It is obvious that Nephi and Lehi were out to warn and hopefully convert the Lamanites, Zoramites and Nephites. The very fact that they would go into Zarahemla, the political headquarters of the Lamanites, demonstrates that they were absolutely fearless in their determination to spread the gospel throughout the land no matter what happened. What did happen was rather fantastic. They convinced many of the apostate Nephites that they had made a great mistake in leaving the Church.