3 Nephi 1 - 3

Korihor said to Alma -

"...except ye show me a sign, I will not believe." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:48)

The Jews said to the Savior -

"...What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee?" (New Testament John 6:30)

Throughout history, natural man has basically said - show me a sign and I will believe. But do signs or miracles really convert man? Or do they only provide temporary convictions and short-term spiritual gratifications that generate no commitment or true repentance. Signs and wonders may initially give a non-believer a spiritual "high", but like drugs, must continue and intensify to provide the same "high" so to speak. This seems apparent among the Israelites where -

"...the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?" (Old Testament Numbers 14:11)

We see the same pattern amongst the Nephites as the prophecies of Samuel and the prophets of the signs of the birth of the Savior were fulfilled -

"...according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:15)

"And...there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid–day. And ...the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:19)

"And...also that a new star did appear, according to the word." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:21)

And there were "many signs" (3 Nephi 5:2) given to the people. And as these signs were given the people -

"...were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth.
18 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:17 - 18)

And because of these marvelous signs -

"...the more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.
23 And...Nephi went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great remission of sins..."(Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:22 - 23)

But no sooner than the signs took place -

"...there began to be lyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:22)

And in a short time -

"...the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen—" (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 2:1)

After the first "high" so to speak, each sign seemed to bring lesser "highs", even to the point of -

"Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.
3 And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness and abominations; and they did not believe that there should be any more signs or wonders given; and Satan did go about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 2:2 - 3)

It becomes apparent that signs do not convert. In fact the Savior told the Pharisees and Sadducees that it is -

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign..." (New Testament Matthew 16:4)

But even though signs do not convert, they do follow and support those that have faith, those that are truly converted, those whose testimonies are not dependent upon signs.

"Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name." (Book of Mormon Ether 4:18)