Mormon sets up the conditions that lead to the sermon that Samuel gives. In Helaman 6:1, we learned that “the Lamanites had become, the more part of them, a righteous people, insomuch that their righteousness did exceed that of the Nephites.” That contrast is reaffirmed in verse 1 of this chapter. The “Nephites did still remain in wickedness, yea, in great wickedness, while the Lamanites did observe strictly to keep the commandments of God. Wicked Nephites, righteous Lamanites.
In addition to the shock that readers might have with this reversal of what we have become accustomed to believing, we should remember that Mormon is including the stories he thinks we need to know. He has included the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, who were converted Lamanites of great faith, who were “a zealous and beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord” (Alma 27:30). Mormon wants his readers to know that while the Lamanites might be considered the quintessential enemies in the Book of Mormon, they are capable of hearing the word of the Lord, and become even more righteous than the Nephites. It is an intentionally hopeful message. Modern Lamanites must understand Mormon’s implicit promise to them. He sees their whiteness, not their blackness, to put it in Book of Mormon imagery. That has nothing to do with skin pigmentation, but the quality of the heart and dedication to the Lord.