Massive earthquakes and storms destroy many cities, resulting in the deaths of numerous people. The storms are followed by darkness so thick that the people can’t even light candles or torches. Sitting in the darkness, the people mourn the tragedy, attributing it to their own wickedness in rejecting the prophets.
Chapter Outline
- Storms, earthquakes, and whirlwinds destroy cities (v. 1-19)
- Thick darkness covers the land (20-22)
- The people cry and mourn (23-25)
My Takeaways
- God’s light can pierce even the thickest darkness.
- It’s important to consider the potential consequences of our actions and correct them before it’s too late.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Tempests and Earthquakes – 3 Nephi 8:1-19
Every Valley
Samuel’s prophecies were literally fulfilled. They also symbolize the Savior’s influence in our lives, as He smooths our rough edges, brings us down where we are proud, lifts us up where we lack confidence and gives us hope, like a new star.
❖ Thick darkness – 3 Nephi 8:20-22
Gross Darkness
Isaiah prophesied of a time when “darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” But he promised that, in the midst of this darkness, “the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy…
What Does Darkness Feel Like?
The ninth plague was darkness so thick it could be felt. The Nephites experienced a similar darkness after the death of Jesus. But they heard Him declare that He is the light of the world, and their mourning was replaced by joy when the light returned.
❖ The people mourn – 3 Nephi 8:23-25
Then Would Our Brethren Have Been Spared – 3 Nephi 8:24-25
24 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.25 And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying: O…
O That We Had Repented – 3 Nephi 8:24-25
24 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.25 And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying: O…
Old Testament Foundations
The Ordinances of the Sun, Moon, and Stars
We all interact with unreliable people. We are disappointed at times when someone fails to follow through on something they have agreed to do. If we’re honest with ourselves, we can’t be too hard on them, because we aren’t perfectly reliable ourselves. We’re all imperfect, falling short even when we do the best we can.…
Three Days of Darkness
After the natural disasters which coincided with the death of Jesus Christ, some inhabitants of the American continent experienced “thick darkness upon all the face of the land” for three days: And there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and…
“The People That Walked in Darkness” – 2 Nephi 19:2
Even when we are surrounded by darkness, we can be filled with light. The ancient prophet Micah wrote, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me” (Micah 7:8). And King David affirmed, “The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness” (Psalm 18:28). Isaiah prophesied that the coming…
New Testament Parallels
“Clean But Not All”
At the Last Supper, when the meal was finished, Jesus washed the feet of each of His apostles, apparently without explaining why. When it was Peter’s turn, he refused to allow the Savior to wash his feet. Jesus responded, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” Peter responded impulsively: “Lord, not my feet…
Church History Connections
“Sweet Evidence”
Mormon taught that we must be clean to experience miracles. Jacob testified that this is possible through God’s grace. The Book of Mormon and modern revelation testify that assurance of God’s favor often precedes new revelation. The companionship of the Holy Ghost is evidence that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is working in our lives.
All Posts Referencing 3 Nephi 8
- “Sweet Evidence” (4/3/2025)
- “Above the Brightness of the Sun” (1/18/2025)
- Everlasting Kindness (10/18/2024)
- Chronicling My Life (10/15/2024)
- “I Am Jesus Christ” (9/29/2024)
- Promised Light (9/28/2024)
- There Was Silence (9/27/2024)
- What Does Darkness Feel Like? (9/24/2024)
- Every Valley (9/12/2024)
- Helaman 5 and 3 Nephi (8/30/2024)
- “From Darkness to Light” (8/5/2023)
- The Ordinances of the Sun, Moon, and Stars (10/20/2022)
- “A Sign Between Me and You” (4/28/2022)
- Three Days of Darkness (3/31/2022)
- Gross Darkness (10/6/2021)
- “Clean But Not All” (6/19/2021)
- “Ye Are Clean, but Not All” (4/18/2021)
- “The People That Walked in Darkness” – 2 Nephi 19:2 (2/5/2021)
- “If There Was No Mistake” – 3 Nephi 8:1-2 (9/15/2020)
- Then Would Our Brethren Have Been Spared – 3 Nephi 8:24-25 (4/29/2017)
- O That We Had Repented – 3 Nephi 8:24-25 (10/6/2015)