Kishkumen Killed, Gadianton Escapes

In 50 BC, the forty-second year of the judges’ reign, Moronihah had established peace once again between the Nephites and the Lamanites. But there was no living heir to fill the judgment-seat, so the people started to argue about who would fill it.

Helaman’s son, Helaman, was elected to fill the judgment-seat. Now Kishkumen, who had murdered Pahoran, waited for his chance to kill Helaman. His secret band had entered a covenant with him to keep his wickedness secret. This system of secret covenants came from a man named Gadianton. He was an expert with words, and his craft was to carry on secret works of murder and robbery. And so he became the leader of Kishkumen’s band.

Gadianton had flattered Kishkumen and his band, promising them positions of power and authority if they would place him in the judgment-seat. This is why Kishkumen sought Helaman’s life.

One of Helaman’s servants had been out that night, disguised as one of Gadianton’s followers. He had learned of the plot to kill Helaman and waited for Kishkumen to come.

Kishkumen came and the disguised servant gave him the secret sign. Kishkumen told the servant, “Take me to the judgment-seat so that I may kill Helaman.” Helaman’s servant knew Kishkumen’s desires and the desires of his band—to secretly conspire in order to murder, rob, and gain power. Knowing this, Helaman’s servant said to Kishkumen, “Let us go to the judgment-seat.” Kishkumen was very pleased to hear this, thinking that he would accomplish his plan. But as they went to the judgment-seat, the servant stabbed Kishkumen in the heart, and he died without a sound. Then the servant ran and told Helaman everything that had happened.

Helaman sent men out to capture this band of robbers and secret murderers so that they might be executed according to the law. But Helaman’s men could not find the secret band, for when Kishkumen had not returned, Gadianton was afraid for his life. He had led his band out of the land, by a secret way, into the wilderness.

I, Mormon, will tell you more about Gadianton later. This is how 50 BC ended. By the end of this book, you will see how those who followed Gadianton’s evil system were responsible for the overthrow and destruction of nearly all the Nephites. I do not mean by the end of my account of the book of Helaman, but by the end of my account of the book of Nephi (end of 4 Nephi, page 356)—the book to which I have referred while making this particular account of Nephite history.