With the overking’s protection, the missionary work could begin in earnest. No longer threatened with imprisonment as had occurred in Middoni, many could hear their message. That the overking and King Lamoni had both been converted to this message about Jehovah certainly assisted in opening many minds and hearts.
Very important is the last line of verse 6. Those who were converted “never did fall away.” This was a sincere conversion. There is no indication of whether this part of the text was original to Alma’s record, or if it is Mormon’s insertion. Even if it were copied from Alma’s text, however, it served Mormon’s purposes to include it. Mormon wants to show that the Lamanites can be redeemed, and that they may be truly converted. Doubtless, some of this message is aimed at the Lamanites to whom Mormon is writing. He wants them to know that, despite the traditions of their fathers, they are able to come to Jehovah and be truly converted. The idea that they never did fall away is certainly limited to the individuals who were converted and not to all their descendants, but it is still an important implication of the redeemability of the Lamanites.
Verse 7 uses the phrase “lay down the weapons of their rebellion.” This phrase is repeated in verse 13 below, where it clarifies that these were weapons of war. That is also a characteristic of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. It appears that this laying down of weapons was somehow part of their repentance process. The possible reason will be discussed when we examine the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.