1 And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen—
2 Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.
3 And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness and abominations; and they did not believe that there should be any more signs or wonders given; and Satan did go about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land.
They Did Not Believe – 3 Nephi 2:1-3
During the ninety second year of the reign of the judges, some of the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite were fulfilled in a very dramatic way. On the night Jesus was born, the sun went down, but darkness did not come. It was as light as midday all night (3 Nephi 1:15, 19). The prophecies were well known and had been a topic of significant controversy, so the effect of this miracle was to produce nearly universal acceptance. “There were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand” (3 Nephi 1:16).
Now, a little more than three years later, the unbelief has returned. It’s astonishing that these people could forget such a dramatic miracle, but that is exactly what has happened. Their hearts, which had been hardened before the event, have reverted to their prior state, and they were able to convince themselves that the miracle was not as significant as it had seemed at the time. The experience of seeing the prophecy fulfilled produced acceptance, but the people did not choose to take the actions which would change their hearts and lead them to be truly converted.
Today, I will be grateful for the experiences I have had which have indicated to me that the gospel is true. I will also remember that those experiences will not automatically produce or build faith. If I have a clear mind and an open heart, they can motivate me to take the actions which will strengthen me spiritually, but I must choose to take those actions in order to experience the growth.
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