The Jaredite People of The Book of Mormon
The Jaredites were a people whose history is given in the Book of Mormon, an ancient record kept by the people of the Americas and then later translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Jaredites were descendants of Jared, his brother, and other righteous people of their family. They were led to the Americas, by God, at the time of the Tower of Babel. Their history is found in the book of Ether in the Book of Mormon.
A group of Nephites eventuall found the Jaredite record and their were kept with the records of the Nephite people. Later, the last Nephite prophet, Moroni, abridged the record of the Jaredite people and included it in his record. Hundreds of years later, the ProphetJoseph Smith was visited by the angel Moroni and told where to find these records. Joseph found the records and translated them. These records are now known as the Book of Mormon.
The Jaredites and the Olmecs
There are shocking similarities between the Jaredite civilizations and the civilization called the Olmecs by archeologists.
Until about 2000 B.C. the Jaredites struggled to establish survival. Archeological findings support that the Olmec people until this point were unsophisticated.
From 2000 to 1500 B.C. the Jaredites made significant advances, built many cities, and a highland capital called Moron. A site with similar characteristics exists in the valley of Oaxaca and archeology has found such things as pottery, farming areas, and settled villages from this time period.
In 1500 the Jaredites built up a city called Lib. Olmec archeological finds have discovered a city near San Lorenzo beginning at the same time with the same social organization and the makings of monuments that coincide with the account in the Book of Mormon.
In 1070 there was a civil war in the time of Com mentioned in the Book of Mormon. This coincides exactly with a civil war that archeologists say destroy the city at San Lorenzo.
The following years of the Jaredite culture were decadent and wicked. The Olmecs during this time period developed a culture focused on riches and wealth. They enslaved many people to build massive monuments.
By 600 B.C. the Jaredite culture was destroyed in one last battle. Archeologists put the destruction of the Olmec people at 601 B.C.
The last battle of the Jaredite people is described as being on a hill. The last battle of the Olmecs was at Cerro Vigia and is consistent with the description of the site given in the Book of Mormon.