When did secret combinations arise among the Nephites?

Thomas R. Valletta

“The earliest mention of secret combinations, chronologically, occurs in the book of Ether [see Ether 8]. Nephite secret combinations arose in their classic form about 50 B.C., once again involving a political crisis within the ruling family and an assassination. When a later attempt failed, the conspirators were obliged to flee (Hel. 1:1–12; 2:1–11). They reemerged periodically, however, to carry out other assassinations and revolutionary acts (Hel. 3:23; 6:15). By this time, the Nephite secret combination had begun to be known—at least, among those who disliked them—as ‘Gadianton’s robbers and murderers’ (Hel. 6:18–19)” (Largey, Book of Mormon Reference Companion, 709).

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