Another insightful podcast! Thank you. I have heard both of you on occasion refer to the “DNA evidence” as fodder for the detractors of the Book of Mormon, to which I wondered if you had seen this article done by the National Geographic back in November 22, 2013 where it is stated: “Nearly one-third of Native American genes come from west Eurasian people linked to the Middle East and Europe, rather than entirely from East Asians as previously thought, according to a newly sequenced genome.”
I agree with us having to believe on a spiritual level first, however, I believe God also will reward the sincere believer with other evidences in His own due time. For example, ancient Hebrew writings have been found in Ohio. And as you mentioned Native Americans have DNA from the Middle East. In any case I see physical evidence as simply a cool bonus, but I’m not going to stake my testimony on it. As you said the power of the book is evidence enough.
While the theory you mention is interesting to consider. I believe it is not true, and moreover, shows a lack of faith on the person proposing it. When I considered it and then asked the Lord if it was true I had the following scriptures pop into my mind:
Mosiah 13
13 And now he translated them by the means of those two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow.
14 Now these things were prepared from the beginning, and were handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of interpreting languages;
15 And they have been kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he should discover to every creature who should possess the land the iniquities and abominations of his people;
16 And whosoever has these things is called seer, after the manner of old times.
Alma 37
23 And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.
24 And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:
25 I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land.
Notice in Alma it specifically mentions the interpreters but also mentions “a stone” which I believe was Joseph’s separate seer stone. Finally, Ether 3 and 4 are also relevant here, because in it we learn that the Brother of Jared received the interpreters from God himself for the express purpose of translating the Jaredite and other records. Therefore, it is completely unnecessary and a waste of time if the three Nephites translated the Book of Mormon. Even if for some reason they did God already had a superior way prepared from the beginning. And we will not get these other records until:
the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.
Thank you very much for all your time, dedication, and prayer, putting these podcasts together. I am looking forward to this scripture study. The belief that this is the most correct book and a way to get closer to God has been on my mind for years. Thank you
Another insightful podcast! Thank you. I have heard both of you on occasion refer to the “DNA evidence” as fodder for the detractors of the Book of Mormon, to which I wondered if you had seen this article done by the National Geographic back in November 22, 2013 where it is stated: “Nearly one-third of Native American genes come from west Eurasian people linked to the Middle East and Europe, rather than entirely from East Asians as previously thought, according to a newly sequenced genome.”
(The power of the Book of Mormon is evidence enough itself, not that this sort of evidence really matters anyway….)
I agree with us having to believe on a spiritual level first, however, I believe God also will reward the sincere believer with other evidences in His own due time. For example, ancient Hebrew writings have been found in Ohio. And as you mentioned Native Americans have DNA from the Middle East. In any case I see physical evidence as simply a cool bonus, but I’m not going to stake my testimony on it. As you said the power of the book is evidence enough.
Will you please post a link to the Scott Mitchell response to Royal Skousen?
https://osaywhatistruth.org/2017/11/14/who-translated-the-book-of-mormon-text-into-english-for-joseph-smith-to-read/
While the theory you mention is interesting to consider. I believe it is not true, and moreover, shows a lack of faith on the person proposing it. When I considered it and then asked the Lord if it was true I had the following scriptures pop into my mind:
Mosiah 13
13 And now he translated them by the means of those two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow.
14 Now these things were prepared from the beginning, and were handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of interpreting languages;
15 And they have been kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he should discover to every creature who should possess the land the iniquities and abominations of his people;
16 And whosoever has these things is called seer, after the manner of old times.
Alma 37
23 And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.
24 And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:
25 I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land.
Notice in Alma it specifically mentions the interpreters but also mentions “a stone” which I believe was Joseph’s separate seer stone. Finally, Ether 3 and 4 are also relevant here, because in it we learn that the Brother of Jared received the interpreters from God himself for the express purpose of translating the Jaredite and other records. Therefore, it is completely unnecessary and a waste of time if the three Nephites translated the Book of Mormon. Even if for some reason they did God already had a superior way prepared from the beginning. And we will not get these other records until:
the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.
Thank you very much for all your time, dedication, and prayer, putting these podcasts together. I am looking forward to this scripture study. The belief that this is the most correct book and a way to get closer to God has been on my mind for years. Thank you