nolank

I read the article. I do not feel I am opposing the gospel nor do I feel I am weak in the gospel. My concern is the authenticity of the Book of Mormon only. The church exists because we all believed it to be authentic, thus divinely directed and the primary reason I have been a member of my church for 68 years. I wished to understand how others are dealing with this situation. I find it difficult to discuss this face to face with local members as it would probably ruin friendships. I also feel blind faith is wrong. I will not be back to reply further.

I have been involved in DNA studies for genealogy purposes and find that science very exact with better understanding daily. Those experts that wrote the original report understood the implications of the bad news it meant for the church and you and me. When I read the reactions to my questions, it seems you are all inventing your own science, without any real study in your behalf. Faith seems to be pushing you in this direction against reason. I haven't lost my God, just my previous blind faith that the church Joseph Smith established was divinely restored. My faith may have been unwarranted blind faith.

I was as shocked as most of the members of the Mormon church when no Israelite DNA was found in the indigious people tested throughout the Americas. Much like the churches who believe in a flat earth or that the earth is only a few thousand years old, this seems to be an obvious scientific blow to the belief that the Book of Mormon was inspired scriptures, translated by a prophet, seer and revelator under the influence of the Spirit. If the Book of Mormon was written by Joseph instead, the Mormon church doesn't have the authorized priesthood restored to the earth as I was taught. It's purpose for existance is threatened. I would like to understand how the Mormon Church can recover from this scientific proof? Can it really be only a matter of faith?