3 Nephi 3:1-12

In the sixteenth year after Christ's coming, the Nephite governor Lachoneus received a letter from the leader of this band of robbers. The letter said:

Lachoneus, most noble and chief governor of the land, see that I am writing this letter to you. I praise you very greatly for you and your people's firmness in maintaining what you think is your right and freedom. Yes, you do stand well, as if you were supported by the hand of a god, in defending what you call your freedom, your property, and your country.

So it seems a pity to me, most noble Lachoneus, that you should be so foolish and vain to think that you can stand against so many brave men who are at my command. They stand in their arms right now and anxiously wait for the command, "Go down on the Nephites and destroy them." I know their unconquerable spirit. They have proved themselves in battle. I also know their unending hatred towards you for all the wrongs you've done to them. If they came down against you, they would completely destroy you.

That's why I've written this letter, sealing it with my own hand. I care about your wellbeing and your firmness in what you believe to be your right. I respect your noble spirit in the battlefield. I write asking you to give up to us your cities, lands, and possessions. This is better than us destroying you by the sword. Join us and learn our secret works. Become our brothers, and be like us. Not our slaves, but our brothers and partners of all we have.

Now, I swear to you with an oath that if you do this, you will not be destroyed. But if you don't give up, I also swear with an oath that next month I will command my armies to come down against you. They will show no mercy but will kill you all by the sword.

I am Giddianhi. I am the governor of the secret society of Gadianton. I know that the society and its works are good, being passed down from ancient times to us. I write this letter to you, Lachoneus, hoping that you will give up your lands and possessions without bloodshed. This way my people can recover their rights to the government. They dissented from you because of your evil in keeping the government from them. If you don't surrender, I will avenge their wrongs. I am Giddanhi.

When Lachoneus received this letter, he was very astonished at Giddianhi's boldness in demanding the Nephite land. Also at his threats to avenge the wrongs of those who had not been wronged. They had only wronged themselves by dissenting away to those horrible, evil robbers.