138 And in the commencement of the sixty and seventh year, the people began to grow exceeding wicked again.
139 For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world, that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodsheds; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches;
140 Yea, they began to seek to get gain, that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder that they might get gain.
141 And now behold, those murderers and plunderers were a band who had been formed by Kishkumen and Gadianton.
142 And now it had come to pass that there were many even among the Nephites, of Gadianton's band. But behold, they were more numerous among the more wicked part of the Lamanites.
143 And they were called Gadianton's robbers and murderers; and it was they who did murder the chief judge Cezoram, and his son, while in the judgment seat; and behold they were not found.
144 And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that there were robbers among them, they were exceeding sorrowful; and they did use every means in their power, to destroy them off the face of the earth.
145 But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts of the more part of the Nephites, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into their covenants, and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another, in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their murders, and their plunderings, and their stealings.
146 And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness his brother should do, he should not be injured by his brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant;
147 And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms, and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God;
148 And whosoever of those who belonged to their band, should reveal unto the world of their wickedness and their abominations, should be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness, which had been given by Gadianton and Kishkumen.
