Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/211

Rh Atlantic seaboard, from the coast where the mild Pacific ebbs and flows, from the regions of the southern Andes, the migrating hosts flowed together to Zarahemla and Bountiful, the lands selected as the temporary gathering place. They came with their flocks and herds, their grain and provisions, leaving nothing that would help to sustain the robber bands while they continued to wage their unhallowed war. (A. C. 17.)

When the people reached the gathering place they fortified it so strongly that it became impregnable to their enemies. Under the instructions of Gidgiddoni, the Nephite commander-in-chief, they also made themselves strong armor and shields, as well as all kinds of weapons, so that they might be fully prepared for the day of battle. Lachoneus, in the meantime, preached to them in great power, so much so that they feared his denunciations, forsook all their sins, and turned to the Lord in great humility and devotion. The result was that when the robbers came against them, the attacking force was driven back with great slaughter.

Game soon became so scarce in the wilderness that the Gadiantons began to suffer for food while besieging the Nephite stronghold. In addition to this, the Nephites made frequent attacks upon them. Seeing his armies wasting away through famine and the sword, Zemnarihah, their commander, gave up all hope of success, withdrew from the siege, and formed the design of marching his followers to the most distant parts of the land northward.

To permit the Gadianton robbers to escape would have increased the difficulties under which the Nephites had so long suffered. Gidgiddoni, having learned of their purpose, and knowing their weakness for want of food and because of the great slaughter made among them through the successful attacks of his own troops, sent his