same reasons, arguments that some defenders of the book of mormon make. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if their genetic profile were known, there are sound scientific reasons that it might remain undetected. Anyone who disagrees with the content of this video, didnt watch it. After making some contributions here, i am now beginning to wonder if much of this article should not be moved to the stub on book of mormon geography, leaving this page free to document the specific issue of dna research. The book and the map, new insights into book of mormon geography by venice priddis 169. We will examine some of the more important claims put. Errors of rodney meldrum true book of mormon geography. When highresolution tests the type used by police forensics scientists to identify individuals, not large population. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence youtube. A phylogenetic perspective in the journal of book of mormon studies, nov. Our changing understanding of ancient america and its scripture part 1.
The book of mormon itself, however, does not claim that the peoples it describes were either the predominant or the exclusive inhabitants of the lands they. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints have a new authoritative statement from church leaders on book of mormon geography. Sorenson, siberian dna, and book of mormon directions date. 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. The power o f podcasts and dehlins style and approach are well illustrated by his interview with renowned mesoamericanist michael coe. Apr 20, 2009 most of you believe that the book of mormon occurred in central america, right. More thoughts on the heartland model of book of mormon. Farms findings on mesoamerica are based on the book of mormons internal geography, that is, descriptions of how long it took the ancient peoples to get from one place to another.
The book of mormon, the founding document of the latter day saint movement and one of the. The book of mormon documentary accurately presents the consensus of the scientific community that northern asia not israel is the place of origin of the native american indians. See the series of quotations from 1903 to 1993 at book of mormon geography and revelation, fairmormon n. 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 research and mormon scholars changing basic beliefs lds.
While the church has pinned its hopes on the work of limited geography apologetics, the essay makes no mention of geography at all. Sorenson molecular genealogy foundation book of mormon. The two big problems with the mesoamerican model for book of mormon geography are 1 there is zero evidence of the book of mormon narrative there and 2 the proponents insist joseph didnt know much about the book of mormon. The lds church released an essay on their website titled book of mormon and dna studies. Robertss manuscript was private and shared only with lds church leadership. Rodney meldrum, dna evidence for book of mormon geography.
Unconventional book of mormon geography theories mormon matters. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Church statement dismisses dna challenges to book of mormon more than a year after dna evidence was first used to chal lenge the notion that native americans are descended from book of mormon peoples who migrated from the middle east. Jan, 2016 dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence that proves the book of mormon. Evidence from the book of mormon manuscript dictated or copied. Dont know much about book of mormon geography the faith. Summary of problems with rod meldrums heartland theory. It is a book of scripture aimed at teaching people about christ and how to find happiness through the gospel. This statement was cited in the 2014 gospel topics essay book of mormon and dna studies n. The maxwell institutes statement on book of mormon geography is quite succinct. 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. Book of mormon geography jeff lindsays site and the. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove.
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