Ammon begins by assessing his listener’s current understanding. Although the question about believing that God exists seems very basic, Lamoni “do[es] not know what that meaneth.” There is a cultural/religious difference between Lamanite and Nephite so great and so well-perceived that Lamoni, who has a clear idea of “the Great Spirit” appreciates that Ammon may be using the word in a sense unfamiliar to him. The two men are beginning worlds apart.