LESSON 36 On The Morrow Come I Into the World 3 Nephi 1-7

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1 LESSON 36 On The Morrow Come I Into the World 3 Nephi 1-7 OVERVIEW: The signs of the Savior s birth vindicate those who have endured in faith. The Gadianton robbers come to battle against the Nephites. The Nephites live righteously and prosper, but pride and dissensions arise. The account of the Savior s visit is the climax, the apex of the entire Book of Mormon. All previous Book of Mormon writings had pointed forward to that marvelous event and all things recorded thereafter remind the reader of that event as a symbol of the Lord s climactic second coming that will yet occur. Some who are not intimately familiar with the contents of the book of 3 Nephi, upon hearing that it consists principally of an account of the Savior s ministry on the American continent, may wonder whether and if so how it is any different from the accounts contained in the four Gospels of the New Testament. Is 3 Nephi nothing more than a fifth gospel, adding to new insights but only repetition? As we shall see, 3 Nephi contains not only an account of the ministry of the resurrected Lord among a group of the inhabitants of the New World but also many additional testimonies of the reality of the resurrection, clarifications of major points of doctrine, and a unique and touching description of the true nature of the immortal Messiah. These contributions not only are supplemental to the four canonical Gospels but also are essential to a true understanding of the total mission of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Redeemer of the world. While it contains numerous important doctrinal insights, instructions, and clarifications, the unique contributions of 3 Nephi fall into at least five major categories: (1) It testifies of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and serves as a second witness of his divinity. (2) It defines his gospel, clarifies points of doctrine, and teaches the necessity of gospel ordinances. (3) It explains the purpose of the law of Moses and teaches Jesus divine role in the law s fulfillment. (4) It contains important clarifications concerning the other sheep and doctrinal teachings concerning the gathering of Israel. (5) It provides us with a unique and touching view of the emotional attributes of a glorified God the resurrected Christ. McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4: 1-2) SCRIPTURES: THIRD NEPHI THE BOOK OF NEPHI THE SON OF NEPHI, WHO WAS THE SON OF HELAMAN And Helaman was the son of Helaman, who was the son of Alma, who was the son of Alma, being a descendant of Nephi who was the son of Lehi, who came out of Jerusalem in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, the king of Judah. CHAPTER 1 Nephi, son of Helaman, departs out of the land, and his son Nephi keeps the records Though signs and wonders abound, the wicked plan to slay the righteous The night of Christ s birth arrives The sign is given and a new star arises Lyings and deceivings increase, and the Gadianton robbers slaughter many. [Between A.D. 1 and 4] 1 NOW it came to pass that the *ninety and first year (AD 1) had passed away and it was a six hundred years from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem; and it was in the year that b Lachoneus was the chief judge

2 and the governor over the land. 2 And a Nephi, the son of Helaman, had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, giving charge unto his son b Nephi, who was his eldest son, concerning the c plates of brass, and d all the records which had been kept, and all those things which had been kept sacred from the departure of Lehi out of Jerusalem. (It was June, 1829 the latter part of the month, and the Eight Witnesses saw them, I think, the next day or the day after (i.e. one or two days after). Joseph showed them the plates himself, but the angel showed us (the Three Witnesses) the plates, as I suppose to fulfill the words of the book itself. Martin Harris was not with us at this time, he obtained a view of them afterwards (the same day). Joseph, Oliver and myself were together when I saw them. We not only saw the plates of the Book of Mormon but also the brass plates, the plates of the Book of Ether, the plates containing the records of the wickedness and secret combinations of the people of the world down to the time of their being engraved and many other plates. The fact is, it was just as though Joseph, Oliver and I were sitting just here on a log, when we were overshadowed by a light. It was not like the light of the sun nor like that of a fire, but more glorious and beautiful. It extended away round us, I cannot tell how far, but in the midst of this light about as far off as he sits (pointing to John C. Whitmer, sitting a few feet from him), there appeared as it were, a table with many records or plates upon it, besides the plates of the Book of Mormon, also the Sword of Laban, the Directors i.e. the ball which Lehi had and the Interpreters. I saw them just as plain as I see this bed (striking the bed beside him with his hand), and I heard the voice of the Lord, as distinctly as I ever heard anything in my life, declaring that the records of the plates of the Book of Mormon were translated by the gift and power of God. (David Whitmer, Report of Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith. Millennial Star 40 (9 Dec 1878: ) 3 Then he a departed out of the land, and b whither he went, no man knoweth; (The language describing Nephi s departure is very similar to [that of Alma s departure]; hence we assume that the Lord chose to translate him, to receive him into a terrestrial state without tasting death. If so, then Nephi, like three others who will follow such a course in thirty-four years, was given power over death, power over the elements, power to come and go among the children of men as need arose, and power to continue his mortal work in bringing souls unto Christ either on this or some other planet or planets. McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol., 4:4 Joseph Smith: Now the doctrine of translation is a power which belongs to this Priesthood. There are many things which belong to the powers of the Priesthood and the keys thereof, that have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world; they are hid from the wise and prudent to be revealed in the last times. Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine whereby men were taken immediately into the presence of God, and into an eternal fullness, but this is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place prepared for such characters He held in reserve to be ministering angels unto many planets, and who as yet have not entered into so great a fullness as those who are resurrected from the dead This distinction is made between the doctrine of the actual resurrection and translation: translation obtains deliverance from the tortures and sufferings of the body, but their existence will prolong as to the labors and toils of the ministry, before they can enter into so great a rest and glory. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 170)) and his son Nephi did keep the records in his stead, yea, the record of this people. 4 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be a greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people. 5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were a spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite. 6 And they began to a rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain. 7 And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not

3 come to pass. 8 But behold, they did watch steadfastly for a that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain. (Are we looking steadfastly for the signs of the Lord s Second Coming?) 9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the a unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be b put to death except the c sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet. (In order for unbelievers to have been able to set apart a day as the time of the Savior s birth, they must have believed literally that Jesus would be born exactly 600 years after Lehi left Jerusalem. It s possible, therefore, that Lehi and his family left Jerusalem around the time of the Passover celebration. Leaving during that time would have made his family s departure less noticed, because there would have been thousands of other people traveling to and from the city at the same time.) 10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful. 11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers. 12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord a all that day; and behold, the b voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: (These verses cause us to reflect upon what is yet an unanswered (unrevealed) matter the time when the individual spirit enters the body. This is the day before Jesus is to be born to Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. We would assume that by this time the spirit of Jesus is within that infant body which is housed within the womb of Mary. How, then, does the voice of Jesus come to Nephi? Does the spirit enter the body at the time of conception; at the time of quickening when the mother first feels signs of life within her; or at the time of physical birth? Can it possibly come and go before the time of birth? We do not know. Such has not been made known to us in the latter days. We do know, however, that the words of God are often spoken through his servants by divine investiture of authority. To Adam the Holy Ghost spoke for and in behalf of the Only Begotten Son (Moses 5:9). Such may have been the case here: the Spirit may have been commissioned by the Father to speak to Nephi in the first person for Christ, as though Jesus himself were speaking. Another possibility is that an angel, acting by that same investiture of authority, spoke to Nephi the words of Christ. In any event, whether the Lord s words are spoken by himself or by his authorized servants, it is the same. (D&C 1:38) McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol., 4:5-6) 13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the a sign be given, and on the b morrow come I into the world, (The Book of Mormon account of Christ speaking to Nephi the grandson of Helaman and saying, On the morrow come I into the world, is not intended to infer that the spirit does not enter the body until the moment of the actual birth. Rather this revelation to the Nephites was itself being conveyed in a miraculous and unusual way. Quite probably the one uttering the words was speaking in the first person as though he were Christ, in accordance with the law enabling others to act and speak for Deity on the principle of divine investiture of authority. Bruce R. McConkie, DNTC 1:85) to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be c spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. 14 Behold, I a come unto my own, to b fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the c foundation of the world, (Jesus was and is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. The plan of salvation, which is the gospel of God the Father, was taught and understood in our first estate. There it was decreed that this plan would entail a creation, a fall, and an atonement. And there it was that Jehovah, the firstborn spirit of the Father, was chosen and foreordained to be the Redeemer and the Savior of all mankind. Joseph Smith spoke of the nature of such premortal agreements: Everlasting covenant was made between three personages before the organization of this earth, and relates to their dispensation of things to men on the earth; these personages, according to Abraham s record, are called

4 God the first, the Creator, God the second, the Redeemer, and God the third, the witness or Testator. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 190, This is a most difficult passage. It sounds as though the Lord is stating that he will come into the world to fulfill two wills- the will of Jehovah, the premortal God of the ancients (perhaps referred to here as me'), and the will of the mortal Messiah (the person of flesh ). Of course we know that they, Jehovah and Jesus, are one and the same being. At the same time, this statement dramatizes the separate and severable roles that would be played by the Master, that of the Holy One of Israel (premortal) and that of Jesus of Nazareth (mortal). (McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 6-7)) and to do the d will, e both f of the Father and of the Son of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given. 15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the a sun there was b no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came. 16 And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who a fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great b plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand. 17 And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the a west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth. 18 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief. 19 And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be a born, because of the b sign which had been given. 20 And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets. 21 And it came to pass also that a new a star did appear, according to the word. (According to Hugh Nibley, this event may have been caused by a supernova which would explain the light that continued after the going down of the sun and the new star arising, but which later disappeared.) 22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be a lyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those b signs and wonders (Signs do not convert.) which they had seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the c more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord. (Though the conversion may have been genuine at the time, it did not last long. Terrence L. Szink, Studies in Scripture, 8:127) 23 And it came to pass that Nephi (Nephi is the prophet with authority to baptize for the remission of sins. When the Savior comes, he will ordain Nephi to baptize the people as members of the Kingdom of God on earth.) went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great a remission of sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land. 24 And there were no contentions, save it were a few that began to preach, endeavoring to prove by the a scriptures that it was no more expedient to observe the law of Moses. Now in this thing they did err, having not understood the scriptures. (Whenever you get red in the face, whenever you raise your voice, whenever you get hot under the collar, or angry, rebellious, or negative in spirit, then know that the Spirit of God is leaving you and the spirit of Satan in beginning to take over. At times we may feel justified in arguing or fighting for truth by contentious words and actions. Do not be deceived. Satan would rather have you contend for evil if he could, but he rejoices when we contend with one another even when we thing we are doing it in the cause of righteousness. He knows and recognizes the selfdestructive nature of contention under any guise. Theodore M. Burton, CR, Oct 1974, 77) 25 But it came to pass that they soon became converted, and were convinced of the error which they

5 were in, for it was made known unto them that the law was not yet a fulfilled, and that it must be fulfilled in every whit; yea, the word came unto them that it must be fulfilled; yea, that one jot or tittle should not pass away till it should all be fulfilled; (The law of Moses will not be completely fulfilled until the death of Christ.) therefore in this same year were they brought to a knowledge of their error and did b confess their faults. 26 And thus the ninety and second year did pass away, bringing a glad tidings unto the people because of the signs which did come to pass, according to the words of the prophecy of all the holy prophets. 27 And it came to pass that the ninety and third year did also pass away in peace, save it were for the Gadianton robbers, who dwelt upon the a mountains, who did infest the land; (Hugh Nibley: But a new threat arose. The criminal element took to the hills and there established retreats where they built up strength from dissenters joining them until they were able to reestablish the Gadianton organization. Terrorism was the name of the game. From their secure places they would strike and withdraw, making a special effort to kidnap especially women and children, to assure the permanence of their society (Helaman 11:33). At the same time, Zoramite recruiters brought a host of young Nephites into the organization by the prospect of such things as romantic adventure, gaudy makeup, danger, loot, and license to kill (3 Nephi 1:28-30). Soldiers of fortune also flocked to the camps. (The Prophetic Book of Mormon, p. 555) for so strong were their holds and their secret places that the people could not overpower them; therefore they did commit many murders, and did do much slaughter among the people. (The terrorists.) 28 And it came to pass that in the ninety and fourth year they began to increase in a great degree, because there were many dissenters of the Nephites who did flee unto them, which did cause much sorrow unto those Nephites who did remain in the land. 29 And there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in years, that they became for themselves, and were a led away by some who were b Zoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those Gadianton robbers. 30 And thus were the Lamanites afflicted also, and began to decrease as to their faith and righteousness, because of the wickedness of the a rising generation. (Neal A. Maxwell: While we do not think of it this way very often, the rising generation has some genuine responsibilities to the older generation still living. We are not immune to influence from you. We not only regard you as the seedbearers of a celestial culture to come, but our own journey can be hastened by your pressing forward. About A. D. 3, an emerging generation of Lamanite youth became for themselves, discounting the influence of their righteous parents, and many young adults were led away. Then this telling observation about how we always need each other was given:... the Lamanites... began to decrease as to their faith and righteousness, because of the wickedness of the rising generation. (3 Nephi 1:29-30.) Lowering standards in the rising generations can create an undertow that affects all ages. We have seen, in just the past decade, various youth movements wash over shaky adults who gave way under pressure. Some adults, strangely enough, replaced their old values, of all things, with youth worship! The last thing youth needs is to be envied or worshiped. (Wherefore, Ye Must Press Forward, p. 84) * Verse 1 [A.D. 1]. ( The chronological material listed on the bottom of each page in the Book of Mormon did not appear in the first edition. These chronological notes were first added in the edition of 1920 at the recommendation of a committee headed by Elder James E. Talmage. The abbreviation B.C. is used to designate the number of years before the time of Christ. The abbreviation A.D. (from the Latin Anno Domini, meaning in the year of our Lord ) is used to indicate the number of years since the birth of Christ. Note that this calendar system does not go through a zero number. Thus the year before the birth of Christ is 1 B.C. and the year in which the Savior is born is A.D. 1. According to the calendar systems previously used by the Nephites, the year A.D. 1 occurs in the ninety-second year of the reign of judges (the record says the ninety and first year had passed away ) and in the six hundredth year

6 from the time Lehi left Jerusalem. (3 Nephi 1:1.) (Daniel Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p. 252)) CHAPTER 2 Wickedness and abominations increase among the people The Nephites and Lamanites unite to defend themselves against the Gadianton robbers Converted Lamanites become white and are called Nephites. [Between A.D. 5 and 15] 1 AND it came to pass that thus passed away the *ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those a signs and wonders (see what I mean, signs don t convert) which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen 2 a Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and b deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a c foolish and a vain thing. 3 And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness and abominations; and they did not believe that there should be any more signs or wonders given; and Satan did a go about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land. 4 And thus did pass away the ninety and sixth year; and also the ninety and seventh year; and also the ninety and eighth year; and also the ninety and ninth year; 5 And also an hundred years had passed away since the days of a Mosiah, who was king over the people of the Nephites. 6 And *six hundred and nine years had passed away since Lehi left Jerusalem. 7 And nine years had passed away from the time when the sign was given, which was spoken of by the prophets, that Christ should come into the world. 8 Now the Nephites began to a reckon their time from this period when the sign was given, or from the coming of Christ; therefore, nine years had passed away. (This is the correlation of the three time keeping methods. They will now use the time of Christ to keep time.) 9 And Nephi, who was the father of Nephi, who had the charge of the records, a did not return to the land of Zarahemla, and could nowhere be found in all the land. 10 And it came to pass that the people did still a remain in wickedness, notwithstanding the much preaching and prophesying which was sent among them; and thus passed away the tenth year also; and the eleventh year also passed away in iniquity. 11 And it came to pass in the *thirteenth year there began to be wars and contentions throughout all the land; for the a Gadianton robbers had become so b numerous, and did slay so many of the people, and did lay waste so many cities, and did spread so much death and carnage throughout the land (These people hate so much that they contribute nothing of any lasting value to mankind.), that it became expedient that all the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, should take up arms against them. 12 Therefore, all the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lord did unite with their brethren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the a safety of their lives and their women and their children, to take up arms against those Gadianton robbers, yea, and also to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and of their worship, and their freedom and their b liberty. (There are some things worth fighting for.) 13 And it came to pass that before this thirteenth year had passed away the Nephites were threatened with utter destruction because of this war, which had become exceedingly sore. 14 And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among

7 the Nephites; 15 And their a curse was taken from them, and their skin became b white like unto the Nephites; 16 And their young men and their daughters became exceedingly fair, and they were numbered among the Nephites, and were called Nephites. And thus ended the thirteenth year. (The dark skin was a sign of the curse. The curse was the withdrawal of the Spirit of the Lord. The dark skin is no longer considered a sign of the curse. Many of these converts are delightsome and have the Spirit of the Lord. Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 3: ) 17 And it came to pass in the commencement of the fourteenth year, the war between the robbers and the people of Nephi did continue and did become exceedingly sore; nevertheless, the people of Nephi did gain some advantage of the robbers, insomuch that they did drive them back out of their lands into the mountains and into their secret places. (Only righteousness can defeat terrorists.) 18 And thus ended the fourteenth year. And in the *fifteenth year they did come forth against the people of Nephi; and because of the wickedness of the people of Nephi, and their many contentions and dissensions, the Gadianton robbers did gain many advantages over them. 19 And thus ended the fifteenth year, and thus were the people in a state of many afflictions; and the a sword of destruction did hang over them, insomuch that they were about to be smitten down by it, and this because of their iniquity. * Verse 18 [A.D. 15]. CHAPTER 3 Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, demands that Lachoneus and the Nephites surrender themselves and their lands Lachoneus appoints Gidgiddoni as chief captain of the armies The Nephites assemble in Zarahemla and Bountiful to defend themselves. [Between A.D. 16 and 17] 1 AND now it came to pass that in the *sixteenth year from the coming of Christ, a Lachoneus, the governor of the land, received an epistle from the leader and the governor of this band of robbers; and these were the words which were written, saying: 2 Lachoneus, most noble and chief governor of the land (he doesn t mean it), behold, I write this epistle unto you, and do give unto you exceedingly great praise because of your firmness, and also the firmness of your people, in a maintaining that which ye suppose to be your right and b liberty; yea, ye do stand well, as if ye were supported by the hand of a god, in the defence of your liberty, and your property, and your country, or that which ye do call so. 3 And it seemeth a pity unto me, most noble Lachoneus, that ye should be so foolish and vain as to suppose that ye can stand against so many brave men who are at my command, who do now at this time stand in their arms, and do await with great anxiety for the word Go down upon the Nephites and a destroy them. 4 And I, knowing of their unconquerable spirit, having proved them in the field of battle, and knowing of their everlasting hatred (their main motivation to fight) towards you because of the many wrongs which ye have done unto them, therefore if they should come down against you they would visit you with utter destruction. 5 Therefore I have written this epistle, sealing it with mine own hand, feeling for your welfare, because of your firmness in that which ye believe to be right, and your noble spirit in the field of battle. 6 Therefore I write unto you, desiring that ye would yield up unto this my people, your cities, your lands, and your possessions, rather than that they should visit you with the sword and that destruction should come upon you. 7 Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our a 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. (What could he have meant by the expression partners of all our

8 substance except communal ownership of property? Giddianhi also accuses the Nephites of robbing his people of their rights and government (v.10). This is the identical appeal which the Communists make to the laboring class today. They appeal to their selfishness and tell them they are exploited and robbed under the capitalistic system and are denied their rights of government. The Communists propose the establishment of what they call the dictatorship of proletariat whereunder the workers are supposed to own all the property and run the government. One can hardly imagine a greater deception than this but it is the appeal made nonetheless. Giddianhi also speaks of the everlasting hatred (v.4) of his people for the Nephites. V.I. Lenin, first Communist dictator in Russia and one of the chief theoreticians of Communism had this to say: We must hate. Hatred is the basis of Communism. Children must be taught to hate their parents if they are not Communists. H. Verlan Andersen, Many Are Called but Few are Chosen, 61.) 8 And behold, I a swear unto you, if ye will do this, with an oath, ye shall not be destroyed; but if ye will not do this, I swear unto you with an oath, that on the morrow month I will command that my armies shall come down against you, and they shall not stay their hand and shall spare not, but shall slay you, and shall let fall the sword upon you even until ye shall become extinct. 9 And behold, I am a Giddianhi; (the name means The Lord is my life.) and I am the governor of this the b secret society of Gadianton; which society and the works thereof I know to be c good; (a lie) and they are of d ancient date and they have been handed down unto us. (true) 10 And I write this epistle unto you, Lachoneus, and I hope that ye will deliver up your lands and your possessions, without the shedding of blood, that this my people may recover their rights and a government, who have dissented away from you because of your wickedness in retaining from them their rights of government, and except ye do this, I will avenge their wrongs. I am Giddianhi. 11 And now it came to pass when Lachoneus received this epistle he was exceedingly astonished, because of the boldness of Giddianhi demanding the possession of the land of the Nephites, and also of threatening the people and avenging the wrongs of those that had received no wrong, save it were they had a wronged themselves by dissenting away unto those wicked and abominable robbers. 12 Now behold, this Lachoneus, the governor, was a just man, and could not be frightened by the demands and the threatenings of a a robber; therefore he did not hearken to the epistle of Giddianhi, the governor of the robbers, but he did cause that his people should cry unto the Lord for b strength against the time that the robbers should come down against them. (Righteousness will defeat the robbers) 13 Yea, he sent a proclamation among all the people, that they should a gather together their women, and their children, their flocks and their herds, and all their substance, save it were their land, unto one place. (Eventually, the Saints and those who choose righteousness will be required to gather together into Zion for defense from the wicked.) 14 And he caused that a fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedingly great. And he caused that armies, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites, or of all them who were numbered among the Nephites, should be placed as guards round about to watch them, and to guard them from the robbers day and night. 15 Yea, he said unto them: As the Lord liveth, except ye repent of all your iniquities, and cry unto the Lord, ye will in nowise be a delivered out of the hands of those Gadianton robbers. 16 And so great and marvelous were the words and prophecies of Lachoneus that they did cause fear to come upon all the people; and they did exert themselves in their might to do according to the words of Lachoneus. 17 And it came to pass that Lachoneus did appoint chief captains over all the armies of the Nephites, to command them at the time that the robbers should come down out of the wilderness against them. 18 Now the chiefest among all the chief captains and the great commander of all the armies of the Nephites was appointed, and his name was a Gidgiddoni. 19 Now it was the custom among all the Nephites to appoint for their chief captains, (save it were in their times of wickedness) some one that had the a spirit of revelation and also prophecy; therefore, this

9 Gidgiddoni was a great prophet among them, as also was the chief judge. 20 Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni: a Pray unto the Lord, and let us go up upon the mountains and into the wilderness, that we may fall upon the robbers and destroy them in their own lands. 21 But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lord a forbid; for if we should go up against them the Lord would b deliver us into their hands; therefore we will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies together, and we will not go against them, but we will wait till they shall come against us; therefore as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands. (Christians enter war; they do not begin it. Even when it came to taking the initiative in what would appear to be a noble cause to go into the mountains and root out the secret combinations the sensitive Gidgiddoni declined the suggestion and explained that if they did that his people would not enjoy the approbation and thus the strength of the Lord. McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol., 4:16 President George Q. Cannon: We must proclaim peace; do all in our power to appease the wrath of our enemies; make any sacrifice that honorable people can to avert war, with all its horrors, entailing as it does dreadful consequences so numerous that they cannot be mentioned. It is our duty, I say, as a nation. The influence of the Latter-day Saints should be used in this direction. We should seek to quell these feelings of anxiety to fight and to shed blood. Our influence should go forth like oil poured upon the troubled waters, quieting the waves of discontent and wrath that are aroused by this fearful spirit....not only ought we to extend the offering of peace the first time to a nation that proclaims war against us, but again the second time; and if that should be rejected, again the third time; and if it be rejected the third time, then: They should bring these testimonies before the Lord. Go to the Lord and say, Here are our testimonies. We have offered peace the first time; we have offered it twice; we have offered it three times; but our offerings are rejected, and this nation is determined to have war with us. Now we bring these testimonies before thee, Lord.... I do not look for our nation to do this. It is scarcely to be expected, in the nature of things, that they would do it. But it is the true principle, and we as a people should use our influence for this purpose. Our prayers should ascend to God; our petitions should ascend to the government of our nation to do everything that honorable people can to avert war. We have no fear of the effect of the combinations against us.... But the promise of God is that if we will do right as a nation, if we will serve Him, they shall not have power over us, or be able to bring us into bondage; and in the end we shall prevail. This is a glorious promise which is made to the inhabitants of the land.... To us as Latter-day Saints these principles are of the utmost importance. I do not want to see our young men get filled with the spirit of war and be eager for the conflict. God forbid that such a spirit should prevail in our land, or that we should contribute in any manner to the propagation of a spirit of that kind! But one may say, Is it not our duty to defend our country and our flag? Is it not our duty to maintain the institutions which the Lord has given to us? Certainly it is. And it is no part of cowardice to take the plan that the Lord has pointed out. No man need be afraid that the Lord or any just man will look upon him as a coward. (Conference Report, April 1898, pp ) The principle behind this counsel apparently is related to the principle of repentance, as is indicated in this statement by President Joseph Fielding Smith: The law of forgiveness and retribution... applies to individuals and to families, as well as to the Church at large. We are under commandment to forgive our enemies and suffer their abuses and smiting the first time and second time, also the third time. This is to be done in patience, and in humility and prayer, hoping that the enemy might repent. If the enemy come upon us for the fourth time we are justified in meting out retribution, but even then there is to come a reward if we patiently endure, and the Lord will reward us abundantly. For all these abuses we will be rewarded if we endure them in patience. Perchance the enemy may repent, and that we should most sincerely desire. This may to the most ordinary human being be a hard law to follow; but nevertheless it is the word of the Lord. One of the best illustrations of this spirit of enduring wrong rather than retaliating is found in the story of the people of Ammon in the Book of Mormon. Because they refused to take up arms to defend themselves, but would rather lay down their lives than shed blood even in their own defense, they brought many of their enemies to repentance and to the kingdom of God. [Alma

10 24:17-25; 27:3.] This is the doctrine of Jesus Christ as taught in the Sermon on the Mount. [Matt. 5:21-22, ] If all peoples would accept this doctrine there could be no war, and all difficulties could be adjusted in righteousness. This doctrine was taught, so the Lord declared, to his people anciently. There are many things in the Old Testament in relation to the wars and battles of the Israelites in the meager record which has come down to us, which are made to appear to us that these people were cruel and vengeful, but the Lord says they went out to battle when they were guided by prophets and the spirit of revelation when the Lord commanded them. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation [Salt Lake City: The Council of the Twelve Apostles, 1953], 1: ) (Daniel Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p )) 22 And it came to pass in the *seventeenth year, in the latter end of the year, the proclamation of Lachoneus had gone forth throughout all the face of the land, and they had taken their a horses, and their chariots, and their cattle, and all their flocks, and their herds, and their grain, and all their substance, and did march forth by thousands and by tens of thousands, until they had all gone forth to the b place which c had been appointed that they should gather themselves together, to defend themselves against their enemies. 23 And the a land which was appointed was the land of Zarahemla, and the land which was between the land Zarahemla and the land b Bountiful, yea, to the line which was between the c land Bountiful and the land Desolation. 24 And there were a great many thousand people who were called Nephites, who did gather themselves together in this land. Now Lachoneus did cause that they should gather themselves together in the land a southward, because of the great curse which was upon the b land northward. 25 And they did fortify themselves against their enemies; and they did dwell in one land, and in one body, (Like Zion) and they did fear the words which had been spoken by Lachoneus, insomuch that they did repent of all their sins; and they did put up their a prayers unto the Lord their God, that he would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle. 26 And they were exceedingly sorrowful because of their enemies. And Gidgiddoni did cause that they should make a weapons of war of every kind, and they should be strong with armor, and with shields, and with bucklers, after the manner of his instruction. * Verse 22 [A.D. 17]. CHAPTER 4 The Nephite armies defeat the Gadianton robbers Giddianhi is slain, and his successor, Zemnarihah, is hanged The Nephites praise the Lord for their victories. [Between A.D. 18 and 22] 1 AND it came to pass that in the latter *end of the eighteenth year those armies of a robbers had prepared for battle, and began to come down and to sally forth from the hills, and out of the mountains, and the wilderness, and their strongholds, and their b secret places, and began to take possession of the lands, both which were in the land south and which were in the land north, and began to take possession of all the lands which had been c deserted by the Nephites, and the cities which had been left desolate. 2 But behold, there were no wild beasts nor a game in those lands which had been deserted by the Nephites, and there was no game for the robbers save it were in the wilderness. 3 And the robbers could not exist save it were in the wilderness, for the want of food; for the Nephites had left their lands desolate, and had gathered their flocks and their herds and all their substance, and they were in one body. 4 Therefore, there was no chance for the robbers to plunder and to obtain food, save it were to come up in open battle against the Nephites; and the Nephites being in one body, and having so great a number, and having reserved for themselves provisions, and a horses and cattle, and flocks of every kind, that they might subsist for the space of b seven years, in the which time they did hope to destroy the robbers from

11 off the face of the land; and thus the eighteenth year did pass away. 5 And it came to pass that in the *nineteenth year Giddianhi found that it was expedient that he should go up to battle against the Nephites, for there was a no way that they could subsist save it were to plunder and rob and murder. (Quite the economy the robbers have, right?) 6 And they durst not spread themselves upon the face of the land insomuch that they could raise grain, lest the Nephites should come upon them and slay them; therefore Giddianhi gave commandment unto his armies that in this year they should go up to battle against the Nephites. (They couldn t produce for themselves, so they had to steal from others.) 7 And it came to pass that they did come up to battle; and it was in the sixth month (If the first month is spring, this is probably around October or harvest time.); and behold, great and terrible was the day that they did come up to battle; and they were girded about after the manner of robbers; and they had a lambskin (Since there probably were not sheep in the land, this might actually have been leopard skins) about their loins, and they were dyed in blood, and their heads were shorn, and they had head-plates upon them; and great and terrible was the appearance of the armies of Giddianhi, because of their armor, and because of their being dyed in blood. 8 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. (The Nephites knew the only sure source to deliver them.) 9 And it came to pass that when the armies of Giddianhi saw this they began to shout with a loud voice, because of their joy, for they had supposed that the Nephites had fallen with fear because of the terror of their armies. 10 But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not a fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for b protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them. 11 And the battle commenced in this the sixth month; and great and terrible was the battle thereof, yea, great and terrible was the a slaughter thereof, insomuch that there never was known so great a slaughter among all the people of Lehi since he left Jerusalem. 12 And notwithstanding the a threatenings and the oaths which Giddianhi had made, behold, the Nephites did beat them, insomuch that they did fall back from before them. 13 And it came to pass that a Gidgiddoni commanded that his armies should pursue them as far as the borders of the wilderness, and that they should not spare any that should fall into their hands by the way; and thus they did pursue them and did slay them, to the borders of the wilderness, even until they had fulfilled the commandment of Gidgiddoni. 14 And it came to pass that Giddianhi, who had stood and fought with boldness, was pursued as he fled; and being weary because of his much fighting he was overtaken and slain. And thus was the end of Giddianhi the robber. 15 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites did return again to their place of security. And it came to pass that this nineteenth year did pass away, and the robbers did not come again to battle; neither did they come again in the twentieth year. 16 And in the *twenty and first year they did not come up to battle, but they came up on all sides to lay siege round about the people of Nephi; for they did suppose that if they should cut off the people of Nephi from their a lands, and should hem them in on every side, and if they should cut them off from all their outward privileges, that they could cause them to yield themselves up according to their wishes. (Five more years worth of stores left of the Nephites.) 17 Now they had appointed unto themselves another leader, whose name was Zemnarihah; therefore it was Zemnarihah that did cause that this siege should take place. 18 But behold, this was an advantage to the Nephites; for it was impossible for the robbers to lay siege sufficiently long to have any effect upon the Nephites, because of their a much b provision which they had

12 laid up in store, 19 And because of the scantiness of provisions among the robbers; for behold, they had nothing save it were meat for their subsistence, which meat they did obtain in the wilderness; 20 And it came to pass that the a wild game became scarce in the wilderness insomuch that the robbers were about to perish with hunger. 21 And the Nephites were continually marching out by day and by night, and falling upon their armies, and cutting them off by thousands and by tens of thousands. 22 And thus it became the desire of the people of Zemnarihah to withdraw from their design, because of the great destruction which came upon them by night and by day. 23 And it came to pass that Zemnarihah did give command unto his people that they should withdraw themselves from the siege, and march into the furthermost parts of the land northward. 24 And now, Gidgiddoni being aware of their design, and knowing of their weakness because of the want of food, and the great slaughter which had been made among them, therefore he did send out his armies in the night-time, and did cut off the way of their retreat, and did place his armies in the way of their retreat. 25 And this did they do in the night-time, and got on their march beyond the robbers, so that on the morrow, when the robbers began their march, they were met by the armies of the Nephites both in their front and in their rear. 26 And the robbers who were on the south were also cut off in their places of retreat. And all these things were done by command of Gidgiddoni. 27 And there were many thousands who did yield themselves up prisoners unto the Nephites, and the remainder of them were slain. (This is the destruction of the Gadianton robbers) 28 And their leader, Zemnarihah, was taken and hanged upon a tree, yea, even upon the top thereof until he was dead. And when they had hanged him until he was dead they did fell the tree to the earth, and did cry with a loud voice, saying: (This is an ancient ceremony) 29 May the Lord preserve his people in righteousness and in holiness of heart, that they may cause to be felled to the earth all who shall seek to slay them because of power and secret combinations, even as this man hath been felled to the earth. 30 And they did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying: May the a God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, protect this people in righteousness, so long as they shall b call on the name of their God for c protection. 31 And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in singing, and a praising their God for the great thing which he had done for them, in preserving them from falling into the hands of their enemies. 32 Yea, they did cry: Hosanna (Save us now, save, we pray!) to the Most High God. And they did cry: Blessed be the name of the Lord God a Almighty, the Most High God. 33 And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, Neal A. Maxwell: Thus the things of which we can be most certain are also those things which matter most We can have a bad day but still have a good life. We can have tribulation but see it paled by the resurrection. We can exhibit calm commitment as did hope-filled Job amid tribulation and avoid charging God foolishly. (Job 1:22.) Thus, nothing that really matters has changed since long ago when, with full justification, we shouted for joy. All that matters is gloriously intact. The promises are in place. It is up to us to perform. Someday when we kneel again in those corridors where that special shout once echoed, having been delivered from our last enemy, death, we will have hearts swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears. (3 Nephi 4:33.) It is a moment we must not miss! It is worth cheerfully enduring a few disappointments and pains now and letting a few mortal appetites go unsatiated. (Notwithstanding My Weakness, p. 58)) because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction. (The only way to combat the kind of wickedness the Gadianton robbers represented is with the strength obtained through personal and collective