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Difference between revisions of "Book of Mormon/Lamanites/Referenced in the Doctrine and Covenants"
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==Response== | ==Response== | ||
| − | + | ===LGT theory and the D&C=== | |
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The LGT assumes that a small number of Lehites were introduced into a larger "sea" of native peoples, most of whom were of presumably Asiatic origin. Critics mistake the use of the term "Lamanite" as requiring descent from Lehi. But, from very early in the Book of Mormon record, it is clear that the term "Lamanite" does not refer to descent, but to political and religious affiliation: | The LGT assumes that a small number of Lehites were introduced into a larger "sea" of native peoples, most of whom were of presumably Asiatic origin. Critics mistake the use of the term "Lamanite" as requiring descent from Lehi. But, from very early in the Book of Mormon record, it is clear that the term "Lamanite" does not refer to descent, but to political and religious affiliation: | ||
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This doesn’t mean that they got the majority of their DNA from him, or that one would likely be so spectacularly lucky as to find a genetic marker from him—but, they would be literal descendants in some sense, and probably all have predominantly Asian DNA markers. | This doesn’t mean that they got the majority of their DNA from him, or that one would likely be so spectacularly lucky as to find a genetic marker from him—but, they would be literal descendants in some sense, and probably all have predominantly Asian DNA markers. | ||
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| + | ===Confusion over the nature of D&C texts=== | ||
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| + | We must not make the mistake of assuming that D&C revelations in which Joseph Smith speaks in “God’s voice” are to be seen as direct “quotations” from God. They aren’t. Joseph didn’t claim to be hearing a voice, and he didn’t claim to be quoting God or taking dictation. Rather, impressions would come to him, which he would put into words. Joseph clearly did not consider them “direct quotations” from God, since he was quite happy to revise them, edit them later, etc. This would be strange if Joseph saw them as “direct quotes,” not so strange when we understand how he saw the matter. | ||
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| + | Many members of the Church assume differently because of the way they’re worded. | ||
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| + | ==Conclusion== | ||
By the time the Doctrine and Covenants was written, Lehi's descendants had ample time to migrate and intermarry with the large number of "natives" postulated by the LGT. Such descendants are "Lamanites" in at least three senses: | By the time the Doctrine and Covenants was written, Lehi's descendants had ample time to migrate and intermarry with the large number of "natives" postulated by the LGT. Such descendants are "Lamanites" in at least three senses: | ||
Revision as of 18:28, 16 September 2007
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This page is based on an answer to a question submitted to the FAIR web site, or a frequently asked question.
Contents
Question
Since in the Doctrine and Covenants God refers to American Indians in North America as "Lamanites" (e.g., DC 28꞉8-9,14, DC 30꞉6, DC 32꞉2,DC 54꞉8) does this cause problems for the Limited Geography Theory (LGT) or issues of Amerindian genetic data?
Response
LGT theory and the D&C
The LGT assumes that a small number of Lehites were introduced into a larger "sea" of native peoples, most of whom were of presumably Asiatic origin. Critics mistake the use of the term "Lamanite" as requiring descent from Lehi. But, from very early in the Book of Mormon record, it is clear that the term "Lamanite" does not refer to descent, but to political and religious affiliation:
- ...I shall call them Lamanites that seek to destroy the people of Nephi, and those who are friendly to Nephi I shall call Nephites, or the people of Nephi, according to the reigns of the kings.(Jacob 1꞉14)
So, any American who wasn’t a Nephite was, by exclusion, a Lamanite. Lamanites are not confined in any geographic sense at all. The LGT holds that Book of Mormon history and the Lamanites with which it is concerned were confined to a narrow region, since this is all that the Nephites cared about.
The situation in the 19th century was different than the state of affairs a millenium and a half earlier, when the Book of Mormon was written (i.e., 300-400 AD at the latest). By Joseph Smith’s era, if Lehi left any descendants at all, then every single person in the hemisphere was a descendant of Lehi. (For further information about the population genetics, see FAIR Wiki article on Amerindians as Lamanites, especially all modern Amerindians from Lehi.)
This doesn’t mean that they got the majority of their DNA from him, or that one would likely be so spectacularly lucky as to find a genetic marker from him—but, they would be literal descendants in some sense, and probably all have predominantly Asian DNA markers.
Confusion over the nature of D&C texts
We must not make the mistake of assuming that D&C revelations in which Joseph Smith speaks in “God’s voice” are to be seen as direct “quotations” from God. They aren’t. Joseph didn’t claim to be hearing a voice, and he didn’t claim to be quoting God or taking dictation. Rather, impressions would come to him, which he would put into words. Joseph clearly did not consider them “direct quotations” from God, since he was quite happy to revise them, edit them later, etc. This would be strange if Joseph saw them as “direct quotes,” not so strange when we understand how he saw the matter.
Many members of the Church assume differently because of the way they’re worded.
Conclusion
By the time the Doctrine and Covenants was written, Lehi's descendants had ample time to migrate and intermarry with the large number of "natives" postulated by the LGT. Such descendants are "Lamanites" in at least three senses:
- all shared descent from Lehi, to some degree
- none embraced Nephite kingship or their doctrine of Christ, making them "Lamanites" politically
- all were eligible for the covenant blessings promised to Lehi's descendants, if they would repent.
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
DNA and the Book of Mormon
Jump to details:
- Source:Book of Mormon and DNA Studies:Gospel Topics:Basic principles of population genetics suggest the need for a more careful approach to the data
- Questions: What are the criticisms related to the Book of Mormon and DNA?
- Question: Do Christian critics of the Book of Mormon have a double standard regarding DNA evidence?
- Question: What scriptures in the Book of Mormon affirm the presence of other people in the Book of Mormon in the New World?
- Question: What scriptures might challenge the view of a limited geography and the Nephites not being alone on the continent or other issues regarding DNA?
FAIR web site
| DNA FairMormon articles on-line |
- David Stewart, "DNA and the Book of Mormon" FAIR link
- Allen Wyatt, "Motivation, Behavior, and Dissention" (background on Thomas Murphy's anti-Mormon activity). FAIR link
| D&C FairMormon articles on-line |
External links
| DNA on-line articles |
- John M. Butler, "A Few Thoughts From a Believing DNA Scientist," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12/1 (2003). [36–37] link
- John M. Butler, "Addressing Questions surrounding the Book of Mormon and DNA Research," FARMS Review 18/1 (2006): 101–108. off-site wiki
- Glen M. Cooper, "Appendix, On Aping Aristotle: Modern-day Simplicios," FARMS Review 15/2 (2003): lxiii–lxiii. off-site
- Brant Gradner, "This Idea: The "This Land" Series and the U.S.-Centric Reading of the Book of Mormon (A review of "This Land: Zarahemla and the Nephite Nation; This Land: Only One Cumorah!; and This Land: They Came from the East" by: Edwin G. Goble and Wayne N. May; Wayne N. May; and Wayne N. May)," FARMS Review 20/2 (2008): 141–162. off-site wiki
- David A. McClellan, "Detecting Lehi's Genetic Signature: Possible, Probable, or Not?," FARMS Review 15/2 (2003): 35–90. off-site
- D. Jeffrey Meldrum and Trent D. Stephens, "Who Are the Children of Lehi?," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12/1 (2003). [38–51] link
- Ryan Parr, "Missing the Boat to Ancient America . . . Just Plain Missing the Boat (Review of: Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church)," FARMS Review 17/1 (2005): 83–106. off-site
- Ugo A. Perego, "The Book of Mormon and the Origin of Native Americans from a Maternally Inherited DNA Standpoint," FARMS Review 22/1 (2010): 191–227. off-site wiki
- Daniel C. Peterson, "Editor's Introduction," FARMS Review 15/2 (2003): ix–lxii. off-site
- Daniel C. Peterson, "Prolegomena to the DNA Articles," FARMS Review 15/2 (2003): 25–34. off-site
- Matthew Roper, "Nephi's Neighbors: Book of Mormon Peoples and Pre-Columbian Populations," FARMS Review 15/2 (2003): 91–128. off-site
- Matthew Roper, "Swimming the Gene Pool: Israelite Kinship Relations, Genes, and Genealogy," FARMS Review 15/2 (2003): 129–164. off-site
- James E. Smith, "Nephi's Descendants? Historical Demography and the Book of Mormon (Review of Multiply Exceedingly: Book of Mormon Population Sizes by John C. Kunich)," FARMS Review of Books 6/1 (1994): 255–296. off-site
- John L. Sorenson, "The Problematic Role of DNA Testing in Unraveling Human History," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/2 (2000). [66–74] link
- Gregory L. Smith, "Often in Error, Seldom in Doubt: Rod Meldrum and Book of Mormon DNA (A review of "Rediscovering the Book of Mormon Remnant through DNA" by: Rod L. Meldrum)," FARMS Review 22/1 (2010): 17–161. off-site wiki
- John L. Sorenson and Matthew Roper, "Before DNA," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12/1 (2003). [6–23] link
- David G. Stewart, Jr., "DNA and the Book of Mormon," FARMS Review 18/1 (2006): 109–138. off-site wiki FAIR link
- David Stewart, Jr., "DNA and the Book of Mormon Rebuttal to Signature Books," cumorah.com off-site
- John A. Tvedtnes, "Reinventing the Book of Mormon (Review of: “Reinventing Lamanite Identity,” Sunstone, March 2004, 20–25)," FARMS Review 16/2 (2004): 91–106. off-site
- Michael F. Whiting, "DNA and the Book of Mormon: A Phylogenetic Perspective," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12/1 (2003). [24–35] link
Printed material
| DNA printed materials |
- Blake T. Ostler, "Assessing the Logical Structure of DNA Arguments Against the Book of Mormon," Sunstone no. (Issue #135) (December 2004), 70–72. off-site
- Blake T. Ostler, "DNA Strands in the Book of Mormon," Sunstone no. (Issue #137) (May 2005), x–y. off-site
- Blake T. Ostler, "Reply to David A. Anderson (letter to the editor)," Sunstone no. (Issue #138) (September 2005), 8–10. off-site PDF link