The Third Book of Nephi

3 Nephi 1

In the 92nd year of elected judges, and the 600th year since Lehi left Jerusalem, Lachoneus served as chief judge and governor of the Nephite people. [1 BC]

Earlier that year Nephi2 had left Zarahemla and disappeared. Before leaving, he transferred possession of the brass plates, and all the sacred records since the time of Lehi, into the hands of his eldest son, who was also named Nephi.

Prophecies were being fulfilled as the year progressed. People saw signs and miracles. But some said that the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite prophet were already past due. These people were pleased, and announced to their fellow men, “Look, the time of Samuel’s prophecies has come and gone. Your faith in his words has been in vain.”

These verdicts of unfulfilled prophecies created an uproar. The people who believed in the prophecies were saddened, and began to fear that the prophesied events might not happen. But in spite of their doubts they continued to look for the predicted day in which there would be no night. The unbelievers held such great power that they were able to pass a sentence of death against all believers, if the prophesied night without darkness didn’t occur by a specified day.

When Nephi3 heard of this wickedness he fell into a deep sorrow. He bowed down to the earth and cried out to God on behalf of his people, who were about to be destroyed for their faith in the prophecies. After crying out to God all day the voice of God came to him, saying, “Pick yourself up and be of good cheer. The night without darkness that has been prophesied will happen tonight. Tomorrow I will be born into the world, and I will begin fulfilling all the prophecies that have been spoken of by the holy prophets. I will fulfill all of those things that have been made known to men since the beginning of the world. I come to fulfill the will of the Father, and of his Son, through my own flesh. The time has come. Tonight the sign will be given.”

That night God’s words were fulfilled, as spoken. When the sun set there was no darkness and the people were amazed. Many who hadn’t believed in the prophecies fell to the ground as if they were dead. Their plans to kill all of the believers was abruptly cancelled when the prophesied night without darkness came upon them. People began to understand that the Son of God would shortly appear. In their astonishment everyone fell to the ground. Those who didn’t believe became afraid because of their sinfulness, and their absence of belief.

Throughout the entire night it was as light as high noon. When the sun rose the next morning the people knew that Jesus Christ had been born by the signs that had been given. Everything happened just as the prophets had predicted, and a new star appeared in the sky.

Satan then spread his lies among the people, and encouraged them to disregard the signs and wonders they’d witnessed. But most of the people did believe and were converted to God. Nephi and his priests baptized many people and accepted their repentance. Peace spread across the land as the people reformed themselves. Disagreements subsided, except for some cases in which individuals went out and preached, in error, that it was no longer necessary to observe the law of Moses. But those people who misunderstood the scriptures were soon converted and convinced of their mistakenness.

In the 93rd year of elected judges, there was peace across the land except for occasional incidents committed by the Gadianton Robbers who still infested the mountains, and hid in their secret strongholds. [AD 1]

In the 94th year these incidents increased in frequency and severity as the Nephites, who didn’t convert, fled to join them. In addition, many rebellious, adolescent Lamanites were enticed by lies and flattery to also join the Gadianton Robbers. The defections of this younger generation weakened the faith and righteousness of those Lamanite parents whose children deserted them. [AD 2]