The Savior gives the Nephite believers practical advice in conducting religious meetings. First, they are to meet together often. Although others in the community will be unbelievers, they should not turn any away simply because they are not “one of us.” The Nephites would certainly have heard this statement as instructing them to welcome Lamanites who desired to attend their meetings. Although unstated, this instruction recognizes the separation of religion and state that began with Alma1’s reforms during the reign of Mosiah2. However, the Bountiful Nephites are likely in the throes of establishing a new government larger than the individual tribes that were the governing bodies prior to the destruction accompanying the Savior’s death. While these Nephites would certainly remember and honor Mosiah’s reforms, it is not likely that they would have a religion that was separate from their government for at least decades after this experience.
Significantly, the Savior punctuates this instruction with a reference to his earlier instruction that believers should let their “light” shine. As he told the twelve (v. 16), he is the ultimate light. Believers must follow his example, thus becoming a light to neighbors. We cannot be a light to others if we exclude them from our presence.
This inclusion/exclusion of nonbelievers has wider significance for the Nephites than it does for modern Saints. For us, living in a pluralistic society, it simply means that our main worship services are open to the public. For the Nephites, it meant that their communities, comprised of self-selected believers and/or close kin, should be deliberately opened to others, almost certainly a change from their current practice.