The Introduction to The Book of Mormon was first added in 1981. Written by Bruce R. McKonkie, it is not considered to be a revealed text. Instead, it attempts to introduce those unfamiliar with the Book of Mormon to its themes and history. In the few decades since this addition there have been minimal changes, however, one change has drawn attention.
In 1981, the new introduction read in part
“After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians.”
In 2006 this statement was revised and now reads
“After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians.”
The original 1981 wording seems to imply that all Native Americans were the direct ancestors of Lehi through his son Laman. However there is substantial evidence that the Americas were inhabited for thousands of years before the arrival of the Lehites, and that the vast majority of the DNA of modern native Americans can be traced to Asia rather than the Middle East.
The 2006 change was made to reflect the growing body of scientific knowledge, while also remaining consistent with the internal message of the Book of Mormon. Many people have understood the Book of Mormon to teach that the American continent was not inhabited prior the time of the arrival of the Lehites around 600 BC. However, a closer reading makes it clear that the relatively small Lehite party was not alone at the time of their arrival, and within a few years assimilated into a much larger existing population.
The 2006 revision is often used by critics as evidence that church has changed its doctrine or teachings regarding the relation of Native Americans and the Lamanites. There same critics will sometimes point out that revelations and teachings of Joseph Smith, many of which canonized in Doctrine and Covenants, refer to Native Americans as “Lamanites”. One prominent example refering clearly to the Natives of North America is found in D&C 54:8
“And thus you shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites.”
More recently, Elder George P. Lee of the seventy, a Native American, said during his October 1975 general conference address:
“I am proud to declare to you today, brothers and sisters, that I am a descendant of Lehi, Nephi, and all the great Book of Mormon prophets. I am proud to be a child of the Book of Mormon people. I am also proud to be a descendant of great Indian chiefs of our country. I am proud to be a descendant of Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, Chee Dodge, Chief Crazy Horse and all these great Indian chiefs that did so well as leaders of their people… I am a son of God, a child of God, a child of the Book of Mormon, a child of Lehi, a rich heritage that extends all the way back to my Heavenly Father, through Moses, and Abraham, and other great prophets.”
Critics mischaracterize that the 2006 change as if it erased the possibility of Lamanite ancestry among Native Americans. However, at its core, the 2006 revision allows for a more scientific understanding, we now know that Native American ancestry traces primarily to Asia, while leaving the possibility of additional genetic contributions from the middle east.
The Oxford English dictionary defines “principal” as “first in order of importance.” in this sense, the 1981 statement did not imply exclusive middle eastern ancestry. From a believing perspective, those ancestors which the Nephites identified as “Lamanites” would indeed be considered the most significant, or rather, the “first in order of importance”. However, the importance of such Lamanite ancestry is subjective and the 2006 revision allows also for that nuance.
So then, does the removal of the word “principal” in any way diminish the importance of those Lamanites ancestors? The answer is no. It simply acknowledges ancestry is complex.
It is the opinion of the author, that in the name of transparency and academic integrity, the 2006 revision to the Introduction to Book of Mormon was necessary, however, the original verbiage was not incorrect. Within The Book of Mormon, the term “Lamanite” is as much a political category as a genealogical one.
Regardless of genetic ancestry, Jacob tells us that all those who were not friendly towards the Nephites were considered Lamanites.
“Now the people which were not Lamanites were Nephites; nevertheless, they were called Nephites, Jacobites, Josephites, Zoramites, Lamanites, Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites. But I, Jacob, shall not hereafter distinguish them by these names, but I shall call them Lamanites that seek to destroy the people of Nephi, and those who are friendly to Nephi I shall call Nephites which were not Lamanites were Nephites; nevertheless, they were called Nephites, Jacobites, Josephites, Zoramites, Lamanites, Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites…But I, Jacob, shall not hereafter distinguish them by these names, but I shall call them Lamanites that seek to destroy the people of Nephi, and those who are friendly to Nephi I shall call Nephites…”
(Jacob 1:13-14)
We see this pattern followed throughout the Book of Mormon. Helaman 3:16 mentions Nephites apostates becoming “wicked, and wild, and ferocious, yea, even becoming Lamanites.”
Alma 4:35 names Lemuelites, Ishmaelites, and Nephite dissenters among the Lamanites. From the perspective of the Nephites, the title of Lamanites had little to do with ancestry and more to do with political alliances.
Mosiah 25:12 tells of Lamanite daughters who became displeased with the wicked conduct of their fathers, and took upon themselves the name of Nephi. “that they might be called the children of Nephi and be numbered among those who were called Nephites.” This passage is interesting because even though these daughters were not desendants of Nephi, by taking upon themselves his name, they were considered his children, adding more ambiguity to the genetics of the terms “Nephite” and “Lamanite”
Around 400 AD, a series of wars destroyed the people of Nephi, eventually leaving only Moroni. There were none remaining who were “friendly to Nephi” and therefore, regardless of their heritage, or where they lived on the American continent, any person living on this land following the death of Moroni, would be consisted Lamanite by the now extinct Nephites.
Ultimately, the people called Lamanites by the Nephites are not only the “principal ancestors” but are in fact, the only ancestors.
The 2006 revision to the introduction is not a doctrinal retreat, nor is it a change to the text of the Book of Mormon. It is simply a clarification that allows readers to harmonize the scriptural interpretation with current scientific understanding while preserving the theological significance of the Lamanites as the central figures of the Book of Mormon and the promises made to their decendants.
