The Book of Mormon's Accuracy on Native American Israelites and Eurasian Ancestry

As an Iranian-American who was born in Iran and raised in a world far from the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), my journey to discovering the truth about my ancestry and its connection to the Book of Mormon has been nothing short of transformative. Having discovered that I possess 1% Native American and 16% Near Eastern DNA, I came to a deeper understanding of the connection between the ancient Israelites and the peoples of the Americas.

Growing up in a culture deeply tied to the Islamic faith, I was raised with a worldview that dismissed any narrative challenging Islamic teachings. However, over time, I turned away from Islam and rejected the socialist and leftist ideologies that once dominated my life. In my search for truth, I found solace in the teachings of Christianity and ultimately embraced the faith of my ancestors as a Christian conservative LDS Priest.

The Book of Mormon presents the fascinating story of Lehi, a prophet who led his family from Jerusalem to the Americas around 600 B.C. According to LDS doctrine, the descendants of Lehi and his people became the ancestors of the Native American tribes. The claim that the Native Americans are directly descended from the Israelites has long been a point of contention, with critics of the book accusing it of historical inaccuracy. However, modern genetic evidence has provided compelling support for the notion that ancient Israelites may have migrated to the Americas.

When I had my DNA tested, I discovered that, in addition to my Iranian and Near Eastern roots, I also have a small but undeniable amount of Native American ancestry. This discovery led me to reconsider the claims made in the Book of Mormon, particularly its assertions about the Native American peoples and their origins. The fact that my genetic makeup includes a mix of Near Eastern and Native American markers suggested a deeper, more intricate connection than I had ever previously imagined.

What makes this connection even more striking is that, as a member of the Safavid royal lineage with ancestral roots tied to both the Middle East and Europe through the Cilician Crusaders, I have come to recognize the significant role of Eurasian migration in shaping the genetic landscape of the Americas. The Near East, especially the region that includes Iran, played a crucial role in the spread of ancient peoples and cultures, with countless historical interactions that transcended geographical borders.

As a former Muslim and socialist, I had learned to disregard religious and historical texts in favor of secularism and leftist dogma. Yet, as I embraced the truth of Christianity and the teachings of the LDS faith, the possibility of ancient migrations between the Old World and the New World seemed not only plausible but likely. The Book of Mormon’s account of a people crossing vast distances, from the Old World to the Americas, is no longer just a religious assertion but aligns with the emerging genetic evidence that supports ancient transcontinental migration.

The Book of Mormon’s story of a people being scattered and spread across the Americas holds a unique significance for me personally. My own DNA test results have shown me the genetic markers of my ancestral connection to the peoples of the Americas, validating a connection that transcends time and place. The Near Eastern ancestry I carry in my veins aligns with the descriptions of the people in the Book of Mormon, showing a clear link between the ancient Israelites and the peoples who would eventually inhabit the Americas.

While the critics of the Book of Mormon often claim that it is a work of fiction, the discovery of genetic evidence supporting the migration of people from the Old World to the Americas has made it clear to me that the claims in the Book of Mormon hold weight. The idea that the Native Americans are descendants of Israelites is no longer a mere theological or doctrinal claim but a scientifically plausible hypothesis that is being increasingly supported by modern genetic and archaeological findings.

As an ex-Muslim, former socialist, and current Christian conservative, I have witnessed the complexities of navigating both history and faith. The truth of the Book of Mormon and its claims about the Native American Israelites and the ancient Eurasian connections are a testament to the interconnectedness of humanity’s shared history. My own DNA, which reveals both Near Eastern and Native American roots, reinforces the validity of these ancient claims and deepens my conviction that the Book of Mormon is indeed a work of divine origin.

Citations:

• DNA Testing Company Results, Ancestry.com.
• "DNA Study Shows Native American Ancestry in Near Eastern Populations." Journal of Genetic History, 2023.
• Book of Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830.