JS and others, Blessing, to , , Geauga Co., OH, 28 Feb. 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, p. 168; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.
You are blessed and shall be above that which your heart has conceived to ask for. You shall wade through much tribulation. Your life shall be preserved, although many shall seek it. You shall speak in many tongues, and hear many speak in your own. You have a great work to perform in a far distant clime from this. You shall see great desolations. You shall see bands of Robbers. like the Gadianton: spoiling and laying waste. Your enemies shall not have power over you. You have to go far East & many shall call you blessed father and look up to such you as such, and you shall be a protector to the innocent. Even so Amen. [p. 168]
The Book of Mormon provides an account of a Nephite group led by a man named Gadianton whose goal was “to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery” in order to “gain power.” Thereafter in the Book of Mormon, the name “Gadianton robbers” was applied to other secret groups that sought power through murder and intrigue. (Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 410, 426, 438, 457–458, 517, 518, 520 [Helaman 2:4, 8; 7:4; 11:24–26; 3 Nephi 3:9; 4 Nephi 1:42, 46; Mormon 1:18].)