Helaman 1:9-13

Brant Gardner

Rather than armed rebellion, such as was undertaken in previous attempts to change the government, this attempt uses stealth and murder. Mormon introduces us to Kishkumen, a man with a very Jaredite name. Mormon uses Jaredite names to highlight actors in the story who are opposed to Nephite ideals, and Kishkumen will be more than just opposed to Nephite ideals. He will form the band that, from this time forward, Mormon will call Gadianton.

We will not learn until Moroni (Mormon’s son) adds the book of Ether, that covenants of secrecy, with the purpose of destroying governments by means of murder, will be a hallmark of the ancient Jaredites. But Mormon knows that, and he will use that Jaredite trait to connect Nephite history to the destruction of the Jaredites through these destructive secret covenants, or secret combinations.

Book of Mormon Minute

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