Lift up your head and be if good cheer for behold the time is at hand

Back on the American continent “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. 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. 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 has been in vain… Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers that all those who believed in those traditions should  be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.” (3 Nephi 1:4&9)

Now when Nephi (named after Nephi who had come across the ocean with Lehi) heard what they were saying he bowed himself to the Lord and prayed mightily on behalf of his people.

“…the Lord came unto him saying, Lift up your head and be if good cheer for behold the time is at hand and on this night shall the sign be given and on the morrow come I into the world to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets… 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 it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word… ” ( 3 Nephi1 :13, 15,21)

Reading the verses in between we read that the people who had not believed fell to the earth when darkness did not come that night. They knew that they what the prophets had said was coming to pass and they were in big trouble. In the days that followed many did believe and were converted unto the Lord.  Nephi did baptize many who repented and there was a great remission of sins. Then the people began to have Peace in the land. There were no contentions among them except for a few, it says.

Kinda gives one the idea that contentions, disagreements and anger are from Satan doesn’t it.