3 Nephi 1:15-21

¹⁵ And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came. ¹⁶ And 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.

¹⁷ And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth. ¹⁸ For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.

3 Nephi 1:15 – 18 (Emphasis mine)

Nephi₃ had received the Lord’s promise that the signs of His  birth would be given that night.  The Sun set, night began, and there was no darkness.

John Welch writes about darkness and light.

[O]ne of the great signs of being under God's realm and influence is a fulness of light: "Behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness" (3 Nephi 1:15); "it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but … at evening time it shall be light" (Zechariah 14:7).[1]

Many who did not believe fell to the earth in astonishment.  They knew “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” (v. 16). 

They knew Christ would shortly appear.  Samuel’s prophecies were happening in spite of their disbelief.  Their wicked plans were thwarted “and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief” (v. 18).

¹⁹ And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid–day.  And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given. ²⁰ And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets. ²¹ And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.

3 Nephi 1:19 – 21 (Emphasis mine)

The Sun rose in the morning, ending the night with no darkness.  The people knew this was the day Christ would be born.  [A]ll things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets” (v. 20).

The final sign occurred.  A new star appeared in the sky.  This was the new star that would bring the wisemen who were searching for the King of the Jews.  “Where is [JST - the child] he that is born [JST – Messiah] of the Jews?  for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).

We see that all of Samuel’s prophecies were fulfilled.  John Welch and J. Gregory Welch review Samuel’s prophecies and where they were fulfilled.[2]

Concerning Christ’s Birth	Reference	Fulfillment
Christ will be born in 5 years	Helaman 14:2	3 Nephi 1:13
No darkness for 2 days, 1 night	Helaman 14:3-4	3 Nephi 1:15
A new star will arise	Helaman 14:5	3 Nephi 1:21
There will be signs and wonders	Helaman 14:6	3 Nephi 2:1
People will fall to the earth	Helaman 14:7	3 Nephi 1:16-17

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[1] The Narrative of Zosimus (History of the Rechabites) and the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed September 23, 2012.

[2] Charting the Book of Mormon, John Welch and J. Gregory Welch, Chart 48.