The city of Kishkumen was one of four cities — with Laman, Josh, and Gad — that the voice of Christ declared burned with fire, along with its inhabitants, at the time of the crucifixion. The voice gave the reason as the people’s wickedness in casting out the prophets and stoning those sent to declare to them their wickedness and abominations (3 Nephi 9:10). The destruction came amid the convulsions on the land at Christ’s death, announced by a voice heard among all the inhabitants (3 Nephi 9:1–2).
The city bears the name of Kishkumen, the man who murdered the chief judge Pahoran on his judgment-seat and escaped, then bound his followers by covenant to conceal the deed (Helaman 1:8–12). His band was afterward taken over by Gadianton and became the secret combination of robbers and murderers that troubled the Nephites; Kishkumen himself was stabbed by a servant of Helaman while plotting Helaman’s murder (Helaman 2:3–9).