3Ne Ch1

So for all those who know, 3 Nephi is a big deal because it is the time when Christ comes to minister after His death and resurrection, but unfortunately we won't get to that part until chapter 9. We first have to see the continuing downward spiral of the Nephites. This book is the record of Nephi, son of Nephi the recent prophet, son of Helaman, son of Helaman (leader of the stripling warriors), son of Alma the younger, son of Alma (converted by Abinadi), descendant of Nephi, son of Lehi, who led his family out of Jerusalem when Zedekiah was king of Judah. In this chapter, Nephi takes the records from his father Nephi when he leaves the land and records his witnessing many wicked plans seeking to destroy the righteous even though there are wondrous signs of Christ's birth.
It's been 600 years since Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, 91 years since judges reign, and Lachoneus is chief judge and governor while on the spiritual side of things, Nephi gives charge to his son to keep records so he can leave and is never heard from again (v1-3). More and more miracles and signs are fulfilled in the 92nd year but the nonbelievers start to say that because Samuel's signs have not been fulfilled, people have faith in vain, and some believers begin to be sorrowful and watch steadfastly for those signs (v4-8). Things got so bad that the unbelievers set apart a day that those who believed would be put to death if the sign does not come, and Nephi (the new spiritual leader) goes to pray for the people to protect them from the wicked (v9-11).
As he prayed, the Lord spoke to him and told him not to worry because He's coming tomorrow and will fulfill all prophecies and start His great work (v12-14). He spoke truthfully and the very next night there was no darkness which fulfilled the prophecy of Samuel and causing many unbelievers faint from surprise and realization of the truth of knowing the Son of God will shortly appear and judgement will be upon them (v15-18). When the sun arose, everyone knew that Christ was born because a new star appeared according to prophet's words, but this only caused Satan to work harder to harden their hearts and create tension (v19-22).
With more lying and deceiving, the true believers showed their faith by converting to the Lord and being baptized by Nephi after repenting, and the church was peaceful except some confusion over whether they had to follow the Laws of Moses still (v23-24). It was all straightened out because obviously the law couldn't be fulfilled yet because Christ hadn't died on the cross yet (v25). So the next two years go on and the only wicked are the Gadianton robbers who are striving to infest the entire land with their secret combinations and they lead away many Nephites and caused much sorrow to the Lamanites too by leading away their rising generation into wickedness (v26-30). The rising generation is so important!!!