According to his own advertising, Rod Meldrum “effectively and powerfully” addresses, and provides supporting evidence that answers both of these fundamental questions: 1) data found on a genome related to present-day western Eurasian populations; and 2) modern Native Americans, not from East Asia—historically a puzzling finding.
In his article, Meldrum claims, ancient DNA researcher Eske Willerslev (left), the director of the Center for GeoGenetics at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, who uses ancient DNA to reconstruct the past 50,000 years of human history, has come up with information that has enriched our understanding of prehistory, shedding light on human development with evidence that can’t be found in pottery shards or studies of living cultures.
Willerslev claims that his [DNA] study changes previous ideas because it shows that a significant minority of Native American ancestry actually derives not from East Asia but from a people related to present-day western Eurasians.” In his report, Willerslev also states: “It’s approximately one-third of the genome, and that is a lot—so in that regard I think it’s changing quite a bit of the history.”
Dr. Willerslev led the first successful sequencing of an ancient human genome, that of a 4,000-year-old Greenlander. His research on a 24,000-year-old Siberian skeleton revealed an unexpected connection between Europeans and Native Americans
Meldrum adds: “In addition, it goes back to the very foundations of the geographical theories to bring to light the knowledge that Joseph Smith had on the subject as well as an in-depth study of the internal geographic indications from The Book of Mormon itself. All of this information has now, for the first time, been combined to produce a clear geographical picture that is exciting because of its solid foundation of evidence that supports the validity and truthfulness of this literal ancient record. You are invited to explore the information from this article for yourself and ask the source of all truth of its validity.”
Meldrum than asks “Could Genetics help us discover the geography of the Book of Mormon? What if we found ‘European’ style DNA in the America’s, just not where we thought it would be? Could it lead to a new geographical paradigm that also fits the prophecies found in the Book of Mormon itself as well as validates the prophetic statements of Joseph Smith on the matter at the same time?
Possible”Book of Mormon” DNA Markers
According to Meldrum, “the blending of Mulekite/Nephite/Lamanite peoples are shown throughout the Plates of Mormon. The finding of DNA markers in both Jewish and Egyptian cultures within Native Americans has been demonstrated and parallels what would be expected within the text of the Book of Mormon. Also, the Mulekites and Lamanites may have mixed indigenous people, thereby diluting the founding DNA markets. However, among the Algonquian peoples (haplogroupX) comprised up to 25% of mtDNA types (the Peopling of the Amerias, Genetic Ancncestry influences heathth, Phys.Org, 14 August 2009).
Meldrum goes on to say: “The answer is an emphatic, Yes! Genetics could help us discover the true geography of the Book of Mormon, if we follow the evidence, rather than theoretical assumptions.” These articles above do just that, Meldrum claims—following the scientific evidence that leads to some conclusions about the geography of the Book of Mormon that finally makes sense and is consistent with the Book of Mormon itself and the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Meldrum concludes his remarks, saying: “The article, Rediscovering the Book of Mormon Remnant through DNA is taken from peer reviewed scientific journals consistent with scientific research. Other forms of validation are brought to bear on the subject based on a firm belief in the truthfulness and validity of the gospel, the scriptures, revealed truths through living prophets, and Biblical history. Scientific methodology was used throughout the project in creating a ‘Hierarchy of Evidence’ for determination of which evidence ‘trumps’ other evidence based on a scale.” Sound scientific reasoning and an understanding of the scriptural basis for beginning a learning process are addressed. This information, while potentially very interesting to non-LDS people is specifically geared to address the LDS communities unique understanding of the need for truth as defined by Joseph Smith through modern day revelation. This places this information firmly in the pro-LDS camp, as an underlying assumption going into this research is that the Church and its gospel are true. All scientists bring their presuppositions with them into their study, and this is no different. For disclosure sake, it is important to make this very clear.”
Now with all of this ammunition Meldrum brings to bear, one might be tempted to accept his remarks as a “proof” of Book of Mormon DNA—he certainly presents it in that fashion. However, we need to understanding what the official position of the Church is before making up our minds about Meldrum’s information.
Church Response:
In covering the DNA question and the Book of Mormon, the Church states:
The explanations fall into one of three primary categories.
What was the DNA of Lehi’s family and party that landed in the Land of Promise?
1. We don’t have DNA samples from any of Lehi’s party, so we don’t even know what types of DNA we are looking to find;
2. Lehi’s group was small and as they (later) intermingled with the existing Asian populations, their DNA was diluted to the point that it is no longer traceable;
3. It is possible that a ‘genetic bottleneck’ occurred that extinguished the DNA markers found in the original Book of Mormon peoples.
These explanations are used to excuse the lack of DNA evidence in Central or Mesoamerica, in order to defend these geographical theories. This has lead LDS apologetic groups to claim that DNA research and findings cannot be used either to falsify the claims of the Book of Mormon, nor to provide evidence in it’s support.
As a classic example of this argument read the Deseret News/Mormon Times article by Roger l. Hardy (Dec 11, 2008, 1:01am MST) and also Daniel Petersen, a BYU Professor and a very vocal LDS apologist who is also a strong advocate of the Mesoamerican hypothesis. He mentions all three while promoting a new book on DNA which is actually mostly a collection of previously published articles, some of which are quite old in terms of the current DNA research field they are addressing.
While each of these explanations have merit and are justifiably employed in defence of the Book of Mormon’s claims, there is another aspect that must be addressed. No less than seven times in the scriptures there are specific claims that in the latter days, there would remain on the Promised Land a “remnant” of the “House of Israel” or Lehi’s posterity which came through the lineage of Joseph of Egypt and his son Manasseh. Some LDS apologists have claimed that they ‘don’t expect to find” any DNA evidence in favor of the Book of Mormon.
Why would any member of the church not expect to find evidence of the Book of Mormon’s claim that there will be a ‘remnant seed’ still in existence in the latter days? How can there be a ‘remnant’ if there is no actual genetic (DNA) connection to this lineage? This is the reason that I did not feel comfortable with the answers being provided by the LDS apologetic community, which created the desire for me to begin this research in 2003 and continue it today in 2019. Since the Book of Mormon is true (as previously admitted to as my bias) it stands to reason that it’s claims that Lehi’s seed would not be utterly destroyed must indicate that their genetics would still be found in order to fulfill the promises made by the Lord.
If there is no genetic remnant, how can there be a differentiation between those who are actual descendants, and those who are Gentiles who are ‘grafted into’ the House of Israel? Why then would the Lord make that distinction?
Additional questions:
1. Native Americans may have a more complicated heritage than previously believed.
2. Photograph by Roland W. Reed, National Geographic
Western Eurasia covers most of Europe and is the westernmost section of the Palearctic realm with 5 major subrealms -- Greater European Forests, European Mountain Forests, Black Sea Forests & Steppe, the Mediterranean, and the British Isles -- and 13 bioregions in total as defined in the Bioregions 2020 framework
The West Eurasian markers
3. "Great Surprise"—Native Americans Have West Eurasian Origins
4. Oldest human genome reveals less of an East Asian ancestry than thought.
5. By Brian Handwerk National Geography Published November 22, 2013
When the Winter Olympic games were held in Salt Lake City in 2002, President Gordon B. Hinckley was asked by a reporter if he had a comment about the lack of DNA evidence for the Book of Mormon. He simply responded that all the information wasn’t in yet. Eleven years later, in 2013, National Geographic Magazine published an article titled: “Great Surprise”—Native Americans Have West Eurasian Origins.”
Clearly, the article appears to be an “official” rebuttal to the Heartlanders’ teachings about DNA and the Book of Mormon. When the Church “speaks out” as in such cases, members naturally should pay attention, read between the lines, and order their lives so they will not be in conflict with an official stance of the Church.
In response to such publications, the Church recently placed on its website, www.lds.org, an article that “officially” lays out the stance of the Church toward DNA evidence for Book of Mormon purposes. The conclusion of the article states the following: “Much as critics and defenders of the Book of Mormon would like to use DNA studies to support their views, the evidence is simply inconclusive. Nothing is known about the DNA of Book of Mormon peoples. Even if such information were known, processes such as population bottleneck, genetic drift, and post–Columbian immigration from West Eurasia make it unlikely that their DNA could be detected today.
Another case of a theorsit getting ahead of the doctrines of the Church and in so doing dragging members along with them in their enthusiasm to prove the Book of Mormon on limited or even inaccurate information. DNA is not all in—there is much left to be discovered and understood—it is subject left to the scientists to compile all of the data before taking a stand.
No comments:
Post a Comment