Helaman 2

In the 42nd year of elected judges, Moronihah reestablished peace between the Nephites and the Lamanites, but the position of chief judge and governor of the Nephite people still remained vacant. So again, conflicts arose as to who should lead them. [50 BC]

When Helaman’s son Helaman2 was appointed as chief judge and governor, Kishkumen began plotting his murder as well. Among Kishkumen’s band of conspirators was a man named Gadianton, who was exceptional in his capacity for misleading people and in arranging the dirty work of secretive murder and robbery. The conspirators elected Gadianton as their leader.

Gadianton persuaded his band that they would be in power over the Nephites once Helaman was eliminated and he was governor. Again, the task of killing the governor fell to Kishkumen. On his way into Helaman’s chambers he encountered one of Helaman’s servants, who had infiltrated the Gadianton band by disguise. When the servant showed him the band’s secret hand sign, Kishkumen told him of his plans and asked for his assistance.

The servant learned of the secret plot to murder Helaman, and the conspiracy to take over the government by secret alliances, murders, and robberies. “Let us go to Helaman’s chambers,” said the servant. Kishkumen was pleased with the servant because he assumed that he had a fellow conspirator. But instead of helping Kishkumen, the servant pulled out a knife and stabbed him to death. Immediately thereafter the servant ran to Helaman and told him everything that he’d learned and what he’d done.

When Kishkumen didn’t return Gadianton panicked and became fearful of being caught and destroyed. By the time that Helaman tried to arrest them, Gadianton’s band had fled to the wilderness via a secret way and could not be found. So great was Gadianton’s evil influence that over time he would come close to destroying the entire Nephite people.