Contrary to what some may assume, the recent controversy over Lamanite DNA is not the only, or even principal, factor motivating Church leaders’ retreat from Lamanite identification. While the DNA controversy is a contributing factor, I argue that other considerations play a role as well, including changing attitudes toward race and new administrative challenges created by the Church’s international growth. Indeed, the shift away from Lamanite identification in Church leaders’ discourse predates the DNA controversy. This pattern suggests that the future of LDS discourse about Lamanites may be affected, but will probably not be determined, by discussions regarding genetics and geography.

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As Latin Americans become the numerical majority in the Church, their attitudes toward Lamanite identity could yield persistent tensions, both among Latin American Mormons themselves and in relation to changing attitudes toward Lamanite identification among whites, who continue to dominate Church leadership. Alternatively, questions about exactly who is a Lamanite and what that means could be relegated to the category of folklore or doctrinal mystery. Only time will tell. What is clear, though, is that the future of Lamanite discourse depends on much more than the outcome of debates over DNA.