Remember

In “Remember, Remember,” Elder Chi Hong Wong (Sam) discusses the five times in The Book of Mormon where the phrase “remember, remember” occurs. One of those references is found in Helaman 5:12. This is the verse on my missionary plaque and one of the first scriptures that affected me. To this day, it is my favorite scripture (more on this later).

The five times “remember, remember” appears in the Book of Mormon can be summarized as follows:

1. Remember, remember that these things are true – Mosiah 2:41
2. Remember, remember to keep the commandments to prosper – Alma 37:13
3. Remember, remember we are saved only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ – Helaman 5:9
4. Remember, remember to build our foundation on Jesus Christ to stand against everything that would drag us down to hell – Helaman 5:12
5. Remember, remember that we are free and permitted to act for ourselves – Helaman 14:30

These Things Are True

Mosiah chapter two is the beginning of King Benjamin’s final address to his people. At the end of the chapter, he implores his people to “remember that these things are true.” What are the things he refers to? Previously in the address, King Benjamin teaches about the gospel of Jesus Christ and that “there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not been taught concerning these things” (verse 34).

I was taught these things starting in the summer of 1977. My mother allowed the missionaries to come into our home and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with us. I’ve related my experience in previous posts about this time of learning. However, I didn’t always “remember that these things are true.” Being imperfect, stubborn, and wanting to do things “my way,” I strayed from the truth. I had to relearn the true things I should have remembered. Even today, I sometimes “forget” the true things, commit mistakes, and have to repent.

Keep the Commandments to Prosper

When I strayed from the truth, I suffered. When I repent and keep the commandments, I prosper. What does “prosper” mean exactly? In Alma 37:13, Alma quotes the promise made to Nephi, “If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.” I think we have a misconception of what “prosper” means. When we hear the word, I believe we immediately think of physical prosperity. We will have a nice house, all the money we need, our children will behave, friendships will go swimmingly, and our business/job will be easy.

However, I believe that “prosper in the land” can mean many things. We can prosper physically, mentally, and spiritually, and not necessarily all at once. For instance, there have been times in my life when I haven’t prospered physically. I was keeping the commandments, but I struggled with work, children, relationships, etc. Looking back, I realize that I prospered spiritually. Through all the hardships, I had the Holy Ghost comforting me. God was there, and I was prospering. Other times, I have prospered mentally. Keeping my thoughts focused on tasks, dispelling negative thoughts, and having a good attitude.

We Are Saved Only Through the Atoning Blood of Jesus Christ

Remembering the true things and keeping the commandments to prosper is only possible when we realize that “there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ” (Helaman 5:9). Helaman is reminding his sons that if Jesus Christ wouldn’t (at that time) come, none of what they believed and lived would be worth anything. There would be no way to return to Heavenly Father. There would be no forgiveness of or redemption from sin. The Plan of Salvation could not work without its central figure, Jesus Christ.

I remember my repentance process when I was overcoming my addiction. There were times when I would picture the Savior suffering in Gethsemane. I could see Him bleeding from every pore. I remember thinking, I caused that. During repentance, that thought was humbling. I couldn’t believe I was worth that much. It made no sense why a God would suffer and sacrifice so that I could be forgiven.

Nevertheless, He did suffer. He did sacrifice. He did pay the price for my sins. The only way that payment is effective is if I repent. The only way I can be saved is because He atoned for me. Remembering that suffering, sacrificing, and bleeding inspire me to try harder. I want to keep the commandments and remember the truth of the gospel.

Building Our Foundation on Jesus Christ

“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

As I said, this is my favorite scripture. It was one of the scripture chase scriptures when I was in seminary. I remember the first time I read it. I felt I needed that foundation, as I had been buffeted by mighty winds, hit by shafts in the whirlwind, pelted by hail and storms, and felt I was being dragged down to hell. This scripture gave me hope!

I have tried to build a strong foundation on the rock of my Redeemer. Some of that building is based on the primary answers. Some of it has been through individual study. Some of it has come from sharing the gospel and fulfilling callings.

This scripture has been an anchor for me, helped me remember where the truth is, the benefits of keeping the commandments, and how much Jesus loves me. It is the most influential scripture in my life. It has always been there, no matter what I’m experiencing.

Free and Permitted to Act For Ourselves

Finally, we have been given agency. We are free to choose the course our lives will take regarding our spiritual salvation. The Plan of Salvation hinges on our freedom to choose. God will not force anyone to keep His commandments, pursue the truth of things, understand that it is only through Jesus Christ we can be saved, and everything else the gospel contains.

I believe everybody experiences those moments where we “just want to do what I want to do.” I mentioned being stubborn, and I was. I thought I could just do what I wanted and everything would be ok. That’s a right we all have. However, it will NOT allow us to live with Heavenly Father. Aligning our will with His may be the greatest lesson we learn. That lesson is to choose to follow God and His plan.

The Sacrament and Remembering

Every week, we get reminded to “remember, remember.” When we partake of the Sacrament, we hear the words “And always remember Him.” Remembering Jesus Christ, His Atonement, His Love, His Grace, His Blessings, His Obedience, His Submission to God’s Plan can help us to remember the things of most worth. They help us remember:

1. That these things are true – Mosiah 2:41
2. To keep the commandments to prosper – Alma 37:13
3. We are saved only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ – Helaman 5:9
4. To build our foundation on Jesus Christ to stand against everything that would drag us down to hell – Helaman 5:12
5. That we are free and permitted to act for ourselves – Helaman 14:30

Every week, we can start our remembering process over. We can be a little better, try a little harder, and remember a little more.