When the Gadianton robbers threatened Nephite society, apparently the Nephite governor Lachoneus called upon everyone under his jurisdiction ("all of them that were numbered among the Nephites"--3 Nephi 3:14) to gather together and to take up arms to defend themselves. This included those people of Lamanite lineage. These Lamanites were "all who had become converted unto the Lord and united with the Nephites (3 Nephi 2:12). Thus it seems that the "Lamanite" armies that fought the robbers were Lamanites living within Nephite boundaries, and who considered themselves politically numbered among the Nephites. In 3 Nephi 2:11 it is mentioned that the Gadianton robbers had become so numerous, "and did spread so much death and carnage throughout the land, that it became expedient that all the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, should take up arms against them." The robbers were made up at least in part of Nephite dissenters (3 Nephi 2:28) and "some Lamanites" who "were led away by some who were Zoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words" (3 Nephi 2:29). It seems clear that the reader should be careful to distinguish whether Mormon is referring to "lineage Lamanites" or "political Lamanites." This concept is brought out clearly after the war when Mormon refers to the robbers who had been defeated by the Nephites. He says that those robbers who desired to "remain Lamanites" were granted "lands according to their numbers" (3 Nephi 6:3). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]
3 Nephi 3:18 The great commander of all the armies of the Nephites was . . . Gidgiddoni (Major Nephite Leaders) [[Illustration]]: The Major Leaders During Nephite History. [Church Educational System, Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. 160]