After the death of Jesus Christ, great destruction occurred in the new world. Many people and cities were destroyed because of their wickedness. Many were buried under the earth. Others were burned. Some, "like the great city Moroni [were] caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea" (3 Nephi 9:4).
Later, the righteous who remained began to rebuild their cities. However, "there were many cities which had been sunk, and waters came up in the stead thereof; therefore these cities could not be renewed" (4 Nephi 1:9).
In the past year, archeologists started studying sunken Mayan ruins first found in 1996 at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. They have discovered ceremonial monuments and altars indicating it may have been of religious significance. Unfortunately for the original inhabitants, researchers believe the area, which now lies 50 feet underwater, suffered "a catastrophic event, like a volcanic eruption or landslide." Evidence indicates that residents had to leave in a hurry.
The researchers believe the ruins date to 250 A.D., so it is unlikely this area was one of those destroyed after the death of Jesus Christ. However, it shows that such cataclysmic events were possible and have occurred in the area and is interesting in the context of the destruction that occurred two centuries earlier.
