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Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
114 GAD A city
burned with its inhabitants, at the time of the great convulsions that attended
the crucifixion of the Savior. These people were extremely wicked, casting out
and stoning and slaying the prophets who reproved them for their abominations.
Indeed, there were none righteous left among them, so the Lord sent down fire
from heaven and destroyed them, that their crimes might be hid from His face;
and that the blood of the saints might no longer cry to Him from the ground
against them. Gad is nowhere mentioned except in connection with its
destruction (III Nephi 9:10, 11). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
114 GADIANDI A city
which, with all its vile inhabitants, who had persecuted and slain the prophets
and people of God, was sunken deep in the earth at the time of the Messiah's
crucifixion, and the surface of the land so changed that valleys and hills took
its place. This calamity befell them, to use the words of the Savior "to
hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of
the prophets and the saints should not come up any more unto me against
them." (III Nephi 9:8.) This is the only mention that is made of Gadiandi
in the Book of Mormon; and consequently nothing is know of its situation. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
114 - 115 GADIANTON A Nephite
apostate; the founder and first leader of the robber bands that bore his name.
He is first mentioned in connection with the attempt by Kishkumen to kill Helaman,
the Chief Judge (B. C. 50). At that time Gadianton had organized his band, and
bound its members together by the most horrible and blasphemous oaths and
covenants, to stand by and protect each other in all their treasons, villainies
and crimes. These oaths and secret compacts had not been searched out of the
old records by Gadianton, but that same being who had revealed them to Cain,
the first murderer, had whispered them to him. Gadianton was a crafty, capable
man, full of strategy and cunning; a flatterer, and expert in the use of many
words; and at this time he desired to be elected chief judge of the Nephite
commonwealth. To this ambition his followers gave full consent, as he promised
them that, when elected, they should fill the offices of honor and profit at
his disposal. It was decided in their secret meetings that Helaman should be
slain to make way for Gadianton, and Kishkumen, one of his lieutenants,
was chosen to do the murderous work. He made the attempt, but failed; Kishkumen
himself being slain. Finding their envoy did not return, and learning that the
officers of the law were searching for them, the band, under Gadianton's
direction, fled into the hills and the wilderness, which became their places of
retreat ever afterwards when they were threatened by the more righteous part of
the community—Nephite or Lamanite. (See Gadianton Robbers.) Of Gadianton's
personal life we have no further record. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
115 GADIANTON ROBBERS Of all the
factions that separated themselves from the Nephites, none worked so much
injury to the people as did the bands of the Gadianton robbers. The very fact
of their organization shows the deplorable condition of Nephite society; while
their continuance and growth proclaims yet more loudly and emphatically how
debased the community had become. The
Gadiantons were at first (B. C. 52), apparently, a band of robbers and
murderers, bound together by the most horrible oaths of secrecy and satanic
covenants, to aid and shield each other in whatever sins and iniquities they
might commit. These
covenants did not originate with Gadianton or any of his crew. They were as old
as the days of Cain, into whose ear the Son of Perdition whispered these
bloodthirsty and infernal suggestions. These same secret societies flourished
among the Antediluvians, and had place with the Jaredites and other peoples of
antiquity. In the end they invariably wrought ruin and destruction wherever
they found a foothold. To their abominations can be traced the fall and
extinction of both the Jaredite and Nephite races. As time
went on, the Gadiantons among the Nephites aspired to rule the republic. When,
by their combinations, they could not carry their point at the elections, they
would murder, or attempt to murder, any judge or other officer who was
distasteful to them, and place a more acceptable man in his seat. So fell more
than one of the Nephite chief judges. But they frequently had no need to do
this, for as the people increased in iniquity they could easily carry the
majority or the voice of the people with them. In this way several of their
numbers were elected to the chief judgeship. After the
time of the conversion of the Lamanites by Lehi and Nephi (B. C. 30), the
Gadianton robbers took their place in the history of ancient America. The
divisions then became the righteous Nephites and Lamanites on one side, and the
Gadiantons on the other. And, strange as it may appear, these robber bands
received greater encouragement and attained to greater power among the Nephites
than among the Lamanites; but the fact is, that in that era the Lamanites were
a growing race, while the Nephites were a decaying one. Many wars ensued
between these two divisions, ending sometimes in the temporary suppression of
the robbers, as in the year B. C. 17. But they soon reappeared, as they did
five years after the instance here mentioned (B. C. 12). The most momentous of
all these wars was the one that was waged during the earthly life of our
Savior. It virtually commenced in the second year of His mortal existence, and
continued with slight intermissions until the twenty-first. So powerful and
arrogant had the robbers grown in that age that Giddianhi, their leader, in A.
C. 16, wrote an epistle to Lachoneus, the chief judge, calling upon the
Nephites to submit themselves to the robbers and their ways; to accept their
oaths and covenants; and in all things become like unto them. The presumption
of the robber chief does not appear to have been without foundation, for so
desperate had the condition of the people become that Lachoneus devised and
carried out the stupendous movement of gathering them all, both Nephites and
Lamanites, to one land, where they would be safe by consolidation, and be able
to wear out the robbers by masterly inactivity. In this he succeeded, and the
robber bands were destroyed by privation, famine, and the sword. After the
days of Jesus, the Gadiantons again appeared, when iniquity began to prevail;
and by the year A. D. 300 they had spread over all the land. To their baneful
influence may be attributed many of the atrocities and abominations that
disgraced the last wars between the Nephites and Lamanites. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
117 GADIOMNAH A wicked
city, sunk in the earth in the dire convulsions that occurred on this continent
at the time the Redeemer was cricified. In its place hills and valleys
appeared, while deep in the bosom of the earth were buried its iniquitous inhabitants,
that they might be hidden from the sight of Heaven, and that the blood of the
prophets and saints whom they had slain might no more come up before the Lord
(III Nephi 9:8). This city is only mentioned in the Book of Mormon in
connection with its destruction. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
117 - 118 GALILEE The
northern division of Palestine; mentioned only in the Book of Mormon in a
quotation from Isaiah (II Nephi 19:1). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
118 GALLIM A place
mentioned twice in the Bible and once in the Book of Mormon, the latter in a
quotation from the prophecies of Isaiah (II Nephi 20:30). Its situation is
unknown. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
118 GAZELEM The name
given to a servant of God (Alma 37:23). The word Gazelem appears to have its
roots in Gaz—a stone, and Aleim, a name of God as a revelator or interposer in
the affairs of men. If this suggestion be correct, its roots admirably agree
with its apparent meaning—a seer. The text reads: And the Lord said, I will
prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness
unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may
discover unto them the works of their brethren; yea, their secret works, their
works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
118 GEBA A city of
Palestine, in the district apportioned to the tribe of Benjamin. It is only
mentioned once in the Book of Mormon (II Nephi 20:29), in a quotation from the
prophecies of Isaiah. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
118 GEBIM A village
in Palestine, north of Jerusalem. It is mentioned but once in the Book of
Mormon (II Nephi 20:31), in a quotation from Isaiah. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
118 GIBEAH The early
home of Saul, king of Israel. It was situated within the limits of the tribe of
Benjamin, and not far from Jerusalem. It is mentioned once in the Book of
Mormon (II Nephi 20:29), in a quotation from Isaiah. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
118 - 119 GID During the
campaign on the Pacific coast, in the year B. C. 63, Helaman, the son of
Alma, commanded the armies of the Nephites, and King Ammoron those of the
Lamanites. After the recapture of the city of Cumeni, the number of prisoners
of war in the hands of the Nephites was so great, and so given were they to
break out, assault their guards and attempt to escape, that their disposal
became a matter of serious consideration with the Nephite commanders. It was
finally decided to send a large number of them to Zarahemla, under a strong
escort, commanded by an officer named Gid. On the
second day of their march, the Nephite scouts brought word to Gid that a large
Lamanite force was approaching, on their way to relieve Cumeni. The Lamanite
prisoners heard of the proximity of their fellow countrymen, and in the hope
which it inspired, they took courage and determined to make a desperate effort
for liberty. They made a united break, rushing upon their guards and
endeavoring by the greatness of their numbers to overthrow them. The attempt
proved very disastrous, for most of the prisoners were slain, while a few
managed to escape to the armies of their countrymen. The prisoners having all
escaped or been killed, there was no further reason for Gid and his company to
continue their march to the Nephite capital; they therefore retraced their
steps to the main body of the army. Their
return was most fortunate. For in their absence the Lamanites had been greatly
strengthened, most probably by the same force that passed by near to the place
where the prisoners held by Gid had revolted. Emboldened by this reinforcement,
the Lamanite commander made a sudden and furious attack upon Helaman, which he
was ill prepared to resist. A portion of his troops were already wavering when
Gid appeared. His arrival changed the fortunes of the day, the Nephites were
victorious. They continued to hold possession of Cumeni, but their loss
was very great. This is one of the battles in which Helaman's youthful Ammonite
warriors made themselves conspicuous by their unfaltering faith and unflinching
courage. Later in
the year, Gid commanded a small division of the Nephite army in the battle in
which the city of Manti was recaptured. Helaman, being anxious to obtain
possession of this city, sat down before it with his army, which was but a
small one. The Lamanites, fearing the presence of this force would cut off
their line of communication, attempted to drive them away, and so confident
were they, that they did not take proper precautions to preserve the city. The
main body of Helaman's army retreated before their rapid advance, while two
small divisions, commanded by Gid and Teomer, secreted themselves in the
adjoining wilderness; and when the impetuous Lamanite commander had led his
troops the necessary distance, they surprised the city, overpowered the guards,
and obtained permanent possession at a small cost of life. Gid is no more
mentioned after this in the Book of Mormon. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
120 GID A Nephite
city, situated on the east borders by the seashore, that is, on the Atlantic
coast; apparently not far from the cities of Mulek and Bountiful.
In Amalickiah's great raid, in B. C. 67, through the eastern portions of
the Nephite possessions, he captured, garrisoned, and fortified Gid. He also
made it the depot for the detention of the Nephite prisoners of war. In B. C.
63, Moroni, by strategem, placed arms in the hands of these prisoners, women
and larger children, as well as men, and they, in connection with the Nephite
forces without, overpowered the Lamanites and took possession of the city. The
Lamanite prisoners were used by Moroni in increasing the strength of the
fortifications at Gid, which being done, they were removed, for like service,
to the city of Bountiful. The only other time that Gid is mentioned is in
connection with the missionary labors of Nephi and Lehi, the sons of Helaman.
They first ministered in Bountiful, and from there proceeded to Gid (B. C. 31). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
120 - 121 GIDDONAH A Nephite
of the first and second century B. C. He was the son of Ishmael and the
father of the prophet Amulek. Nothing more than this is known of him,
unless he was the Giddonah, who was the High Priest in the land of
Gideon, which is not improbable. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
121 GIDDONAH The
presiding High Priest of the Nephite Church in the Land of Gideon (B. C. 75).
The only time that his name is mentioned is on the occasion when Korihor,
the notorious anti-Christ, was brought before him and the Chief Judge in that
land. On this occasion Giddonah appears to have acted with great wisdom and
prudence. Finding that Korihor would revile against God, the atonement, the
coming of Christ, the acts of the priesthood, etc., and in the hardness of his
heart would lie, traduce, and blaspheme in a breath, Giddonah refused to be
drawn into a controversy, and simply heard Korihor's outrageous plea in
silence, as did also the Chief Justice. Then, considering the matter was one that
should be submitted to the highest officers in the whole land, they delivered
the imposter into the hands of the proper officers, with instructions to convey
him to the city of Zarahemla, and bring him before the presiding civil and
ecclesiastical authorities, which was done. It is not improbable that he was
the father of the Prophet Amulek (Alma 10:2). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
121 - 122 GIDDIANHI A
Gadianton robber chief and general, who lived contemporaneously with the
Savior. He was a leader of great boldness and ability, and in his days the
robbers gained many advantages over the Nephites. So much so, that the
existence of the Nephite race was imperiled. In A. D. 16, Giddianhi had the
effrontery to write to Lachoneus, the chief governor of the Nephites,
threatening to utterly destroy the people if they did not surrender to the
robbers, accept their secret oaths and become like them in all things. This
epistle, which gives an interesting insight into the condition of the times, is
found in III Nephi, chapter 4. Lachoneus did not hearken to the epistle of
Giddianhi, but perceiving the desperate straits in which his people were
placed, issued a proclamation directing them to leave their various homes
throughout the two continents, and all gather in one vast host, in a place
selected in the lands of Zarahemla and Bountiful, bringing with them everything
that would help to sustain the besieging forces of the robbers. The people
obeyed, and in the trust of the Lord awaited the coming of the foe. In the
latter end of A. D. 18, the armies of the robbers were prepared for the war,
and they began to sally forth from the wilderness and the mountains, and from
their other strongholds, and to occupy and revel in the deserted homes and
lands of the Nephites. But difficulties soon stared them in the face, the
greatest of which was the want of food. As the Nephites had removed everything
edible, the robbers' only source of supply was the game in the wilderness,
which soon proved insufficient. Thus pressed, in the year A. D. 19, Giddianhi
gave command to his armies to attack the Nephites. It was in the sixth month of
the year (September, we presume), that this command was carried out. Terrible,
we are told, was the appearance of the robber hosts. They wore a lamb skin,
dyed in blood, about their loins; their heads were shaven, but covered with
armor—head-plates, as they are called. When the Nephites perceived them coming
they bowed before the Lord in prayer. The robbers, seeing their action, counted
it as a sign of fear, and set up a horrible shout and rushed upon them. The
slaughter was terrible; never had there been so much blood shed in a single
fight since the day that Lehi's children first inhabited the land. At last the
Nephites were victorious, and pursued their foes to the borders of the
wilderness, giving no quarter. Giddianhi himself fought with great courage, but
being weary through his exertions, was overtaken in the retreat and slain. Zemnarihah
succeeded him as commander of the robbers. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
122 - 123 GIDEON A Nephite
patriot, slain by Nehor in B. C. 91. Gideon was evidently born in the land of Lehi-Nephi,
and in the rebellion that occurred in that land against the iniquitous king Noah,
Gideon, being a strong and zealous man, took a leading part. We judge from the
course he then pursued, and the whole tenor of his after life, that he had no
hand in the martyrdom of Abinadi, or in Noah's other crimes. When the minority
of the people revolted, Gideon, being exceedingly angry, drew his sword and
sought to kill the king. Noah, realizing he was about to be overpowered, fled
to the tower near the temple. Thither Gideon quickly followed. The king mounted
to the top, and there his eye accidentally caught sight of an army of Lamanites
in the land of Shemlon. In the terror raised by this unexpected sight, he
appealed to Gideon's patriotism and besought him to spare him. Gideon
consented, and Noah, in mortal terror, ordered his people to flee into the
wilderness from before the advancing hosts of the Lamanites. The people
obeyed their king's command, and with their wives and children fled into the
wilderness. But the forces of the Lamanites, unencumbered with women and
children, soon overtook them. Then the coward king commanded the men to
continue their flight and leave their wives and children to the mercy of the
enemy. Some obeyed and fled; others would not, but preferred to stay and perish
with those of whom they were the natural protectors. Gideon was among the
latter. Those who stayed, in their terror, when the Lamanites drew near, sent
their fair daughters to plead with their enemies for their lives. This act
saved them. For the dark warriors of Laman were so charmed with the beauty of
the women that they spared all their lives. Yet they took them captives,
carried them back to Lehi-Nephi, and gave them permission to retain that land,
but under the conditions that they should surrender. King Noah, and deliver up
one-half of everything they possessed, and continue this tribute of one-half of
their property year by year. Gideon now
sent men to search for Noah, that he might be delivered up to the Lamanites.
They found that the men who were with Noah, being ashamed of their cowardly
flight, swore that they would return; and if their wives and children, and the
men who remained with them, had been killed, they would have revenge. The king
commanded that they should not return, at which they became very angry with
him, and burned him to death, as he had done Abinadi. When the men who put Noah
to death were about to return to the land of Nephi, they met Gideon and his
party, and informed him of the end of Noah and the escape of the priests; and
when they heard the news that Gideon brought, they also rejoiced much that
their wives and children had been spared by the Lamanites. Noah was
succeeded by his son Limhi. Gideon appears in his day to have been an
officer of high standing in the Nephite forces, and a man of much wisdom and
intelligence. In the war that resulted from the seizure of a number of Lamanite
maidens by the priests of Noah, Gideon took a prominent part in bringing about
a cessation of hostilties. It was he who suggested who the men really were that
committed this vile act. (See Amulon.) In later years, when the people of Limhi
escaped from the Lamanites, and returned to Zarahemla under the guidance of
Ammon, Gideon took a leading part, by his advice and example, in effecting
their deliverance, and directing that march. We next read of Gideon when he had
become exceedingly old. He was still actively engaged in the service of the
Lord. He was a teacher in the Church, yet we cannot help thinking that, like
many in these days, though acting as a teacher, he held a higher priesthood.
One day he met, in the streets of the city of Zarahemla, an apostate named Nehor,
who had grown very popular, and, with his popularity, very conceited,
headstrong, and ambitious; he having built up a church composed of persons who
accepted his pernicious doctrines. On this occasion Gideon plead with him to
desist from his evil ways, and strongly remonstrated against the course he was
taking. Nehor, ill-used to such opposition, drew his sword and slew the aged
teacher. For this crime he was arrested, tried, convicte and executed. (B. C.
91.) Gideon's memory was held in great respect among the Nephites, and one of
their most important cities was named after him. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
125 GIDEON, CITY OF An
important city of the Nephites, situated in a valley of the same name on the eastern
side of the river Sidon, and not far from the city of Zarahemla. (See land of
Gideon.) It was named in memory of the aged patriarch, slain by Nehor. In B. C.
82, Alma, the High Priest, made this city a missionary visit, and set the
Church therein in order, after which he returned to his home in Zarahemla. In
B. C. 75, Korihor, the anti-Christ, visited Gideon, and for a short time
taught his pernicious doctrines, but he was taken before the High Priest and
Chief Judge of that land, examined, and sent over to Zarahemla, to be judged by
Alma, the Chief Judge of all the Nephite lands. In B. C. 62, the king-men,
under Pachus, drove Pahoran, the Chief Judge, out of Zarahemla, who
established himself in Gideon, and issued a proclamation calling the people of
the surrounding regions to arms. The patriots assembled at Gideon, where they
were, ere long, joined by Moroni, the Nephite commander-in-chief, with a
large force of volunteers, which he had gathered on his march from Bountiful.
The united forces gave battle to Pachus, recaptured Zarahemla, and replaced
Pahoran on the judgment seat. In B. C.
6, Samuel, the Lamanite, pronounced a woe against the city of Gideon for
the wickedness and abominations that were in her (Helaman 13:15), but we have
no account of the manner of her destruction at the time of the crucifixion of
the Redeemer. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
125 - 126 GIDEON, LAND OF In a
valley on the east of the Sidon was built, during the early days of the
republic, an important city, which was named after the martyr Gideon. The
valley itself was also known by the same name, and is frequently called the
land of Gideon, for we find no evidence to lead to the conclusion that the land
extended beyond the valley. Nearly all that we know of this region is contained
in a single passage (Alma 7:7), which states that Alma left Zarahemla and went
over upon the east of the river Sidon, into the valley of Gideon, there having
been a city built which was called the city of Gideon, which was in the valley
that was called Gideon, being called after the man who was slain by the hand of
Nehor with the sword. From the
references in the historical narrative we incline to the opinion that this
valley lay either directly east, or somewhat to the south of the city of
Zarahemla. Travelers coming from the north are never mentioned as passing
through it on their way to Zarahemla, unless they had a purpose in so doing, as
in the case where Moroni marched from the northeast to the relief of
Chief Judge Pahoran (Alma 62). In the same chapter it is stated that Moroni and
Pahoran "went down" from Gideon to Zarahemla, which, following the
course of the Sidon, would be northward. After the
battle with the Amlicites, in the fifth year of the judges, the Nephites, under
Alma, pursued them until they reached the valley of Gideon, and there the
Nephites pitched their tents. Learning of the approach of an army of Lamanites,
Alma moved his troops towards Zarahemla, in order to protect the capital city. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
126 GIDEON, VALLEY OF See land
of Gideon. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
126 - 127 GIDGIDDONAH A Nephite
general, who commanded a corps of ten thousand men in the last great struggle
between the Nephites and the Lamanites. He, with all his command, was slain in
the final series of battles in the land of Cumorah (A. D. 385), when the
Nephite nation was annihilated. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
127 - 129 GIDGIDDONI A
prophet-general of the Nephites, of the time of Christ; he was commander-in-chief
of the armies of the commonwealth, in the days when Lachoneus, the
elder, was chief judge and governor, and appears to a certain extent to have
shared with that illustrious man the powers of the government. Besides being
one of the ablest military commanders that ever led the Nephites to victory, he
was also a great prophet, and his inspired teachings, wise counsels and timely
reproofs were as valuable in preserving that people from destruction as was his
skill, strategy, resolution and courage as a general. Gidgiddoni was chosen
commander of the Nephite forces the same year that Lachoneus decided, because
of the imperiled condition of the Nephites from the ever-recurring attacks of
the robbers, to gather all the people in the region (A. D. 16). In this
gigantic, almost unparalleled labor, Lachoneus was zealously supported by
Gidgiddoni, under whose direction the assembled hosts fortified their land of
refuge. It was not until the next year that all the people had assembled
together, for it proved a slow and tedious work to bring millions of people,
many for thousands of miles, with all their movable substance, and with a
supply of seven years' provisions. In the latter part of the following year (A.
D. 18), the robbers sallied out of their hiding places in the deserts and
mountains and occupied the cities and lands temporarily deserted by the
citizens. But they found no means of subsistence there, and game soon grew
scarce in the wilderness. Active warfare was their only resort, so Giddianhi,
their leader, determined, if possible, to force his way into the country held
by the Nephites. A desperate battle followed, Gidgiddoni acting on the
defensive; the slaughter was more terrible than in any previous battle betweent
the descendants of Lehi. Ultimately Giddianhi was slain, the robbers repulsed
and pursued to the borders of the wilderness. (A. D. 19). The robbers made no
further attack the next year, but having chosen one Zemnarihah as their chief,
in A. D. 21, he so disposed of his bands as to surround the Nephites. His
attempt was ineffectual. The region occupied by the Nephites was far too
extended to admit of a siege being successful. The robbers also were short of
food. Gidgiddoni perceived that this was his opportunity; time and again
he made successful sorties, slaying tens of thousands of the enemy and
harassing by continual movements those who remained. At last the robbers
determined to flee to the north and there concentrate in one region.
Gidgiddoni, learning of their intentions, and knowing their feeble bodily
condition through lack of food, determined to intercept them. This he
successfully accomplished, thousands of the marauders were slain. Among the
prisoners was Zemnarihah, who was afterwards hanged. The people
continued in their gathered condition in Zarahemla and Bountiful until A. D.
26. Then, taking with them the provisions they had not consumed, and their
gold, silver and precious things, they returned to their old homes. A short
period of prosperity followed, the great roads were repaired, old cities were
rebuilt and new ones founded, and many other improvements made for the benefit
of the people, in all of which Gidgiddoni and Lachoneus were the leaders. His
connection with these labors (A. D. 28), is the last reference made to
Gidgiddoni in the Book of Mormon. The soldiers of Gidgiddoni succeeded in
taking as prisoners all the robbers that were not killed. The word of God was
preached to them, and those who repented of their sins, and covenanted to cease
their evil practices, were set at liberty. The remainder were condemned for
their crimes and punished according to law. This entirely broke up these bands
of murderers and robbers, and peace and righteousness again prevailed. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
129 GILEAD A Jaredite
military commander who contended with Coriantumr for the throne. He succeeded
his brother Shared in the command of the armies opposed to Coriantumr.
Their first battle occurred in the wilderness of Akish, when many thousands
were slain. Gilead remained for a time in the wilderness, watched by
Coriantumr; but eventually he made a night attack on the enemy, and the latter,
being drunken, suffered great loss. Gilead then placed himself on the throne of
Coriantumr, and both commanders busied themselves in gathering men to
strengthen their respective armies. Gilead, who had the sympathy of some of the
secret combinations, received great strength during the two years they were
thus engaged, but he was slain by his own high priest as he sat on the throne;
an evidence of the intensely corrupt state of society among the Jaredites of
that time (towards the close of the seventh century B. C). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
129 GILGAH One of the
four sons (his name is given the second place) of Jared. He was in all
probability born in Asia before his father and associates commenced their
wonderful journey to America. All we know of him is that when the Jaredites
desired a king, he was one of those to whom this honor was offered, and who
refused. From the general summary given us of the character of the people of
that generation, we have every reason to believe he was a righteous man. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
129 GILGAL A Nephite
general who commanded a corps of ten thousand men in the last great struggle
between the Nephites and the Lamanites. He, with all his command, was slain in
the final series of battles in the land Cumorah (A. D. 385), when the Nephite
nation was annihilated. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
129 - 130 GILGAL, CITY OF A wicked
city of the Nephites, which is only mentioned in connection with its
destruction in the awful convulsions of nature that took place on this
continent when the Savior was crucified. By the power of God it sunk and its
corrupt inhabitants were buried in the depths of the earth. No clue is given to
its locality. (III Nephi 9:6.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
130 GILGAL, VALLEY OF A valley
mentioned as the locality of several desperate battles in the last Jaredite
war. The first of these battles was between the armies of Shared and
those of Coriantumr; it lasted three days. The losses on both sides were
exceedingly heavy, and ended in a victory for Coriantumr, who pursued the enemy
as far as the plains of Heshlon. There another hotly contested fight took
place, in which the tide of fortune turned, and Coriantumr was driven back to
the valley of Gilgal. Here a third conflict ensued, in which Shared was killed
and Coriantumr wounded. Nothing is said in the Book of Ether that gives any clue
to the locality in which Gilgal was situated. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
130 GIMGIMNO, CITY OF One of the
iniquitous cities of the Nephites, whose inhabitants had persecuted, cast out
and slain the prophets and saints of the Lord, and for that cause was destroyed
by being sunk, with all its sin-stained citizens, in the great earthquakes,
etc., that convulsed this continent when Jesus was crucified. Hills and valleys
occupied the place where Gimgimno had before stood. (III Nephi 9:8.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
130 GOMORRAH Sister
city to Sodom. Its name is mentioned once (II Nephi 23:19) in a quotation from
the prophecies of Isaiah. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
130 GRAINS The grains
mentioned in the Book of Mormon are wheat, barley, corn and peas. Chaff is also
named. (Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 130
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