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 which had been formed by Kishcumen and Gaddianton.
142 And now it had come to pass that there were many, even among the Nephites, of Gaddianton's band; But behold, they were more numerous among the more wicked part of the Lamanites;
143 And they were called Gaddianton's robbers and murderers; And it was they which 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 whatsoever was in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth.
145 But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts of the more parts 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, In 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 which 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 Gaddianton and Kishcumen.
149 Now behold, it is these secret oaths and covenants which Alma commanded his son should not go forth unto the world, Lest they should be a means of bringing down the people unto destruction.