The Voice of Christ is Heard Again

After all the people in the land heard this voice, they were so astonished that they stopped mourning the loss of their family members who had died in the destruction, and it was quiet for many hours.

Then the voice was heard again by all the people, saying, “Oh you people of those great fallen cities, who are descendants of Jacob—the house of Israel—how often have I gathered and nourished you, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings. And how often I would have gathered you, oh house of Israel in Jerusalem, as well as those who have died here, but you would not come. Oh people of the house of Israel, whom I have spared, how often will I yet gather you, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, if you will repent and return to me with full purpose of heart. But if you will not return to me, your cities will become desolate until the covenants made with your forefathers are fulfilled.”

After the people heard this, they began again to weep and cry aloud over the loss of their family members and friends. But after three days of this despair, the morning sun finally broke the darkness, and the earth stopped trembling and breaking up with dreadful groaning and loud noises. As the earth settled and became still again, the mourning, weeping, and wailing of the people turned to joy. They praised and gave thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.

The scriptures, or words of the prophets, had been fulfilled. The more righteous part of the people had been saved—those who had received the prophets and saints instead of killing them. The more righteous were not sunk and buried in the earth. They were not drowned in the sea or burned. They were not crushed by falling buildings, carried away in tornadoes, nor suffocated by thick, dark smoke.

Mormon comments: As you read this, ask yourself whether or not all this death and destruction fulfilled the prophecies of the many holy prophets, who were killed for testifying that these things would happen at Christ’s coming. Zenos and Zenock testified about these things, and particularly about us, their descendants. Our forefather, Jacob (Israel), also testified about us, the descendants of his son, Joseph of old. And Joseph’s prophecies are written on the brass plates that our forefather, Lehi, brought out of Jerusalem. I, Mormon, will show you that by the end of 34, the Nephites and converted Lamanites who had been spared had been shown great things and had received great blessings, for soon after Christ went up into heaven from Jerusalem, He came down and showed Himself to them. He showed Himself and ministered to them. I will now continue this account, which includes His ministry to these people.