Mormon Scholars Under Fire
Anthropologist says Latter-day Saints' teaching wrong about Native
Americans
John W. Kennedy
posted
3/01/2003
Thomas
W. Murphy is the latest Mormon scholar to challenge key teachings of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(LDS). Murphy, 35, has likened the Book of Mormon, an essential LDS
sacred text, to inspirational fiction. Narrowly
avoiding a disciplinary meeting, Murphy remains an LDS member of record for the
time being.
Murphy is chairman of the anthropology department at
Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Washington. Last year he wrote an essay, "Lamanite Genesis, Genealogy, and Genetics," for a Signature Books anthology called American
Apocrypha. Murphy concluded, "DNA research lends no support to traditional
Mormon beliefs about the origins of Native Americans." Murphy's doctoral
dissertation is the basis of the essay.
The Book of Mormon details migrations of
Israelites to the
In his essay, Murphy reviewed recent human molecular genealogy studies that
contradict that claim. "To date no intimate genetic link has been found
between ancient Israelites and the indigenous peoples of the
He noted that researchers genetically link American Indians with native
Siberians. Murphy told The Chronicle of Higher Education that some Mormon
intellectuals want to debate the Book of Mormon "as fiction, possibly
inspired, but as fiction."
Part of the Mainstream?
The LDS church disciplines its wayward scholars. LDS spokesman Dale
Bills said local councils may excommunicate, temporarily disfellowship,
or place a transgressing member on probation for a wide range of reasons.
Excommunicated Mormon historian Lavina Fielding
Anderson told Signature Books that at least two other scholars
have faced expulsion in recent months. According to critics,
six other scholars, including
Matthew D. Latimer, LDS Lynnwood-area leader, announced in December that a
local church disciplinary council would consider action against Murphy, who has
roots in the LDS church. But a groundswell of support for Murphy, including 10
candlelight vigils around the country, prompted Latimer to postpone the hearing
indefinitely. Latimer said he was concerned about Murphy's emotional well-being
and an escalation of negative publicity.
Historically, many Americans have
considered Mormons to be outside the religious mainstream, and the LDS church
thrived as a separatist movement. But under the eight-year
administration of current prophet and president Gordon
B. Hinckley, the LDS church has tried to reposition itself within mainstream
American Christianity. (2010 -- This is still the LDS official
policy)
Religion scholars see the Murphy controversy as posing a dilemma for LDS
leaders. "Does the LDS church want to be a part of mainstream religious
life in America, or do they want to be perceived as having something to
hide?" asked Ken Mulholland, president of Salt Lake Theological Seminary,
a nondenominational evangelical school.
Mormons
Become Self-critical
Forty-three years ago, Sandra
Tanner, now coordinator of Utah Lighthouse Ministry in
Tanner said LDS leaders have reason to be wary of Mormon scholars such as
Murphy. "One of the primary (Mormon) conversion
factors in the faith is the premise that the Book of Mormon has the status of
being the restored holy Word of God," Tanner said.
Paul Carden
is executive director of the Centers for Apologetics Research in
He said that
Mulholland said, "There is a growing cadre of Mormon intellectuals who
like to do their own thinking. To tell them they can't express their beliefs
creates tensions. The church wants scholars, but not scholarship that is
self-critical."
"Murphy's findings are not the first DNA study of its kind that poses
challenges to the Book of Mormon, but it is the most widely discussed," Carden said. "It's
another hole in the dike, and it's by no means the last."