The Signs of Christ’s Birth

Nephi, the son of Helaman, gave the sacred records and scriptures to his son Nephi. 3 Ne. 1:2–3

The Nephites saw great signs and miracles that had been prophesied would happen before Jesus Christ’s birth. 3 Ne. 1:4

Some Nephites said that the time had passed for his birth. They mocked those who believed Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecies. 3 Ne. 1:5–6

The people who believed in Jesus Christ and in the prophets were sad to think that something might prevent the prophecies from being fulfilled. 3 Ne. 1:7

The people watched faithfully for a night with no darkness, one of the signs that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. 3 Ne. 1:8

Those who did not believe in Jesus Christ chose a day when all who believed would be put to death if the sign had not come. 3 Ne. 1:9

Nephi was very sad because of the wickedness of those who did not believe in the Savior. 3 Ne. 1:10

Nephi prayed all day for the people who were to be killed. 3 Ne. 1:11–12

The Lord told Nephi, “Be of good cheer; for … on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world.” 3 Ne. 1:13

That night the sun went down, but there was no darkness! The sign of Jesus Christ’s birth had come. The people were astonished. 3 Ne. 1:15

Those who had planned to kill the believers fell to the earth as if they were dead. 3 Ne. 1:16

They were afraid because they had been wicked. They knew that now the Savior would be born and that the words of the prophets were true. 3 Ne. 1:17–18

It was light all night. When the sun came up the next morning, the people knew that Jesus Christ would be born that day. The prophecies were fulfilled. 3 Ne. 1:19–20

A new star appeared in the sky, just as the prophets had said that it would. 3 Ne. 1:21

Satan tried to make people not believe in the signs that they had seen, but most of the people did believe. 3 Ne. 1:22

Nephi and other Church leaders baptized all those who believed and repented. 3 Ne. 1:23

There was glad tidings in the land because the words of the prophets had been fulfilled. Jesus Christ had been born. 3 Ne. 1:26

Illustrated by Jerry Thompson