3 Nephi 8

In the name of Jesus

Jesus — Jehovah saves

And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record—for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity— 3 Nephi 8:1

The record keeper, Nephi, did many miracles in the name of Jesus. Mormon teaches that only a person cleansed from sin could work miracles in His name.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in 3 Nephi 7:19-20 — Nephi's miracles in the name of Jesus.

Sign of Christ's death

And the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite, yea, for the time that there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of the land. 3 Nephi 8:3

The people watch for Samuel's promised sign of Christ's death: three days of darkness. Even with so many signs already fulfilled, some doubt.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Helaman 14:20 — In the day that he shall suffer death the sun shall be darkened... for the space of three days.
• alludes to 1 Nephi 19:10 — Zenos: three days of darkness, a sign of his death to those on the isles of the sea.

Signs of Christ's death

And it came to pass in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land. 3 Nephi 8:5–17

At the time of Christ's death in Jerusalem, a storm, earthquakes, fire, and whirlwinds destroy Nephite cities, exactly as Samuel prophesied. Creation itself reacts to the death of its Creator.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Helaman 14:21-24 — Thunderings and lightnings, the earth shaking, highways broken up, cities made desolate.
• fulfils 1 Nephi 12:4 — Nephi saw lightnings, thunderings, earthquakes, and cities sunk and burned.
• the same event in Matthew 27:51 — The earth did quake at His death in Jerusalem.

Rocks rent at Christ's death

And behold, the rocks were rent in twain; they were broken up upon the face of the whole earth, insomuch that they were found in broken fragments, and in seams and in cracks, upon all the face of the land. 3 Nephi 8:18

The rocks split just as Samuel said they would, and just as the rocks split at Jerusalem when Jesus died. The broken rocks were a lasting witness of His death.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Helaman 14:21-22 — The rocks shall be rent in twain and found in seams and in cracks and in broken fragments.
• the same event in Matthew 27:51 — The earth did quake, and the rocks rent.

Three days of darkness

And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease—for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours—and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land. 3 Nephi 8:19–23

Thick darkness that no candle or fire could pierce covers the land for three days, the promised sign of Christ's death. While the Light of the World lay in the tomb, no light could be kindled, until His voice and then His appearance brought light back.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Helaman 14:20 — No light upon the face of this land for the space of three days.
• fulfils Helaman 14:27 — Darkness should cover the face of the whole earth for the space of three days.
• fulfils 1 Nephi 19:10 — Three days of darkness as a sign of his death.
• the same event in Matthew 27:45 — Darkness over all the land at the crucifixion.

Three hours at the cross

And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease—for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours—and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land. 3 Nephi 8:19

The upheaval lasted about three hours, echoing the three hours of darkness while Jesus hung on the cross before He died.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Mark 15:33 — Darkness over the whole land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour.

Great and terrible day

And in one place they were heard to cry, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared, and they would not have been burned in that great city Zarahemla. 3 Nephi 8:24–25

The survivors mourn that they did not repent before 'this great and terrible day,' the phrase prophets use for the day of the Lord's coming. The destruction at His death is a small pattern of the cleansing at His Second Coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Malachi 4:5 — Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.