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DNA

The CES Letter Rebuttal, Part 3

August 27, 2021 by Jeff Markham

Part 3: CES Letter Book of Mormon Questions [Section B]

by Sarah Allen

 

Now that we’re getting deeper into the content of the CES Letter itself, you’re all going to start to see the way that I research the answers to my questions. I draw from a lot of different sources, and each one is like a different puzzle piece. I start adding the pieces to the board and slowly start to fill in the image, but there are gaps I don’t have pieces to fill yet. As I go on, more and more of the picture is revealed until the missing pieces are so small, they don’t really matter. Eventually, for some things, the puzzle gets fully complete. For other questions, some holes still remain. But in every case, no puzzle is finished just by looking at one single piece of it.

That’s something many people don’t fully grasp, that sometimes, getting answers takes real work. I hope, by the time we’re done with this thing, you guys can start to realize how many different sources are out there that you can turn to for your own answers. That said, let’s get on with the questions/concerns.

DNA analysis has concluded that Native American Indians do not originate from the Middle East or from Israelites but rather from Asia. Why did the Church change the following section of the introduction page in the 2006 edition Book of Mormon, shortly after the DNA results were released?

It’s always confused me why this is an issue, and I’ll explain why. We don’t have any idea what Jaredite DNA would have looked like. We don’t know where they came from, who they mixed with along their journey, or where they ended up, or if any of that DNA spread to existing populations. We don’t have any idea what Sariah’s lineage was, or Zoram’s, or Ishmael’s wife’s. All we know is that Lehi is from the tribe of Manasseh and, as explained by Don Bradley, Ishmael was from the tribe of Ephraim. We don’t know what Mulekite DNA would have looked like, as we have no idea who helped him escape Jerusalem or what route they took along the way, or who may have been added to their group during their travels. We have no idea which native populations any of them intermingled with, or to what extent. And that’s even assuming his story in the Book of Mormon is an accurate description of what really happened to him and wasn’t distorted over the centuries before his people were discovered by the Nephites. Given all of that, we have absolutely no idea what the genetic makeup of the groups in the Book of Mormon even looked like to begin with, let alone what it might look like when it’s mixed with existing Native populations.

[Read more…] about The CES Letter Rebuttal, Part 3

Filed Under: Anti-Mormon critics, Book of Mormon, CES Letter, DNA, Faith Crisis

Book Review: A Reason for Faith: Navigating LDS Doctrine & Church History

September 16, 2016 by Trevor Holyoak

Available from the FairMormon bookstore at 20% off
Available from the FairMormon bookstore at 20% off

In the prologue of A Reason for Faith, the editor, Laura Hales, lays out the purpose of the book. Members of the church sometimes come across new information in an unfriendly setting that damages their faith. This book is a compilation of articles about many of the topics that are not often discussed in a church or family setting, and can be difficult to understand. They are laid out by scholars in an honest but faithful manner, and while they can’t possibly cover the topics completely in the amount of space given, they are meant to be a springboard for further study where necessary.

The first chapter is by Richard Bushman, on “Joseph Smith and Money Digging.” He recounts the history of scholarship in this area, where it was originally denied by those inside the church due to being based on accounts thought to be unreliable published by critics of the church. As he began his own research, he found evidence that convinced him that Joseph was indeed involved with folk magic and seer stones, and that these things were too common in the 19th century to invalidate Joseph’s prophetic claims or be scandalous. [Read more…] about Book Review: A Reason for Faith: Navigating LDS Doctrine & Church History

Filed Under: Apologetics, Bible, Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon, Book reviews, Chastity, DNA, Faith Crisis, Gender Issues, Homosexuality, Joseph Smith, LDS History, LDS Scriptures, Masonry, Polygamy, Prophets, Racial Issues, Science, Temples, Women

Fair Issues 84: Two arguments for Great Lakes model not conclusive

May 3, 2015 by Ned Scarisbrick

https://media.blubrry.com/mormonfaircast/www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Fair-Issues-84-Pod.mp3

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MAIn this installment brother Ash refers to word “lake” as having various meanings and the Native Americans being called “Lamanites.”

The full text of this article can be found at Deseret News online.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore. Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The views and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon

 

Filed Under: Anti-Mormon critics, Book of Mormon, DNA, Evidences, Fair Issues, Faith Crisis, General, Geography, Hosts, Joseph Smith, Michael R. Ash, Ned Scarisbrick, Podcast, Science Tagged With: Book of Mormon Geography

Fair Issues 78: What is the correct Book of Mormon geography?

January 18, 2015 by Ned Scarisbrick

https://media.blubrry.com/mormonfaircast/www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Fair-Issues-78-pod.mp3

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MAIn this episode brother Ash investigates real world distances in determining the proper Book of Mormon geographic models.

The full text of this article can be found at Deseret News online.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore. Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The views and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon

 

Filed Under: Apologetics, Book of Mormon, DNA, Evidences, Fair Issues, General, Geography, Hosts, Michael R. Ash, Ned Scarisbrick, Podcast, Science Tagged With: Book of Mormon, Michael R. Ash

Fair Issues 53: Does DNA prove or disprove the historicity of the Book of Mormon

May 3, 2014 by Ned Scarisbrick

https://media.blubrry.com/mormonfaircast/www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Fair-Issues-53-Pod.mp3

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MAElder Dallin H. Oaks, speaking of those who participate in non-official venues wherein church-related topics are discussed, observed that sometimes “a volunteer will step forward to present what he or she considers to be the church’s position.  Sometimes these volunteers are well-informed and capable, and contribute to a balanced presentation.  Sometimes they are not, and their contribution makes matters worse.  When attacked by error, truth is better served by silence than by a bad argument.”

In this podcast brother Ash explores the contributions of DNA studies to the historicity of the Book of Mormon both for and against the Nephite scripture.

The full text of this article can be found at Deseret News online.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore.

Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The view and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Anti-Mormon critics, Apologetics, Book of Mormon, DNA, Evidences, Hosts, Joseph Smith, Mormon Voices, Ned Scarisbrick, Podcast

Fair Issues 52: Do Mormon scientists have competency on Book of Mormon DNA

April 25, 2014 by Ned Scarisbrick

https://media.blubrry.com/mormonfaircast/www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Fair-Issues-52-Pod.mp3

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Ash (newer) PictureDNA issues concerning the Book of Mormon are strengthened by professional LDS scientists in fields such as evolutionary biology, biochemistry, microbiology, biological anthropology and population genetics.  Such experts are highlighted in this podcast by Michal R. Ash.

The full text of this article can be found at Deseret News online.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore.

Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The view and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon.

 

Filed Under: Anti-Mormon critics, Book of Mormon, DNA, Evidences, Faith Crisis, General, Hosts, Mormon Voices, Ned Scarisbrick, Podcast

Fair Issues 50: Book of Mormon DNA issue one of science, not theology

April 11, 2014 by Ned Scarisbrick

https://media.blubrry.com/mormonfaircast/www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Fair-Issues-50-Pod.mp3

Podcast: Download (7.4MB)

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Ash (newer) PictureLDS critics with training in genetics acknowledge that if a small group of Israelites came to the New World and intermixed with a larger Native American population, their DNA could have disappeared as well…the DNA issue is one of science.  The question as to who lived in the Americas in addition to Book of Mormon peoples is not one of doctrine or revelation, but is one of personal opinion based on research and evidence, including textual evidence from the Book of Mormon

The full text of this article can be found at Deseret News online.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore.

Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The view and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon.

 

Filed Under: Anti-Mormon critics, Book of Mormon, DNA, Evidences, Faith Crisis, General, Hosts, Joseph Smith, LDS History, Mormon Voices, Ned Scarisbrick, Podcast, Science

Fair Issues 49: More Limitations in Book of Mormon DNA study

March 28, 2014 by Ned Scarisbrick

https://media.blubrry.com/mormonfaircast/www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Fair-Issues-49-Pod.mp3

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Ash (newer) PictureIn this podcast brother Ash explains how DNA studies are inconclusive to establish a direct link between Book of Mormon peoples and there ancestry because of the “molecular clock” of mtDNA and the Y chromosome Cohen marker.

The full text of this article can be found at Deseret News online.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore.

Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The view and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon.

Filed Under: Anti-Mormon critics, Apologetics, Book of Mormon, DNA, Evidences, Faith Crisis, General, Hosts, Joseph Smith, Mormon Voices, Ned Scarisbrick, Podcast, Power of Testimony, Science

Fair Issues 48: Founder effect, genetic drift, bottlenecks and the Book of Mormon

March 22, 2014 by Ned Scarisbrick

https://media.blubrry.com/mormonfaircast/www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Fair-Issues-48-Pod.mp3

Podcast: Download (7.8MB)

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Ash (newer) PictureIn this discussion brother Ash relates the effects on population as it pertains to mtDNA and Y-chromosome inherited from our ancestors.  Other factors include founder effect, genetic drift and bottlenecks.

The full text of this article can be found at Deseret News online.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore.

Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The view and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon.

 

Filed Under: Anti-Mormon critics, Apologetics, Book of Mormon, DNA, Evidences, General, Hosts, Mormon Voices, Ned Scarisbrick, Podcast, Science

Mormon Fair-Cast 211: What has the Church said about DNA studies and the Book of Mormon?

March 19, 2014 by SteveDensleyJr

https://media.blubrry.com/mormonfaircast/www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Religion-Today-for-Sunday-February.mp3

Podcast: Download (8.6MB)

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MartinTannerIn this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner reviews the article published in the Gospel Topics section of LDS.org regarding DNA studies and the Book of Mormon. This episode originally aired on KSL Radio on February 2, 2014 and appears here by permission of KSL Radio. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or of FairMormon.

Listeners will note that the first part of this episode is missing. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Filed Under: DNA, Podcast

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