Cultural: The over-king, noted in verse one as the “king of the Lamanites,” sends a proclamation allowing the Nephite missionaries free passage and the ability to preach. He does not authorize a new state religion, even though he has been converted. Whatever his religious feelings, this king realized that he was unable to make a sweeping decree that could change the religion of his people. First, he would have understood that the gospel requires that each person make such an important decision for himself. Second, he would have realized that the loose confederation of city-states over which he ruled could not be governed by fiat. Each had its own governmental structure, and while he could influence them, he could not change them.