Book of Mormon Stories—Gadianton Wealth Redistribution Epistle

After the signs of the birth of Christ prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite were fulfilled, many of the Nephites repented of their sins, were baptized, and there was peace throughout the land.

Thirteen years later [A.D. 13] there began to be wars and contentions in the land because the Gadianton robbers had become so numerous (3 Nephi 2:11).  This group of outlaws [modern-day terrorists], named for their leader, were experts in murder, robbery and plunder “who had entered into a covenant that no one should know” [reveal] their secret combinations and works (Helaman 2:3-4). 

For the safety of both the Lamanite converts and the Nephites they were forced to unite together [and all were called Nephites] and take up arms against the Gadiantons. They did this for the safety of their lives and their families, to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and worship, their freedom and their liberty (3 Nephi 2:12).  War between the robbers and the people of Nephi continued with the Nephites driving the robbers back out of their lands into the mountains and their secret places (2:17).  However, in the sixteenth year from the coming of Christ [A.D. 16] the righteous leader of the Nephites, Lachoneus, the governor of the land, received an epistle from the leader of the Gadiantons (3 Nephi 3:1).

In this letter, (1) the Gadianton leader, Giddianhi, at first flattered Lachoneus by praising him “for the firmness of your people, in maintaining that which ye suppose to be your right and liberty;...as if ye were supported by the hand of god, in the defence of your liberty and your property and your country, or that which ye do call so”—[In other words, what you call yours is really ours] (3 Nephi 3:2).  Next, (2) Giddianhi calls Lachoneus foolish and vain to think that he can stand against “so many brave men” who are anxious for his word to go down and destroy the Nephites because of  “the many wrongs which ye have done unto them” (3:3-4).  Now, (3) this thief and murderer writes his desire “that ye would yield up unto this my people your cities, your lands, and your possessions,” rather than be destroyed by the sword.  And, (4) then “unite with us, become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us—not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance” (3:6-7).

This is an interesting situation. Lachoneus was astonished at the boldness of Giddianhi and the threats of their “avenging the wrongs of those that had received no wrong, save it were they had wronged themselves” [by joining with the wicked band] (3:11).  It is also interesting to note that the Gadianton robbers lived in the mountains; they produced no food or goods other than meat from wild beasts or game.  Their only other source of sustenance was from robbing, plundering and killing, yet they demanded the Nephites give up everything they built, worked for and possessed so the robbers could redistribute it to all as their “brothers and partners” (3 Nephi 4:5).

The great commander of the Nephite armies was a man of revelation and prophecy named Gidgiddoni (3:18-19).  When the people pleaded with him to let them go to the mountains and the wilderness and destroy the Gadianton robbers in their own lands, he said to them, “If we should go up against them the Lord would deliver us unto their hands.”  Then, he  told them his plan: “We will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies together, and we will...wait till they shall come against us;...as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands” (3 Nephi 3:21).  And, for a year they prepared by gathering all their horses, chariots, cattle, flocks, herds, grain and all their substance into the appointed place.  They built fortifications all around them and placed guards to watch day and night.  They made weapons of war of every kind and armor and shields to protect them. “And, a great many thousand people who were called Nephites [gathered] themselves together in this land.”  They repented of all their sins and prayed continually to the Lord their God that he would deliver them when their enemies came against them to battle (3:14-26).

When the robbers came down from the mountains and found the Nephite cities deserted and desolate with nothing left for them to plunder for food, Giddianhi commanded his armies that they go up to battle against the Nephites.  As the battle commenced, it was the greatest slaughter “among all the people of Lehi since he left Jerusalem” (3 Nephi 4:1-11).  But, the Nephites prevailed and pursued the robbers and killed all they found.  Even Giddianhi was overtaken and slain. Eventually, all the Gadianton robbers were surrounded by the Nephites and could not retreat to the wilderness (4:12-30).  All those who surrendered were cast into prison.  There “the word of God was preached to them.”  If they repented of their sins and entered into a covenant of peace [would murder no more], they were set free.  Those who refused were “condemned and punished according to the law” (3 Nephi 5:1-6).

Thus, the wicked, secret, and abominable combinations of the Gadianton robbers finally came to an end.  And, the hearts of the Nephites swelled with joy and many tears were shed “because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies” (3 Nephi 4:33).