It is apparent that the Lamanites had been gradually encroaching upon Nephite territory by moving up from Nephi and building Lamanite settlements on the wilderness bordering the eastern seashore. As these settlements crept northward they became a threat to the southeast region belonging to the Nephites. Moroni therefore moved his armies into this region and drove all of the Lamanites back down into the land of Nephi. He then had Nephites occupy all of the evacuated territory. Verse 8 contains an important geographical. It says the land of Nephi extended in a straight line from the sea east to the sea west which would be the place of Lehi's first landing. This is the first indication of the reason why Nephi did not proceed any further east when he settled Nephi. Apparently he had reached the vicinity of the east sea.