3 Nephi 4

(November 20, 2015)

                The actions of the Gaddianton Robbers is illustrative of what we sometimes see from those who claim to aspire to a honorable goal but in reality seek out power and control.  When the Nephites retreated back into their centralized location, the Gaddianton robbers could have achieved their stated goals (acquisition of the lands of their inheritance).

                However, this was always an excuse and their true goal was to achieve power over the Nephites.  Likewise, whenever there are those who come forward with stated goals that seem laudable, but which require the acquisition of dangerous amounts of power, we should be cautious.  Power, history has shown, is addictive and it leads to horrible conclusions if we ignore those who engage in efforts to consolidate it.