3 Nephi 2:12

therefore all the Lamanites which had become converted unto the Lord, did unite with their brethren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the safety of their lives, and their women and their children, to take up arms against those Gadianton robbers; yea, and also to maintain their rights, and their privileges of their church, and of their worship, and their freedom, and their liberty.

All the Lamanites who had become believers in the Lord joined with their Nephite brothers. They were forced to take up weapons against those Gadianton robbers. They had to protect their lives and their women and children. They also had to protect their rights. They had to protect the freedom of their church and their worship and their liberty.

All the Lamanites who had converted to the Lord joined forces with their Nephite brothers. For the safety of their lives, their women, and their children, they were forced to fight the Gadianton robbers. They fought to protect their rights, their church, their worship, their freedom, and their way of life.