Episode 50: A great God-assisted slaughter
3 Nephi 3-4
An invitation to join a secret society
3 1-10 In 16 CE, the Nephite governor (Lachoneus) received a letter from the leader of the Gadianton robbers (Giddianhi), saying that the Nephites have two choices: join their secret society or face complete destruction.
11-15 When Lachoneus received Giddianhi's letter, he was exceedingly astonished. He caused the Nephites and the white-skinned Lamanites to repent and cry to the Lord. Then he wrote a proclamation telling them to come to one place, bringing all of their possession. There they would prepare for an attack from the Gadianton robbers.
16-19 The people were so impressed by Lachoneus's words and prophecies that fear came upon them, causing them to do whatever he said. Lachoneus appointed chief captains over the armies, the chiefest of the chief was Gidgiddoni. He was so chief, in fact, that he was also the chief judge. (Because he had the spirit of revelation and prophecy.)
20-21 The people asked Gidgiddoni to ask God if they could attack the robbers on the mountains, but Gadgiddoni refused, saying that if they did that God would help the robbers slaughter them all. Instead, he said, they should stay where they were and fight the robbers from there. That way God would help them kill them. 22-23 So the people gathered their horses, chariots, cattle, flocks, herds, and grain, and marched forth by the thousands to the land of Zarahelma, which was between the land Zarahelma and the land Bountiful, on the line between the land Bountiful and the land Desolation. 24 Many thousands of Nephites gathered in this land, and in the land southward. But not in the land northward because of the great curse. 25-26 The Nephites feared, repented, and asked God to help them kill the robbers.
A great God-assisted slaughter
4 1-4 In the latter half of the year 18 CE, the robber armies began to sally forth from the hills to take possession of the lands vacated by the Nephites. They found no food in these lands, however, so they had to subsist on whatever game they could find in the wilderness.
5-9 So the robber leader, Giddianhi, decided to attack the Nephites. They girded themselves after the manner of robbers, shaving their heads, putting lamb skin on their loins, and dying themselves red with blood. When the Nephites saw them, they fell to the earth and cried to the Lord, begging him to protect them from the fearsome-looking robbers. 10 It turns out, though, that the Nephites didn't fall the ground because they were afraid of the robbers; they fell to the ground because they were afraid of God.
11-14 So the great battle began, with the Nephites slaying the robbers as they retreated into the wilderness. They killed all of their prisoners, including Giddianhi the robber.
15-21 After two years of peace, the robbers returned and attacked the Nephites. The robbers appointed a new leader whose name was Zemnarihah. But the Nephites prevailed, killing tens of thousands.
22-27 So the robbers retreated once again, and Gidgiddoni chased them as they fled. Many thousands surrendered; the rest were killed.
28-32 They captured Zemnarihah and hung him on a tree. Then they chopped down the tree, saying, "Hang everyone who attacks Nephites, especially those with secret combinations." After the hanging, they had a big party and thanked God for helping them kill so many people. 33 The Nephites’ hearts were swollen with joy, and they gushed out many tears, because God helped them slaughter their enemies.
