Nephi, the keeper of the records, being a just man, began to
reckon the time after the signs had been given by Samuel the Lamanite of the
birth of Christ, which was now thirty-three years. And once again, the people began to doubt and
dispute among themselves even though many signs had already been given (3 Nephi
8:1-4).
In the thirty-fourth year, in the first month on the fourth
day a great storm arose in the land such as had never been seen before. There were whirlwinds, terrible thunder and
lightnings, and the whole earth began to shake.
The great city of Zarahemla was on fire,
the city of Moroni was swallowed up into the
sea, the city of Moronihah
became a great mountain, and the whole face of the land was changed. Many of the inhabitants were slain and their
places “were left desolate” (8:5-16).
Finally, after three hours, the thunderings and lightnings
of the storm and the quaking of the earth ceased and a thick darkness covered
the land. There was neither light at all
from fire, or candles, or torches nor any light from the sun, the moon or the
stars because of the great “mists of darkness” for the “space of three days.” And the people began to howl, weep, and mourn
“because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon
them.” They were heard to cry, “O that
we had repented before this great and terrible day” and had not killed the
prophets “then would our mothers and our fair daughters, and our children have been
spared” (8:19-25).
And a voice was heard among the inhabitants of the earth
crying: “Wo, wo, wo, unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole
earth except they shall repent; for the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice,
because of the slain of my fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is
because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen” (3 Nephi
9:1-2). The voice of the Lord speaks to
them of all the cities and people who have been destroyed. And “the many great destructions” he caused
to come on the land and the people because of their “wickedness and
abominations” (9:3-12).
Now, he addresses those who were spared because “ye were
more righteous than they” [the wicked who were slain]. And he exhorts “if ye will come unto me ye
shall have eternal life. Behold, mine
arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I
receive; and blessed are those who come unto me” (9:13-14).
Then, he identifies himself, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ the
Son of God. I created the heavens and
the earth, and all things that in them are.”
He explains that he was “from the beginning” with the Father and has now
“come unto my own” [the children of Israel] and they “received me not”
[completed his mission]. And he tells
them he is “the light and life of the world …Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the end” and in Him the scriptures concerning his coming are fulfilled and also
“in me is the law of Moses fulfilled” (9:15-18).
Thus, the blood sacrifices and burnt offerings are done away
and he gives them the “new” sacrifice which is a broken heart and a contrite
spirit. “And whoso cometh unto me
[with this sacrifice]...will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost.” Now our Savior speaks of his purpose, “Behold
I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the
world from sin.” And he tells them if
they will come unto him as a little child, “him will I receive, for of such is
the kingdom of God… and for this purpose have [I] laid down my life, and have
taken it up again” [I have been resurrected].
And again he pleads, “therefore, repent, and come unto me ye ends of the
earth, and be saved” (9:19-22).
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