Comments on: New World DNA

By: Tyler

Tyler — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:20:14 +0000

While I am a little late to to the game, I think it should be noted that the DNA evidence isn't as compelling as Meldrum wants it to be. There are no LDS geneticists (or non-LDS for that matter) who agree with Meldrums claims. Meldrum is not a scientist or a geneticist, nor has he ever studied genetics in school. I have spoken with Ugo Perego, a leading geneticist in the study of the X2a (the haplotype Meldrum is advocating as Book of Mormon DNA) on Meldrums theory and he says that he has attempted to correct Meldrums amateur mistakes he makes in his research, but, Meldrum has ignored him. Perhaps it is because Meldrum quit his job as a salesman to sell his DVD's full-time and needs his theory to be right so he can get a pay check. Who knows.

Anyway, I would recommend the following article published by BYU's Neal A. Maxwell Institute. It discusses the DNA issue at length.

http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/revi…

By: Tevya

Tevya — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:51:20 +0000

Thank you Winston S. for pointing that out. If there is a part 2 to this post, it wont be a "conclusion," at least not in the sense of the debate of the great lakes vs Mesoamerica as the setting for the Book of Mormon. Personally, I believe that the vast majority of the evidence available, points to Mesoamerica. Though, there is some very compelling evidence for a north-American setting. Personally, the most compelling is the recent DNA research you are referring to and is presented in Bro. Porter and Meldrum's book.

By: Winston S.

Winston S. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:15:13 +0000

There is a brand-new book written by Bruce Porter (colleague and close friend/research assistant of Hugh Nibley) and Rod Meldrum called "Prophecies and Promises" that has some very compelling information about the BofM geography and DNA evidence for a North American setting, using the scriptures and primary-source writings of Joseph Smith.

So before you write your conclusion, I'd recommend reading that first.

By: Tevya

Tevya — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:28:56 +0000

Thanks Brooke. Yeah I think you're right that people often take that attitude. Sometimes it seems the safer route. I know I've felt like its just easier to study the BoM without the outside stuff. Or just study the creation, and avoid evolution at all costs. But I think that attitude can often lead to a close-mindedness that creates a self-inflicted alienation from the world around us.

I actually whipped this post out kinda fast because I was excited about some of the ideas & especially the Mesoamerica stuff. I've since had more time to think about it, and have run across related material. So there may be a part 2 to this post coming soon….

By: brooke

brooke — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:38:29 +0000

This is really interesting. It seems like often we think things like, 'I don't even want to worry about learning more about the historical/scientific evidences because I already know the book is true, I don't need to prove it' But I like how you point out that learning about the meso-america context can deepen understandings and doesn't even have to be about proving it or not, since spiritual things can only be learned spiritually anyway. I'd like to learn more. I bet your tour was really amazing You'll have to tell me more about it some time.