# 3 Nephi 2

*Simple English*

### The People Forget the Signs

The 95th year passed. The people began to forget the signs and miracles they had heard about. They became less amazed at signs and miracles from Heaven. Their hearts became hard. Their minds became blind. They began to stop believing all they had heard and seen. They made up empty ideas in their hearts. They thought these things were done by men and by the power of the Devil. They thought it was done to trick people and lead them away. That’s how Satan got control of people’s hearts again. He blinded their eyes. He led them to believe that the teachings of Christ were foolish and empty. The people began to grow strong in evil and terrible sins. They didn’t believe there would be any more signs or miracles. Satan went around leading people’s hearts away. He tempted them. He made them do great evil in the land.

### Time Passes

The 96th year passed. The 97th year passed. The 98th year passed. The 99th year passed. 100 years had passed since the days of Mosiah. He was king over the Nephite people. 609 years had passed since Lehi left Jerusalem. Nine years had passed since the sign was given. The prophets had spoken about this sign. It showed that Christ would come into the world.

The Nephites began to count their time from when the sign was given. They counted from the coming of Christ. So nine years had passed. Nephi was the father of Nephi who took care of the records. He did not return to the land of Zarahemla. He could not be found anywhere in all the land. The people stayed in their evil ways. This happened even though much preaching and teaching was sent to them. The 10th year passed. The 11th year also passed in sin.

### War with the Gadianton Robbers

In the 13th year, wars and fights began throughout all the land. The Gadianton robbers had become so many. They killed so many people. They destroyed so many cities. They spread so much death throughout the land. So all the people had to fight against them. Both the Nephites and the Lamanites took up weapons against them. All the Lamanites who had become believers in the Lord joined with their Nephite brothers. They were forced to take up weapons against those Gadianton robbers. They had to protect their lives and their women and children. They also had to protect their rights. They had to protect the freedom of their church and their worship and their liberty. Before this 13th year had passed, the Nephites were in danger of being completely destroyed. This war had become very bad.

### The Lamanites Join the Nephites

The Lamanites who had joined with the Nephites were counted among the Nephites. Their curse was taken from them. Their skin became white like the Nephites. Their young men and daughters became very beautiful. They were counted among the Nephites. They were called Nephites. That’s how the 13th year ended.

### The War Continues

At the start of the 14th year, the war between the robbers and Nephi’s people went on. It became very bad. But Nephi’s people gained some ground against the robbers. They drove them back out of their lands. They drove them into the mountains and into their secret places. The 14th year ended. In the 15th year the robbers came against Nephi’s people again. Because of the evil of Nephi’s people and their many fights and splits, the Gadianton robbers gained many advantages over them. The 15th year ended. The people were in a state of many troubles. The sword of destruction hung over them. They were about to be struck down by it. This was because of their sin.

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*Source: [The Book of Mormon](https://bookofmormon.com/simple/3-nephi/2)*
