During periods of Nephite righteousness, selection of military leaders possessed of these spiritual gifts was standard practice.
[2] Gidgiddoni demonstrates his wisdom by refusing the people's desire to wage offensive war against the robbers.
[3] Gidgiddoni at their head, the Nephites were able to defeat the robbers and end the life of Giddianhi in AD 19.
In the account of the prophet-general Gidgiddoni, the Book of Mormon offers meaningful guidance about the possible justifications for waging war.
Prohibiting preemptive strikes, even against a seemingly intractable foe, God tells Gidgiddoni to prepare the Nephite people, gather their armies, and wait, instead of hunting the enemy to "destroy them in their own lands."