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Book of Mormon Commentary
3 Nephi Chapter 4
Quotations are made from the old books in which the tradition is recorded which appear to verify this report of what is
found in them.
3 Ne 4:14 And thus the face of the whole earth became deformed, because of the tempests, and the
thunderings, and the lightnings, and the quaking of the earth.
"The rocks were rent in twain; ...they were found in broken fragments, and in seams, and in
cracks, upon all the face of the land" (15). This storm lasted for about three hours (16, 17), and
was followed by "thick darkness." The people "could feel the vapor of darkness" (18). The density
of these "mists of darkness" prevented any glimmer of the sun, moon, or stars from penetrating.
They could not get "exceeding dry wood" to burn, nor light torches or candles (19, 20).
While the terrible tempest lasted three hours, the darkness continued three days. Some point out
that in Palestine there were only three hours of darkness (Matt. 27:49). This does not invalidate the
witness of the Book of Mormon. The three days 0£ darkness on the American continent was 'a
phenomenon in nature which could be controlled only by an omnipotent God. It was a visitation
upon a very wicked people who persistently sinned against the light. Jesus said in Palestine, "But
if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light which is in thee
be darkness, how great shall that darkness be" (Matt. 6:23). Each book of scripture talks about
different peoples and continents. The difference in the duration and intensity, therefore, does not
indicate a conflict in statements of fact.
Certain historians and archaeologists have found evidence supporting Nephi's testimony.
Hubert H. Bancroft quotes a Toltec tradition:
The second age, the "sun of air,'. terminated with a great hurricane which swept away trees, rocks, houses, and people,
although many men and women escaped, chiefly such as took refuge in caves which the hurricane could not reach.
After several days the survivors came out; ...and all this time they were in darkness, seeing neither the sun nor moon.
The Peruvians had several flood-myths. One of them relates that the whole face of the earth was changed by a great
deluge, attended by an extraordinary eclipse of the sun which lasted five days.
Harold I. Velt quotes "Cieza de Leon, one of the highest authorities on Inca civilizations and
traditions”:
Before the Incas reigned in these kingdoms, or had ever been heard of, the Indians relate another thing much more
notable than all things else that they say. For they declare that they were a long time without seeing the sun, and that,
suffering much evil from its absence, great prayers and vows were offered up to their gods, imploring for the light
they needed. Things being in this state, the sun, shining very brightly, came forth from the island of Titicaca, in the
great lake of the Collao at which everyone rejoiced.
Presently afterwards, they say, that there came from a southern direction, a white man of great stature, who, by his
aspect and presence, called forth great veneration and obedience. This man who thus appeared had great power,
insomuch that he could change plains into mountains, and great hills into valleys, and make water flow out of stones.
As soon as such power was beheld, the people called him the maker of created things, the Prince of all things, Father
of the Sun. For they say that he performed other wonders, giving life to men and animals, so that by his hand
marvelous great benefits were conferred on the people.
Another legend, recorded by Father Bernahe Cobo, a Jesuit historian;
This says that on the island in Titicaca the ancient people of long ago were thrown in great confusion and awe due to
the darkening of the sun which did not shine for many days. Some writers say that other traditions claim three days