The Third Book of Nephi

3 Nephi 1

Over six hundred years passed since Lehi left Jerusalem. There began to be great signs and miracles. But some people said: The time is passed and the signs spoken by Samuel the prophet have not happened. Your joy and your faith has been wasted.

The people who believed in Christ began to be sad. They watched steadily for the night with no darkness. The unbelievers set a day that all believers would be killed, unless the sign came.

When Nephi saw the evil of his people, his heart was sad. He went out and bowed down and prayed strongly to God all day.

The Lord’s voice came to Nephi, saying: Lift your head up and be cheerful. The sign will come tonight. Tomorrow I come into the world. I come to do the Father’s will and to show the prophets are true.

That night when the sun went down, there was no darkness. It was as light as noon day. All the people from the west to the east and in the north and south were so amazed they fell to the ground.

They knew the prophets told about this sign for many years. They knew this was the day the Lord would be born. Also, a new star would come in the night.

The people were afraid because of their sins and unbelief. Nephi went among the people baptizing those who repented. Then the people had peace.

The Gadianton robbers, who hid in the mountains, led away many of the Nephite’s teenagers to join their gangs.