A Smithsonian Magazine article titled “ Native Americans Spread Horses Through the West Earlier Than Thought ” (2023) has been circulating in Mormon spaces as supposed proof that horses existed in the Americas during Book of Mormon times. The article summarizes a legitimate scientific study published in Science titled “ Early Dispersal of Domestic Horses Into the Great Plains and Northern Rockies .” (2023) But when you read what the researchers actually found, it’s clear this does not support the Book of Mormon’s claims at all. What the Study Actually Found The research team, led by William Timothy T. Taylor, analyzed horse remains found across the Great Plains and northern Rockies. Using radiocarbon dating, DNA sequencing, and isotopic analysis, they discovered that the animals were of Spanish origin. In other words, these were not remnants of ancient, native North American horses that somehow...
The following email was sent to the Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake on Sunday Oct, 28th 2024 by an individual (likely using an alias) who pretended to be distributing an official church statement. ----------------- Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake Pilot Program: Informed Consent Dear Brothers and Sisters, I have some wonderful news, your Stake has been chosen to trial a new approach to learning about the Gospel. As you know our leaders are trying to be more transparent with some of the messiness in our history. No doubt you have all started to notice this with the release of the Gospel Topics Essays (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/essays?lang=eng) 10 years ago and videos of President Nelson showing us how Joseph translated the Book of Mormon, with his face in a white stove pipe hat, with a seer stone. This pilot program will involve two different objectives. The first is for our beloved missionaries to ensure that all converts are fully ...