Lachoneus was chief judge and governor over the Nephite land at the time of the birth of Christ, in the ninety-first year of the judges, six hundred years after Lehi left Jerusalem (3 Nephi 1:1).
In the sixteenth year after the coming of Christ (about AD 16), Lachoneus received an epistle from Giddianhi, leader of the Gadianton robbers, demanding that the Nephites yield up their cities, lands, and possessions and unite with the robbers or be destroyed (3 Nephi 3:1-10). Lachoneus was not frightened by the threats; rather than answer the demand, he had his people cry to the Lord for strength (3 Nephi 3:12). He sent a proclamation that they gather their families, flocks, herds, and provisions into one place, build fortifications, and repent of their iniquities, warning that they would not be delivered from the robbers unless they did (3 Nephi 3:13-16). His words and prophecies caused such fear among the people that they exerted themselves to follow his instructions (3 Nephi 3:16).
Lachoneus appointed chief captains over all the Nephite armies (3 Nephi 3:17). The chief commander was Gidgiddoni, a great prophet, since the Nephites by custom chose captains who had the spirit of revelation and prophecy — and the text notes that Lachoneus himself, as chief judge, likewise possessed these same gifts (3 Nephi 3:18-19). Gidgiddoni, the judge Lachoneus, and the appointed leaders established peace in the land (3 Nephi 6:6).
Lachoneus was succeeded by his son, also named Lachoneus, who filled his father’s seat and governed the people (3 Nephi 6:19).