Hugh Nibley
"The first two chapters of Mormon give a wonderful description of the complete breakdown of a civilization. 'And it was one complete revolution throughout all the face of the land' (Mormon 2:8). Recent studies have shown that when the Roman Empire collapsed all of a sudden, just such vast roving and plundering bands filled the earth as those described in the Book of Mormon. Insecurity was complete (Mormon 1:18); people took refuge in 'sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics' (Mormon 1:19). The Dark Ages were upon them. 'No man could keep that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the witchcraft which was in the land' (Mormon 2:10)." (An Approach to the Book of Mormon, p. 395)