Gidgiddoni

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Lehi (far right, bearded) bestowing a blessing on his family. At least 21 different figures are visible (inclusive of infants and children). There is a mix of men, women, and children. A man in blue appears to be writing, perhaps transcribing what Lehi is saying. One infant is nursing. Several men have beards. All but the children wear hats or scarf-like head coverings. The fashion and style is reminiscent of nineteenth-century Christian art of Old Testament scenes. There is a vibrancy of color, with clothing in blues, greens, whites, and reds. The family gather in something like a circle, on a green, grassy field. There are tents visible in the background. This is cropped from a full version of the scene.
Lehi Blessing His Posterity, C. C. A. Christensen (1890)
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In the Book of Mormon, Gidgiddoni (/ˌɡɪdɡɪdˈdoʊnaɪ/)[1] is a commander of the Nephite armies in the war between the Nephites and the Gadianton robbers. Chief judge Lachoneus appoints him to lead the armies because he has prophetic abilities. During periods of Nephite righteousness, selection of military leaders possessed of these spiritual gifts was standard practice.[2] Gidgiddoni demonstrates his wisdom by refusing the people's desire to wage offensive war against the robbers.[3]

Gidgiddoni at their head, the Nephites were able to defeat the robbers and end the life of Giddianhi in AD 19. The robbers tried again in AD 21, with a man named Zemnarihah leading them, but Gidgiddoni knew of the robbers' weaknesses and exploited them, making it impossible for them to retreat, and the Nephites took as many prisoners as would surrender, while putting the rest to death. Zemnarihah, however, was hanged.[4]

Finally, after the destruction of the band of robbers, Lachoneus and Gidgiddoni brought peace to the Nephites.[5] Gidgiddoni is not mentioned further in the scripture after this.

In the account of the prophet-general Gidgiddoni, the Book of Mormon offers meaningful guidance about the possible justifications for waging war. Prohibiting preemptive strikes, even against a seemingly intractable foe, God tells Gidgiddoni to prepare the Nephite people, gather their armies, and wait, instead of hunting the enemy to "destroy them in their own lands." This restraint was typical of other Nephite military chiefs who, like Gidgiddoni, were also prophets.[2]

References

  1. ^ churchofjesuschrist.org: "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide" (retrieved 2012-02-25), IPA-ified from «gĭd-gĭd-dō´nī»
  2. ^ a b Johansen, Jeffrey R. (2002). "Wars of Preemption, Wars of Revenge". Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. 35 (3): 236–238. doi:10.2307/45228394. JSTOR 45228394. S2CID 254306814.
  3. ^ 3 Nephi 3:17–21
  4. ^ 3 Nephi 4:13–14, 23–26
  5. ^ 3 Nephi 6:6
Preceded by
unknown, if any; eventually Moronihah
 Nephite military leader
AD 16-28 		Succeeded by
unknown, if any; eventually Mormon


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