Gadianton Robbers - clever little cabal.
“Gadianton Robbers - clever little cabal.”
Are you calling the antis Gadianton Robbers, or just making another odd joke? Either way it’s a bit bizarre Saundra.
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[The society was founded around 52 BC or 51 BC by Nephite supporters of Paanchi, an unsuccessful candidate for the position of chief judge. Paanchi had been executed for treason when he refused to accept the election of his brother Pahoran II to the judgment seat, and one of his supporters, Kishkumen, assassinated Pahoran in retaliation. Kishkumen and his associates entered into a pact to keep the assassin’s identity a secret. (See Helaman 1:11)
A man named Gadianton became the leader of Kishkumen’s secret group. He arranged for Kishkumen to assassinate Chief Judge Helaman II, promising that if he, Gadianton, were made chief judge he would appoint the other members of the band to positions of authority. Kishkumen was apprehended and killed by one of Helaman’s servants, and Gadianton and his followers, fearing the same fate, fled into the wilderness.
Within 25 years, Gadianton’s band had grown into a large criminal organization known as Gadianton’s robbers and murderers (Helaman 6:18), with both Nephites and Lamanites among its members. In 26 BC the Gadianton robbers assassinated Chief Judge Cezoram and his son.
The Lamanites made every effort to eradicate the Gadianton robbers among them. The Nephites, in contrast, began to join the band in larger and larger numbers, until the majority of them were members. Members swore to protect one another and identified each other by means of secret signs and secret words. By 24 BC the entire Nephite government was under the control of the Gadiantons.]