In the
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a religious text of the Latter Day Saint movement, first published in 1830 by Joseph Smith as ''The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi''.
The book is one of ...
, Gidgiddoni () is a commander of the Nephite armies in the war between the
Nephite
In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites () are one of four groups (along with the Lamanites, Jaredites, and Mulekites) said to have settled in the ancient Americas. The term is used throughout the Book of Mormon to describe the religious, poli ...
s and the
Gadianton robbers. Chief judge
Lachoneus appoints him to lead the armies because he has prophetic abilities. During periods of Nephite righteousness, selection of military leaders possessed of these spiritual gifts was standard practice.
Gidgiddoni demonstrates his wisdom by refusing the people's desire to wage offensive war against the robbers.
Gidgiddoni at their head, the Nephites were able to defeat the robbers and end the life of
Giddianhi in AD 19. The robbers tried again in AD 21, with a man named
Zemnarihah leading them, but Gidgiddoni knew of the robbers' weaknesses and exploited them, making it impossible for them to retreat, and the Nephites took as many prisoners as would surrender, while putting the rest to death. Zemnarihah, however, was hanged.
Finally, after the destruction of the band of robbers, Lachoneus and Gidgiddoni brought peace to the Nephites.
Gidgiddoni is not mentioned further in the scripture after this.
In the account of the prophet-general Gidgiddoni, the Book of Mormon offers meaningful guidance about the possible justifications for waging war. Prohibiting preemptive strikes, even against a seemingly intractable foe, God tells Gidgiddoni to prepare the Nephite people, gather their armies, and wait, instead of hunting the enemy to "destroy them in their own lands." This restraint was typical of other Nephite military chiefs who, like Gidgiddoni, were also prophets.
References
Book of Mormon prophets
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