Southerton's Losing a Lost Tribe

Journal of Mormon History, 2021

Mormon Studies Review

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2014

Recent attention has been paid to DNA data reported in scholarly papers written by scientists external to the Book of Mormon debate but interpreted by some as the ultimate proof against the book's historicity. Others are even making claims about specific genetic lineages found in the Americas as a confirmation that the record is true. Overall, the complexities and limitations of the discipline of population genetics cannot be dismissed when attempting to use these tools to reconstruct the history of past civilizations. The questions treated herein examine the historical origins of the people described in the records of the Book of Mormon from a genetic point of view, making use of key principles of population genetics that cannot be neglected when undertaking such a study.

Matthew L. Harris and Newell G. Bringhurst, eds. The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2020), 69-95., 2020

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published an online essay entitled "Book of Mormon and DNA Studies" on January 31, 2014 that conceded the failure of DNA evidence to provide affirmative support for the scripture's historical claims. Yet, the essay insists on a priority of scriptural over historical claims and offers possible reasons for the lack of genetic evidence of the ancient migrations from the Near East described in the Book of Mormon. This chapter summarizes the church's essay, the historical context behind the issues it addresses, and offers constructive and critical analysis of its claims. The chapter examines the settler colonial context out of which the Book of Mormon emerged and considers Indigenous critiques of the Book of Mormon alongside scientific analysis. The church's essay fails to engage Indigenous perspectives, ignores historical anachronisms in the Book of Mormon and avoids a discussion of oral history, archaeological, ecological, and linguistic evidence contradicting the Book of Mormon's portrayal of a white race of Nephites in ancient America. A more forthright confession of a nineteenth-century origin of the Book of Mormon and a more explicit repudiation of its racism are still needed if church leaders hope to rebuild trust with skeptical members and to establish more diplomatic and equitable relations with American Indians.

Nova Religio, 2018

American Atheist, 2010

After a brief summary of Book of Mormon claims that are susceptible to scientific evaluation, the evidence from molecular genetics as it relates to claims that Native Americans are descended from the so-called "Ten Lost Tribes of Israel" is discussed. I previously had shown that the DNA of Native Americans relates them to various peoples of Siberia, not to Jews or other Near Eastern peoples. I examine the DNA analyses of former Mormon bishop and missionary Simon G. Southerton, who punished a book titled "Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church." That book shows beyond any possibility of doubt that the DNA of Native Americans rules out the chronicles in the Book of Mormon as being actual history.

Interpreter: A journal of Mormon scripture, 2015

The goal of The Interpreter Foundation is to increase understanding of scripture through careful scholarly investigation and analysis of the insights provided by a wide range of ancillary disciplines, including language, history, archaeology, literature, culture, ethnohistory, art, geography, law, politics, philosophy, etc. Interpreter will also publish articles advocating the authenticity and historicity of LDS scripture and the Restoration, along with scholarly responses to critics of the LDS faith. We hope to illuminate, by study and faith, the eternal spiritual message of the scriptures-that Jesus is the Christ. Although the Board fully supports the goals and teachings of the Church, Interpreter Foundation is an independent entity and is neither owned, controlled by nor affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or with Brigham Young University. All research and opinions provided are the sole responsibility of their respective authors, and should not be interpreted as the opinions of the Board, nor as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief or practice.