“In the Days of Coriantor There Also Came Many Prophets”

Brant Gardner

As the great calamity nears, Yahweh sends even more prophets to warn the people. Even though the Lord allows us to destroy ourselves, he warns us to be prepared. Righteousness is the best preparation. Because they have violated the covenant, the land’s curse will, as a result, continue. The Jaredites will be swept away, replaced by another people.

History: 600 B.C.–A.D. 1 is the Terminal Olmec or Epi-Olmec period. Historically, the Epi-Olmec is a transitional time of restructuring the waning Olmec culture. Power shifts from the former sources to daughter people with some Olmec traits but who are also finding other sources of inspiration for their cultures. In Oaxaca, Monte Albán begins its rise to power around 500 B.C. and had about 5,000 inhabitants by 400 B.C., or around half of the entire population of the Oaxaca Valley. By 200 B.C. they had reached a population of 17,000. In Central Mexico, the waning of the Olmec coincides with the rise of Cuicuilco, with a population of about 10,000. During this time period we find the important city of Izapa on the southern Pacific Coast. This region had long been under Olmec influence; but even after the waning of Olmec power, it continued to thrive. Long after the disappearance of any people who could be called politically Olmec, Olmec cultural traits and influences continued to influence the Mesoamerican region.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 6

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