Jacob 1 - That We Might Persuade Them to Come Unto Christ I'm taking an online economics class right now, which prompted me to think of the definition of economics in the context of the scriptures. Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources. In the case of Nephi and his successor Jacob, the plates upon which they engraved their record was a scarce resource. They were costly to make and difficult to engrave, and instilling a tradition of passing them through generations was surely cumbersome. Recognizing the great importance of spiritual things and the challenge of maintaining records, Nephi instructed Jacob to prioritize religious instruction saying, " if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people" (Jacob 1:4). This priority was not only reflecte...
In 3 Nephi chapter 3, the leader of a the Gadianton Robbers, Giddianhi, wrote a letter to the governor of the Nephites, Lachoneus, to persuade and threaten him to yield control of his land a people to the band of robbers. He used a number of devices employed by wicked leaders everywhere to undermine and overpower:
Flatter
Evil leaders flatter. They fein praise to curry favor that will later be used to manipulate. The difference between flattery and a compliment is the level of sincerity and intent. Giddianhi the Gaddianton litters his letter to Lachoneus with flattery calling him, "most noble and chief governor of the land" and offering him "exceedingly great praise because of your firmness" (3 Nephi 3:2). Giddianhi pretended intimacy, "sealing [his letter] with [his] own hand," counterfeited concern "feeling for your welfare," manufactured praise for Lachoneus' "noble spirit in the field of battle" (3 Nephi 3:5).
Unethical leaders praise, but only when it is in their self interest, and without the commensurate trust in place to make their praise meaningful or valid.
Undermine
Evil leaders blur the line between fact and fiction They subtly seek to undermine the rational basis of their opponent by dissolving notions of right and wrong. Even when Giddianhi seemingly praised Lachoneus, he used it as an opportunity to preach relativism, and undermine the validity of the Nephites' claims to their land and freedom. He used phrases like "maintaining that which ye suppose to be your right," and defending "your liberty, and your property, and your country, or that which ye do call so" (3 Nephi 3:2). He nods to the Nephites' belief in God while diminishing it by saying: "ye do stand well, as if ye were supported by the hand of a god" (3 Nephi 3:2). He belittled Nephite claims to their right to defend themselves by describing their resolve as "your firmness in that which ye believe to be right" (3 Nephi 3:5).
Unethical leaders try to change the baseline for reasonable arguments instead of making points based on logic.
Threaten
Evil leaders threaten. A threat is different than a warning. Warnings are frequently extended by prophets, teachers and loving parents. Warnings are motivated by love and explain the natural consequences of someone's actions (e.g. "don't touch the stove or you might burn yourself"). A threat is motivated by anger and seeks to manipulate by promising violence. Giddianhi threatened Lachoneus with the "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 destroy them" (3 Nephi 3:3). He amplified his threat by describing in detail his troops' "unconquerable spirit, having proved them in the field of battle, and knowing of their everlasting hatred 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 ... 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" (3 Nephi 3:4, 8).
Unethical leaders manipulate through anger, violence, and retribution.
Make False Promises
Evil leaders make false promises. They appeal to the hopes of those they are trying to influence with no intent of following through. Giddianhi offered the reassurance that if the Nephites "yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us—not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance" (3 Nephi 3:7). These promised may have been true, but given the Gaddianton robbers' history of corruption, theft, murder, and violence, Giddianhi lacked credibility to offer these assurances. He promised "I swear unto you, if ye will do this, with an oath, ye shall not be destroyed" but would not likely have upheld his word (3 Nephi 3:8).
Unethical leaders habitually break promised, but continue to make them in order to get what they want.
Lie
Evil leaders lie. Among the half truths and unkept assurances, they willfully intersperse claims they know to be false. Giddianhi went so far as to claim that the murderous practices of his marauding band were good because of their longevity, saying "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" (3 Nephi 3:9). He also flipped the blame for the conflict from the aggression of the robbers to the insistence of the Nephites to maintain their lawful right to self-governments by calling his robbers those "who have dissented away from you because of your wickedness in retaining from them their rights of government (3 Nephi 3:10).
Unethical leaders gaslight and repeat untruths to deceive and put opponents on the defensive.
Lachoneus' Response
Lachoneus' response to the threats of the Gadianton Robbers is a model for us to follow when it comes to defending against spiritual threats. We read that "Lachoneus, the governor, was a just man, and could not be frightened by the demands and the threatenings of 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 strength" ( 3 Nephi 3:12). We can move forward without fear, and rely on God for strength by following the pattern of self-defense and preparation modeled by the Nephites.
Gather Together
The first things Lachoneus commanded his people to do was to gather together to a center of strength. He commanded the Nephites to "gather together their women, and their children, their flocks and their herds, and all their substance, save it were their land, unto one place" (3 Nephi 3:13). By gathering together they could share resources, provide mutual defense, and make themselves less vulnerable to attack by the Gadianton Robbers. In a similar way, we can support each other in living virtuous lives by gathering together literally (e.g. through church attendance) and figuratively (e.g. personal relationships). When we surround ourselves with good people and actively seek to connect with those who uplift and strengthen us, we increase our resilience in the face of spiritual challenges.
Fortifications, Guards, and Weapons
Lachoneus "caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedingly great (3 Nephi 3:14). The Nephites put in strong defenses against attacks from the Gadianton Robbers. In figurative terms I imagine these defenses as family home evening, family scripture study, and prayer. I can also see the value of things like curfews and internet filters to help protect families from spiritual danger.
Lachoneus also 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" (3 Nephi 3:14). Not only were fortifications put in place, but they were monitored by guards. How can parents identify spiritual threats at the first sign of danger? Family practices like parent-child date nights, father's blessings, and regular bishops' interviews come to mind as ways to preempt signifiant damage from inevitable spiritual attacks.
Lastly, Lachoneus' chief military leader, Gidgiddoni, "did cause that they should make weapons of war of every kind" (3 Nephi 3:26). Not only did the Nephites need to defend against attacks from the Gadianton Robbers, they needed to be able to strike back. To me these weapons symbolically represent spiritual strength and good works. Evil is best displaced and overcome by righteousness. Our spiritual weapons can look like serving others, and pursuing worthwhile recreation and hobbies.
Preach Repentance
Lachoneus' message to the Nephites was that, "As the Lord liveth, except ye repent of all your iniquities, and cry unto the Lord, ye will in nowise be delivered out of the hands of those Gadianton robbers" (3 Nephi 3:15). All of the practical military strategy he implemented was secondary to the need to repent and rely on the Lord. "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" (3 Nephi 3:16).
And they did fortify themselves against their enemies; and they did dwell in one land, and in one body, 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 prayers unto the Lord their God, that he would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle.
Application Questions
How can you spot the device of an unrighteous leader? Who is exerting and unhealthy influence in your life?
What can you do this week to strengthen your family? How can you shore up your home and circle of friends from spiritual dangers?
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