That this darkness did cover the whole earth we surmise from the Book of Mormon account. The Nephite prophets had spoken, Messianically, of three days of darkness that would be a sign unto them of the crucifixion of Christ. At that time the rocks would rend and there would be such upheavals in nature that those on the isles of the sea would say, ’The God of nature suffers.’ (1 Nephi 19:10-12; Helaman 14:20-24.)
The Nephite record tells of the fulfillment of these prophecies; of the darkness and storms and destructions that then occurred; of cities sinking into the seas; of mountains and valleys being created; of the rocks rending and the whole face of the earth being deformed. It is of more than passing import that the storms and tempests and earthquakes lasted ’for about the space of three hours, ’ and then ’there was darkness upon the face of the land’.“ (Mortal Messiah 4:224-25; see also Matthew 27:45-49; Mark 15:33-36; Luke 23:44-45.)”