3 Nephi 2
People in this chapter
Chapter 1 ended with a miracle that the whole land saw. Chapter 2 opens a few years later with a sentence that should worry every reader: 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 (v. 1). Forgetting came first, then hardness of heart, then blindness of mind, and finally the conclusion that the whole thing had been a trick.
Tap any highlighted phrase to jump to the commentary that unpacks it.
3 Nephi 2:1-3Less and Less Astonished
1And 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—
A few years after the sign, people started to forget it. Each sign surprised them less. Then their hearts became hard and their minds blind, and they stopped believing what they had seen.
2Imagining 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. 3And 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.
People explained the sign away as something men or the devil had done. Satan led them to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.
3 Nephi 2:4-10From the Coming of Christ
4And thus did pass away the ninety and sixth year; and also the ninety and seventh year; and also the ninety and eighth year; and also the ninety and ninth year; 5And also an hundred years had passed away since the days of Mosiah, who was king over the people of the Nephites. 6And six hundred and nine years had passed away since Lehi left Jerusalem.
Mormon marks the time three ways: from the days of Mosiah, from when Lehi left Jerusalem, and from the sign of Christ's birth.
7And nine years had passed away from the time when the sign was given, which was spoken of by the prophets, that Christ should come into the world. 8Now the Nephites began to reckon their time from this period when the sign was given, or from the coming of Christ; therefore, nine years had passed away.
9And Nephi, who was the father of Nephi, who had the charge of the records, did not return to the land of Zarahemla, and could nowhere be found in all the land. 10And it came to pass that the people did still remain in wickedness, notwithstanding the much preaching and prophesying which was sent among them; and thus passed away the tenth year also; and the eleventh year also passed away in iniquity.
Nephi, son of Helaman, is still missing. And though prophets keep preaching, the people stay in wickedness year after year.
3 Nephi 2:11-19Compelled to Take Up Arms
11And it came to pass in the thirteenth year there began to be wars and contentions throughout all the land; for the Gadianton robbers had become so numerous, and did slay so many of the people, and did lay waste so many cities, and did spread so much death and carnage throughout the land, that it became expedient that all the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, should take up arms against them. 12Therefore, all the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lord did unite with their brethren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the safety of their lives and their women and their children, to take up arms against those Gadianton robbers, yea, and also to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and of their worship, and their freedom and their liberty. 13And it came to pass that before this thirteenth year had passed away the Nephites were threatened with utter destruction because of this war, which had become exceedingly sore.
The Gadianton robbers become so strong that Nephites and converted Lamanites join forces to defend their families, their worship, and their freedom.
14And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites; 15And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the Nephites; 16And their young men and their daughters became exceedingly fair, and they were numbered among the Nephites, and were called Nephites. And thus ended the thirteenth year.
The converted Lamanites are counted and called Nephites. Mormon records that their curse was taken away and their skin changed. The Church today disavows past theories that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse, and condemns all racism. The Book of Mormon itself says all are alike unto God (2 Nephi 26:33).
17And it came to pass in the commencement of the fourteenth year, the war between the robbers and the people of Nephi did continue and did become exceedingly sore; nevertheless, the people of Nephi did gain some advantage of the robbers, insomuch that they did drive them back out of their lands into the mountains and into their secret places. 18And thus ended the fourteenth year. And in the fifteenth year they did come forth against the people of Nephi; and because of the wickedness of the people of Nephi, and their many contentions and dissensions, the Gadianton robbers did gain many advantages over them. 19And thus ended the fifteenth year, and thus were the people in a state of many afflictions; and the sword of destruction did hang over them, insomuch that they were about to be smitten down by it, and this because of their iniquity.
The Nephites push the robbers back for a while, but their own wickedness and quarrels let the robbers gain ground again. Mormon says the danger came because of their iniquity.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- How Does the Book of Mormon Help Date the First Christmas?Scholars have used the new Nephite reckoning in verse 8, which counts years from the sign of the Savior's birth, to study how long He lived and when He was born.
- Race and the PriesthoodThe Church's statement that it disavows past theories that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse, or that mixed-race marriages are a sin, and that it condemns all racism. Essential background for verses 14-16.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Less and Less Astonished
- Helaman 16:15-16Some things they may have guessed right, among so many.The same pattern of explaining away signs, a few years earlier.
- 2 Nephi 31:21This is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.The doctrine the people came to call foolish.
- Luke 16:31Neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.Signs alone do not keep faith alive.
- Alma 37:6By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.Small habits of remembering work the other way.
From the Coming of Christ
- 3 Nephi 8:5In the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month...The new reckoning used to date the signs of His death.
- Mosiah 29:44-47And thus commenced the reign of the judges throughout all the land of Zarahemla.The older count that verse 5 refers to.
- Helaman 13:3The voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy.Prophets kept being sent, as verse 10 says.
- Galatians 4:4When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son.
Compelled to Take Up Arms
- Alma 46:12In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.The same causes the converted Lamanites defended.
- 2 Nephi 26:33He denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free ... and all are alike unto God.
- 4 Nephi 1:17Neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ.Where this unity leads after the Savior's visit.
- Acts 10:34-35God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him ... is accepted with him.
- D&C 38:27If ye are not one ye are not mine.