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DNA vs. The Book of Mormon

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This is an excellent presentation of the information related to the Mormon claim that a lost tribe of Israelites are the "principle ancestors" of the Native American peoples. The interview with the former bishop who left the Mormon church after reviewing the DNA evidence against the Mormon powerfully drives home the force of the case against the Book of Mormon. The DVD makes effective use of graphics to describe more difficult points, and it helpfully explains, some of the basic information related to DNA research. I had not realized, for example, that mitochondrial DNA comes from the mother, while the father's DNA has it's own unique fingerprint. I actually wished that there had been a little more scientific detail, but I realize that the producers wanted to stay focused on the main point, which they certainly did. Finally I should mention that several reviewers have claimed that a certain Rod Meldrum has presented evidence refuting this DVD. It is important to note, however, not only that Mr. Meldrum lacks any relevant credentials related to DNA research, but also, his presentation has actually been criticized by LDS apologists at FAIR. If you are willing to listen to a discredited 'researcher' with no training in the field, but not to the many recognized experts in this documentary, you may wish to examine your bias.

Good science. In spite of the protestations by LDS advocates below, this video holds up. The opposition's thin arguments do not.

What is clear from genetics is that Native Americans are not of Jewish origin. Most interestingly, other groups in the world who have claimed descent from diaspora Jews, even when somewhat mixed with local populations (in India, and Ethiopia, for example) do indeed carry those markers. Native Americans, on the otherhand, do not (except the few resulting intermarriage since Colonial times).

One point the video does not cover is that at least into the 1980's, Mormon baptism ritual featured "prophecying" which what tribe of Israel the newly baptized was from...no matter their family background. The were generally informed that they were either of the tribe of Ephriam or the tribe of Menasseh. According to the missionaries I had spoken to at the time (who had checked with their bishop), this was a prophecy regarding literal (not spiritual) familial descent. Likewise, Native American converts in the past were told they were originally Jews. Needless to say, that has not proven out genetically either. I do not know if they have foregone the practice as a result of this embarassing evidence.

It should be remembered that the Bering Strait land bridge disappeared long before the migration of Jews alleged in the Book of Mormon (who supposedly grew to utterly fill the land). So, we should be able to see genetic markers for people of Jewish descent throughout the Native American population. Of course, we do not. Thus trans-Siberian immigration across the Bering Strait (and/or back) does not change do anything to negate the evidence put forth in this video. The Native Americans-are-really-Jews thing (supposed lost tribes of Israel-though all were at Pentecost) was a popular theory in Joseph Smith's time (an American myth mixing 'the noble savage' with Anglo-Israelism of the old world). However, he made it the cornerstone of his new religion.

Of course, any thin excuse will be good enough for people who cannot admit that Joseph Smith's supposed translation of "The Joseph Smith Papyri" (which is just another copy of an Egyptian magical funerary text known as "The Book of the Dead") is a farce which proves him to be a false prophet. --- Smith claimed it was a text written in Abraham's own hand (which would also be difficult because the text was in Egyptian, though Abraham was Chaldean) including the near sacrifice of his son Isaac (which is not at all what the pictograph on the papyri portrays). At any rate, he had a habit of seeing what he wanted to see in anything he thought could justify his new teachings (such as polytheism, "God" was once a man, polygamous marraige in heaven, and that man can become a God over his own world).

of whether the history of Native Americans was accurately described in the Book of Mormon from a genetic perspective. When the Book of Mormon was written, in the early 19th century by Joseph Smith, Jr., it was commonly thought that Native Americans were of Jewish descent. Due to the evidence collected as modern science advanced, this idea has been discounted by most but Mormons.

The book that formed the starting point for the discussion is 'Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church' by Simon Southerton (whom the Mormon Church excommunicated for adultry though he says it was because of his work in genetics regarding the Book of Mormon) and this DVD popularized the discussion.

The Mormon Church and mormon organizations (notably the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) and Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR)) have represented the Mormon side of the discussion while a host of traditional Christian anti-cult and apologetic organizations have combined with various non-Mormon scientists and researchers to continue the argument on the side of Southerton.

Emotions run high but the discussion is fascinating. Watch the DVD and read the book.

This is a superb documentary that sifts and weighs the words directly found in the book of Mormon against DNA evidence. The documentary begins by providing the viewer with a brief historical outline of the book of Mormon and the life of Joseph Smith.

The story states that Joseph Smith discovered a light in his room and said it was the angel Moroni. Smith said that Moroni informed him of gold plates hidden on a hill in upstate NY under a large rock that he was to retrieve. Smith allegedly spent the next 3 years with divine help, translating the golden plates into what is today called the book of Mormon.

Off course the story and the content of the book of Mormon need to be evaluated. The book of Mormon claims Native Americans are descends from Israelites. This is the thrust of the movie; DNA evidence is in opposition to this claim. I would recommend this movie to any Christian looking for an introduction to Mormonism and the DNA evidence surrounding the book of Mormons claims. I would highly encourage my LDS friends to view this video and weigh the facts. In addition to this resource, The Bible vs. The Book of Mormon is an excellent production that presents the evidence in a respectful manner.

DNA vs. the Book of Mormon presents the viewer with clear and overwhelming scientific proof that the ancestors of Native Americans were Asian - that there is not a shred of evidence that any Native American group in North, South, or Central America is linked genetically to the Israelites (or any Middle Eastern people). This is pretty much the final nail in the coffin of the validity of the Book of Mormon, the foundation of which rests upon Joseph Smith's claim that Native Americans are actually a lost tribe of Israel. This only reinforces the complete lack of biological, linguistic, cultural, anthropological, or historical evidence for any person, place, or event spoken of the Book of Mormon, leaving LDS scholars and apologists no leg to stand on in terms of their claims that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. This documentary is particularly powerful given the fact that many of the scientists interviewed herein are present-day or former Mormons who were forced to come to terms with information that Church leaders largely ignore. While the documentary was released by Living Hope Ministries, the arguments presented herein are objectively scientific ones.

In addition to the presentation of the DNA evidence from a number of scientific experts, we get to see how the committed Mormons among them (included a former LDS bishop) tried (or are still trying) to come to terms with the facts undermining the very foundation of their beliefs. Several, not surprisingly, ended up leaving the church; a few attempted to rationalize the situation by reinterpreting Joseph Smith's claims (in ways that, in and of themselves, also undermine the validity of the Book of Mormon); and one calls for LDS leaders to begin an open and honest debate about the problems inherent in Joseph Smith's teachings.

Some Mormons choose to spin the evidence in such a way as to imply it is somehow in doubt (while many just pretend it does not exist at all), but this is hard scientific data free of any bias. The only thing open to question is how Mormons will react to the evidence that their beliefs are based on a "holy scripture" that is demonstrably untrue. If there were never any lost tribe of Israel living in the Americas, one is hard pressed to explain how Jesus could have appeared to them following His resurrection.

This dvd was incredible in laying out an interesting "history" of the book of mormon and clearly showing that the claims of mormonism is false. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is a mormon, ex-mormon, or someone interested in this subject. If you want to know the truth behind mormonism, check this out!!!

Well, this is the bottom line. DNA evidence does NOT support the testimony of the LDS church/ Mormon doctrine. This DVD delivers on its promise, and provided empirical evidence to those who will listen. Well done, and highly interesting.

I am an active Mormon and attend Mormon temples. The research presented in this work does not bother me in the least. It is merely a documentary of what has been known about the subject matter for many, many years. To attack this work is to fly in the face of solid and credible research. I have no relation to the producers whatsoever. But I appreciate what they have done. Nothing presented in this work should come as a surprise to those who are honestly seeking truth by researching Joseph Smith, his works and the early Mormon church. Truth is not afraid of challenge and research.

There is no evidence in any realm of research that demonstrates an advanced, record keeping, coin exchanging, machinery building, steel smelting, chariot/horse riding, Egyptian-Hebrew speaking, blood-descended-of-Israel, hemispheric people in the America's prior to the arrival of the Europeans. Had this been the case Columbus and his crew would have found a very advanced civilization here on this North American continent complete with cities surrounded by defensive stone and earthen walls, roads, buildings of stone, coins, elaborate trade systems, Christian theologies, churches, advanced implements of war, wheat, barley, horses, chariots, records engraved on plates of brass, gold and other alloys and the list goes on. Instead what was found? History can demonstrate the truth of the matter. Columbus found beautiful indigenous peoples with simple customs and rituals dating back thousands of years. Multitudes of languages and dialects that trace their origins to Asiatic language pools. They were all devoid of Christianity because Christ never visited this continent. All of this, including their DNA markers have NOTHING to do with Israel.

There were several publications during the lifetime of Joseph Smith that theorized where the American Indian races came from. One paper written in 1820 theorized the American Indians came from Asia. However a majority of period papers theorized the American Indians were descended of Israel and arrived in the America's after the great disbursement of the tribes. DNA fingerprinting has clearly demonstrated the lack of evidence for a Jewish gene pool in the Americas prior to the arrival of the Europeans. Joseph Smith simply incorporated the wrong theory into his book. It really is this simple. No apologies, no confusing theories, no apostate rhetoric is needed in this case. It's simply a matter of truth.

We, as a church, cannot continue to preach to the indigenous populations of the Americas in this hemisphere that they are blood descended of Israelites in order to grow the church and keep members in the church pews. It's a lie and a cunning proselytizing tool. We, as a church, say we embody the truth. Well, frankly, we need to stop covering everything up and admit some of our major doctrines are false and misguided. The American Indians and Latinos of the Americas are beautiful, Asian descended people. I challenge all Mormon Native Americans and Latinos to research your molecular geneology. Put the Book of Mormon to the test. Do not be afraid to discover where your ancestors came from. There are huge genographic projects happening right now that will help you understand your lineage. It's really about the truth. Once you really begin to hunger for truth will you be able to begin the journey of finding your past and your future.

Are the Native Americans from Middle Eastern roots? Or are they Asiatic? According to this DVD documentary production, there is no way that the ancient Americans could have been ancient Israelites based on the newest science of DNA. What it shows, then, is that the Book of Mormon--which claims to be a true history and reports that the "Lamanites" killed off the "Nephites" in the fifth century AD--is a fictional tale, rendering the Mormon religion powerless as it is based on the historical idea that Jesus appeared in the Americas (as so reported by the Book of Mormon) and that the LDS prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. translated the golden plates that had been supposedly penned by ancient American prophets, the latest of whom was Moroni, the last living Nephite.

In fact, if the Book of Mormon claims to be a story about ancient Americans, whose ancestors today are the Native Americans, and if the DNA from these Native Americans today show that they have roots coming from Asia and not Palestine (as the production clearly shows), then the Book of Mormon is not historical and is merely a fictional tale. But if it is a fictional tale, then anyone holding to the Mormon Church--which bases itself on the record of Joseph Smith, Jr. as being a prophet of God who "restored" the gospel of Jesus Christ on this earth after it had been dead for some 17 centuries--has a faith with no substance at all.

I appreciate the love that the Christian producers show in this DVD. There is no animosity shown here, as it can be seen that they are merely attempting to expose the truth. After all, if the Book of Mormon is true, then the evidence will clearly show itself out. But if the evidence goes against the cornerstone of this religion, then it ought to be avoided at all costs. This DVD should have great interest for Mormons as well as Christians who would like to share their faith with their Latter-day Saint friends.

There is almost no science in this video and what there is is outdated or irrelevant. MtDNA is largely irrelevant in detecting Israelite origins as many known Jewish communities were founded by local women and Israelite men. It fails to mention the M346 Y-chromosome mutation which is found in the Middle East but not East Asia. The majority of Native Americans share the M346 mutation with Yemenite Jews and Arabs. This video also fails to address the 1996 finding of Underhill that using observed mutation rates (Weber & Wong), most American Indians are descended from a man who lived around 151 BC. At this very moment it is possible to find Arabs and Mexicans of the Q1a3a haplogroup and by using Kayser's observed rate of 28 per 10,000, calculate the birth of a theoretical common ancestor less than 3,000 years ago.