Confirmed: Hebrew DNA Found in South America

[Greg West]

From the linked article below:

"According to Scott R. Woodward, executive director of Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, a DNA marker, called the "Cohen modal haplotype," sometimes associated with Hebrew people, has been found in Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia."

Hebrew DNA Found in South America

However, Woodward goes on to explain that this doesn't necessarily relate to the Book of Mormon. It may be the case that this Hebrew gene came with Spanish Conquistators who were intermarried with Jews or with some later migrations. However, the gene IS there.

I found it interesting that the LDS scientist accurately assesses the capability of DNA science and doesn't attempt to make claims stating that it proves the Book of Mormon. He fairly assesses the evidences and is careful to not read into it anything beyond what it says. However, skeptics and critics can never argue again that DNA disproves the Book of Mormon. DNA doesn't tell us how the gene got there, but the gene IS there. The discovery puts faith and reason back in equilibrium. Faith is how one comes to know the Book of Mormon is true.

As I've discussed in earlier articles, DNA evidence is not suited to disprove or prove the Book of Mormon's claims. Anyone who is relying upon science for confirmation of the Book of Mormon will never have sufficient faith to save his soul. The role of the apologist is not to prove his faith is true, but to restore faith as the means of finding truth. Scientific evidence comes and goes as scientist reexamine evidence and reinterpret it according to the academic or political agendas they seek to advance.

As I consider the announcement of this discovery, I'm sure that anti-Mormons will never say, "Oh well, I guess we were wrong on that one. Sorry for all that hateful, venomous rhetoric!" They'll simply dismiss this evidence and press on to some other perceived "weakness" they see in the Church's position. Evidence doesn't produce faith. It doesn't produce salvation.

It strikes me as an unenviable position to be in. Years from now, science will probably confirm many aspects of the Book of Mormon, but those waiting for proof before they believe will have wasted years that could have been spent enjoying the fruits of righteous living: joy, peace, and fellowship with the Spirit of God. When the proof finally comes and they still find their souls unsaved, even a late change of heart will bring an unbearable weight of regret. The clock is ticking. Each day lost can never be recovered. Now is the day of repentance.

Wouldn't the best choice be to believe and enjoy the fruits of faith while waiting? Then when the evidence confirms your faith, you have lost nothing? The blessings will always be yours, even if science takes decades or lifetimes to find its proof. Faith is a principle of power. I know that the Spirit of God testifies of truth and that you can know for yourself that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that the gospel has been restored through the Prophet Joseph.

[Michael Harris]

That is awesome and exiting news. Do you all sense a quickening?

[Canadianbacon007]

Great post.

[Brian Sanderson]

Reminds me of an old saying my Grandmother used to tell me; "a man convinced against his will remains un-convinced still".

[Greg West]

Glad to see you're exploring the site. The blog archives have nearly 200 posts with lots of good stuff in them.

[Weston Krogstadt]

Very interesting Greg, read the whole thing.