3 Nephi 1:1-8

Third Nephi

The Book of Nephi

The Son of Nephi, Who Was the Son of Helaman

And Helaman was the son of Helaman, who was the son of Alma, who was the son of Alma, being a descendant of Nephi who was the son of Lehi, who came out of Jerusalem in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, the king of Judah.

Chapter 1

Nephi the son of Helaman departs out of the land, and his son Nephi keeps the records—Though signs and wonders abound, the wicked plan to slay the righteous—The night of Christ's birth arrives—The sign is given and a new star arises—Lyings and deceivings increase, and the Gadianton robbers slaughter many. About A.D. 1–4

¹ NOW it came to pass that the ninety and first year had passed away [1 A.D.] and it was six hundred years from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem; and it was in the year that Lachoneus was the chief judge and the governor over the land.

² And Nephi, the son of Helaman, had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, giving charge unto his son Nephi, who was his eldest son, concerning the plates of brass, and all the records which had been kept, and all those things which had been kept sacred from the departure of Lehi out of Jerusalem. ³ Then he departed out of the land, and whither he went, no man knoweth; and his son Nephi did keep the records in his stead, yea, the record of this people.

3 Nephi 1:1 – 3 (Emphasis mine)

We have reached an important time in Nephite history.  “[I]t was six hundred years from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem” (v. 1).  Nephi₁ prophesied, “For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (2 Nephi 25:19)  We have arrived at that time and the people are looking for the signs.

Nephi₂ passed the records, Brass Plates, Liahona, Sword of Laban, and all other sacred relics to his son, Nephi₃.  He departed and was never again heard from.  Nephi₃ is now the record keeper.

⁴ And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people.

⁵ But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite. ⁶ And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.

⁷ And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.  ⁸ But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.

3 Nephi 1:4 – 8 (Emphasis mine)

By 2 A.D., prophecies of the prophets were being fulfilled.  Great signs and miracles were occurring among the people.

But, the doubters were active.  They claimed the time had passed for the words of Samuel to be fulfilled.  They rejoiced and mocked the believers.  “Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain” (v. 6). 

There was a great uproar in the land.  The believers were saddened by the claims and worried that the signs and wonders would not occur.  Despite their concerns, they still watched for the sign that there would be a day, a night, and a day without darkness.  They hoped “their faith had not been in vain” (v. 8).