3 Nephi 3

The leader of the robbers sent a letter to Lachoneus, the governor of the Nephites. It said: Lachoneus, most noble governor, I am Giddianhi, governor of the Gadianton people. I write this letter to praise you for your firmness. You stand well, as if you are helped by the hand of a god.

It is a pity you are so foolish to believe you can hold away so many of my brave men. I know they hate you. They are eager to kill you and your people. If we fight you, we will kill you all.

I have written this letter for your safety. Give up. Give up your cities, your lands and your things to my people. If you do not give up, I will send my armies to kill you all.

Lachoneus was a good man and could not be scared by the threats of a robber. So he did not listen to Giddianhi.

Lachoneus called the people to gather together. The people gathered all their horses and chariots and all their flocks and herds and grain. They came by thousands and tens of thousands to one place. They built forts and lived in one group. Lachoneus placed his armies all around them to protect them from the robbers.

Lachoneus told his people they would be saved from the robbers if they repent and pray to the Lord. They feared the words of Lachoneus so much that they repented.

The commander of the armies of the Nephites was Gidgiddoni. The people said to him: Pray to the Lord and let us go battle the robbers in their lands.

Gidgiddoni said to them: The Lord does not allow it. If we go against them, we will lose. We must prepare ourselves in the center of our lands. We will wait until the Lamanites come against us. Then the Lord will put them into our hands.

They prayed to the Lord to save them when the robbers come to kill them. Gidgiddoni had them make weapons of every kind to be strong with armor, shields and bucklers.