Lesson 36 - On the Morrow Come I into the World
Scriptures
Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
 3 Nephi 1:1 –22. Despite signs and miracles in the land, unbelievers claim that the
time for the Savior’s coming has passed. The wicked plan to slay the believers.
The signs of the Savior’s birth appear and vindicate those who have endured in
faith.
 3 Nephi 2–4. Wickedness increases in the land. The Gadianton robbers become
more powerful and come to battle against the Nephites. The Nephites repent of
their wickedness, and the Lord helps them defeat the Gadianton robbers.
 3 Nephi 5–7. The Nephites forsake their sins and live righteously. As they
prosper, pride and dissensions arise in the Church. The people are soon living “in a
state of awful wickedness.” Nephi preaches repentance and faith in Christ, and a
few of the people are converted.
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
Nephi2 Gives Nephi3 the Records and Departs (vs. 1-3)
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We have reached the point where we are 600 hundred years from the time the
Lehi party left Jerusalem.
Lachoneus becomes the chief judge and governor.
Nephi2 gives the plates, plates of brass and all the other sacred relics to his son,
Nephi3.
o Like Alma2, Nephi2 leaves and is not heard from again.
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Signs and Miracles Occur (v. 4)
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Great signs and miracles are being “wrought among the people” (v. 4).
Nonbelievers Say Time For Signs Has Passed (vs. 5-8)
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Some said the signs spoken of by Samuel should have occurred.
o They persecuted the believers, telling them, “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” (v. 6).
Those who believed “began to be very sorrowful” (v. 7) that Samuel’s signs may
not occur.
o Still, they watched for the day without night.
Date Set For Believers to Be Killed if Signs Do Not Occur (v. 9)
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A day was set that, if the day without night did occur, the believers would be put
to death.
See Quote #1
Nephi3 Prays for Believers and Signs Given (vs. 10-21)
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Nephi3 prayed on behalf of the believers.
The Lord answered his prayer.
o The time is at hand.
 “[O]n this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I
into the world” (v. 13).
 He is coming to “fulfil all things which I have made known unto the
children of men from the foundation of the world” (v. 14).
 The sign was fulfilled according to Samuel’s words.
 And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time
of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in
heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there
shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto
man as if it was day.
Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day,
as if it were one day and there were no night; and this
shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising
of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall
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know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night;
nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall
be the night before he is born.
(Helaman 14:3 - 4)
Many who did not believe fell to the earth because “the great 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” (v. 16).
They began to fear because of their unbelief.
All signs occurred “according to the words of the prophets” (v. 20).
o A new star appeared in the sky.
 And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye
never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.
(Helaman 14:15)
Satan Hardens Some People’s Hearts and They Refuse to Believe (vs.
22-23)
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We see that even with signs, many refuse to believe.
o Satan hardened many hearts and they refused to believe the signs.
o Nephi3 went forth and preached to the people.
 Many were “baptized unto repentance, in the which there was a great
remission of sin” (v. 23).
Peace spreads through the land.
People are Still Required to Obey the Law of Moses (vs. 24-26)
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A controversy arose.
o There were those who claimed they should no longer follow the law of
Moses.
Nephi3 was able to clarify that the law of Moses had not been fulfilled.
o This settled the controversy.
o See Quote #2
Gadianton Robbers Return (vs. 27-30)
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A year after the signs were given, the Gadianton Robbers appear again.
o The lived in the mountains and became quite strong.
o They committed many murders and slaughter.
See Quote #3
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The Robbers also afflicted the Lamanites.
The Lamanites decreased in faith because of the wickedness of the younger
generation.
Chapter 2
Nephites Disbelieve the Signs of Christ’s Birth and Become a Wicked
People (vs. 1-10)
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Four years have passed since the Nephites received the signs of Christ’s birth.
They began to harden their hearts and “disbelieve all which they had heard and
seen” (v. 1).
o They began to explain them away.
 They claimed, “that it was wrought by men and the power of the
devil” (v. 2).
 Like Laman and Lemuel:
 And Laman said unto Lemuel and also unto the sons of Ishmael:
Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi, who
has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are
his elder brethren.
Now, he says that the Lord has talked with him, and also that
angels have ministered unto him. But behold, we know that he
lies unto us; and he tells us these things, and he worketh many
things by his cunning arts, that he may deceive our eyes,
thinking, perhaps, that he may lead us away into some strange
wilderness; and after he has led us away, he has thought to
make himself a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with us
according to his will and pleasure. And after this manner did
my brother Laman stir up their hearts to anger.
(1 Nephi 16:37-38)
 They began to believe the “doctrine of Christ was a foolish and vain
thing” (v. 23).
 They began to “wax strong in wickedness and abominations” (v. 3).
The Nephites began to count years from the time the sign of Christ’s birth was
given.
o We are now in the ninth year, 100 years since Mosiah and 609 years since
Lehi left Jerusalem.
The people remained wicked in spite of all the preaching and prophesying among
the Nephites.
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War (vs. 11-19)
The War of Giddianhi and Zemnarihah
 Source: 3 Nephi 2:11-4:28.
 Dates: A.D. 13-22.
 Location: From the land of Zarahemla to the land of Bountiful.
 Causes: Some twenty-five years earlier, Gadianton robbers had established
strongholds in the mountains and had grown steadily in strength and antagonism.
They alleged that the Nephites had illegally taken the rights of government away
from them. The depletion of their food supplies brought them out into open
conflict.
 Tactics: Widespread raiding and pillaging that escalated into open warfare when
the robbers' demands were rejected. Lamanites and Nephites joined into one
body near the narrow neck of land and prepared for a seven-year siege.
 Results: An important side effect of this war was the unification of Lamanites
and Nephites against the threat of robbers. The robbers were destroyed once
again, and the victors were all reconverted.1
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The Gadianton Robbers have become very numerous.
o They killed many, laid waste to cities, spread death and carnage to the
point both Nephites and Lamanites had to fight them.
The converted Lamanites fought with the Nephites “for the safety of their lives
and their women and their children” (v. 12)
The war turned bad for the Nephites.
o They “were threatened with utter destruction” (v. 14).
The Lamanites united with the Nephites and “were numbered among the
Nephites” (v. 15).
The curse was taken from the Lamanites and their skin became white like the
Nephites.
What was the curse?
o “Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols,
and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of
their fathers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended
unto them on the conditions of repentance” (Alma 17:15).
The skin of the Lamanites became “white” like the Nephites.
o What does this mean?
1
Why Study Warfare in the Book of Mormon? John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed
August 24, 2012.
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The original version of 2 Nephi 30:6 read: “[T]heir [the Lamanites]
scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many
generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a
white and a delightsome people.”
 Joseph Smith’s 1840 edit of the verse changed it to read,
“they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.”
 Jacob, preaching to the Nephites, compared the Lamanite
righteousness to the Nephite wickedness.
 ”O my brethren, I fear that unless ye shall repent of your sins
that [the Lamanite’s] skins will be whiter than yours, when ye
shall be brought with them before the throne of God” (Jacob
3:8)
 In the scriptures white is used as a “color” and as a synonym for pure
or purity.
 It is possible that, when the curse was lifted, they became “pure”
like the Nephites.
The armies were able to drive the Robbers back into the mountains.
The next year, the Robbers regained the advantage.
o This was because of the “wickedness of the people of Nephi” (v. 18).
The sword of destruction is now hanging over the Nephites as we end Chapter 2.
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Chapter 3
Giddianhi’s Epistle (vs. 1-10)
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The Nephites receive an epistle, addressed to the chief judge, Lachoneus, from
the leader of the Robbers, Giddianhi.
He begins by praising (somewhat mockingly) the Nephites for defending “that
which ye suppose to be your right and liberty” (v. 2).
He continues the mocking tone; they reject the Nephite claim to be supported by
God (“as if ye were supported by the hand of a god” [v. 2].)
It seems “a pity” they are foolish enough to believe they can defeat the Robbers.
Because he has so many “brave men who are at [his] command” (v. 3), all he has to
do is command them to destroy the Nephites and they will.
o They hate the Nephites “because of the many wrongs which ye have done
unto them” (v. 4).
He is concerned for the welfare of the Nephites.
He tells them to surrender to the Robbers (“yield up unto this my people, your
cities, your land, and your possessions” [v. 6]).
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o In short, he wants them to “be like unto us … our brethren and partners” (v.
7).
o Learn our secrets and become one with us.
 If the Nephites do this, they will not be destroyed.
 If they don’t, next month, they “shall become extinct” (v. 8).
Giddianhi tells them “the secret society of Gadianton; which society and the
works thereof I know to be good; and they are of ancient date and they have
been handed down unto us” (v. 9).
o He really believes this!
He wants to “recover” the Robbers rights to government.
The robbers are made up of Nephite dissenters.
o They dissented “because of your wickedness in retaining from them their
rights of government” (v. 10).
 What he means is the people rejected their claims, so the only way
they can take power is through surrender or violent rebellion.
He closes his epistle promising to destroy the Nephites if they don’t surrender.
Chief Judge Lachoneus Rejects Giddianhi’s Epistle War and Prepares
for War (vs. 11-16)
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Lachoneus was “exceedingly astonished” by the epistle.
o To say the least!
Lachoneus was a just man and wasn’t frightened by the epistle.
o He strengthened his people.
o He called on them to pray to the Lord for strength against the robbers.
Lachoneus sent a proclamation among the people.
They should gather the women, children, flocks, herds, and their substance into
one place.
He also had the people fortify their location.
o Armies made up of Nephites and Lamanites were placed as guards.
Lachoneus told the people, “As the Lord liveth, except ye repent of all your
iniquities, and cry unto the Lord, ye will in no wise be delivered out of the hands
of those Gadianton robbers” (v. 15).
o We again see a way out for the people – return to the Lord.
The people accepted his words and did all they could.
Chief Captains and Others Are Appointed (vs. 17-19)
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Chief captains were appointed over the armies to command them during the war.
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o See Quote #4
Gidgiddoni was appointed the chief captain.
o See Quote #5
Gidgiddoni Refuses to Fight Preemptive War (vs. 20-21)
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The people called upon Gidgiddoni to pray and ask the Lord how they might find
and defeat the Robbers.
Gidgiddoni refused.
o If they attacked, he told them, “the Lord would deliver us into their hands”
(v. 21).
o The Lord’s law of war did not allow preemptive attacks.
o Only defensive wars, after an attack, were acceptable.
o See Quote #6
Nephites Gather in a Safe Location (vs. 21-26)
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The people had taken their horses, chariots, cattle, flocks, herds, and grains to
the “safe place” the Nephites established.
o What is mean by horses?
 In a long article, Robert Bennett discusses this question. A summary
of his observations are:
 The horses may have lived in a narrow geographical area.
 It is not unusual for there to be a lack of archaeological
evidence for animal within a narrow geographical area.
 There is almost no archaeological evidence of horses in the
Central Asian area occupied by the Huns.
 What is referred to as a horse could be another animal, such
as a tapir.2
Thousands of people gathered together in the land southward.
The people repented and prayed to the Lord to deliver them if their enemies
should attack.
Gidgiddoni had weapons of war made after his instructions.
Horses in the Book of Mormon, Robert R. Bennett, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 5, 2011.
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Chapter 4
Robbers Being War (vs. 1-14)
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Finally, the Robbers attack and take the deserted lands.
o There was no game in those lands.
o The Robbers began to starve as there was little to no food.
Lachoneus’s strategy for starving the Robbers succeeded.
Their only choice was to attack the Nephites in their stronghold.
They attempted to strike fear in the hearts of the Nephites.
o They were wearing lamb-skin, their skin was dyed in blood, their heads
were shorn, and they wore head plates.
Seeing the Robbers attack begin, the Nephite army fell to the earth and cried
out to the Lord to spare them from their enemies.
o The Nephites are being attacked, so they are justified in defending
themselves.
Giddianhi mistook the Nephite reaction as fear of his army.
o But the Nephites did not fear them.
The Lord strengthened the Nephites and they were prepared to meet the
Robbers.
It was a terrible battle.
o There was great slaughter.
 “[T]here never was known so great a slaughter among all the people
of Lehi since he left Jerusalem” (v. 11).
Giddianhi’s “invincible” army was forced to retreat because of the Nephite
success.
Gidgiddoni commanded his armies to pursue them to the borders.
o He ordered them to execute any Robber found.
o Usually the Nephites took prisoners.
 This war is different because this is a civil war.
 The Robbers are trying to overthrow the duly elected government.
The all powerful Giddianhi was worn out by the fighting.
o He was overtaken and slain.
o “And thus was the end of Giddianhi the robber” (v. 14).
Robbers Continue War Two Years Later (vs. 15-27)
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The Nephites remained in their secure location.
Two years later the Robbers laid siege at the secure location.
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Zemnarihah became the new leader.
The siege failed.
o The Nephites had prepared for a long stay at their secure location.
The Robbers still had little provisions.
o They were able to obtain a little meat.
 But, wild animals were scarce.
o The Robbers continue to starve.
The Nephites were occasionally going out and hitting the Robbers.
The Robbers wanted to withdraw because of the losses.
o The Robbers finally withdrew to the northern most parts of the land
northward.
Gidgiddoni cut off the Robbers as they retreated.
The Nephites surrounded the Robbers.
o A battle ensued and those who refused to surrender were slain.
Robbers Defeated (vs. 28-33)
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Zemnarihah was captured and hanged on a tree.
o After he was dead, they cut down the tree.
 This was a common Jewish practice, carried to the New World.
The people praised the Lord, saying:
o “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” (v. 29).
They continued to praise God for preserving them from their enemy.
They praised God because they had been delivered from destruction.
Chapter 5
Peace and The End of the Secret Combinations (for now!) (vs. 1-7)
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The Nephites believed the words spoken by the prophets.
Christ had come because of the signs that have been given.
The Nephites became a righteous people.
The Robbers in prison had the gospel preached to them.
o If they covenanted to no longer murder, they were set free.
If they didn’t, they were punished according to the law.
The Nephites were successful exterminating the secret combinations.
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For four years, there was peace.
We Meet Mormon For the First Time (vs. 8-16)
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Many things happened but cannot be written.
o “[T]his book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among
so many people in the space of twenty and five years” (v. 8).
Mormon tells us he is using a record that was called the plates of Nephi.
He makes the plates with his own hands.
Mormon finally introduces himself to us.
 His comments in the Words of Mormon were tacked on to the end of
the small plates of Nephi.
o He was named after the land of Mormon where Alma1 established the
church.
o He is a disciple of Jesus Christ.
o He made this record according to the will of God and the prayers of those
in the past that these records be preserved.
o He gives us a small account of what has happened over the last 1,000 years.
Mormon Explains His Records (vs. 17-20)
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He makes this record based on “the things which I have seen with mine own eyes”
(v. 17).
o He tells us he knows this is a true record.
o Then he adds – “there are many things which, according to our language, we
are not able to write” (v. 18).
o Mormon ends his sayings by identifying himself again and tells us he is a
pure descendant of Lehi1.
The Lord has blessed the house of Jacob and been merciful to the descendants
of Joseph.
When the Nephites had kept the commandments of the Lord, they have been
blessed.
o This promise shows up throughout the Book of Mormon.
 Lehi:
 And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my
commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye
will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my
presence. (2 Nephi 1:20)
 Jarom:
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And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not
prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified,
which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye
will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.
(Jarom 1:9)
 Amaron:
 For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of
the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from
falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not
suffer that the words should not be verified, which he spake
unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my
commandments ye shall not prosper in the land. (Omni 1:6)
 King Benjamin:
 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search
[the records] diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I
would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye
may prosper in the land according to the promises which the
Lord made unto our fathers. (Mosiah 1:7)
 Alma2:
 Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto
Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my
commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is
said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye
shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
Now I would that ye should remember, that inasmuch as the
Lamanites have not kept the commandments of God, they have
been cut off from the presence of the Lord. Now we see that
the word of the Lord has been verified in this thing, and the
Lamanites have been cut off from his presence, from the
beginning of their transgressions in the land. (Alma 9:13 - 14)
 Alma2:
 O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the
commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my
commandments ye shall prosper in the land—but if ye keep not
his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence.
(Alma 37:13)
The remnant of Joseph will be brought to a knowledge of God.
o The seed of Jacob will be gathered from the four quarters of the earth.
o The covenant the Lord made with the house of Jacob will be fulfilled.
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o They will be restored to their knowledge of the covenant made by the Lord
with them.
o They shall know that Jesus Christ, the Son of God is their Redeemer.
Chapter 6
Nephites Return to Their Land and Prosper (vs. 1-9)
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After seven years, there Nephites returned to their lands with their possessions.
Any robber who covenanted to keep peace were freed to become a part of
society.
Peace and prosperity spread throughout the land.
The only thing that could stop the prosperity was the Nephites falling into
transgression.
Gidgiddoni and Lachoneus were appointed leaders.
Many new cities were built.
o Old cities were repaired.
o Highways and roads were made between cities.
The Nephites Become an Iniquitous People (vs. 10-18)
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About four years pass and there began to be some disputes, some were lifted up
in the Nephite Disease, pride, they boasted about the riches.
Persecutions began.
o “[T]he the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their
riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of
their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their
riches” (v. 12).
There is always a group who avoid the pride and remain humble.
When persecuted some would return persecution with persecution.
o Most would endure the persecution and remain humble before God.
Because of “great inequality,” the church “began to be broken up” (v. 14).
o A few Lamanites remained faithful and true to their faith.
Satan gained great power throughout the land.
o He led the people to do all manner of iniquity.
Mormon sums up the Nephites situation by telling us “they were in a state of
awful wickedness” (v. 17).
The people gave Satan full control of their lives.
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When the Lord rejected Cain’s offering, he became upset. He was told,
o “If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted. And if thou doest not well, sin
lieth at the door, and Satan desireth to have thee; and except thou shalt
hearken unto my commandments, I will deliver thee up, and it shall be unto
thee according to his desire” (Moses 5:23).
See Quote #7
The reason their sin was so “awful,” is because “they did not sin ignorantly, for
they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them;
therefore they did wilfully rebel against God” (v. 18).
o King Benjamin explained how the Lord treats those that sinned ignorantly.
 “For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who
have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing
the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned”
(Mosiah 3:11).
During this time, Lachoneus died.
o His son, Lachoneus became the chief judge.
Inspired Men Preach to the Nephites, Angering the Many of the People
(vs. 20-30)
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“And there began to be men inspired from heaven and sent forth” to preach and
testify to the people about their iniquities (v. 20).
o They also testified about how Christ would be resurrected and redeem his
people.
The judges, former high priests, and lawyers were angry with those who testified
against them.
o There were those who wanted them executed.
o Only the governor could sign an execution order.
 That didn’t stop the wicked.
 Those who testified were put to death secretly by the judges.
A complaint was filed with the governor about the executions.
Those involved were taken before judges.
o The accused judges and lawyers had many friends in key places.
o They entered into a covenant to protect them.
 “[Y]ea, [they entered] into that covenant which was given by them of
old, which covenant was given and administered by the devil, to
combine against all righteousness” (v. 28).
They covenanted to prevent those guilty of the murders from being found guilty.
They also covenanted to kill the governor and establish a king.
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This would take away the liberty of the people.
Chapter 7
Chief Judge Murdered, Government Collapses, People Form Tribes (vs.
1-14)
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The judges and lawyers were not able to establish a king.
The chief judge was murdered.
The people, being divided, separated into tribes.
o Every tribe appointed a leader.
At this time, there was no war.
The inequity came about “because they did yield themselves unto the power of
Satan” (v. 5).
The laws and regulations were destroyed by the secret combinations.
o These are those who murdered the prophets.
There was contention in the land.
The more righteous had become wicked.
o There were few righteous among the people.
Over a period of six years, the people turned away from righteousness and
became wicked.
The secret combination tribe appointed a man named Jacob their king.
o He was one of the strongest opponents of the prophets.
Jacob, seeing they were outnumbered by their enemies, took off to the
northernmost part of the land.
The tribes were made up of families, kindred, and friends.
The tribes agreed not to go to war against each other.
Each tribe had their own laws.
“[T]heir their hearts were turned from the Lord their God, and they did stone
the prophets and did cast them out from among them” (v. 14).
The Return of Nephi3 (vs. 15-26)
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Nephi3 had been visited by angels and heard the Lord’s voice.
o He was an “eye–witness to their quick return from righteousness unto their
wickedness and abominations” (v. 15).
He began to minister to the people, boldly calling on the people to repent and gain
remission of their sins through faith in Christ.
Nephi3 ministered many things to them with power and authority.
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o Mormon tells us “all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would
not suffice, therefore they are not written in this book” (v. 17).
The people were angry with him.
o He had greater power then they did.
o They also couldn’t disbelieve his words.
In Christ’s name, he cast out devils and unclean spirits.
o His brother, Timothy, had been stoned to death because of his preaching.
 Nephi3 raised him from the dead.
A few had been converted.
o Those that were converted “did truly signify unto the people that they had
been visited by the power and Spirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in
whom they believed” (v. 21).
Many had devils cast out and were healed.
All who repented were also baptized with water.
So ends the 32nd year after Christ’s birth.
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Samuel the Lamanite’s Prophecies
(Chart 48, Charting the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch and J. Gregory Welch)
As the time neared for Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecies to be fulfilled, Nephi3
witnessed the growing skepticism of the people concerning the predicted earthly advent
of Jesus Christ. This skepticism led to the persecution of those who believed in
Christ’s coming by those who felt the time of his birth had already passed. These
skeptics threatened to kill the believers unless the sign of Christ’s birth appeared
before a certain date. Possibly because the very lives of the believers depended on the
fulfillment of those prophecies. Nephi3 paid careful attention to documenting their
exact fulfillment…
Concerning Christ’s Birth
Reference
Fulfillment
Christ will be born in 5 years
Helaman 14:2
3 Nephi 1:13
No darkness for 2 days, 1 night
Helaman 14:3-4
3 Nephi 1:15
A new star will arise
Helaman 14:5
3 Nephi 1:21
There will be signs and wonders
Helaman 14:6
3 Nephi 2:1
People will fall to the earth
Helaman 14:7
3 Nephi 1:16-17
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Quote #1
Hugh Nibley writes:
It was the overwhelming majority of unbelievers who actually set a date for a general
massacre of those who expected the coming of Christ (3 Nephi 1:9, 16). Fantastic as
this may seem, it has many parallels in history: the slaughter of the Magi in Lehi's day,
the Sicilian Vespers, the liquidation of the Mamlukes, St. Bartholomew's, the slaughter
of the Donatists, the Bloodbath of Stralsund, etc., most of them attempts at the
complete wiping out of large unorthodox minorities, and most of them engineered by
devout intellectuals.3
Quote #2
John Welch explains:
While righteous Nephites knew that the sacrifices and performances under the law of
Moses pointed exclusively to the coming atonement of Jesus Christ, they still kept the
law of Moses with strictness—in whatever ways they understood that law. Indeed, as
soon as the sign of the birth of Christ was given, people began to argue with Nephi,
claiming that it was no longer necessary for them to observe the law of Moses (3 Nephi
1:24). It fell upon Nephi, as the new High Priest, to convince the people that all of the
law "was not yet fulfilled, and that it must be fulfilled in every whit" (1:25).4
Quote #3
Hugh Nibley writes:
Then came more prosperity, and gradually small groups of the revived Gadianton order
began to make raids on the country from hiding-places in the mountains, assisted by tipoffs from Nephite dissenters (Helaman 11:24—25). This sort of thing had a romantic
and adventurous appeal to the younger generation of Nephites who went off and joined
up with the bands in large numbers (3 Nephi 1:27—29).5
3
The Way of the "Intellectuals", Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed August 24,
2012.
4
Seeing Third Nephi as the Holy of Holies of the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed August 24, 2012.
5
Good People and Bad People, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed August 24, 2012.
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Quote #4
A. Brent Merrill describes the Nephite law of war.
Even in situations where the Nephites may have faced an enemy of more equal numbers,
they were counseled not to strike first. An opportunity of this type arose in about A.D.
17 when the Nephites considered initiating a preventive war against the Gadianton
robbers, but the chief captain and "great commander of all the armies of the Nephites"
directed his people not to attack (3 Nephi 3:17-21). When the Nephites violated this
principle, they usually suffered defeat (see Mormon 4:4).6
Quote #5
A. Brent Merrill describes Gidgiddoni.
The next Nephite chief captain mentioned in the Book of Mormon is Gidgiddoni, ca. A.D.
17. As with his predecessors, Gidgiddoni was appointed to command the Nephite armies
because he possessed "the spirit of revelation and also prophecy" and was therefore
recognized as "a great prophet" (3 Nephi 3:18-19).7
Quote #6
Daniel C. Peterson reminds us about the Lord’s rules for war.
In rejecting the calls of his people for a preemptive strike against the guerrillas'
mountain bases, Gidgiddoni was in harmony with the rules of war revealed by the Lord to
his prophets in both ancient and modern times (see D&C 98:23-48, especially verses 3233). God, he declared, would not uphold the Nephites if they violated those rules.8
6
Nephite Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed August 26,
2012.
7
Nephite Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed August 26,
2012.
88
The Gadianton Robbers as Guerrilla Warriors, Daniel C. Peterson, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute,
accessed August 26, 2012.
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Quote #7
Hugh Nibley explains the dangers of economic inequality.
Economic inequality is a deadly danger to the Church in every age. Again the usual
explanation is given for the increasing iniquity of the society. It is nothing but the
desire "for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world" (3 Nephi
6:15). In a word, it is what we all want! This led in a very short time to what Nephi calls
"a state of awful wickedness" (3 Nephi 6:17). When inspired men began to oppose the
trend, they were met with fierce indignation, especially on the part of the governing
classes, the "judges, and they who had been high priests and lawyers; yea, all those who
were lawyers were angry with those who testified" (3 Nephi 6:21).9
9
The Way of the Wicked, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed August 28, 2012.
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