KnoWhy #191 - Why Did the Gadianton Robbers Wear a Lamb Skin? (3 Nephi 4:7)

When the Gadianton robbers came to battle against the Nephite army, they had lamb skin about their loins, and they were dyed in blood. Their appearance must have been shocking, for the text declares that “great and terrible” was the sight of them. Under the sacrificial laws of the Old Testament, it was the innocent lamb that was sacrificed with great symbolic meanings. It is likely that the Gadianton robbers used these sacred symbolisms to offend and shock the Nephites. Although the Nephite armies were repulsed by the Gadiantons’ blasphemy, instead of being terrorized, they cried unto the Lord and rose up in faith to defeat the robbers. Likewise, despite how grim and horrifying life’s obstacles may appear today, we too can cry unto the Lamb of God to be given the strength to overcome.