DNA and the Book of Mormon

Deception 7

In Joel Kramer’s documentary, The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies at Brigham Young University (FARMS) was accused of academic dishonesty Joel Kramer and several of his scientists stated that FARMS changes the venue in DNA studies, and that FARMS always uses predetermined conclusions before they start their research.

In actuality these are not deceits on the part of Joel Kramer and Randall Shortridge—they are lies. In the accusations of academic dishonesty and changing the venue in DNA studies, FARMS has not done these accusations. This can be proved by reading a series of articles on DNA that were published in the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, Volume 12, Number 1, dated 2003:

• Before DNA, John L. Sorenson and Matthew Roper
• DNA and The Book of Mormon: A Phylogenetic Perspective, Michael E. Whiting
• A Few Thoughts from a Believing DNA Scientist, John M. Butler
• Who Are the Children of Lehi?, D. Jeffrey Meldrum and Trent D. Stephens

These authors actually state that they do accept the current findings that reveal that the Indians who have been DNA tested have origins in Asia. The purpose of FARMS studies are as stated in the table of contents of the Journal:

By invoking the mantra of “DNA evidence,” some critics believe they have clinched their case against The Book of Mormon. In this collection of articles, qualified experts see the matter very differently. They clarify the issues, explain what constitutes responsible approaches, and point out the limitations of applying DNA science to questions of faith.

As pointed out in this review, Joel Kramer uses an irresponsible scientific process without proper assumptions, hypothesis, facts, and evidences to support his predetermined conclusion that Joseph Smith was a liar and The Book of Mormon is false. These FARMS scientists clarify the issues. In most FARMS publications, the conclusions sought by FARMS are actually what the anti-Mormon’s use to “prove” The Book of Mormon false.

An example of this is an accusation that The Book of Mormon is false because there were no horses in the Americas prior to the arrival of Columbus in 1492. The FARMS research reveals this accusation to be false by putting together other non-Mormon findings that there have been several horse skeletons discovered in America that predates the arrival of Columbus in 1492.

Note: Joel Kramer or Randall Shortridge did not give any specific case or references that support their accusation about the academic dishonesty or changing the venue of DNA research. One can read these four articles and find out for themselves who the actual deceivers are in this research case.

Deception 6	Deception 8
INTRODUCTION | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | CONCLUSION | APPENDIX