Researcher Claims DNA Evidence Supports the Book of Mormon

When Rodney L. Meldrum first heard the claim in 2003 that there was DNA evidence that proved the Book of Mormon is false, he set out to prove the opposite.

Having a testimony of the Book of Mormon and having access at that time to some of the top research libraries in the country, Meldrum took it upon himself to show that DNA evidence proves the Book of Mormon is true.

In a video posted to Prepare to Serve’s YouTube channel, Meldrum states that the DNA issue had become so large that literally thousands of individuals had left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the lack of DNA evidence supporting the stories in the Book of Mormon. The original research discovered that the heritage of most Native American tribes—currently living in North, South, and Central America—could be linked back to Asia.

Because Latter-day Saints believe that the Native Americans are descendants of those in the Book of Mormon, who hail from Hebrew descent, many left the Church believing that these new claims disproved the Book of Mormon. While it’s not false that those tribes link back to Asia, newer studies have discovered other tribes with a Hebrew link.

As Meldrum, a researcher and fifth-generation member of the Church, continued with his research, it was decided he should record his findings, which resulted in a DVD titled, “DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography.”

Although this issue has sparked controversy among researchers and members of the Church alike, Church leaders warn against paying too much attention to the claimed evidence. In January 2014, the Church published a gospel topic page regarding the topic of DNA and the Book of Mormon, explaining that there is no factual evidence supporting or disproving the Book of Mormon.

The Church stated that basic principles of population genetics must be approached more carefully. “The conclusions of genetics, like those of any science, are tentative, and much work remains to be done to fully understand the origins of the native populations of the Americas,” the publication reads. “Nothing is known about the DNA of Book of Mormon peoples, and even if their genetic profile were known, there are sound scientific reasons that it might remain undetected… In short, DNA studies cannot be used decisively to either affirm or reject the historical authenticity of the Book of Mormon.”

Dallin H. Oaks, a current member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated, “It is our position that secular evidence can neither prove nor disprove the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.”

Watch the video, shared above, and hear why Meldrum believes recent DNA evidence could support the Book of Mormon.

Read the in-depth essay from leaders of the Church, found at churchofjesuschrist.org, and learn why they say there is no factual evidence proving or disproving the Book of Mormon’s authenticity.