See the commentary accompanying 3 Nephi 8:6 for the physical events causing these signs. At this point, it is important to note that these pairs of signs are both fairly precise and that they are natural phenomena which, to the Mesoamerican mind, were associated with divine action. Anthropologists Miller and Taube comment: “Among the most potent and dramatic natural phenomena of Mexico are lightning storms which light up the sky and shake the earth with thunder. In particular, lightning is regarded with special interest.” Samuel’s first three items are thunderings, lightnings, and trembling of the earth. He is alerting his listeners to a divine event, one they will recognize as portentous.