THE THIEVES OF PEACE

There existed in ancient America a secret society which proved to be the cause of affliction to the Nephites and Lamanites alike. The founder of this society was a man called Gadianton but the principles that upheld his society were of a far more ancient date (3 Nephi 3:9, Moses 5:29-31). Indeed the mastermind behind the whole operation was far more clever, apt and evil than Gadianton could ever hope to be. He was and is a thief in the night who comes to 'steal, kill and destroy' (John 10:10) and uses mortal men as his puppets to wreak destruction upon individuals, societies and nations. We know this personage as Lucifer, Satan and the Devil. We see him in the obviously destructive paths such as drugs, sexual depravities and murderous dispositions among individuals and leaders of nations and terrorists. However, his methods of destruction are subtle more often than not for he also moves in respectable circles and hides behind deceptive and seemingly good elements that form the fabric of a society.

Just eight years prior to Christ's visit to the ancient America this band of Gadianton robbers, under the leadership of Giddianhi sought to annihilate the Nephite nation. Under the guise of politeness and goodwill, and using flattery, feigning concern and making false promises, he wrote to Lachoneus, the governor of the land and demanded the surrender of the Nephites and their lands. Lachoneus refused and proceeded to prepare his people for impending battle. Lachoneus was a man of God so even though he prepared his people physically, his wisest move was to prepare them spiritually (3 Nephi 3:15,16). The people obeyed and when Giddianhi descended upon them with his armies, their immediate reaction was to 'lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies' (3 Nephi 4:8). When the battles were won and deliverance assured, Nephites' cries once again ascended to the heavens but this time in praise and gratitude knowing 'it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction' (3 Nephi 4:33).

Why was this particular portion of Nephite history important enough to be included in the pages of The Book of Mormon? Because it provides us with the perfect formula for deliverance from the thieves of peace. This formula runs in this sequence: humility - repentance - supplication - deliverance - gratitude. Contrast this story of Nephites' victory with the story of ancient Israel. When the Lord issued commandments and instructions for their conduct at the start of their deliverance from Egypt, He assured them that He will be 'their God' (Exodus 29:45). And He wanted to be, desperately, but Israel was far from being humble and obedient and as a result they landed themselves in bondage over and over again. Their history is a monument to stupidity and obstinence. When they cried for a king to rule them despite all the battles the Lord won for them, Jehovah, the God of heaven and earth, who has all power to deliver both spiritually and physically, out of His infinite mercy acquiesced saying to the bewildered Samuel: "Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them" (1 Samuel 8:7). One cannot even imagine with what heaviness of heart the Saviour would have uttered these words. Those who are His true disciples would understand this because they believe Nephi's declaration that "...He loveth those who would have Him be their God" (1 Nephi 17:40).

We, who live in the modern world, still live with the Gadianton robbers. They infiltrate our society in many ways and seek to destroy our peace. Their labours affect all aspects of human life. They are 'conspiring men in the last days' (D&C 89:4) who harbour evil designs in their hearts for the purpose of getting gain. They do Satan's bidding and seek to "steal, kill and destroy". Their works are secret and the fruits of their labours become the silent thieves of peace resulting in suffering of the populace at large, which suffering comes to us by way of stress, worry, anxiety, depression, financial burdens, grief, sorrow, poor health, bondage of addiction, fear, to name a few. Like Nephites of old, we should know that there is only one sure place where we can find salvation from such destructing forces. The deliverance assured, the formula the same: humility - repentance - supplication - deliverance - gratitude. The recognition of the Lord's power to deliver and our dependence on Him should be the precursor of putting our lives into order sufficiently enough to qualify for the powers of heaven to be released on our behalf. Sometimes we may wonder how we can repent of the very thing that is beyond our capability and that we are supplicating the Lord for. Repentance might not always mean discontinuance of the wrong things we are doing but the right things we are omitting to do, such as more regular and fervent prayer, seeking the spirit, having faith, regular scripture study, or more committed Church attendance. In other words, we must be found doing what we can to qualify for heavenly help. There has to be effort and exertion towards righteousness.

When your moment of retribution came in the garden of Gethsemane, the Saviour saw and felt your life; your pains, your tears, your struggles, your stresses. He knows the thieves of your peace and He has power over them but you must believe and acknowledge that belief on bended knee. In fervor of hope He calls: "Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). We who answer that call know Him as -

The Great Deliverer
The Son of God
The Lord of Hosts

The Lord of Glory

The Son of Righteousness

The Stone of Israel

The Holy Messiah

The King of Glory
The Everlasting Father

The Prince of Peace

The Holy One

The Eternal God

The Saviour

The Mighty One

The Great I am

"for I am the Lord that healeth thee"

- Exodus 15: 26