apr 6, 33 - Christ's Death
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Note: I believe Christ died on April 6, which means that the Nephite Calendar started on April 3, and thus all dates given in this timeline are based on this understanding.
On the 4th day of the 1st month there arose great tempests and whirlwinds and earthquakes. These natural disasters spread havoc throughout the land, but more especially in the land northward, for in the north the entire face of the land was changed. There is indication in the record that the fault lines we know today did not exist before this time, for Samuel, the Lamanite, spoke of the bedrock as being one solid mass that would be broken up at Christ’s death. Thus it is possible that earthquakes and volcanoes were unknown in the land until after Christ’s death.
The storms lasted for the space of three hours. Many cities were destroyed, and tens of thousands died.
After the storms and earthquakes had ceased the land was covered in a thick vapor of darkness. This vapor was not just shadows, but a cloud of dust that prevented the lighting of fires as well as obscuring sight. It filled all the land of the American Continents, leaving the people in complete and total darkness for three days.
In the beginning the people bewailed their fate. This was a general lamentation that all those who had survived joined in. It made quite a noise as the people mourned loudly for those who had died. Many also mourned the fact that they had not listened to the prophets and repented.
Then there came a voice from heaven. This voice pierced the souls of all the survivors. It announced the destruction that had been caused, and declared that it was because the people had killed the prophets. The following cities were mentioned by name, along with how they were destroyed.
Zarahemla, Laman, Gad, Josh and Kishkumen were destroyed by fire.
Moroni sank into the sea.
Moronihah Gadiandi, Gadiomnah, Jacob, and Gimgimno were sunk into the depth of the earth, and in their place mountains and valleys were formed.
Gilgal, Onihah, Mocum, and Jerusalem were all sunk into the depths of the earth, and the area they were in was covered with water. Whether they were all in the same area or not is not specified, but each was replaced by a large body of water.
Jacobugath was burned with fire. This is the city of the people if Jacob, who were the ones that killed the Chief Judge and destroyed the peace. They are said to be the greatest wickedness in the world.
After describing the destruction that had taken place the voice declared that the more righteous part of the people had been spared and called the people to repentance. Finally, the voice identified itself as Jesus Christ, declared that he had completed the Atonement and that the Law of Moses had been fulfilled.
This was followed by many hours of silence as all the people were greatly astonished at the words of Christ. It is likely that this silence lasted until the next day. It was finally broken when Christ once again spoke from the heavens, declaring His desire for the people to repent and be gathered to him.
After this second message was heard the people once again joined in lamentation and mourning. This continued until the darkness dispersed on the third day. It also seems that while the great destruction had ended, there continued to be minor movements in the earth as it settled into its new arrangements. The record states that it was at the time that the darkness dispersed that the trembling and groaning of the earth stopped.
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