Tobin wrote:There are estimates that somewhere between 43-73 people traveled with Nephi to the New World. Of those, roughly a third split off to form the Lamanite group. So let's do some very basic math and see how many possible people we can come up with. Assumptions: 1) 30 to 50 Nephites 2) 5 to 7 children per generation 3) 3 generations each spanning 20 years roughly
(30 to 50) original Nephites ((30 to 50) / 2 * (5 to 7)) = 75 to 175 in generation 1 ((75 to 175) /2 * (5 to 7)) = 187 to 612 in generation 2 ((187 to 612) /2 * (5 to 7)) = 467 to 2142 in generation 3
This gives us a possible population when Jacob was talking of 759 to 2979. Now this does not take into account deaths or other factors, but Jacob could easily have been talking to hundreds if not thousands of Nephites by this point in time.
5 to 7 children that lived? That seems very high for that period of time. Here's some more information on the Book of Mormon population:
This shows that the populations spoken of in the Book of Mormon could not have occurred unless the Book of Mormon people had a much, much, much higher rate of steady population growth than was ever achieved in the world until the industrialized era of the 20th century. Not to mention the fact that there were constant wars that were always killing off people.
It makes no sense unless the Book of Mormon peoples married Indians that already lived in the Americas but using that just brings up other problems as the numerous teachings of the prophets and the scriptures that show that the land was uninhabited until the Book of Mormon people came as it was saved for their inheritance. Then of course there's the flood that would have wiped out anyone that could have been here...
Exactly. The numbers cannot be realistically extrapolated from one extended family. This small group would have necessitated cousins marrying each other. Who knows what that would do to a gene-pool.
People died young. They reproduced young. They had a couple kids and were lucky if those kids lived to reproduce. Malnutrition was a huge problem.
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
just me wrote:Exactly. The numbers cannot be realistically extrapolated from one extended family. This small group would have necessitated cousins marrying each other. Who knows what that would do to a gene-pool.
People died young. They reproduced young. They had a couple kids and were lucky if those kids lived to reproduce. Malnutrition was a huge problem.
Incorrect. You have no statements of famine or malnutrition being a problem. Also, it takes many generations of interbreeding for genetic problems to manifest. We are talking about at most 3 generations here.
"You lack vision, but I see a place where people get on and off the freeway. On and off, off and on all day, all night.... Tire salons, automobile dealerships and wonderful, wonderful billboards reaching as far as the eye can see. My God, it'll be beautiful." -- Judge Doom
just me wrote:Exactly. The numbers cannot be realistically extrapolated from one extended family. This small group would have necessitated cousins marrying each other. Who knows what that would do to a gene-pool.
People died young. They reproduced young. They had a couple kids and were lucky if those kids lived to reproduce. Malnutrition was a huge problem.
Incorrect. You have no statements of famine or malnutrition being a problem. Also, it takes many generations of interbreeding for genetic problems to manifest. We are talking about at most 3 generations here.
Maybe you can tell us where they lived that they had modern quality heathcare and substantial crops and animals that malnutrition wasn't an issue.
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
just me wrote:Maybe you can tell us where they lived that they had modern quality heathcare and substantial crops and animals that malnutrition wasn't an issue.
They had the priesthood (a.k.a. power of God). God can do things like heal the sick, cause plenty of rain to fall, etc. Those little miracle things that the Book of Mormon mentions from time-to-time.
"You lack vision, but I see a place where people get on and off the freeway. On and off, off and on all day, all night.... Tire salons, automobile dealerships and wonderful, wonderful billboards reaching as far as the eye can see. My God, it'll be beautiful." -- Judge Doom
just me wrote:Maybe you can tell us where they lived that they had modern quality heathcare and substantial crops and animals that malnutrition wasn't an issue.
They had the priesthood (a.k.a. power of God). God can do things like heal the sick, cause plenty of rain to fall, etc. Those little miracle things that the Book of Mormon mentions from time-to-time.
just me wrote:Maybe you can tell us where they lived that they had modern quality heathcare and substantial crops and animals that malnutrition wasn't an issue.
They had the priesthood (a.k.a. power of God). God can do things like heal the sick, cause plenty of rain to fall, etc. Those little miracle things that the Book of Mormon mentions from time-to-time.
Where did this occur? Also, why does God not do this today? Cruel much?
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
just me wrote:Where did this occur? Also, why does God not do this today? Cruel much?
Read the beginning of the Book of Mormon where God calls Lehi and later Nephi as a prophet. As far as why aren't there these kinds of miracles seen today? The answer is simple. We are a very disbelieving and wicked generation. That is why the gifts of the spirit are infrequently seen.
"You lack vision, but I see a place where people get on and off the freeway. On and off, off and on all day, all night.... Tire salons, automobile dealerships and wonderful, wonderful billboards reaching as far as the eye can see. My God, it'll be beautiful." -- Judge Doom
