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Is Decrypting the Genetic Legacy of America’s Indigenous Populations Key to the Historicity of the Book of Mormon?

TitleIs Decrypting the Genetic Legacy of America’s Indigenous Populations Key to the Historicity of the Book of Mormon?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsPerego, Ugo A., and Jayne E. Ekins
JournalInterpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Volume38
Pagination355-390
KeywordsDNA; Genetics; Historicity; Native Americans
Abstract

Some critics of the Book of Mormon suppose that the DNA characteristics of modern Native Americans should be compatible with “Israelite” rather than with Asian genetics. The authors point out that while DNA is a valid tool to study ancient and modern populations, we must be careful about drawing absolute conclusions. They show that many of the conclusions of critics are based on unwarranted assumptions. There are specific limitations that cannot be ignored when using the available genetic data to infer conclusions regarding the DNA of Book of Mormon peoples. Such conclusions are not founded on solid science but are the interpretation of a few, as genetic data fails to produce conclusive proof weighing credibly in favor of or against the historicity of the Book of Mormon.

URLhttps://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/is-decrypting-the-genetic-legacy-of-americas-indigenous-populations-key-to-the-historicity-of-the-book-of-mormon-2/