20 And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that
there were robbers among them they were exceedingly sorrowful; and they did use
every means in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth. 21
But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts of the more part of the Nephites,
insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into
their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one
another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they
should not suffer for their murders, and their plunderings, and their stealings.
22 And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea,
their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might
distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that
whatsoever wickedness his brother should do he should not be injured by his
brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant. 23
And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and
all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the
laws of their God.
Helaman 6:20 – 23 (Emphasis mine)
While the Nephites chose to associate with Gadianton
Robbers, the Lamanites responded differently.
“[T]hey did use every means in their power to destroy them off the face
of the earth” (v. 20). They refused to
tolerate this evil influence in their society.
The Nephites had become a wealthy people. Hugh Nibley writes:
“Wealth became the standard measure of human values; and as
inevitably happens, people became less and less particular as to how a man got
money, just so he had it—the business of getting gain became utterly
sordid and unscrupulous. Before long the more part of the Nephites began to join
up with the Gadianton crowd for protection of their businesses both against
investigation by the government and against the strong-arm methods of
competitors…
“The Gadianton Protective Association soon became the
biggest business in America! Card-carrying members (those who knew the
secret signs and words) (Helaman 6:22) could do about anything they
wanted ‘contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God’
(Helaman 6:23), and thus acquire unlimited wealth and power. Nevertheless we
must not think of the protective association as a lawless outfit. Far from it!
They operated with great integrity, instructing their members in all the
company rules and disciplining them in accordance with those rules (Helaman
6:24). For them the laws of the land were supplanted by this new code of laws.”[1]
(Emphasis mine)
The Nephites joined
the Gadianton Robbers en-mass. They
learned the “secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might
distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant” (v. 22).
Notice how the devil
hides his evil by using the terms used by the righteous. They had secret signs and words. They entered into covenants. Their society, in effect, became a counterfeit
religion. This “religion” was run by
Satan.
Victor Ludlow
explains:
“The secret bands seek to escape punishment for their
immoral and illegal acts, but they also threaten and murder any who betray
their own negative oaths. Often disguised as regular, even exemplary,
members of society, they appear harmless, even virtuous. They seek to reward
their members with positions of wealth and power. Rather than focusing on the
long-term, spiritual consequences of their actions, they promise temporal
rewards and riches. Their incentive is the antithesis of ‘seek ye first
the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto
you’ (Matthew 6:33). Instead they promise: ‘Take what you can now, through
whatever wicked means, and establish your kingdom here’ (see, for example,
Helaman 6:21—22; and 3 Nephi 6:28; 7:11).”[2]
(Emphasis mine)
24 And whosoever of those who belonged to their band
should reveal unto the world of their wickedness and their abominations, should
be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws
of their wickedness, which had been given by Gadianton and Kishkumen. 25
Now behold, it is these secret oaths and covenants which Alma commanded his
son should not go forth unto the world, lest they should be a means of
bringing down the people unto destruction.
Helaman 6:24 – 25 (Emphasis mine)
One way the secret combination was destroying society was
that they ignored the law of the land.
If a “law” was broken, the person was “tried, not according to the laws
of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness” (v. 24). This created two societies within one. Society could not help but be seriously
divided.
When Alma2 gave Helaman2 the records,
he gave him specific instructions concerning these oaths and covenants. Helaman2 was told that he should “retain
all their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret
abominations; yea, and all their signs and their wonders ye shall keep from
this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure they should fall into
darkness also and be destroyed” (Alma 37:27).
As we will see, even without the records, the source of all evil would make sure they were revealed.
[1] The
Way of the Wicked, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed July 10, 2012.
[2] Covenant
Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Victor L. Ludlow, Provo,
Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed July 10, 2012.
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