Notice also that Gidgiddoni did not send his armies forth to attack the Gadiantons, but remained “in the center” (v. 21) of Nephite lands and fortified the land against attack. Gidgiddoni said, “We will not go against them, but we will wait till they shall come against us” (v. 21).
Notice how this agrees with the law of God as stated in our own day: “And again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them” (D&C 98:33).