~~ DNA VS. The Book of Mormon ~~
"...The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians..." Original Introduction to the Book of Mormon
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormon Church) claims that the American Indians are descendants of a small group that came from Israel to the Americas in 600 BCE, as per their Book of Mormon. They claim all members of the group were from Israel. Lehi was the main patriarch of the group. He had two sons, Nephi & Laman, who themselves became the fathers of two great nations - the Nephites & the Lamanites. The Nephites were light skinned people, and the Lamanites were cursed with darker skin because of sin. 1 Nephi 12:23 and Alma 3:7 and 2 Nephi 5:21 and Moses 7:8
The truth of the matter is that we cannot escape the
claims made by key Mormon leaders regarding the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith
and many other Mormon leaders have taken the view, as can be found in the
current Book of Mormon introduction, that: "...after thousands of years, all
were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the
American Indians..." Also reference the following Mormon scriptures: Doctrine &
Covenants (D&C) 3:18-20 and 32:2 and 19:27 and 28:8 and 54:8 and 57, where
Joseph Smith receives various "revelations from the Lord" on preaching to the
Lamanites. And then there's Moroni 1:4 and 2 Nephi chapter 3, where we learn how
the Book of Mormon will be brought forth to the descendants of Lehi.
As we consider the
Introduction in the current Book of Mormon, and as we consider the supposed
revelations to Joseph Smith on the matter, it is simply unreasonable to conclude
anything but this: That official Mormon dogma has, and continues to hold as true
the following: That the Lamanites are the principal ancestors of the Native
American peoples. The Book of Mormon does not exist in a vacuum. There is a
context to its creation. There are people who created it. They made specific
claims. At least one church sprang up as a result, and that church continues to
make specific claims. It's all tied together.
The fact is that there is N-O DNA evidence to date that corresponds with a migration from Israel to the Americas in 600 BCE (before the common era = before Christ). Also the Book of Mormon claims that a group called the Jaredites came from the Tower of Babel (presumably in SW Asia) to the Americas in about 2,200 BCE, but who were all destroyed except for Coriantumr (Omni 1:21), but his lone influence (if there was any) could not account for the current DNA status of the Native American peoples.
Even the apologist claim of a limited migration in 600 BCE or 2200 BCE is not supported by current evidence.
Most theological claims cannot be
tested by science, and therefore science can neither prove nor disprove them.
The claim by the Mormon Church that American Indians are related to people from
Israel, while a theological claim, is testable by science. Research on the DNA
of human populations is being undertaken in numerous research labs around the
world, by scientists with no axe to grind with the Mormon Church. They are just
interested in the truth. I generally assume that when the overwhelming evidence
from numerous independent fields of research points to something being true, it
is just that... true! Another assumption of mine is that God cannot manipulate
the data to either hide evidence or mislead scientists. A God capable of this
sort of twisted omnipotence ain’t worth living with for eternity.
American Indians
The DNA evidence is the last in a long line of research
that supports the firm conclusion that the ancestors of the American Indians
migrated from Asia over 12, 000 years ago. The most informative DNA research
involves work on mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA, because they simply reflect
male and female DNA genealogical lineages. Each generation, mitochondrial DNA is
passed from mothers to children and Y-chromosome DNA is passed from fathers to
sons. Over generations, slight changes in the DNA sequences occur, which are
specific for a particular DNA lineage. We can determine the relatedness of
paternal or maternal DNA lineages in human populations by comparing their DNA
sequences. Closely related populations share similar DNA lineages.
Scientists have now tested the mitochondrial DNA of over 4000 American Indians from almost a hundred tribes scattered all over of the Americas. About 96% of American Indian female DNA lineages (A, B, C and D) are most similar to lineages observed in Northern Asia. A further 3%, mostly in far northeastern North America are most similar to a rare lineage (X lineage) found in Europe. It has not yet been detected in Asia, but many scientists consider it likely that it is there. The X lineage occurs at its highest frequency around the Middle East (about 20%). Detailed comparisons between the American X lineages and the Middle East X lineages suggests they are very distantly related and probably shared a common ancestor in excess of 30,000 years ago. The X lineage has also been found in DNA extracted from Indian bones at least 7,000 years old. The evidence strongly suggests the X lineage was present in the Americas well before the arrival of Lehi or the Jaredites. The remaining 1% of lineages are either complex lineages due to rearrangements of the DNA (e.g. C and D combined) or lineages found in Caucasians or Africans. The occurrence of the Caucasian maternal lineages is most common in tribes that have had more European contact. The frequency of different types of Caucasian female lineages found in American Indians is most similar to the frequencies observed in northwestern European populations, particularly Spain. It is not surprising that some Caucasian and African DNA will be present in American Indian populations due to the influx of immigrants after the arrival of Columbus.
Y-chromosome studies are not as advanced, but about 400 males have been tested from about 30 tribes scattered over the Americas. Of these individuals, about 70% have male DNA lineages that are essentially specific to northern Asia. A further 20% have a lineage that is common in Northern Asia and Europe. The remaining 10% of Indians have lineages that are considered to be the result of post-Columbus mixed marriages. It is not surprising that there has been more “contamination” of the American Indian gene pool by males considering that males were by far the most numerous early explorers of ALL parts of the Americas.
Scientists have discovered that Jews
that can trace their paternal ancestry faithfully within the Jewish population
have a high incidence (70%) of a specific Y-chromosome. This is most likely the
Y-chromosome of Abraham. Evidence to date suggests that this Y-lineage belongs
to a group of related lineages (1B lineage) that is found in European
populations at a frequency of about 35%. The 1B paternal lineage group is found
in about 4% of American Indian males. No research has examined what proportion
of the 1B lineages in the Americas are the “Abraham” lineage, but they are
likely to be a subset. Jews also migrated to the Americas after Columbus
arrived.
Polynesians
Detailed maternal and
paternal DNA studies with Polynesians has confirmed that the Polynesians
originated in South East Asia about 6000 years ago. This backs up an enormous
amount of archaeological and anthropological evidence. None of the major
maternal and paternal DNA lineages from the Americas have been found in any of
the numerous Polynesian populations tested including Hawaiian, Samoan, and the
Maoris of New Zealand.
CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to draw some conclusions from the DNA research regarding the possible present day distribution of Lamanites or people of Semitic origin.
1. The research to date is entirely consistent with the conclusions of the vast majority of informed scientists that there is no evidence for a New World – Old World connection before Columbus.
2. Lamanites are not the principle ancestors of the American Indians (see Book of Mormon introduction).
3. If people of Semitic origin are present, they are a very minor group (<1%) that is difficult to distinguish from individuals resulting from post-Columbus mixed marriages (“possible Lamanites”).
4. The distribution of “possible Lamanites” is highest in North America, rare in Central America and they are essentially absent from South America.
5. Lamanites are not the principle ancestors of Indians in Mesoamerica, including the Mayans.
6. American Indian DNA has not been detected in Polynesians.
There are important conclusions that we CANNOT make.
1. We cannot conclude that Israelites, and therefore Lamanites, never migrated to the Americas. It is technically impossible to test all American Indians, living or dead, to be certain of absolutely no migration from Israel.
2. We cannot conclude that American Indians never migrated to Polynesia.
3. We cannot say that man has never walked on the moon before this century.
Conflicts with Mormon Theology
The evidence strongly contradicts the historical accounts
contained within the Book of Mormon and statements in the Doctrine and Covenants
where God referred to the Indians in Missouri as Lamanites. The Book of Mormon
clearly implies that migrant Israelites lived over a wide area of the American
continent. All early church leaders and most church leaders and members today
assume that all American Indians are primarily descended from the Lamanites. The
great civilizations described in the Book of Mormon had populations numbering in
the millions. The Lamanite population that finally wiped out the Nephites must
have numbered in the millions because they slaughtered a quarter of a million
Nephite men, women and children in a single day in 400 AD. It would appear
virtually impossible that the DNA research to date would have missed the
ancestors of such a significant group of people.
Several researchers at BYU are questioning the doctrine that the present-day
American Indians are Lamanites. It is likely that the most popular theory in the
near future will be that Lehi and his small group intermingled with the native
populations but never became significant numerically. It has already been
proposed that they soon became the ruling class that dominated the surrounding
Native Americans who they recruited to fight their wars and build their temples.
Presumably these people, who were not of the House of Israel, were “worthless”
in the sight of God and therefore don’t rate a mention in the Book of Mormon. It
is likely that the Church will tolerate this theory because it will satisfy most
Mormons and it will be impossible to dispute with scientific evidence. If you
make no claim there is nothing to dispute. It will, however, be open to dispute
from searching, faithful people in the Church who actually read the Book of
Mormon, D&C and the writings of virtually all the prophets. Ironically, in the
future the prophet may place greater emphasis on reading the Bible.
In the last few years numerous
research groups around the world have been revisiting the question of the
origins of the American Indians. There are mountains of evidence that point to
them coming from Asia over 10,000 years ago (linguistic, cultural,
morphological, dental etc), but scientists are now using DNA analysis to examine
those same old questions
Scientists are studying the mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosomes of different human populations. These portions of our DNA are ideal to study if you want to trace where human populations have lived. We all (boys and girls) inherit our mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) only from our mother. Us boys only inherit our Y chromosomes from our fathers. Mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosomes don't get mixed up every generation like most of the rest of our DNA (nuclear DNA) which we inherit (50:50) from both our parents. Because it doesn't get mixed up, they are simple to study. In the Y chromosome or mtDNA DNA sequence can be found a record of all the past changes or mutations occurring in that particular sequence. Human populations that have mostly the same changes in their DNA will be closely related. Groups of Y chromosome or mtDNA sequences that are most similar are grouped together and called lineages or haplogroups. Most of the work has been done on mtDNA but the Y chromosome work is catching up.
Scientists in at least 20 research groups around the world have now tested the mtDNA of several thousand American Indians from almost 100 tribes all over the Americas. They have found that there are 5 different mtDNA haplogroups in Native Americans. Of the Indians they have tested about 99.6% have mtDNA that clearly came into the Americas across the Bering Strait over 12,000 years ago. When they compared them to the mtDNA of other human populations they were most similar to groups of people located in eastern Asia particularly people from Mongolia. The 0.4% of American Indians that have another mtDNA lineage are likely to result from interbreeding after the arrival of Columbus. They have found European and African lineages in these people and they more common in tribes that have had more post-Columbus contact.
About 500 American Indians have been tested in Central America, including the Maya, and about 99.8% come from Asia. In South America, where they have had less contact since Columbus they have found 100% of those tested (about 500) to be derived from Asia." ---end of quote
It
means that the Mormon claims that the Native American peoples are descendants of
a 600 BCE (or even a 2,200 BCE) migration from Israel is not
rooted in fact. It means that the Book of Mormon is not a factual account, but
rather is an imaginative fiction. It means that the
LDS Church has no authority from any god. Everything stands or falls on the
validity of the Book of Mormon & on the validity of Joseph Smith's
"revelations." Did God tell Joseph to preach to the Lamanites or not (as per the
revelations in the D&C mentioned earlier)?
What does the research show? That ~99% of the Native American peoples came from Asia, not Israel. A possible limited Caucasoid or proto-Caucasoid migration occurred between 12,000 and 36,000 years ago (the "X" group influence). The orthodox Mormon claim of a 600 BCE migration being the source for the Native American peoples is rejected by hard science. The apologist claim of a limited migration to Central America is not supported by hard science either.
Perhaps someone from FARMS can go out in the spirit of Tom Ferguson (3) and try and find some evidence for Lamanite DNA, evidence which would hold up against the scrutiny of peer review in proper scientific journals. Also, there is a TIME element for DNA influence. Scientists use methods which show them WHEN a certain DNA type came into the mix, or WHEN two groups originally from the same population split. Thus, this hopeful FARMS person would need to show Lamanite DNA influence in a still-present group somewhere in the Americas - Israeli DNA that came here in 600 BCE.
But the apologist approach is
disingenuous. The Mormon Church has unquestionably claimed that the Native
American peoples are from Israel. The current Introduction in the Book of Mormon
is one key evidence for this stance. See:
http://www.new-jerusalem.com/scripture/bom/intro.htm
Another evidence can be found in the
Church's own Gospel Principles book, as from:
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,11-1-13-52,FF.html
Interesting Quotes by the LDS Church and it's Leaders
A Study of the
ARTICLES OF FAITH
by James E. Talmage
Page 185:
Not less conclusive are the prophecies contained in the Book of Mormon relating to this great falling away. Nephi, son of Lehi, predicted the oppression of the North American Indians at the hands of the Gentiles, and declared that at that time the people will be lifted up in self-pride, having departed from the ordinances of God's house; they will build to themselves many churches, but in these they will preach their own wisdom, with envyings, and strife, and malice, denying, however, the power and miracles of God.
Page 235:
The Lamanites, while increasing in numbers, fell under the curse of divine displeasure; they became dark in skin and benighted in spirit, forgot the God of their fathers, lived a wild nomadic life, and degenerated into the fallen state in which the American Indians---their lineal descendants---were found by those who rediscovered the western continent in later times.
Pages 256-257:
The Archeology and Ethnology of the western continent contribute some corroborative evidence in support of the Book of Mormon. These sciences are confessedly unable to explain in any decisive manner the origin of the native American races; nevertheless, investigation in this field has yielded results that are fairly definite, and with the most important of these the Book of Mormon account is in general accord. No exhaustive treatment will be attempted here, as such would require space far beyond present limitations. For detailed consideration of the subject the student should consult works especially devoted thereto. Among the most significant of the discoveries respecting the aboriginal inhabitants, are the following:
1. That America was peopled in very ancient times, probably soon after the building of the Tower of Babel.
2. That the continent has been successively occupied by different peoples, at least by two classes, or so-called races, at widely separated periods.
3. That the aboriginal inhabitants came from the East, probably from Asia, and that the later occupants, or those of the second period, were closely allied to, if not identical with, the Israelites.
4. That the existing native races of America form a common stock.
From the outline already given of the historical part of the Book of Mormon, it is seen that each of these discoveries is fully sustained by that record. Thus it is stated therein:
1. That America was settled by the Jaredites, who came direct from the scenes of Babel.
2. That the Jaredites occupied the land for about eighteen hundred and fifty years, and that at about the time of their extinction, near 590 B.C., Lehi and his company came to this continent, where they developed into the segregated nations Nephites and Lamanites, the former becoming extinct near 385 A.D.---about a thousand years after Lehi's arrival on these shores---the latter continuing in a degenerate condition until the present, and being represented by the Indian tribes.
3. That Lehi, Ishmael, and Zoram, the progenitors of both Nephites and Lamanites, were undoubtedly Israelites, Lehi being of the tribe of Manasseh while Ishmael was an Ephraimite, and that the colony came direct from Jerusalem, in Asia.
4. That the existing Indian tribes are descendants of the immigrants whose history is contained in the Book of Mormon, and that therefore they have sprung from progenitors who were of the house of Israel.
Page 263:
4. Concerning a Common Origin of Native American Races---That the many tribes and nations among the Indians are of common parentage is generally admitted; the conclusion is based on the evident close relationship in their languages, traditions, and customs. "Mr. Lewis H. Morgan finds evidence that the American aborigines had a common origin in what he calls 'their system of consanguinity and affinity.' He says, 'The Indian nations from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, and from the Arctic sea to the Gulf of Mexico, with the exception of the Esquimaux, have the same system. It is elaborate and complicated in its general form and details; and, while deviations from uniformity occur in the systems of different stocks, the radical features are in the main constant. This identity in the essential characteristics of a system so remarkable tends to show that it must have been transmitted with the blood to each stock from a common original source. It affords the strongest evidence yet obtained of unity in origin of the Indian nations within the regions defined.'"
Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt
Page 35:
After traveling for some days we called on an Indian nation at or near Buffalo; and spent part of a day with them, instructing them in the knowledge of the record of their forefathers. We were kindly received, and much interest was manifested by them on hearing this news. We made a present of two copies of the Book of Mormon to certain of them who could read, and repaired to Buffalo. Thence we continued our journey, for about two hundred miles, and at length called on Mr. Rigdon, my former friend and instructor, in the Reformed Baptist Society. He received us cordially and entertained us with hospitality.
Page 44:
Thus ended our first Indian Mission, in which we had preached the gospel in its fullness, and distributed the record of their forefathers among three tribes, viz: the Catteraugus Indians, near Buffalo, N. Y., the Wyandots of Ohio, and the Delawares west of Missouri.
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints
History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet,
By himself
An Introduction and Notes by B. H. Roberts
Chapter 15 - notes
11. The Mission to the Lamanites---As the "mission to the Lamanites" is a very prominent event in early Church history, it is proper that the labors of the brethren engaged in at should be spoken of more fully than appears anywhere in the Prophet's narrative, and at this point, following the letter of Oliver Cowdery, seems as appropriate a place as will be found to speak of it. It has already been said that the brethren of the mission called upon the Cattaraugus tribe, near Buffalo, New York, (p. 120 note). After leaving Kirtland, on their journey westward, they visited the Wyandot tribe of Indians near Sandusky, Ohio, with whom they spent several days. "We were well received," writes Elder Parley P. Pratt, "and had an opportunity of laying before them the record of their forefathers, which we did. They rejoiced in the tidings, bid us Godspeed, and desired us to write to them in relation to our success among the tribes further west, who had already removed to the Indian territory, where these expected soon to go."---Aut. P. P. Pratt, p. 54.
On arriving at Independence two of the company secured employment, while the other three crossed the frontier and began their labors among the Indians. They visited the Shawnees, spending one night with them, and the next day crossed the Kansas river and began their labors among the Delawares. They sought an interview with the chief of the Delawares, known among the whites as Chief Anderson. He was the grand sachem of ten nations or tribes, and consequently possessed of large influence. He had always opposed the introduction of missionaries among his people, and therefore did not at first extend a very hearty welcome to the brethren. However, through an interpreter, the brethren made known their errand and explained to him the Book of Mormon and the information it contained for his people. They asked to be heard before a full council of his nation, a proposition which the chief took under consideration until the next day. Next morning the conversation with the Delaware Chief was renewed, but he was not inclined at first to call the council. But as he began to understand better the nature of the Book of Mormon, he changed his mind and asked the brethren to suspend their conversation until the council could be assembled. A runner was dispatched to the tribes, and in about an hour forty leading men were assembled and seated in grave silence to hear the message concerning the book of their forefathers. At the request of the chief Oliver Cowdery in substance delivered the following address:
Oliver Cowdery's Speech to the Delawares.
"Aged Chief, and Venerable Council of the Delaware nation: we are glad of this opportunity to address you as our red brethren and friends. We have traveled a long from towards the rising sun to bring you glad news; We have traveled the wilderness, crossed the deep and wide rivers, and waded in the deep snows, and in the face of the storms of winter, to communicate to you great knowledge which has lately come to oar ears and hearts and which will do the red man good as well as the pale face.
"Once the red men were many; they occupied the country from sea to sea---from the rising to the setting sun; the whole land was theirs; the Great Spirit gave it to them, and no pale faces dwelt among them. But now they are few in numbers; their possessions are small, and the pale faces are many.
"Thousands of moons ago, when the red men's forefathers dwelt in peace and possessed this whole land, the Great Spirit talked with them, and revealed His law and His will, and much knowledge to their wise men and prophets. This they wrote in a Book, together with their history and the things which should befall their children in the latter days.
"This Book was written on plates of gold and handed down from father to son for many ages and generations.
"It was then that the people prospered and were strong and mighty; they cultivated the earth, built buildings and cities and abounded in all good things, as the pale faces now do.
"But they became wicked; they killed one another and shed much blood; they killed their prophets and wise men, and sought to destroy the Book. The Great Spirit became angry and would speak to them no more; they had no more good and wise dreams; no more visions, no more angels sent among them by the Great Spirit; and the Lord commanded Mormon and Moroni, their last wise men and prophets to hide the Book in the earth, that it might be preserved in safety and be found and made known in the latter-day to the pale faces who should possess the land, that they might again make it known to the red men, in order to restore them to the knowledge of the will of the Great Spirit and to His favor. And if the red men would then receive this Book and learn the things written in it and do according thereunto, they should be restored to all their rights and privileges; should cease to fight and kill one another; should become one people; cultivate the earth in peace, in common with the pale faces who were willing to believe and obey the same Book and be good men and live in peace.
"Then should the red men become great and have plenty to eat and good clothes to wear, and should be in favor with the Great Spirit and be His children, while He would be their Great Father and talk with them, and raise up prophets and wise and good men among them again who should teach them many things.
"This Book, which contained these things, was hid in the earth by Moroni, in a hill called by him Cumorah, which hill is now in the state of New York, near the village of Palmyra, in Ontario county.
"In that neighborhood there lived a young man named Joseph Smith, who prayed to the Great Spirit much, in order that he might know the truth, and the Great Spirit sent an angel to him and told him where this Book was hid by Moroni, and commanded him to go and get it. He accordingly went to the place and dug in the earth and found the Book written on golden plates.
"But it was written in the language of the forefathers of the red men; therefore this young man, being a pale face, could not understand it; but the angel told him and showed him and gave him knowledge of the language and how to interpret the Book. So he interpreted it into the language of the pale faces, and wrote it on paper and caused it to be printed, and published thousands of copies of it among them, and then sent us to the red men to bring some copies of it to them, and to tell them this news. So we have now come from him, and here is a copy of the Book, which we now present to our red friend, the Chief of the Delawares, which we hope he will cause to be read and known among his tribe; it will do them good."
We then presented him with a Book of Mormon.
There was a pause in the council and some conversation in their own language, after which the chief made the following reply;
The Chief's Reply.
"We feel truly thankful to our white friends who have come so far and been at such pains to tell us good news, and especially this new news concerning the Book of our forefathers; it makes us glad in here,"---placing his hand on his heart. "It is now winter; we are new settlers in this place; the snow is deep; our cattle and horses are dying; our wigwams are poor; we have much to do in the spring---to build houses and fence and make farms; but we will build a council house and meet together, and you shall read to us and teach us more concerning the Book of our fathers and the will of the Great Spirit."
Elder Parley P. Pratt in his report of the matter adds: "We continued for several days to instruct the old Chief and many of his tribe. The interest became more and more intense on their part, from day to day, until at length nearly the whole tribe began to feel a spirit of inquiry and excitement on the subject. We found several among them who could read, and to them we gave copies of the Book, explaining to them that it was the Book of their forefathers. Some began to rejoice exceedingly and took great pains to tell the news to others in their own language. The excitement now reached the frontier settlements in Missouri, and stirred up the jealousy and envy of the Indian agents and sectarian missionaries to that degree that we were soon ordered out of the Indian country as disturbers of the peace, and even threatened with the military in case of non-compliance. We accordingly departed from the Indian country and came over the line, and commenced laboring in Jackson county, Missouri, among the whites. We were well received and listened to by many, and some were baptized and added to the Church.
"Thus ended our first Indian mission, in which we had preached the Gospel in its fullness and distributed the record of their forefathers among three tribes, viz.: the Cattaraugus Indians, near Buffalo, N. Y.; the Wyandots, of Ohio; and the Delawares, west of Missouri."---Aut. P. P. Pratt, pp. 56-61.
JESUS THE CHRIST
James E. Talmage
Page-46:
The predictions thus far cited as relating to the life, ministry, and death of the Lord Jesus, are the utterances of prophets who, excepting Adam and Enoch, lived and died on the eastern hemisphere. All save John the Baptist are of Old Testament record, and he, a contemporary of the Christ in mortality, figures in the early chapters of the Gospels. It is important to know that the scriptures of the western hemisphere are likewise explicit in the declaration of the great truth that the Son of God would be born in the flesh. The Book of Mormon contains a history of a colony of Israelites, of the tribe of Joseph, who left Jerusalem 600 B.C., during the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, on the eve of the subjugation of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar and the inauguration of the Babylonian captivity. This colony was led by divine guidance to the American continent, whereon they developed into a numerous and mighty people; though, divided by dissension, they formed two opposing nations known respectively as Nephites and Lamanites. The former cultivated the arts of industry and refinement, and preserved a record embodying both history and scripture, while the latter became degenerate and debased. The Nephites suffered extinction about 400 A.D., but the Lamanites lived on in their degraded course, and are today extant upon the land as the American Indians.
Page-52:
The Lamanites, while increasing in numbers, fell under the curse of darkness; they became dark in skin and benighted in spirit, forgot the God of their fathers, lived a wild nomadic life, and degenerated into the fallen state in which the American Indians---their lineal descendants---were found by those who rediscovered the western continent in later times.
A Topical Guide to the Scriptures of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
© 1977 Deseret Book Company
Topical guide - "Indians" refers to: Book of Mormon; Israel, Joseph, People of; Israel, Restoration of.
Utah
Indian tribes
Utes, Goshutes, Navajo, and Shoshone
DISCOURSES OF BRIGHAM YOUNG
Second President of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Selected and Arranged
by John A. Widtsoe
Page 122:
The Indians or Lamanites---The Lamanites or Indians are just as much the children of our Father and God as we are. So also are the Africans. But we are also the children of adoption through obedience to the Gospel of his Son. 11:272.
Page 123:
As we have here an assemblage of the people from other settlements, I wish to impress them with the necessity of treating the Indians with kindness, and to refrain from harboring that revengeful, vindictive feeling that many indulge in. I am convinced that as long as we harbor in us such feelings toward them, so long they will be our enemies, and the Lord will suffer them to afflict us. I certainly believe that the present affliction, which has come upon us from the Indians, is a consequence of the wickedness which dwells in the hearts of some of our brethren. If the Elders of Israel had always treated the Lamanites as they should, I do not believe that we should have had any difficulty with them at all. This is my firm conviction, and my conclusion according to the light that is in me. I believe that the Lord permits them to chasten us at the present time to convince us that we have to overcome the vindictive feelings which we have harbored towards that poor, downtrodden branch of the House of Israel. 11:263.
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS COMMENTARY
Hyrum M. Smith
Janne M. Sjodahl
Page 22:
19. For this very purpose The Book of Mormon plates were preserved and translated in order that all these should be brought to a knowledge of the Savior. It may be concluded, then, that among the American Indians and the Polynesians who are mostly the descendants of the Lamanites, is also a sprinkling of the descendants of the Nephites who may have escaped the general destruction.
TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH
Selected and arranged by the Historian, Joseph Fielding Smith, and his
Assistants in the Historian's Office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints
Page 17:
The Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers of our western tribes of Indians; having been found through the ministration of an holy angel, and translated into our own language by the gift and power of God, after having been hid up in the earth for the last fourteen hundred years, containing the word of God which was delivered unto them. By it we learn that our western tribes of Indians are descendants from that Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and that the land of America is a promised land unto them, and unto it all the tribes of Israel will come, with as many of the Gentiles as shall comply with the requisitions of the new covenant.
Page 85:
It has been said by many of the learned and wise men, or historians, that the Indians or aborigines of this continent, are of the scattered tribes of Israel. It has been conjectured by many others, that the aborigines of this continent are not of the tribes of Israel, but the ten tribes have been led away into some unknown regions of the north. Let this be as it may, the prophecy I have just quoted "will fetch them," in the last days, and place them in the land which their fathers possessed. And you will find in the 7th verse of the 30th chapter, quoted, "And the Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee."
Page 92:
Much has been said and done of late by the general government in relation to the Indians (Lamanites) within the territorial limits of the United States. One of the most important points in the faith of the Church of the Latter-day Saints, through the fullness of the everlasting Gospel, is the gathering of Israel (of whom the Lamanites constitute a part) that happy time when Jacob shall go up to the house of the Lord, to worship Him in spirit and in truth, to live in holiness; when the Lord will restore His judges as at the first, and His counselors as at the beginning; when every man may sit under his own vine and fig tree, and there will be none to molest or make afraid; when He will turn to them a pure language, and the earth will be filled with sacred knowledge, as the waters cover the great deep; when it shall no longer be said, the Lord lives that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but the Lord lives that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither He has driven them. That day is one, all important to all men.
The Book of Mormon
2 Ne. 26:19
And it shall come to pass, that those who have dwindled in unbelief shall be smitten by the hand of the Gentiles.
Enos 1:16
And I had faith, and I did cry unto God that he would preserve the records; and he covenanted with me that he would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time.
Doctrine & Covenants:
D&C 3:18
And this testimony shall come to the knowledge of the Lamanites, and the Lemuelites, and the Ishmaelites, who dwindled in unbelief because of the iniquity of their fathers, whom the Lord has suffered to destroy their brethren the Nephites, because of their iniquities and their abominations.
D&C 3:19
And for this very purpose are these plates preserved, which contain these records---that the promises of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to his people;
D&C 3:20
And that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved. Amen.
D&C 19:27
Which is my word to the Gentile, that soon it may go to the Jew, of whom the Lamanites are a remnant, that they may believe the gospel, and look not for a Messiah to come who has already come.
D&C 28:8
And now, behold, I say unto you that you shall go unto the Lamanites and preach my gospel unto them; and inasmuch as they receive thy teachings thou shalt cause my church to be established among them; and thou shalt have revelations, but write them not by way of commandment.
D&C 32:2
And that which I have appointed unto him is that he shall go with my servants, Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jun., into the wilderness among the Lamanites.
D&C 54:8
And thus you shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites.
D&C Section 57 Introduction - 1986 Edition
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, July 20, 1831. HC 1: 189-190. In compliance with the Lord's command (Section 52), the elders had journeyed from Kirtland to Missouri with many varied experiences and some opposition. In contemplating the state of the Lamanites and the lack of civilization, refinement, and religion among the people generally, the Prophet exclaimed in yearning prayer: "When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will they Temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?" Subsequently he received this revelation.
D&C 57:4
Wherefore, it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the saints, and also every tract lying westward, even into the line running directly between Jew and Gentile.
[Footnote on the bottom of page 103 of the 1986 D&C:]
4b IE by metonymy "Jew" here refers to the Lamanites, and "Gentile" to the white settlers.
Meet the Mormons
Published by Deseret Book
1968
page 28
...Following the extermination of the Nephite civilization, the Lamanites continued to inhabit the Western Hemisphere. Their posterity, with some supplementary groups, constituted the many aboriginal tribes, now known as the American Indians, that were found by European discoverers of the new world.
Book of Mormon Student Manual Religion 121 and 122
Prepared by the Church Education System
Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah
Revised edition
(c) 1989, 1996 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Page 15 discusses 1 Nephi 15:12-16.
[Here is a direct quote from the Mormon scripture:]
Behold, I say unto you, that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive-tree, by the Spirit of the Lord which was in our father; and behold are we not broken off from the house of Israel, and are we not a branch of the house of Israel?
And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fullness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fullness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed—
And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved.
And then at that day will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God?
Behold, I say unto you, Yea; they shall be remembered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive-tree, into the true olive-tree.
From Ensign, Dec. 1975, pp. 4-5, 7:
"...The Lord's promises with regard to the Lamanites began to be fulfilled with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in this dispensation (see Eth. 4:17) ... Truly our paths have met once more ... the Lamanites, also a people of disobedience now returned to the fold ... The Lamanites must rise again in dignity and strength to fully join their brethren and sisters of the household of God..."
Page 41 - part of chapter 13 which deals with 2 Nephi: 28-30
[section relating to 2 Nephi 30:4.] Descendants of the Jews
...Mulek, and possibly all the Mulekites, were Jews of the tribes of Judah. They were "exceedingly numerous" (Omni 1:17) when discovered by the people of King Mosiah. In addition to being descendants of the Jews in the national sense, there is also a blood relationship to the tribe of Judah among the modern Lamanites...
[section relating to 2 Nephi 30:4-6.] "The Remnant of Our Seed"
"...We now have some half million Indian or Lamanite members in the Church..." (Spencer W. Kimball, The Lamanite [address delivered at Regional Representatives' Seminar, 1 Apr. 1977], pp. 4, 7, 12).
Page 133
[section relating to Mormon 7:1-2.] Descendants of Great Book of Mormon Leaders
Mormon, knowing that his words would come forth in the last days, gave a special message to the Lamanites of our day. He called these people "the remnant of this people who are spared ... yes ... a remnant of the house of Israel ...The Lamanites of today are descendants of great Book of Mormon leaders.
[A chart is shown on page 133. It is a time line which shows Lehi as a single line, then the line breaks into two with the identification "Lamanites" for one line and "Nephites" for the other line. The line joins back together at 34AD and continues as a single line until 201 AD. Then the line breaks apart again. The chart states that the Nephites were destroyed in approximately 400AD, and it states that "The Lamanites of today are descendants of the people who lives after the appearance of Christ."]
From the 1986 edition of the Book of Mormon: Introduction
"...The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians..."
A Voice Calling : from the hills of America to the
children of its ancient people
by Albert R. Lyman
Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(c) 1948, reprinted 1970
A clear voice is calling, calling from the very dust of America to the children of its ancient people. It is calling to the children of the native tribes who follow the old trails, hunted in the forests, and lived in freedom on the mountains and plains before the coming of the white man.
Who are these tribes? They are called Indians, but it was a mistake that these Americans should ever have been given that name. Long before they were called Indians, most of them called themselves Lamanites. Their numerous people occupied America from north to south, and from east to west. When they broke up into many tribes with tribal names, they forgot the one general name by which they had once been known.
The history of this old Lamanite nation is the most important record which has been translated into English since the translation of the Bible... This record is the Book of Mormon. It is a voice of love and assurance from prophets among the ancient Lamanites to the wandering remnant of their posterity... It is the history of their people in ancient America... bidding them to turn from their old ways and claim the heritage of their promised birthright.
...after many generations of their people had died in darkness, he would call to them again, restoring their lost scriptures, and when they repented and made themselves worthy of his presence, he again would come again among them.
He told them that after a long time white men would cross the big waters, white men whom he called Gentiles. He told them that "these Gentiles will scatter my people . . . and my people shall be cast out from among them." But they should not be without hope. He said that when the Gentiles reject the fullness of the gospel which was to be preached to them, that he would remember the covenant which he had made unto his ancient people and bring the gospel unto them. He promised the fathers of the Lamanites that he would do a great and a marvelous work among their children in the latter days.
One of their ancient prophets, inspired by the Lord, said that when this book comes forth among the Gentiles, some of them will believe it, and will bring it to the remnant of the Lamanites. Then will the Lamanites know about their fathers, that they came from Jerusalem, and that they are descended from the house of Israel...
We who bring you this record are commonly called Mormons because we believe the record of your fathers. We are the "few among the Gentiles" who have accepted the message of the book. We now offer it to you with the solemn testimony that it is the truth. We have proved it in the way that the prophet of your people said it could be proved, and it is clear to our understanding. We have it for those of you who desire to read it. We bring it to you with sincere purpose of heart, praying that you may know it as we know it. And we implore you to return and walk again as did your fathers in the way of the Lord.
Further literature and information may be secured without obligation by writing
COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
47 East South Temple Street
Salt Lake City 1, UtahSouthwest Indian Mission
108 East Aztec
Gallup, New Mexico
Messages of the First Presidency of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1833-1964.
Introd., notes, and index, by James R. Clark
Volume 4 - 1901-1915
1911 - October 15 - Deseret News, November 4, 1911; also Oakland Tribune,
October 15, 1911, p. 232 - 251 (excerpts from - emphasis added)"AN ANCIENT RECORD
Three years later was revealed to him, in a similar way, an ANCIENT RECORD, a book of metallic plates having the appearance of gold, and CONTAINING A HISTORY OF AMERICA ages prior to its discovery by Columbus. The revealer of these plates, who proclaimed himself a messenger from God, gave his name as Moroni, and stated that he
"In conclusion, let us say, as representing the body of religious worshipers over whom we have the honor to preside: We cherish none but sentiments of good will toward mankind. We regard all men as our brothers, children of the universal Father, and for their benefit and for his honor and glory we and our fellow servants are laboring, and expect to labor to the close of our mortal lives; passing hence to continue, in the world of spirits, the work of salvation inaugurated here. Peace be unto all, in the name of our Lord and Savior!
JOSEPH F. SMITH, ANTHON H. LUND, JOHN HENRY SMITH,
First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Some Interesting Links
Headquarters on the Temple Lot
200 S. River Blvd. Independence, Missouri
http://www.churchofchrist-tl.org/native.html
http://www.cofchrist.org/docs/NativeAmericanConference/keynote.asp
Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints (strangite.org)
Indian Ministry Council of
the Americas
http://imca.bravepages.com/articles/imca_preparing_video.htm
Mormon and Indian
http://journalism.berkeley.edu/projects/nm/julia/mormon.html
Take A Stand!
http://www.ericbarger.com/mormon.dna.htm