Customer Reviews

DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has never taken any official position on the location of Book of Mormon events. However, for far too long members of the church have been spoon fed a theory that Central America was the place. Huge amounts of the money, time, and energy, has been put into that theory and much of the evidence forced to fit in some way. This is normal behavior for the scientific community, who have so much invested in their research. The only problem is, there are gaping holes that have never matched up with BOM content, and have poor explanations. Then DNA testing came along. If Central America is the correct location, how come there is no DNA evidence to support that idea? This makes the Central American theory look really weak, and is even used by haters to attack the church. For those who will only accept the theories of well-known LDS church researchers, or traditional views, or BYU related research, then this is not for you. For anyone who still has an open mind, this presentation presents a very plausible explanation based on solid DNA evidence and then matched against other well-known research of Native American cultures, and filled in with scriptural evidences. Like all new theories, I am sure it will face harsh criticism from those who have bought into the old theory, but the DNA question is not trivial and it demands a good answer. In my opinion, this theory fits better and has a stronger basis than the long-standing Central American theory, which has always left me with a list of questions that don't match up. More research may lead to strenghten or weaken these theories, but I think that people should at least open their minds to the concepts presented.

I liked this presentations and thought there were many good points in it. Actually I was quite impressed with it. I would recommend it to anyone as I think it is worth your time. Obviously one cannot conclude whether the Book of Mormon is true or not on this data or other data but it was interesting. The part I enjoyed the most was not DNA evidence but the cultural, climatic, and other points he brings up linking the Nephites to the mound-builders in North America. As to the DNA argument, I have a degree in a related field and found nothing shocking in his arguments. Also from reading about the haploid x group on Wikipedia I found nothing that seemed to disprove this presentation. I also felt that most of the other negative reviews listed here were more based on opinion than fact. As to the person that spoke with some geneticists, I am inclined to believe that one could find geneticists that would sympathize with the arguments presented and am certain (as I believe it was mentioned) that the author of this presentation has discussed his research with experts in the field.

A very interesting video and one does wish for conclusion to the long-standing question of where the Book of Mormon scenes actually took place. The theories seem to be very well thought out and they seem to make sense. It makes me want to study more about the proposed areas.

He comes across initially as a very-rough-around-the-edges public speaker.
However, the content he presents is beyond impressive.
And he warms up later in the presentation.

Which makes the initial comment seemingly irrelevant. But that's for the benefit of people who might mistakenly tune him out during the first five minutes without that caveat.

**If you tune in, his presentation will enhance your respect for the Nephite record, for Lehi's people, and for Joseph (at the expense of certain academic schools of thought).**

THIS DVD IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY AND THE INFOMATION ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND AREAS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON IS GREAT AND EASY TO CONFIRM WITH WRITTEN HISTORY. BEST BUY OF THIS YEAR. EVERY MORMON AND PEOPLE LOOKING INTO THE BOOK OF MORMON SHOULD WATCH THIS DVD. IT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY WITH THE INFOMATION INSIDE. GREAT DVD!!!

my husband and i saw rod's presentation, and just had to have the dvd. what he has put together over the last few years is just incredible. it just makes so much sense!! if you're lds, see this. if you're not, read the book of mormon, then see this!! this dvd challenges previous thoughts on where the book of mormon takes place, and it makes you wonder, "how did i miss this before??" it's incredible!

In case you didn't know, theories on specific geographical settings of the Book of Mormon may be summarized as Two Cumorah theories and One Cumorah theories.

I was interested in this title because I enjoy studying these theories.

Unfortunately, there isn't much here. Rather than introducing and explaining another theory, most of the time is spent in polemic attack on Two Cumorah theories. Abuse of logic abounds. That made it very hard to sit through. I'm glad I borrowed a copy from a friend instead buying it.

This video is erroneous and misguided. Most research from BYU and Latin America point toward the Book of Mormon taking place in Central America. An uneducated man working out of his home is not going to supplant all that research. Some evidence has found examples of what appear to be carvings of a Tree of Life not in the Great Lakes area, but rather in Central and South America. Joseph Smith told one of his eventual successors that if he lives to see the 20th Century, he would witness Book of Mormon evidence come forth in droves. Even President Kimball talked about the Waters of Mormon being in Guatemala. Anyone who believes the propaganda of Rod Meldrum is misguided.

Let me start by saying I am LDS and enjoy learning about evidences for the Church. This lecture is anything but accurate. I have spoken to many professors of genetics about this and they all say that it is wrong. Bro. Meldrum has no training in the field and makes many amatuer mistakes and his material should not be taken as doctrine. He is also wrong on Joseph Smiths beliefs. He says that Joseph Smith only taught that it happened in North America (which is flawed as well), yet there are many times he says it happened in Central America. He said of Stephens and Catherwoods book "Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan" that it "corresponds with & supports the testimony of the Book of Mormon". He also said "Mcbride also related that Joseph Smith marked with his cane in the sand the track the saints would take to the Rocky Mountains...described the valley of the Great Salt Lake just as though he had lived there...said we should make stations all the way to New and Old Mexico until we crossed the Isthmus of Teohuantipec and get back to the place where the covenant was broke by the Nephites. Spoke of the great Temple in Central America unifinished...This river was situated by the River Copan, anciently called the River of Nephi" (Diary of Charles Lloyd Walker, 2:524-525)
Also, the Book of Mormon does not mention snow or cold weather but just the opposite. In Alma 51:33, 37, 52:1 it speaks about at the first of the year, armies being fatigued because of the heat of the day. Now, the first of the year could be in April, January, or according to a scholar who has done the most research on the subject, Randall Spackman, it was February. These armies wouldn't complain about the heat if it was in a mild climate.
In the Eastern Mesoamerica coastal region, the average temperature on April 1st is 88 degrees. The Book of Mormon reports that Amalickiah camped in tents, "on the beach by the seashore" (Alma 51:32). In the northern climates around Rochester New York, the average temprature for April 1st is 42 degrees with the evening minimum temperature at freezing. The heat of the day is a phrase that best applies to Mesoamerica for late March and early April. One wouldn't wear loin clothes to battle year round in tempratures like this, then complain it was to hot. If it was in North America, they should be mentioning how cold it was.
After examining his claims, there are literally hundreds of flaws in his presentation. As I said, I love Book of Mormon scholarship, but think this does scholarship a disservice.

I rate thi DVD 1 star on truth and accuracy and 5 stars as a comedy. I have one question for Mr. Meldrum "Dude,where do you buy your weed?" That is all.