DNA and the Book of Mormon
Recent attacks on the veracity of the Book of Mormon based on DNA evidence are ill considered. Nothing in the Book of Mormon precludes migration into the Americas by peoples of Asiatic origin. The scientific issues relating to DNA, however, are numerous and complex. Those interested in a more detailed analysis of those issues are referred to the resources below.
The following are not official Church positions or statements. They are simply information resources from authors with expertise in this area that readers may find helpful:
“Addressing Questions Surrounding The Book of Mormon and DNA Research”
By: Dr. John Butler
“The Other Side of the Book of Mormon DNA Debate”
Hugh Hewitt radio interview with Dr. Daniel C. Peterson and Dr. John M. Butler
23 February 2006
“DNA and the Book of
Mormon”
By: David M. Stewart, MD
"Detecting Lehi's
Genetic Signature: Possible, Probable, or Not?"
By: David A. McClellan
"Nephi's
Neighbors: Book of Mormon Peoples and Pre-Columbian Populations"
By: Matthew Roper
"Swimming the
Gene Pool: Israelite Kinship Relations, Genes, and Genealogy"
By: Matthew Roper
"Elusive
Israel and the Numerical Dynamics of Population Mixing"
By: Brian D. Stubbs
"Before DNA" (John L. Sorenson and Matthew Roper, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, vol. 12, no. 1, 2003) Download PDF document (715 KB)
"DNA and the Book of Mormon: A Phylogenetic Perspective" (Michael F. Whiting, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, vol. 12, no. 1, 2003) Download PDF document (431 KB)
"A Few Thoughts from a Believing Scientist" (John M. Butler, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, vol. 12, no. 1, 2003) Download PDF document (169 KB)
"Who Are the Children of Lehi?" (D. Jeffrey Meldrum and Trent D. Stephens, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, vol. 12, no. 1, 2003) Download PDF document (427 KB)
"Does DNA Evidence Refute the Book of Mormon?" (Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Ph.D., 16 November 2003) Download PDF document (478 KB)
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