Those who remember Samuel’s prophecy, he continues, will know the reason for the omen and will fall to the earth. Falling is associated with being overcome by the Spirit. (See commentary accompanying Mosiah 4:1.) Thus, those who see and believe will be overcome by the Spirit, recognizing this great event for which they have been waiting.
Those who are not believers may still be “amazed, and wonder.” The Florentine Codex also includes this reaction to the omen: “And when it appeared, there was shouting; there was the striking of the palm of the hand against the mouth. There was fear; there was inactivity.”
When people believe that the heavens can show omens presaging major events, even unbelievers will see and be amazed. They may not, however, remember the reason for the signs.