As we have seen multiple times, Mormon is much more interested in times of conflict than in times of peace. Perhaps part of the reason is that times of peace so often led to Nephite prosperity, which then led to forsaking God’s commandments, and therefore falling subject to the negative aspect of the promise of the land.
We begin 3 Nephi 3 with the introduction of yet another conflict. Mormon prepared us for this conflict by describing the Nephite turn to apostasy even after the miracle that was shown of Christ’s birth. That they should so soon turn away was sad, but Mormon declares that it was also dangerous, but both apostate Nephites and dissident Lamanites had joined with the Gadiantons, who had become extremely powerful. This chapter begins with the powerful leader of the Gadiantons sending a message to the Nephite government that they should submit, or be conquered.
Verse 9 in this chapter tells us that the letter comes for Giddianhi. Giddianhi clearly knows something of the Nephite nation, for he taunts them with principles that are foundational. He “praises” them for “maintaining that which ye suppose to be your right and liberty … as if ye were supported by the hand of a god.” Giddianhi understands that those are Nephite foundational principles, but he declares them simply ideas, and not realities.