3 Days of Destruction == 3 Hours of Darkness?

[Cow Poke]

This topic has been brought up several times in other threads, and I have asked it more than a few times. Since it doesn't seem to be being addressed elsewhere, I thought I'd bring it here.

The Bible discusses 3 hours of darkness, the veil of the temple being torn in two from the top to the bottom, and the associated events recorded in Matthew 27:45, and 51-54.

I'd suspect that we can agree on the events of the Crucifixion as outlined in the Bible, but if we need to review those, let's do that.

I'm more interested in how this "3 hours" in the New Testament becomes "3 DAYS" in Mormonism. I haven't received answers from TWeb's Mormons, so I will start with what I have found online. PLEASE correct me if my understanding is in error, or if this is NOT an accurate representation of what Mormons believe.

What Do Mormons Believe

By 1AD, most of the people described in the Book of Mormon did not believe in Jesus Christ nor His prophets. One of those prophets named Samuel prophesied boldly on the city walls of the signs of Christ’s birth and death (Helaman 14). On the night that Christ was born into the world, an irrefutable sign was given. A day, a night, and a day became one continuous day without darkness. This was to the relief of the believers and utter astonishment to the rest.

It didn’t take long for people to forget about the sign and continue life normally. More wars happened, particularly against the now very large society of robbers, and around 30AD, just as Christ was beginning His earthly ministry among the Jews, the entire Nephite government was overthrown and the people divided into tribal states. Then, three years later, one the greatest events of the Book of Mormon began to occur. At the time of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross of Calvary, Samuel’s prophecy of storms, earthquakes and destruction did indeed happen. Cities were leveled, burned, buried, and sunk into the ocean. Darkness covered the land for three whole days (3 Nephi 8).

After the three days, Christ’s voice was heard by the survivors. He was calling them to Him and lamenting their destruction. Of all events told in this book, what happened next far outshines the rest. Christ, Himself, descended from Heaven and proclaimed His divinity. He had drunk the bitter cup and glorified the Father. He taught the people, blessed them and healed them. For several days, He did so. I would encourage all to read even just a few of these passages from 3 Nephi 11 to 28. Before He left, He chose twelve men to teach and guide the people in His absence.

© source where applicable

Several of the questions I asked are addressed in this article, and new questions raised.

1) There was a continuous "two day" period without darkness -- I'm assuming that's what is being described in the first paragraph. It APPEARS to be saying that, at the time of the Birth of Christ, most people did not believe in Jesus Christ.

2) The second chapter in the cite mentions wars, and the cities being leveled, cities sunk into the sea, and the darkness covered the earth for three whole days.

3) In the other threads, I had asked if Jesus had established disciples in the New World, and paragraph 3 claims that He did, along with healing, blessing and encouraging them. AGAIN, as I have pointed out in other threads, Jesus, according to the Mormons, WAITED A YEAR before doing this. Almost a WHOLE YEAR after the massive destruction, and cities collapsing, Jesus seems to appear on the scene to announce He is the Messiah, and calls twelve disciples.


Any Mormons care to take a stab at sorting this out?


Thanks

[Sparko]

Well, you see.. if you keep you light under a bucket and it shines on in er, your heart, then your bosom burns letting you know that the bucket is on your head.

[Cow Poke]

That probably makes as much sense as any other explanation that will be offered.

[Sparko]

A year is like 365 days to the Lord.

[Cow Poke]

I'm thinking this is too convoluted for even our most faithful Mormons to address.

[Sparko]

maybe we should ask about the dinosaurs?

[Cow Poke]

maybe we should ask about the dinosaurs?

That's a whole 'nuther thread.

We really should be compiling a list of these ... um... "deeper truths".

[Sparko]

like the inhabitants of the sun, moon, mars, jupiter, venus, etc? Or that God made the earth out of a mishmash of other worlds like baking a cake? Or that the earth has a spirit?

I think I will start a thread on that last one.

[Bill the Cat]

C'mon... we ALL know that God loved the Nephites more than the Jews in Israel. After all, the signs and wonders listed in the Bible were multiplied exponentially for the Nephites.

[Cow Poke]

C'mon... we ALL know that God loved the Nephites more than the Jews in Israel. After all, the signs and wonders listed in the Bible were multiplied exponentially for the Nephites.

And THEN the Mormon Jesus waited nearly a YEAR to comfort the downtrodden.

I'm sure it had something to do with a timetable.

[Bill the Cat]

And THEN the Mormon Jesus waited nearly a YEAR to comfort the downtrodden.

I'm sure it had something to do with a timetable.

Yup. And instead of returning to Jerusalem to appoint new Apostles later, He just left and didn't bother to come back for almost 1800 years, despite being able to come and go as He pleased:

3 Nephi 26:13–

Therefore, I would that ye should behold that the Lord truly did teach the people, for the space of three days; and after that he did show himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them.

[Cow Poke]

I think, by FAR, the "time table" argument is one of the Mormon's weakest.

I saw it first used in the defense of the Mormon Church's racism.

But, somehow, there's an URGENCY for Jesus to get to the "New World", so it is "reasonable and logical" that God would not have waited 1500 years for people to "build boats".

I wish OC could see how truly silly that "time table" argument is.

[One Bad Pig]

I'm thinking that the mockery in this thread after the OP is not going to encourage any Mormons to take a serious stab at answering the questions posed.

[Cow Poke]

I'm thinking that the mockery in this thread after the OP is not going to encourage any Mormons to take a serious stab at answering the questions posed.

There have been plenty of opportunities in other threads, OBP --- I really didn't expect an answer --- what answer could there possibly be?

But your point is taken.

[Bill the Cat]

I'm thinking that the mockery in this thread after the OP is not going to encourage any Mormons to take a serious stab at answering the questions posed.

I disagree, OB1. I don't think my comment was mockery. It was a bit of sarcasm mixed with a straight forward assessment of the BOM's tales of one-upsmanship of the Bible's signs. Naturally, the Mormons will disagree, but it is what i see in all seriousness.