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PrevPrevious EpisodeBehind the Scenes on DNA Essay (Part 4 of 8)
Next ExpisodeWho Killed the Indians? (Part 6 of 8)Next

Strengths & Weakness of DNA Essay/ Comparing Indian & BoM Stories (Part 5 of 8)

Table of Contents: Strengths & Weakness of DNA Essay/ Comparing Indian & BoM Stories (Part 5 of 8)

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Dr. Thomas Murphy describes the strengths and weaknesses of the Church’s DNA essay.

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Thomas:  To the credit of the Church, the DNA essay acknowledges, basically, that that research that I surveyed back in 2001-2002, plus some more up to date stuff. They summarize that and acknowledge that the evidence clearly shows that the ancestors of the American Indians are coming from North and East Asia, or that’s where the closest affinities are between native DNA and the DNA from the old world. So they acknowledge basically what I got in trouble for saying. They say it. The Church says it.

…

GT:  So that’s a strength of the essay. (Chuckling)

Thomas:  Yes. Well, maybe it’s a biased perspective. I’m feeling vindicated myself. So that’s a major strength is that they acknowledge the DNA evidence that exists, and that DNA evidence provides no support for the Book of Mormon. The other strength is, I think it’s the first or second paragraph, but right at the very beginning, anyway, they say basically, the Book of Mormon is more spiritual than historical. That’s where the Church is going to end up. Right? I wish they had gone deeper with that. But, the evidence is just so compelling that that’s the only sustainable position for the Church to take is that the Book of Mormon is scripture, not history. They didn’t quite go that far. They acknowledge that it’s more spiritual than historical. It’s not historical at all. They could have said that, but they don’t go that far.

The Book of Mormon purports to be a record of ancient Native Americans.  Have we compared Indian stories to look for parallels in the Book of Mormon?  Dr. Thomas Murphy asks that question, and we’ll find out his answer.  Check out our conversation….

strengths weaknesses DNA essay - Strengths & Weakness of DNA Essay/ Comparing Indian & BoM Stories (Part 5 of 8) - Mormon History Podcast
Dr. Murphy tells strengths & weaknesses of DNA essay. He asks why Church doesn’t let Native voices speak about Book of Mormon stories.

Don’t miss our previous conversations with Dr. Murphy!

470: Behind the Scenes of DNA Essay

469: Untold Story of Indian Slavery in America

468: Religious Fights over DNA

467: Native American DNA Scholarship

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More Podcasts with these Guests:

  • BoM: South America, Heartland, Meso (Part 3 of 6)
  • How Americas were Populated (Part 8 of 8)
  • Possible to Lose DNA? (Part 7 of 8)
  • Who Killed the Indians? (Part 6 of 8)
  • Behind the Scenes on DNA Essay (Part 4 of 8)

Get more information on the people and things discussed in this episode:

  • Guest: Thomas Murphy
  • Theology: Book of Mormon, DNA & Book of Mormon, Gospel Topics Essays, Mormon Scripture
  • Native American-Mormon relations
  • Science Topics Covered: Geography, Mormon Science, Science & Religion
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History, Native American Mormons
  • Tags: Church History, GT Podcast, iTunes, Racial Stereotypes

Tell me when the next episode drops!

PrevPrevious EpisodeBehind the Scenes on DNA Essay (Part 4 of 8)
Next ExpisodeWho Killed the Indians? (Part 6 of 8)Next
  • Date: December 15, 2020
  • Guest: Thomas Murphy
  • Theology: Book of Mormon, DNA & Book of Mormon, Gospel Topics Essays, Mormon Scripture
  • Native American-Mormon relations
  • Science Topics Covered: Geography, Mormon Science, Science & Religion
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History, Native American Mormons
  • Tags: Church History, GT Podcast, iTunes, Racial Stereotypes
  • Posted By: RickB

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Rick Bennett, Host of Gospel Tangents

Rick Bennett is the friendly, independent historian at the heart of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. When he isn't interviewing Mormon scholars, prophets, and others, he is teaching math and statistics at Utah Valley University. He also freelances as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries, as well as in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah.

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