3 Nephi 8

Now the thirty-third year had passed away, according to our record, if the man who kept the record made no mistake. We know at least that our record contains no pure lies, because the man who kept it was righteous. He truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus, and no one can do a micracle in the name of Jesus without being fully clean from sin.

At this time, the people began to look eagerly for the sign given by Samuel the Lamanite that there would be darkness over the the land for three days. Many began to doubt and argue despite having had so many signs previously. However, in the thirthy-fourth year, on the fourth day of the first month, there came a terrible storm that was worse than had ever been known in the land. The thunder was horrible and shook the earth as if it would break it apart. The lightning also was extremely sharp and worse than had ever been seen.

During the storm, the city Zarahemla caught fire. The city Moroni sunk into the sea, and its inhabitants drowned. Earth was piled on top of Moronihah so that it became a mountain. There was also terrible destruction in the southern lands, but it was worse in the north. The whole face of the land was changed because of the storm, the tornados, the thunder and lightning, and the powerful earthquakes. The highways and roads were broken up and ruined. Many smooth places became rough. Many other large and important cities were sunk, burned, or shaken down, and the inhabitants were killed. Some cities remained, though very damaged, and had some survivors. Some people were carried away in the tornados and were not seen again. In summary, the whole face of the land was deformed by all the storms and earthquakes. Rocks were cracked and even broken into fragments all across the land.

When it all stopped, after about three hours (though some said it was more), there was darkness over the whole land. The darkness was a thick vapor that the people could feel. No one had any light because not even good, dry wood nor candles could be lit. There was also no light from the sun, moon, or stars that could be seen through the mist. The darkness lasted for three days, with the people howling and crying the whole time because of the darkness and the horrible destruction they had faced.

In one place they cried, "Oh that we had repented before this horrible day so our brothers would have been spared instead of being burned in the great city Zarahemla!" And in another they cried, "Oh that we had repented before this horrible day and had not killed and sent away the prophets! Then our mothers and our beautiful daughters and sons would have lived instead of being buried in the great city Moronihah." Such were the terrible howls of the people.