Answers please?

[FernRL]

First of all, most of what I have said is based off of things I read in the book: 1491 New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus by Charles C. Mann.

I don't remember, and can't seem to find it now, where I read about the possible backwards migration across the land bridge. It was probably something about the ice having melted first from the southern part in the middle of the North American continent and moving northward. (So consider me to have been the victim of a frenzied mind, if you want.) There is a map in this book, p. 159, which shows two ice sheets with the corridor between them, and possible migration routes being down the middle by land or in boats along the coast. And as far as the DNA evidence goes, it only shows relationships between the two groups not where they went or where they originated. Naturally, there may be good reasons to assume that the one side was the site they left and the other where they arrived.

I said that it might tend to disagree with the Bible, also, because Adam and Eve were supposedly beginning their family after 4004 B.C. according to Ussher's chronology of the Bible, and here are whole migrations of people supposedly coming here at least 9,000 years before that. Not only that, but the archaeologists were apparently forced to accept the possibility of more than one migration, since there was a site in Chile they found that dated to "at least 12,800 years ago...[with] suggestive indications of human habitation more than 32,000 years ago." p.168.

Further notes:

Mann discusses various theories for the migrations to the Americas on pages 141-145, including mention of the Book of Mormon.

Pages 137-141 and 166-167 hold information about the DNA issue, with the latter pages discussing the 4th Haplogroup--"Haplogroup A" which is not found in Siberia, but actually "found in every Native American population." [p. 166.] Rather than assuming that there were several migrations, each with someone with this Haplogroup among them, they argued "it was more probable that a single migration had left Asia, and that some people in Haplogroup A were in it." The researchers also calculated that this group had left Asia 33,000-43,000 years ago, based on the changes in the DNA and the time it takes to produce those changes. [p. 167.]

The idea that people had gone down the Pacific coast in boats instead of by land in the supposed "ice-free corridor" (because of lack of evidence for the land route) is discussed on p. 171.

Anyway, read the book if you want. I found it interesting if not conclusive.

[FernRL]

P. S. I agree with Kishtakaye, Pray about it. Moroni 10:5--"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

It is far easier for me to believe that Science is missing a few key elements of truth in their studies than that God is.

I don't know if I would have believed in the Bible if I had not grown up with the Book of Mormon, but to me, having the two witnesses of each other really cinches it.

[rameumptom]

Along with PC I'd like to note that there is truth and goodness in most churches. Our job is to seek out that truth, no matter where it is found. Brigham Young stated that he didn't care where he found the truth, he'd embrace it and make it his own.

I have found much truth in the things taught by PC and other traditional Christians online and in life. And I hope to continue seeking their wisdom.

That said, I also realize that there are some truths of more importance and worth than others. And there are some belief systems that have more truth than others. I think PC would also agree with this, as I'm sure he's run across some religions and faiths that are very wicked. Few on this list would think that Warren Jeffs, David Koresh or Jimmy Jones taught as much truth and goodness as do the Baptists, Catholics, or Mormons, for instance.

So, we not only need to seek truth wherever we may find it, but when we find a group with higher truths, we should consider joining with them as a step toward more truth and light.

I admire PC for studying the Book of Mormon. Even if he does not believe Joseph Smith to be a prophet, or the BoM to be scripture, I am certain he will find much good and truth in the book that will better him as a person. For this same reason, I've read the Quran and other non-Christian writings, in my search for more understanding, truth and wisdom.