The righteous hunted them, they searched out their deceptions and ferreted out those who pretended to be their friends but secretly, sought their destruction. These "conspiracy theorists" were undaunted and exposed their plans to the light of day. The wicked (who felt themselves righteous) held up those that secretly sought their destruction as heroes, honorable men, even philanthropists. They benefitted personally in their careers, social rank and national security (albeit temporarily) from the Whore. They believed in and loved the lie. They saw anyone attempting to disturb this order as dangerous, mentally unstable, and really, worthy of death. "And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gaddianton, and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers were utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites. And it came to pass that on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works, and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations. And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet, and smite, and rend, and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek and humble followers of God. And thus we see that they were in an awful state and ripening for an everlasting destruction."