TO REMEMBER

I wrote yesterday about God’s admonition to ancient Israel to remember their deliverance from ‘the house of bondage’. This practice was so ingrained in them that they took it to the new promised land in ancient America. Some notable references to this important part of their history in the Book of Mormon are: 1 Nephi 4:2,3; 17:23-42; Mosiah 7:19; Alma 36:28-29.  

Remembering became a legacy amongst God’s people. King Benjamin spoke of ‘remembering’ 15 times in his farewell speech to motivate his people to obedience to God (Mosiah 1:3,4,6,7,17; 2:40 twice, 41 twice; 4:11,28,30; 5:11,12; 6:3).

As I was reading Alma’s instructions to Helaman one day, I expected to come across this familiar scripture:   “O remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation….…” I was convinced it was the advice that Alma gave to his sons. However, this scripture was nowhere to be found in the book of Alma.

I eventually found it in Helaman 5:12, and to my surprise I discovered this advice was given by Helaman to his sons Nephi and Lehi and not Alma to his sons. I then realized why I got that wrong. When Alma spoke to Helaman he also, at one time, began with, “O remember, remember…..” (Alma 37:13). Like father, like son…… The legacy of remembrance passed on from Alma to Helaman was so strong that Helaman named his sons Nephi and Lehi for this very purpose (Helaman 5:6).

Alma used the verb ‘remember’ 6 times in speaking to his sons (Alma 37:13,14,32,35; 42:11). Helaman used it 11 times in speaking to his sons in Helaman 5. Why did Alma put such importance on remembering? This is why:  As he lay unconscious he ‘remembered’ his father’s prophecy concerning the coming of Jesus Christ and when he pleaded with Christ to have mercy on him, he could not ‘remember’ his pains anymore (Alma 36:17, 19). Remembrance played a crucial part in his conversion. I guess you could say he too was delivered from ‘the house of bondage’…..

When we pass on from this life, we hope we will be remembered for ‘something’. None of us want to be forgotten. Nephi is remembered for his obedience, Alma for his repentance, Helaman for his strategic warfare, Captain Moroni for his passionate patriotism, Mormon for his discipleship, Moroni for his endurance, but one thing they all had in common was a firm foundation in Christ.

Our testimony of Him and what we accomplish because of it is the greatest legacy we can leave to our posterity and to the world…..because the memories we leave behind of ourselves help others to ‘remember’ and that remembrance will lead them to courage, good works, endurance and ultimately to eternal life. This is the power of the Book of Mormon and all holy writ…..it makes us remember Christ.  

The testimony we bear, as His disciples, can ensure the world remembers Him…and now more than ever, to prepare to meet Him. Because He remembers us, and He will never forget…” Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me….” (Isaiah 49:15-16)

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Walk by Faith by Chris Brazelton)