The Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 8:19

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1830 Edition

And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease—for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours; and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land.

Changes

And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease—for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours; —and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land.

Simple English

The thunder, lightning, storm, and shaking finally stopped. They had lasted about three hours. Some people said it was longer. But all these terrible things happened in about three hours. Then darkness covered the land.

Paraphrase

When the thunder, lightning, storms, and earthquakes finally stopped—they had lasted about three hours, though some said longer—all these terrible things happened in roughly three hours. Then darkness fell across the land.