The Gadiantons are extremely strong, and exercise their might in many parts of the land. As part of their conquests they take back captives. Mormon indicates that they took “more especially their women and their children.” Although the women and children were taken “more especially,” the men were clearly taken as well. If we assume that the Gadiantons are operating under cultural contexts known for Mesoamerica, the capture of men is typically for sacrificial purposes. There were other sacrificial rites where women and children were sacrificed, and it may be that this was to be their ultimate fate as well. Mormon simply highlights the women and children. By highlighting the women and children he emphasizes the wickedness of the Gadiantons.