The Jaredite nation is unknown in world history to any but Latter-day Saints. It was hidden by the Almighty from all other peoples. Its life span probably covered nearly twenty centuries, from shortly after the Flood to possibly 400 to 500 B.C.

This mysterious people left their mark on two hemispheres and produced populations of untold millions. They originated in a heavenly miracle and expired in degradation and civil war. An early American nation for most of its existence, its roots went back to the Tower of Babel in ancient Mesopotamia, affirming that there was such a tower, despite the doubts of some scholars. These people came from it!

There was a confounding of the languages there also. These Jaredites lived through it, although their own speech was not affected.

And there was a dispersion by divine decree. These people took an important part in it. Like later dispersions, it grew out of wickedness, a senseless rebellion against God. Jared and his family were exceptions, however. In this dispersion they were moved from Babel to the choicest land on earth, because they loved the Lord and sought to serve him.

But God had placed firm conditions on the occupancy of that promised land. He pronounced both a blessing and a curse upon it. If those dwelling there would serve the Lord, he would prosper them. If they rebelled against him, they would face the threat of utter destruction. This is a lesson that the Jaredite nation never learned.