How widespread was this falling away from the truth?

Thomas R. Valletta

“It was foreseen that the powers of evil would be permitted to prevail in the west as in the east … .

“An earlier prophecy relating to the degradation of the surviving remnant of Lehi’s descendants, was uttered by Nephi, as a result of a revelation communicated to him through angelic visitation [see 1 Nephi 12:19–23] … .

“The scriptures … show that widespread apostasy from the Church was foreseen; that the corruption of the Church itself was likewise foreknown; and that on both hemispheres a general apostasy was foretold” (Talmage, Great Apostasy, 32–33).

The Book of Mormon Study Guide: Start to Finish

References