Gidgiddoni was the chief commander of all the Nephite armies, appointed around A.D. 16 during the governance of the chief judge Lachoneus (3 Nephi 3:18). By Nephite custom, chief captains were chosen from among those who had the spirit of revelation and prophecy; Gidgiddoni was a great prophet (3 Nephi 3:19). When the people asked him to pray that they might pursue the Gadianton robbers into the mountains and wilderness, he refused, saying the Lord would deliver them into the robbers’ hands if they marched out. Instead he gathered the armies into the center of their lands to wait until the robbers came against them (3 Nephi 3:20-21).
He ordered the people to make weapons of war of every kind and to arm themselves with armor, shields, and bucklers (3 Nephi 3:26). In the fighting that followed, the robber leader Giddianhi was overtaken and slain as he fled (3 Nephi 4:14), and the later leader Zemnarihah was taken and hanged (3 Nephi 4:28). Aware of the robbers’ weakness from lack of food, Gidgiddoni sent his armies out by night to cut off their retreat, placing forces both ahead of and behind them so the robbers were met front and rear (3 Nephi 4:24-26).
The captured robbers were imprisoned and taught the word of God; those who repented and covenanted to murder no more were set free, while those who continued in their secret murders were punished according to the law (3 Nephi 5:4-5). Gidgiddoni, Lachoneus, and the other appointed leaders established peace in the land (3 Nephi 6:6).