Probably, the small plates used a word close to “gathering place” in meaning, which Joseph Smith translated as “synagogue,” while “or out of the houses of worship” should be read as Joseph’s explanation, based on his understanding of the word he used to represent the concept. Even though the Nephites included a large component of local people, they would still be unlikely to be so numerous that they needed buildings used exclusively for worship, with the possible exception of the temple. Worship would have been communal and typically in the open air. In any ancient culture, the political/economic community would be the same as the religious community. Therefore, exclusion from a “place of worship” would be exclusion from the community. Nephi is telling us that Yahweh’s community is open to all who are willing to have fellowship in that community. (See also commentary accompanying Alma 16:3 and 21:5.)