As prophecies and signs were fulfilled, unbelievers fell to the earth, filled with astonishment and fear. A similar scene will unfold at the Savior’s Second Coming to these lands.
Why was there no darkness? Because the literal Light of the World was entering the physical world (D&C 88:5–12). Similarly, darkness would dominate at the death of Jesus because the Light of the World had left the physical world. Verses 15 and 19 describe the fulfillment of the first of Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecies regarding the birth of the Messiah (compare Helaman 14:3–4). The appearance of the new star is the fulfillment of the second prophecy by Samuel the Lamanite (compare Helaman 14:5). Verse 16 recounts the fulfilling of Samuel’s third prophecy (compare Helaman 14:7).