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< Criticism of Mormonism | Books | Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church
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'''Over the past decade''', there has been a marked shift among these scholars away from the views of the wider LDS community. Most LDS scholars today want to limit the Israelite colonization to the region of Mesoamerica, '''while a growing subset shrinks the book's claims even further.''' {{ea}} | '''Over the past decade''', there has been a marked shift among these scholars away from the views of the wider LDS community. Most LDS scholars today want to limit the Israelite colonization to the region of Mesoamerica, '''while a growing subset shrinks the book's claims even further.''' {{ea}} | ||
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*The author, who likes to mockingly refer to this as the "vanishing geography theory,"<ref>Term used in a post to an anti-Mormon discussion board on July 5, 2008. See quote at the beginning of this article.</ref> would like to make it appear as if LDS scholars are ''reacting'' to recent genetic claims. In reality, Book of Mormon [[Book of Mormon geography/New World/Limited Geography Theory|limited geography theories]] have been proposed as early as 1927 (Sjödahl), with LDS scholar Hugh Nibley arguing for such a geography as early as 1952. The author simply ignores this in order to bolster his argument that LDS scholars are reacting to a recent challenge. | *The author, who likes to mockingly refer to this as the "vanishing geography theory,"<ref>Term used in a post to an anti-Mormon discussion board on July 5, 2008. See quote at the beginning of this article.</ref> would like to make it appear as if LDS scholars are ''reacting'' to recent genetic claims. In reality, Book of Mormon [[Book of Mormon geography/New World/Limited Geography Theory|limited geography theories]] have been proposed as early as 1927 (Sjödahl), with LDS scholar Hugh Nibley arguing for such a geography as early as 1952. The author simply ignores this in order to bolster his argument that LDS scholars are reacting to a recent challenge. | ||
*Dr. Southerton's book was published in 2004. Dr. Sorenson published his limited Mesoamerican geography in a two-part series in the ''Ensign'' in 1984. In addition. Dr. Sorenson published his book ''An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon'' in 1985. | *Dr. Southerton's book was published in 2004. Dr. Sorenson published his limited Mesoamerican geography in a two-part series in the ''Ensign'' in 1984. In addition. Dr. Sorenson published his book ''An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon'' in 1985. | ||
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In Mesoamerica, which is regarded by Mormon scholars to be the setting of the Book of Mormon narrative, research has uncovered cultures where the '''worship of multiple deities and human sacrifice were not uncommon.''' These cultures lack any trace of Hebrew or Egyptian writing, metallurgy, or the Old World domesticated animals and plants described in the Book of Mormon. {{ea}} | In Mesoamerica, which is regarded by Mormon scholars to be the setting of the Book of Mormon narrative, research has uncovered cultures where the '''worship of multiple deities and human sacrifice were not uncommon.''' These cultures lack any trace of Hebrew or Egyptian writing, metallurgy, or the Old World domesticated animals and plants described in the Book of Mormon. {{ea}} | ||
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*In an attempt to contrast ancient Mesoamerican culture with that of the Book of Mormon, the author chooses several cultural characteristics that actually ''appear'' in Book of Mormon. He overlooks the fact that whenever the people fell into wickedness, they demonstrated those very same characteristics that he attributes only to ancient Mesoamerican culture. | *In an attempt to contrast ancient Mesoamerican culture with that of the Book of Mormon, the author chooses several cultural characteristics that actually ''appear'' in Book of Mormon. He overlooks the fact that whenever the people fell into wickedness, they demonstrated those very same characteristics that he attributes only to ancient Mesoamerican culture. | ||
*According to the Book of Mormon, | *According to the Book of Mormon, | ||
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The author claims that the Nephites "build a temple '''similar in splendor''' to Solomon's. {{ea}} | The author claims that the Nephites "build a temple '''similar in splendor''' to Solomon's. {{ea}} | ||
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*The author flatly contradicts what Nephi states about the temple that was built. The implication is that the temple built by Nephi was on a similar scale to that of Solomon, thereby raising a standard criticism of how such a [[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Temple in New World|spectacular edifice similar to Solomon's Temple]] could have been constructed by such a small group of people. | *The author flatly contradicts what Nephi states about the temple that was built. The implication is that the temple built by Nephi was on a similar scale to that of Solomon, thereby raising a standard criticism of how such a [[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Temple in New World|spectacular edifice similar to Solomon's Temple]] could have been constructed by such a small group of people. | ||
According to the Book of Mormon, | According to the Book of Mormon, | ||
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The author claims that the Nephites "produce steel and fashion it into swords, breastplates, and arm and head shields to defend against the warring Lamanites. | The author claims that the Nephites "produce steel and fashion it into swords, breastplates, and arm and head shields to defend against the warring Lamanites. | ||
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*The author once again shows his imprecise interpretation of Book of Mormon text by stating that steel was used to construct breastplates, arm and head shields. Of the items mentioned, only swords are confirmed by the text itself. The remaining assumptions that the breastplates and shields are made of steel is something that a modern reader would naturally infer, similar to the assumption that the Book of Mormon occurred on a continental scale rather than in a limited region. | *The author once again shows his imprecise interpretation of Book of Mormon text by stating that steel was used to construct breastplates, arm and head shields. Of the items mentioned, only swords are confirmed by the text itself. The remaining assumptions that the breastplates and shields are made of steel is something that a modern reader would naturally infer, similar to the assumption that the Book of Mormon occurred on a continental scale rather than in a limited region. | ||
*The only references to ''steel'' in the Book of Mormon are in: | *The only references to ''steel'' in the Book of Mormon are in: | ||
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The author claims that "'''LDS scripture''' asserts that those who are "blessed" with a white skin are favored because of '''what they did as spirits in a pre-earth life'''." {{ea}} | The author claims that "'''LDS scripture''' asserts that those who are "blessed" with a white skin are favored because of '''what they did as spirits in a pre-earth life'''." {{ea}} | ||
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*LDS scripture does ''not'' tie skin color with actions performed in the premortal existence. | *LDS scripture does ''not'' tie skin color with actions performed in the premortal existence. | ||
*The author uses a common argument that can be found in anti-Mormon sources, but does not back it up with a source. | *The author uses a common argument that can be found in anti-Mormon sources, but does not back it up with a source. | ||
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The author states that the "Lamanites are apparently still in a degraded state when they clash with the gentile Europeans who, '''it is known in the Book of Mormon, will arrive eleven centuries later'''." {{ea}} | The author states that the "Lamanites are apparently still in a degraded state when they clash with the gentile Europeans who, '''it is known in the Book of Mormon, will arrive eleven centuries later'''." {{ea}} | ||
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*Once again, the author demonstrates either a lack of precision or a lack of knowledge regarding what the Book of Mormon actually says. | *Once again, the author demonstrates either a lack of precision or a lack of knowledge regarding what the Book of Mormon actually says. | ||
*The Book of Mormon makes no specification regarding the identity of the gentiles or the exact time that they would arrive in the New World. | *The Book of Mormon makes no specification regarding the identity of the gentiles or the exact time that they would arrive in the New World. | ||
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Joseph Smith found the book so inspiring, he declared Palenque a Nephite city. '''Modern scholarship indicates this Mayan center was built after A.D.600''', over 200 years after the Lamanites exterminated the Nephites; but dating details aside, Mormon scholars continue to find the remains of Mayan cities to be prime candidates for where Lehi's people might have lived. {{ea}} | Joseph Smith found the book so inspiring, he declared Palenque a Nephite city. '''Modern scholarship indicates this Mayan center was built after A.D.600''', over 200 years after the Lamanites exterminated the Nephites; but dating details aside, Mormon scholars continue to find the remains of Mayan cities to be prime candidates for where Lehi's people might have lived. {{ea}} | ||
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*A massive period of ''rebuilding'' occurred in 600 A.D., however, the earliest recorded ruler was K'uk Balam (Quetzal Jaguar), who governed Palenque for four years starting in the year 431 A.D. | *A massive period of ''rebuilding'' occurred in 600 A.D., however, the earliest recorded ruler was K'uk Balam (Quetzal Jaguar), who governed Palenque for four years starting in the year 431 A.D. | ||
*The site is known to have been inhabited since 100 B.C., and pottery shards show that Palenque may have been occupied as early as 300 B.C. | *The site is known to have been inhabited since 100 B.C., and pottery shards show that Palenque may have been occupied as early as 300 B.C. |
Index of Claims | A FAIR Analysis of: Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church, a work by author: Simon G. Southerton
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Summary: An examination and response to how the author of Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church interprets the sources used to support this work, indexed by page number.
Over the past decade, there has been a marked shift among these scholars away from the views of the wider LDS community. Most LDS scholars today want to limit the Israelite colonization to the region of Mesoamerica, while a growing subset shrinks the book's claims even further. (emphasis added)
Author's source(s)
Source Analysis
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In Mesoamerica, which is regarded by Mormon scholars to be the setting of the Book of Mormon narrative, research has uncovered cultures where the worship of multiple deities and human sacrifice were not uncommon. These cultures lack any trace of Hebrew or Egyptian writing, metallurgy, or the Old World domesticated animals and plants described in the Book of Mormon. (emphasis added)
Author's source(s)
Source Analysis
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And they did also march forward against the city Teancum, and did drive the inhabitants forth out of her, and did take many prisoners both women and children, and did offer them up as sacrifices unto their idol gods. (Mormon 4:14)
Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers; (Alma 17:15)
And now behold, he had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver. (Helaman 6:31)
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According to the Book of Mormon,
And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine. 2 Nephi 5:16
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|Mormonism and racial issues/Blacks and the priesthood/Repudiated ideas/Neutral in "war in heaven" ]]
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Joseph Smith found the book so inspiring, he declared Palenque a Nephite city. Modern scholarship indicates this Mayan center was built after A.D.600, over 200 years after the Lamanites exterminated the Nephites; but dating details aside, Mormon scholars continue to find the remains of Mayan cities to be prime candidates for where Lehi's people might have lived. (emphasis added)
Author's source(s)
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"Most LDS apologists now accept that Native American are principally descended from Siberian ancestors who migrated across the Bering Strait thousands of years before Lehi and that the descendants of Lehi made up an infinitesimally smaller proportion of the New World populations. However, this change in perspective has not been granted the Church's blessing in any official way. The general membership would not believe that Lehi's descendants could have made such a minimal impact in the Americas."
"Publically, the Church urges members to steer clear of any attempt to link the Book of Mormon with current geographical locations."
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Notes
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