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How Does Prophecy Shape the Book of Mormon’s Content and Structure?

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Post contributed by Scripture Central
January 15, 2019
KnoWhy #498
"Samuel en la muralla" and "Ultimas paginas" by Jorge Cocco
"Samuel en la muralla" and "Ultimas paginas" by Jorge Cocco
“Yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass.”

Words of Mormon 1:4

The Know

John W. Welch has described the Book of Mormon as

prophetic in every sense of the word. It is written by prophets and about prophets. It was foreseen by prophets and foresees our day. It is a book brought forth by prophetic gifts for prophetic purposes. It speaks forth in a clarion voice of warning with words of counsel to those who would survive the last days.1

On some level or another, most readers notice these recurring prophetic themes throughout the text. What may not be so apparent is that some of the Book of Mormon’s major narratives seem to have been designed specifically to emphasize the fulfillment of its prophetic declarations. When this pattern is recognized, it becomes clear that prophecy plays a fundamental rather than incidental role in shaping the structure and content of the Book of Mormon. The following summaries offer only a brief sampling of important prophetic fulfillments in the text. Many additional examples are highlighted in a chart provided in the appendix.

Nephi’s Prophecies

The prophet Nephi shaped much of his first book based on a prophecy given to him by the Lord when his family first left Jerusalem. The Lord declared that “inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord, And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren” (1 Nephi 2:22). Over and over again, Nephi recorded the rebellion of his brothers, and his own efforts to teach and instruct them.2 After Lehi’s group reached the promised land, Nephi made sure to report that the Lord’s prophecy had been fulfilled (see 2 Nephi 5:19).

Nephi also recorded visions about his future descendants, including their wars, the Savior’s ministry among them, their generations of peace, and their ultimate destruction (see 1 Nephi 12). In addition, Nephi summarized Zenos’s prophecies about the physical catastrophes that would occur at the time of Christ’s death (1 Nephi 19:10–16). When Mormon was searching among the Nephite records, he discovered these prophecies in Nephi’s set of small plates. Because they contained “the prophecies of the coming of Christ,” Mormon found them to be valuable and included them in his own record (see Words of Mormon 1:4).

What readers may not realize is how important Nephi’s writings were in shaping the rest of Mormon’s abridgment. According to Steven L. Olsen, “Nephi’s prophecies became so crucial to [Mormon’s] literary purpose that he consciously structured a major portion of his narrative in order to document their literal and complete fulfillment.”3 Olsen suggested that Mormon did this “in order to draw attention to the close correspondence between prophecy and scriptural history.”4

"Abinadi Appearing Before King Noah" by Arnold Friberg

"Abinadi Appearing Before King Noah" by Arnold Friberg

Abinadi’s Prophecies

During Abinadi’s trial before King Noah and his priests, Abinadi made a number of prophetic declarations that Mormon made sure to record in detail.5 For instance, Abinadi predicted that the Nephites “shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten on the cheek” (Mosiah 12:2). Mormon then recorded two exodus stories, the first involving the people of Limhi (Mosiah 19–22) and the second following the converts who followed Alma (Mosiah 23–24). It’s notable that the major obstacle in each story is that the people came into bondage, just as Abinadi prophesied.

Samuel’s Prophecies

The prophecies given by Samuel the Lamanite, which themselves relied heavily upon the words of past prophets,6 played an important role during the years immediately preceding Christ’s second coming. Not only did Samuel’s prophecies provide very specific signs of Christ’s death, but they also gave a specific time and sign of His birth.7 A disputation about the timing of Samuel’s prophecy provides the major narrative in 3 Nephi 1. Then, in 3 Nephi 8–10, Mormon repeatedly highlighted the fulfillment of the signs of Christ’s death. Samuel’s prophecies were so important to the Nephite historical record that Jesus Himself made sure that their fulfillment was accurately recorded (see 3 Nephi 23:9).

The Why

These and many other fulfilled prophecies provide subtle yet intriguing evidence of the Book of Mormon’s impressive complexity and consistency.8 Most people don’t notice how integral prophecies are to the Book of Mormon’s structure and content. It’s something that typically must be discerned through careful study. It should also be recognized that the book’s precise prophetic fulfillments are scattered throughout its pages and are often separated from the prophecies themselves by large amounts of text.

"Ancient Records" by James Fullmer

"Ancient Records" by James Fullmer

This suggests that whoever produced the text of the Book of Mormon either knew the Nephite history very intimately or worked from some sort of outline or notes to keep track of its numerous prophecies and their fulfillments.9 Yet, according to eyewitnesses, Joseph Smith dictated the text in a remarkably short amount time without relying on any outlines, notes, or reference materials.10 With this in mind, the Book of Mormon’s fulfilled prophecies provide good evidence that its words were intentionally crafted by Mormon and Moroni and were then miraculously revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith.

Indeed, Mormon’s statements repeatedly show that he was conscious of these prophecies and their fulfillment. On one occasion he remarked, “And the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land, even unto the fulfilling of all the words of Abinadi, and also Samuel the Lamanite” (Mormon 1:19). On another occasion he noted that when the people were on the brink of destruction they “began to remember the prophecies of Alma, and also the words of Mosiah” (Helaman 4:21). Likewise, Moroni reported that the Jaredite destruction transpired according to “the words which had been spoken by the mouth of all the prophets” and that they had been “fulfilled thus far, every whit” (Ether 15:3).

As readers pay careful attention to the details in each Book of Mormon story, they will see how over and over again the words of the prophets came to pass. Recognizing this pattern can build trust that its prophecies about our own day will likewise be fulfilled. Mormon declared, “I … know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass.” (Words of Mormon 1:4; emphasis added)

We can also learn much from the way that different groups in the Book of Mormon treated the sacred prophecies given to them by the Lord. Those who refused to heed prophetic warnings often suffered sorrow and destruction.11 In contrast, others experienced peace and joy as they looked towards the fulfillment of prophecy “with great earnestness” (3 Nephi 8:3). In one period of especially harsh persecution, the Lord comforted His people by declaring, “Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for … on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets” (3 Nephi 1:13; emphasis added).

"Christ Visits the Americas" by John Scott

"Christ Visits the Americas" by John Scott

Faithful people today can likewise look forward to Christ’s second coming with great earnestness, fully expecting that He will fulfill all of the prophecies about our own day, “yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets” (3 Nephi 1:20). After recounting the Savior’s ministry among the Nephites in the October session of general conference in 2004, Elder Robert D. Hales taught,

Brothers and sisters, the prophecies of Christ’s first coming were fulfilled, “every whit.” As a result, many throughout the world believe that the Savior did come and did live in the meridian of time. But there are still many prophecies yet to be fulfilled! In this and other conferences, we hear living prophets prophesy and testify of Christ’s Second Coming. They also witness of the signs and wonders all about us, telling us that Christ will surely come again. Are we choosing to believe their words?12

The Book of Mormon invites us to not only believe its prophecies about our day, but to also trust the prophets in our own day.13 If we do, we will have both peace and protection in what will surely be turbulent times. And we can look forward with faith and hope for the millennial era of peace that will follow the return of the Savior.

Further Reading

Steven L. Olsen, “Prophecy and History: Structuring the Abridgment of the Nephite Records,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 15, no. 1 (2006): 18–29, 70–71.

Melvin J. Thorne, “Complexity, Consistency, Ignorance, and Probabilities,” in Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited: The Evidence for Ancient Origins, ed. Noel B. Reynolds (Provo, UT: FARMS, 1997), 179–193.

John W. Welch, “Textual Consistency,” in Reexploring the Book of Mormon: A Decade of New Research, ed. John W. Welch (Salt Lake City and Provo, UT: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1992), 21–23.

Appendix

 

 

 

Fulfilled Book of Mormon Prophecies

Topic

Prophecy

Fulfillment

Jerusalem Will Be Destroyed

1 Nephi 1:4, 13

1 Nephi 2:13

1 Nephi 3:17

1 Nephi 7:13

Ether 13:5

2 Nephi 1:4

2 Nephi 25:10

Helaman 8:20–21

Lehi’s Family Will Be Led to a Land of Promise

1 Nephi 2:20

1 Nephi 5:5

1 Nephi 7:13

1 Nephi 10:13

1 Nephi 18:23

2 Nephi 10:20

Jacob 2:32

 

Lehi’s Posterity Will Prosper or Be Cursed

1 Nephi 2:20

1 Nephi 4:14

2 Nephi 1:9, 20

2 Nephi 4:4

Jarom 1:9

Mosiah 1:7

Mosiah 2:22, 31

Alma 9:13

Alma 36:1, 30

Alma 37:13

Alma 38:1

Alma 45:8

Alma 48:15,25

 

 

2 Nephi 5:13

Omni 1:6

Mosiah 9:9

Mosiah 10:5

Mosiah 21:16

Mosiah 23:19–20

Mosiah 25:24

Alma 50:18–22

Alma 59:3

Alma 62:48, 51

Helaman 3:20

Helaman 4:13

Helaman 11:20

3 Nephi 6:4-5

4 Nephi 1:7

Ether 7:26

Ether 10:16, 28

Nephi’s Brothers Will Be Cut Off

1 Nephi 2:21

2 Nephi 5:20

Nephi Will Be a Ruler and Teacher

1 Nephi 2:22

2 Nephi 5:19

Laman and Lemuel Will Be Cursed

1 Nephi 2:23

2 Nephi 5:21–24

Lamanites Will Be a Scourge14

1 Nephi 2:24

2 Nephi 5:25

Jacob 3:3

Jacob 1:10, 14

Enos–Omni

Omni 1:24

WofM 1:13–14

Mosiah 9–10

Alma 2–3

Alma 16:1–11

Alma 24:1–25:14

Alma 28

Alma 43–44

Alma 46:1–50:11

Alma 51–62

Helaman 1:1–13

Helaman 1:14–34

Helaman 4

Helaman 6:15–11:20

3 Nephi 2:11–4:28

3 Nephi 6:14–7:14

Mormon 1:6–2:9

Mormon 2:16–3:1

Mormon 3:4–6:15

Lord Will Deliver Lehi’s Sons and Destroy Laban

1 Nephi 4:3

1 Nephi 4:12

1 Nephi 4:17

Zoram Will Have a Place among Lehi’s People

1 Nephi 4:32–33

2 Nephi 1:30

2 Nephi 5:6

Jacob 1:13

4 Nephi 1:37

Mormon 1:8

Brass Plates Will Be Preserved

1 Nephi 5:18–19

 

Mosiah 1:3, 16

Mosiah 28:11, 20

Alma 37:1–12

3 Nephi 1:2

3 Nephi 10:17

Christ Will Come 600 Years after Lehi Left Jerusalem

1 Nephi 10:4

1 Nephi 19:8

2 Nephi 25:19

3 Nephi 1:1

Nephites Will Become a  Civilization with Many Cities

1 Nephi 12:3

3 Nephi 6:7–8

Mormon 1:7

Mists of Darkness Will Be on the Land

1 Nephi 12:4

3 Nephi 8:20–23

Lightnings Will Be on the Land

1 Nephi 12:4

1 Nephi 19:11

2 Nephi 26:6

Helaman 14:21

3 Nephi 8:7, 12, 17, 19

Thunder Will Be on the Land

1 Nephi 12:4

1 Nephi 19:11

2 Nephi 26:6

Helaman 14:21

Helaman 14:26–27

3 Nephi 8:6, 12, 17, 19

Earthquakes Will Be on the Land

1 Nephi 12:4

2 Nephi 26:6

Helaman 14:21

Helaman 14:26–27

3 Nephi 8:12, 17, 19

Tumultuous Noises Will Be Heard

1 Nephi 12:4

3 Nephi 8:23

3 Nephi 10:9

Rocks and Earth Will Be Rent

1 Nephi 12:4

1 Nephi 19:12

3 Nephi 8:6, 18

Mountains Will Tumble and Be Laid Low

1 Nephi 12:4

Helaman 14:23

3 Nephi 8:10

Plains and Earth Will Be Broken Up

1 Nephi 12:4

Helaman 14:21

3 Nephi 8:13, 18

Cities Will Be Sunken

1 Nephi 12:4

3 Nephi 8:9, 14

3 Nephi 9:4–8

3 Nephi 10:13

Cities Will Be Burned

1 Nephi 12:4

3 Nephi 8:8, 14

3 Nephi 9:3, 9–11

3 Nephi 10:13–14

Cities Will Be Shaken and Tumble

1 Nephi 12:4

3 Nephi 8:14

Vapor of Darkness Will Be Removed

1 Nephi 12:5

3 Nephi 10:9

Righteous Will Be Preserved from Destruction

1 Nephi 12:5

2 Nephi 26:8

3 Nephi 9:13

3 Nephi 10:12–13

Heavens Will Open

1 Nephi 12:6

3 Nephi 11:8

Lamb of God Will Descend

1 Nephi 12:6

3 Nephi 11:8

Lamb of God Will Show Himself

1 Nephi 12:6

1 Nephi 13:35

2 Nephi 26:1

2 Nephi 26:9

Alma 16:20

3 Nephi 10:18–19

3 Nephi 11:8–14

Holy Ghost Will Fall on Twelve Disciples

1 Nephi 12:7

3 Nephi 19:9–13

Twelve Disciples Will Be Chosen and Ordained

1 Nephi 12:7

3 Nephi 12:1

3 Nephi 13:25

3 Nephi 19:4

Twelve Disciples Will Judge the Nephites

1 Nephi 12:10

Mormon 3:18–19

 

Righteous Generations Will Precede Final Destruction

1 Nephi 12:11–12

2 Nephi 26:9

3 Nephi 27:30–31

3 Nephi 28:23

4 Nephi 1:14–22

Destruction Will Follow Fourth Generation

1 Nephi 12:12

2 Nephi 26:9

Alma 45:12

Helaman 13:10

3 Nephi 27:32

4 Nephi 1:14–22

Mormon 8:6

 

Lamanites will Overcome Nephites

1 Nephi 12:19

Mormon 6:8–20

Nephite/Lamanite Mixture Won’t Be Utterly Destroyed

1 Nephi 13:30

2 Nephi 3:3

2 Nephi 9:53

Helaman 3:16

Moroni 1:2

Moroni 9:24

Lamanites Won’t Be Utterly Destroyed

1 Nephi 13:31

2 Nephi 4:9

Alma 9:16, 24

Alma 46:24–27

Helaman 7:24

Helaman 15:12,16

Mormon 8:7–9

Nephites Will Record Christ’s Words

1 Nephi 13:35

3 Nephi 23:4

3 Nephi 27:23

Lord Will Visit the Righteous with His Voice

1 Nephi 19:11

3 Nephi 11:1–11

3 Nephi 9:13

3 Nephi 10:12–13

Lord Will Visit the Wicked with Tempests

1 Nephi 19:11

Helaman 14:23

3 Nephi 6, 12, 17, 19

Earth Will Open

1 Nephi 19:11

3 Nephi 10:14

Mountains Will Be Carried Up

1 Nephi 19:11

Helaman 14:23

3 Nephi 8:10

Earth Will Groan

1 Nephi 19:12

3 Nephi 10:9

Travelers to the Promised Land Must Be Led by the Lord

2 Nephi 1:6

Omni 1:16

Helaman 6:10

Ether 11:21

Curse upon Lamanites Will Be Removed

2 Nephi 4:6

2 Nephi 5:22

Alma 3:14

Alma 23:18

3 Nephi 2:15

God Will Mark Lamanites to Make Them Unenticing

2 Nephi 5:21–22

Alma 3:14

Nephites Who Mix with Lamanites Will Be Cursed

2 Nephi 5:22

Alma 3:15

Mosaic Law Will Be Fulfilled and Its Ordinances Will End

2 Nephi 25:24

2 Nephi 25:30

Alma 25:15

Alma 30:3

Alma 34:13

3 Nephi 1:25

3 Nephi 9:17

3 Nephi 12:17–19, 46

3 Nephi 15:4–6

 

Signs Will Be Given of Christ’s Birth

2 Nephi 26:3

Helaman 14:2–6

Signs Will Be Given of Christ’s Death

2 Nephi 26:3

Helaman 14:14–28

Wicked Will Perish for Stoning, Slaying, and Casting out Prophets

2 Nephi 26:3

3 Nephi 9:10–11

Blood of Saints Will Cry from the Ground

2 Nephi 26:3

3 Nephi 9:7, 11

Depths of the Earth Will Swallow the Wicked

2 Nephi 26:5

3 Nephi 9:6, 8

Mountains Will Cover the Wicked

2 Nephi 26:5

3 Nephi 9:5

Whirlwinds Will Carry Away the Wicked

2 Nephi 26:5

3 Nephi 8:12, 16

3 Nephi 10:13–14

 

Buildings Will Fall and Crush the Wicked

2 Nephi 26:5

3 Nephi 8:14

 

Despite Persecution, Righteous Saints Will Steadfastly Look for the Signs of Christ’s Coming

2 Nephi 26:8

3 Nephi 1:8–9

Christ Will Heal the People

2 Nephi 26:9

3 Nephi 9:13

3 Nephi 17:7–10

3 Nephi 26:15

Christ’s Ministry Will Be Followed by Generations of Peace

2 Nephi 26:9

4 Nephi 1:1, 22

Spirit Will Cease to Strive with the Nephites

2 Nephi 26:11

Mormon 5:16

Nephites Will Be Speedily Destroyed

2 Nephi 26:10

Mormon 4:18

Mormon 8:7

Lord Will Lead Away the Righteous

Jacob 3:4

Omni 1:12–13

Wicked Nephites Will Become Weak Like unto Their Brethren

Mosiah 1:13

Helaman 4:24

Mormon 2:26

Repentance Will Bring Deliverance from Bondage

Mosiah 7:33

Mosiah 22–24

Nephites Will Be Put into Bondage

Mosiah 11:21, 23

Mosiah 12:2

Mosiah 7:15, 20, 22, 28

Mosiah 9:10–12

Mosiah 20:21

Only the Lord Will Deliver the Nephites from Bondage

Mosiah 11:23

Mosiah 21:5

Mosiah 23:13, 23–24, 27

Mosiah 24:17, 21

Mosiah 25:16

Mosiah 27:16

Mosiah 29:20

Alma 5:5

Alma 29:11–12

Alma 36:2

Lord Will Be Slow to Hear Cries

Mosiah 11:24

Mosiah 21:15

Nephites Will Be Smitten

Mosiah 11:24

Mosiah 12:2

Mosiah 17:17

Mosiah 21:3,13

 

Nephites Will Be Driven

Mosiah 12:2

Mosiah 17:17

Mosiah 21:3

Mormon 2:20

Beasts Will Devour Flesh

Mosiah 12:2

Mosiah 17:17

Alma 2:38

Alma 16:10

King Noah Will Suffer Death by Fire

Mosiah 12:3

Mosiah 12:10

Mosiah 13:10

Mosiah 17:18

Mosiah 19:20

Nephites Will Be Smitten with Famine and Pestilence

Mosiah 12:4, 7

Alma 10:22-23

Alma 45:11

Helaman 10:6

Helaman 13:9

Alma 62:35, 39

Helaman 11:5

Helaman 12:3

 

 

Burdens Will Be Placed on Backs

Mosiah 12:5

Mosiah 21:3–4

Mosiah 24:9, 14

Mosiah 24:14

Nephites Will Be Driven As a “Dumb Ass”

Mosiah 12:5

Mosiah 21:3–4

Nephites Will Be Utterly Destroyed

Mosiah 12:8

Alma 9:12

Alma 9:24

Alma 46:24–27

Helaman 7:24

Helaman 13:10

Helaman 15:17

Mormon 6:8–20

Descendants of Noah’s Priests Will Kill Believers with Fire

Mosiah 17:15

Alma 25:5–12

Descendants of Noah’s Priests Will Be Smitten, Driven, and Scattered

Mosiah 17:17

Alma 25:12

Descendants of Noah’s Priests Will Be Hunted

Mosiah 17:18

Alma 25:8, 12

Many Will Repent and Believe the Sons of Mosiah

Mosiah 28:7

Alma 17:4

Alma 23:4

Alma 25:17

Alma 26:3, 13, 31, 35

Alma 29:14–17

Lord Will Deliver the Sons of Mosiah

Mosiah 28:7

Alma 17:35

Alma 18:3

Alma 19:23

Alma 20:30

Alma 21:14–15

Alma 22:2

Alma 26:29

People Will Be Destroyed when the Majority Become Wicked

Mosiah 29:27

Helaman 4:21–22

Lord Will Utterly Destroy Ammonihah

Alma 8:16

Alma 9:12

Alma 10:18

Alma 16:9–11

Alma 25:2

Ammonihah Will Be Destroyed in One Day

Alma 9:4–5

Alma 16:10

Sons of Mosiah Will Need to Be Patient in Afflictions

Alma 17:11

Alma 26:27

 

Sons of Mosiah Will Be Instruments in God’s Hands

Alma 17:11

Alma 26:3, 15

 

 

Lord Will Preserve the People of Ammon

Alma 27:12

Alma 56:56

Alma 57:26

 

Nephites Will Be Destroyed 400 Years after Christ’s Ministry

Alma 45:10

Helaman 13:5, 9

 

Mormon 8:6–7

 

Nephites Will Be Trodden Down If They Become Wicked

Alma 46:18, 22

Helaman 4:20

Mormon 5:6

 

Helaman’s Army Will Be Delivered

Alma 58:11

Alma 62:50

Cities Will Be Taken Away

Helaman 7:22

Helaman 7:28

Helaman 8:5–6

 

3 Nephi 2:11

3 Nephi 4:1

3 Nephi 8:14–15

3 Nephi 10:4

Mormon 2:28–29

Mormon 4:18

Mormon 5:5

Chief Judge Will Be Murdered

Helaman 8:27–28

Helaman 9:6

Judge Will Be Lying in His Own Blood

Helaman 8:27–28

Helaman 9:3

Nephi Will Smite Earth with Famine, Pestilence, and Destruction

Helaman 10:6

Helaman 10:11

Helaman 10:14

Helaman 11:4–5

Helaman 11:15

 

Zarahelma Will Be Destroyed with Fire

Helaman 13:12–13

3 Nephi 8:8

3 Nephi 8:24

3 Nephi 9:3

Lord Will Curse Riches

Helaman 13:17–23, 30, 33–36

Mormon 1:18

People Will Attempt to Hide Riches When Fleeing from Enemies

Helaman 13:18–20

Mormon 1:18

People Will Persecute, Stone, and Cast Out Prophets

Helaman 13:24–26

3 Nephi 7:14

3 Nephi 8:25

Treasures Will Become “Slippery”

Helaman 13:31, 33, 36

Mormon 1:18

People Will Cry unto the Lord Because of Their Lost Riches

Helaman 13:32, 34–36

Mormon 2:10

Destruction Will Be Made Sure when the Day of Probation Is Past

Helaman 13:32, 37–38

 

Mormon 2:13–15

People Will Weep and Howl and Lament

Helaman 13:32

3 Nephi 8:23, 25

3 Nephi 10:2

3 Nephi 10:8

Mormon 2:11–12

People Will Cry, Wishing They Had Repented Before Destruction

Helaman 13:33

3 Nephi 8:24–25

Mormon 6:22

Demons Will Afflict the People

Helaman 13:37

3 Nephi 7:19

Christ Will Be Born in Five Years15

Helaman 14:2

3 Nephi 1:15

Night without Darkness Will Be a Sign of Christ’s Birth

Helaman 14:3–4

3 Nephi 1:15

New Star Will Be a Sign of Christ’s birth

Helaman 14:5

3 Nephi 1:21

Many Signs and Wonders Will Be in Heaven

Helaman 14:6

Helaman 16:13–14

3 Nephi 1:4, 22, 26

3 Nephi 2:1

People Will Be Amazed

Helaman 14:7

3 Nephi 1:17

People Will Fall to the Earth

Helaman 14:7

3 Nephi 1:17

Calamities Will Be a Sign of Christ’s Death

Helaman 14:14, 20

3 Nephi 11:2

 

There Will Be Three Days of Darkness

Helaman 14:20, 27

3 Nephi 8:3

3 Nephi 8:23

No Light Will Shine from Moon or Stars

Helaman 14:20

3 Nephi 8:22

Calamities Will Last for Hours

Helaman 14:21, 26

3 Nephi 8:19

Rocks Will Be Rent in Twain

Helaman 14:22

 

3 Nephi 8:18

 

Earth Will Be Broken in Fragments, Seams, and Cracks

Helaman 14:22

 

3 Nephi 8:18

 

Highways Will Be Broken Up

Helaman 14:24

3 Nephi 8:13

Cities and Houses Will Be Left Desolate

Helaman 14:24

Helaman 15:1

 

3 Nephi 4:1, 3

3 Nephi 8:14

3 Nephi 10:7

 

Graves Will Be Opened and Saints Will Arise from the Dead

Helaman 14:25

3 Nephi 23:9–11

Saints Will Appear to Many

Helaman 14:25

3 Nephi 23:9–11

Signs and Wonders Will Be in the “Whole Earth” and upon “All the Face of the Land”

Helaman 14:27, 28

3 Nephi 8:6,12,17–18, 20

3 Nephi 9:1

Women Who Can’t Flee Will Perish

Helaman 15:2

Mormon 4:14–15, 21

Moroni 9:7–8, 19

Curse Will Be on the Land

Ether 7:23

Ether 9:16

Ether 15:3

Jaredites Will Be Destroyed

Ether 11:1, 5–7, 12, 20

Ether 14:25

Ether 15:33

Bones Will be Left after Destruction

Ether 11:6

Omni 1:22

Mosiah 8:8

Mosiah 21:26-27

Coriantumr Will Survive the Destruction of His People

Ether 13:21

Omni 1:21

Ether 15:1–2

Ether 15:33

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KnoWhy Citation

Book of Mormon Central, “How Does Prophecy Shape the Book of Mormon’s Content and Structure? (Words of Mormon 1:4),” KnoWhy 498 (January 15, 2019).