Nephites Fight the Gadianton Robbers

In 16, Lachoneus, the governor of the land, received the following letter from Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, or governor.

“Lachoneus, most noble and chief governor of the land, I write this letter to praise your people’s determination to maintain what they think are their rights. You put up a good fight, as if you were supported by a god, while defending what you call your liberty, property, and country.

“It is a pity, most noble Lachoneus, that you should be so foolish and vain as to think you can stand against so many brave and well armed men, who anxiously wait for my command to destroy you.

“I know of their unconquerable spirit and eternal hatred toward you for the many wrongs you have committed against them. I have proven my men in battle and know that if I were to command them to attack, you would be completely destroyed. Because I know you are determined to fight for what you believe to be right, and because I respect your noble spirit, I have written this letter for your sake. I would rather see you give up your cities, lands, and possessions to my people than see you be destroyed. We do not want you to be our slaves, but our brethren. Surrender to us, and become acquainted with our secret works, and we will share what we have with you. I swear to you with an oath, that if you will do this, you will not be destroyed. But if you will not do this, I swear to you with an oath that next month I will command my armies to attack, and not stop killing until you are extinct! I am Giddianhi, governor of the secret society of Gadianton—a good society with good works—ancient works that have been handed down to us. I write this letter to you, Lachoneus, hoping that you will give up your lands and possessions, without a fight, to my people—those who have left you because you have kept their right to govern from them. Unless you do this, I will avenge them.”

As Lachoneus read this letter, he was shocked at Giddianhi’s boldness in demanding that the Nephites give up their land, and in threatening to destroy them to avenge their defectors, who had only wronged themselves by becoming Gadiantons. Lachoneus was a just man and could not be frightened by the threats and demands of a robber, so he ignored Giddianhi’s letter. Lachoneus had his people pray to the Lord for strength to defend themselves against the robbers’ attack. He sent a proclamation among all the people to gather their women, children, flocks, herds, and all their belongings into one place.

He told the Nephites that after they had gathered, they should build very strong fortifications around themselves, which were to be guarded day and night by their Nephite and Lamanite armies.

In his proclamation, Lachoneus said, “As the Lord lives, unless you repent of all your sins, and pray to the Lord, you will not be delivered from the Gadianton robbers.”

Lachoneus’ prophecies were so great and marvelous that fear came over all the people. They exerted themselves with all their might to do what Lachoneus had told them.

Lachoneus appointed chief captains to command the Nephite armies during the robbers’ imminent attack. Gidgiddoni was appointed to be the chief commander of the entire Nephite army. Except for when they were completely wicked, it was the Nephite custom to appoint someone with the spirit of revelation and prophecy as the leader over all their chief captains. This is why Gidgiddoni, who was a great prophet, was appointed commander. Their chief judge, Lachoneus, was also a prophet.

Then the people said to Gidgiddoni, “Pray to the Lord, and ask Him to let us go into the mountains and wilderness to destroy the robbers in their own lands.” But Gidgiddoni replied, “The Lord forbids this, for if we were to go against the robbers, He would deliver us into their hands. We will gather and prepare in the center of our lands, and gather our armies. Then we will wait for them to come out against us. If we do this, as the Lord lives, He will deliver the robbers into our hands.”

Toward the end of 17, the proclamation of Lachoneus had gone throughout all the land. Tens of thousands of Nephites gathered their horses, chariots, flocks, herds, grain, and all their belongings to the gathering place where they would defend themselves against their enemies. The land of Zarahemla, the land between Zarahemla and Bountiful, up to the land of Desolation, was to be the gathering place.

Several thousand Lamanites, who were now called Nephites, also gathered to this land. Lachoneus had them gather in the southern land because the northern land had a great curse upon it. They fortified themselves against their enemies, and lived together in this one large area. They feared Lachoneus’ words enough to repent of all their sins. They prayed to the Lord their God to deliver them when their enemies would attack. And the Nephites were very sorrowful because of their Gadianton enemies.

Now Gidgiddoni had them make all types of weapons, armor, and shields.