Lehi and Nephi began their teaching mission from the north to the south, to the Nephites and then to the Lamanites (vv. 15–16). The order of their preaching was determined by the geographical location of their own people. They were following the order God had prescribed as quoted by Captain Moroni to Pahoran, the chief governor at the time. “The inward vessel shall be cleansed first [the Nephites] and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed [the Lamanites] (Alma 60:23). Those who were converted and returned to preach to the Nephites, from whom they had dissented, were trying to make restitution as a part of their repentance (Helaman 5:17). In preaching to the Lamanites, Nephi and Lehi were blessed (v. 18) according to the Savior’s promise in the New Testament, “it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak” (Matthew 10:19 compare D&C 84:85). Was this also taught in the Old Testament? Their words must have been powerful to convince eight thousand Lamanites to enter into the waters of baptism (v. 19).