3 Nephi 7 & 8

The Nephites’ Return to Pride

3 Nephi 7 begins in year 30. The chief judge or governor was assassinated and the people who killed him failed in establishing a king. The Nephite government was completely dismantled and all the people divided up into tribes. Verse 8 sums up pretty well the state of the people, "thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit, or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire."

The tribe that consisted of the people who destroyed the government was led by a man named Jacob. This tribe fled to the northern lands to set up a kingdom.

The prophets were continually persecuted, but did continue to declare repentance despite being stoned and being cast out. Nephi was receiving visits from angels on a daily basis. His faith was so strong that he even raised his brother from the dead. The people seethed with anger at Nephi and the other prophets.

Year 32 continued in the same manner as year 30 and 31. But interestingly enough, in year 33 "there were many … that were baptized" (3 Nephi 7:26). This would correspond to the last year of Christ's ministry in Jerusalem.

Chapter 8 tells of the great destruction of the Nephite cities and the three days of darkness which was prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite. All the destruction began in year 34 in the 1st month on the 4th day of the month. The three hours of destruction were followed by three days of darkness.