Only the repentant can be saved. The way out of destruction remains open, if only they would accept it. As a rhetorical device, Nephi warns the people, using what should be the greatest contrast possible, in saying “it shall be better for the Lamanites” in Yahweh’s judgment if the Nephites will not repent. Despite the massive conversion of Lamanites and their generosity in returning the land of Zarahemla to the Nephites, Nephi here invokes the firm and enduring Nephite antipathy against Lamanites. This bigotry and prejudice was the inheritance of the Nephite fathers, parallel to and just as unreasonable as the Lamanite tradition that Nephi1 had usurped the privileges of Laman and Lemuel. For the Nephites, being compared unfavorably to the Lamanites would have been an affront, something nearly impossible to believe. Nevertheless, it was quite true. Yahweh favors faithfulness, not ancient prejudices. The Nephites as a people no longer followed Yahweh, while many of the Lamanites did and had, furthermore, converted the Gadiantons among them to the gospel (Hel. 6:20).