This episode is part 35 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.

This episode covers chapters 1-10 of the book of 3 Nephi. The Nephites and Lamanites see the sign of Christ's birth in the sky. The Gadianton robbers threaten to take over the land and destroy all the people. The Nephites and Lamanites conglomerate into an area of Zarahemla for protection with plenty of supplies. The Gadianton robbers struggle with the now desolate lands but try to scare the people. The people fight back and drive the Gadiantons back and eventually get total victory. The Gadiantons who refuse to repent are executed. The ones that convert are released and find settlement.

After some peace, a sect of people wanting a monarchy kill the new chief judge. The fallout causes the people to split the land into tribes. The monarchy supporters anoint a king and try to get dissenters from the tribes. Eventually, the sign of Christ's death ravages the land in darkness and natural disasters that kill many people and wreck cities. Toward the end of the three days of darkness a voice from heaven says he is Jesus Christ and explains the destruction but offers hope. The voice says some things we would recognize from the gospel accounts, but also borrows from New Testament epistles that would not have been written yet.

Further research:

Book of Mormon in video

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

The Book of Mormon online: 3 Nephi [chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

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