Things are so bad among the Nephites that the majority “did willfully rebel against God.” It was not because they had not been taught, but they chose to rebel against the commandments, indeed, against the whole of Nephite religious and political thought.
Into such an atmosphere, God did not abandon his people, but sent prophets to them, “men inspired from heaven and sent forth.” That was the definition of the Old Testament prophets. These were not men of power or position, but rather of calling. It was their calling to “testify boldly.” This is the thirtieth year. It will be in the thirty-fourth year that the next signs of nature will be given of the Messiah’s death in the Old World.