judgement-seat by Gadianton's band. 25 BC: The people become more wicked. Gadianton's robbers prosper, especially among the Nephites. 24 BC: The Lamanites drive the Gadianton robbers from their lands. The Nephites build up and support the robbers and their secret combinations. The Gadianton robbers obtain control of the Nephite government. Between 23 and 14 BC, Zarahemla Nephi returns to Zarahemla. Nephi preaches that the people must repent or perish. He miraculously announces the murder of Seezoram, the chief judge. He and others are imprisoned until he miraculously names the murderer. 19 BC: There are "wars throughout all the land among the people of Nephi" (). Nephi prays for famine, rather than war. 18-17 BC: The destruction continues, despite increasing difficulties from famine. 16 BC: The people, about to perish from famine, cease fighting. Nephi prays for rain and the Lord grants Nephi's petition. The Nephites recover from the famine and enjoy peace for a short time. Between 13 and 7 BC, throughout the land Gadianton's band increases in numbers. They "make great havoc, yea, even great destruction among the people of Nephi, and also among the people of the Lamanites" (). The robbers defy the armies of the Nephites and the Lamanites. The people grow more wicked. Between 6 and 5 BC, Zarahemla Samuel, a Lamanite prophet, prophesies the destruction of the Nephites if they do not repent. He predicts signs of Christ's birth and death. Nephi baptizes those who believe Samuel's message. Samuel cannot be harmed by arrows or stones, nor can he be taken. Samuel departs from Zarahemla. Between 2 and 1 BC, Zarahemla The signs indicating Christ's birth, foretold by Samuel and other prophets, begin to be fulfilled. The unbelievers deny the validity of the signs. 1 BC, Zarahemla Third Nephi begins. Lachoneus is chief judge. Nephi, son of Helaman, departs. Nephi, son of Nephi, is given charge of the records. There is a great division over the signs of Christ's birth. A date is given where, unless the signs are all fulfilled, the believers will be put to death. From the birth of Christ to His death AD 1, Zarahemla The sign of Christ's birth, a day and a night and a day with no darkness, is given on the eve of the day specified for the destruction of the believers. A new star appears. AD 9: The Nephites begin to set their calendars according to