“They Granted Unto Those Robbers…Lands” – 3 Nephi 6:3

I attended a community event yesterday evening on the topic of “trust in elections.” During the discussion, I had the following insight: Trust is always a leap of faith. We talk about “earning trust,” but trust is never risk-free. There is always a possibility that our trust will be betrayed. Obviously we should be careful whom we choose to rely upon, but when we are overly stingy with our trust, we shut ourselves off from rewarding relationships and opportunities to thrive in collaboration with others.

For ten years, the people of Nephi had to live in very close quarters because of threats from a group called the Gadianton robbers. (See 3 Nephi 3:13-15.) When they finally defeated the enemy, the surviving robbers were imprisoned. How did they treat these prisoners, who had caused them so much fear and suffering for a decade? They “did cause the word of God to be preached unto them; and as many as would repent of their sins and enter into a covenant that they would murder no more were set at liberty” (3 Nephi 5:4). Talk about a massive rehabilitation program!

Not only did they set the repentant robbers free, but they also provided them with the resources to build a better life:

They granted unto those robbers who had entered into a covenant to keep the peace of the land, who were desirous to remain Lamanites, lands, according to their numbers, that they might have, with their labors, wherewith to subsist upon; and thus they did establish peace in all the land.

3 Nephi 6:3

Was there some risk in this generous approach? Could some of these reformed criminals have reverted to their dishonest and violent ways? Of course. But what was the alternative? How were they going to establish a lasting peace if they didn’t allow their former enemies the opportunity to flourish?

As the American Civil War drew to a close in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln had a talk with two of his generals, William Sherman and Ulisses S. Grant. Sherman asked: “What was to be done with the rebel armies when defeated?” Lincoln replied, “Let them have their horses to plow with, and, if you like, their guns to shoot crows with. I want no one punished; treat them liberally all round. We want those people to return to their allegiance to the Union and submit to the laws.” Twelve days later, Grant met with Robert E. Lee, the general of the Confederate army, at Appomattox, Virginia, to discuss the terms of surrender.

[Grant] later recalled, “the thought occurred to me that the officers had their own private horses and effects, which were important to them, but of no value to us; also that it would be an unnecessary humiliation to call upon them to deliver their side arms.” He therefore added a provision allowing officers to take their sidearms, as well as their private horses and baggage. This permission, Lee observed, “would have a happy effect on his army.” Before the two men parted, Lee mentioned that “his army was in a very bad condition for want of food.” Grant responded immediately, promising to send rations for twenty-five thousand men.

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, 713, 725-726

Today, I will be generous with trust. I will remember that people need to be trusted in order to thrive, and I will be willing to take risks to build strong relationships and establish enduring peace.