Lachoneus
Encyclopedia
According to the Book of Mormon
, Lachoneus was the chief judge
of the Nephites during the time of the birth of Christ, or AD 1, the 92nd year of the reign of the judges. His reign started at a date unknown but not earlier than about 23-20 BC, the approximate time of the assassination of chief judge Cezoram .
No record of his life prior to the year AD 16 exists. In this year Giddianhi, leader of the band of Gadianton robbers
at the time, sent Lachoneus a letter demanding that the Nephites surrender or be destroyed. Lachoneus rejected the demands and began preparations for war. He commanded his people to gather together in one place and there build fortifications against the robbers, appointed captains including Gidgiddoni
, "great commander all the armies of the Nephites," and preached repentance . The people accepted his leadership and counsel, and the Nephites were eventually victorious .
Lachoneus died about AD 30
and was succeeded by his son, also named Lachoneus.
Lachoneus II is the last Nephite ruler specifically identified in the Book of Mormon.
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
, Lachoneus was the chief judge
Chief judge
Chief Judge is a title that can refer to the highest-ranking judge of a court that has more than one judge. The meaning and usage of the term vary from one court system to another...
of the Nephites during the time of the birth of Christ, or AD 1, the 92nd year of the reign of the judges. His reign started at a date unknown but not earlier than about 23-20 BC, the approximate time of the assassination of chief judge Cezoram .
No record of his life prior to the year AD 16 exists. In this year Giddianhi, leader of the band of Gadianton robbers
Gadianton robbers
The Gadianton robbers, according to the Book of Mormon, were a secret criminal organization in ancient America.-Origins and rise to power:The society was founded around 52 BC or 51 BC by Nephite supporters of Paanchi, an unsuccessful candidate for the position of chief judge...
at the time, sent Lachoneus a letter demanding that the Nephites surrender or be destroyed. Lachoneus rejected the demands and began preparations for war. He commanded his people to gather together in one place and there build fortifications against the robbers, appointed captains including Gidgiddoni
Gidgiddoni
According to the Book of Mormon, Gidgiddoni was a prophet and the commander of the Nephite armies in the war between the Nephites and the Gadianton robbers. He was appointed in about AD 16 by Lachoneus to lead the armies because he had the spirit of revelation and of prophecy...
, "great commander all the armies of the Nephites," and preached repentance . The people accepted his leadership and counsel, and the Nephites were eventually victorious .
Lachoneus died about AD 30
30
Year 30 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Vinicius and Longinus...
and was succeeded by his son, also named Lachoneus.
Lachoneus II, son of Lachoneus
Lachoneus II, son of the above Lachoneus, succeeded his father as chief judge. He reigned for one year before the king-men assassinated him as part of an attempt to establish a monarchy. The monarchy was never established nor a new judge instated; the central government instead crumbled to be replaced by a tribal structure .Lachoneus II is the last Nephite ruler specifically identified in the Book of Mormon.