Southerton's logic is illogical

The news article (July 17) about the pending LDS disciplinary council of Simon Southerton was a surprise — not from the standpoint of his being disciplined, but that he and those who support him still believe in the conclusions he reached with his review of DNA research.

Had he conducted a literature review, including what the Book of Mormon actually declares about the Lamanites, and what the Book of Genesis actually reports on the descendents of Joseph of Egypt, Mr. Southerton would have dropped his whole idea of DNA conclusions regarding the descendents of Lehi. The Book of Mormon is clear that all Lehi's children are descended from Ephraim and Manasseh. The Book of Genesis is clear that, while Joseph was a Hebrew, his sons were born of an Egyptian mother, a member of the royal priestly family of Egypt. That family is reported in history as being of a dark-skinned race, the origins of which are not known. Of course her descendents would not be of the same DNA as today's Hebrews.

Theodore L. Livingston

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