Gospel Doctrine Commentary
Lesson No. Twenty-Nine
The Doctrine of Remembrance
The presence of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon is powerful evidence of its divinity – The second verse in the Book of Mormon states that it was written “according to the learning of the Jews” (1 Nephi 1:2). Chiasmus is an ancient Hebraic literary form which was used and understood in ancient Jewish culture. However, it was unknown in modern times until after the Book of Mormon was published. Therefore, the presence of chiasmus is powerful evidence that the Book of Mormon is what it claims to be – the translation of an ancient Hebrew text.
Alma 36 is a most remarkable chiasmus – There are numerous chiasms in the Book of Mormon, but Alma 36, in its entirety, is the most remarkable of all. This is because of the large number of paired and ordered elements that flank the central turning point of the chiasmus. That central turning point is the twice repeated name “Jesus Christ, Son of God” (Alma 36:17-18). Alma’s life, as should ours, turned on his testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. It is our testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God that brings us eternal life.
Alma 37:8 speaks of enlarging our memory – To enlarge our memory is the ability to learn by remembering the experiences of others, and then to be able to internalize these experiences and apply the lessons we learn to our lives. In this way we can become convinced of our need to repent. It will give us increased faith and determination to continue a course of righteousness.
Alma suggests several ways that we can enlarge our memories by remembering:
Remembering to read and ponder the scriptures – The Lord “preserves [the scriptures] for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations” (Alma 37:14). In our dispensation it is primarily in the Book of Mormon that the Lord shows forth his power.
Remembering to give heed to the teachings of our prophets – In explaining his conversion, Alma told Helaman, “behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming on one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world” (Alma 36:17). Alma’s father, Alma the elder was a prophet, and it was this prophet/father’s testimony and teaching that Alma remembered “and caught hold upon this thought” (Alma 36:18). This changed Alma’s life to where he “labored without ceasing to bring souls unto repentance” (Alma 36:19-24).
Remembering our common heritage – The chiasmus in Alma 36 begins with Alma’s council to Helaman to “remember the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions” (Alma 36:2). This chiasmus ends on the same point:
“[God] has brought our fathers out of Egypt, and he has swallowed up the Egyptians in the Red Sea; and he led them by his power into the promised land; yea, and he has delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time.
“Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, and he has also by his everlasting power delivered them out of bondage and captivity, from time to time even down to the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance their captivity” (Alma 36:28-29).
In our day we celebrate our common heritage on July 4 as we remember the Lord’s hand in the founding, colonization, and establishment of the United States. On July 24 we celebrate as we remember the Lord’s hand in bringing our fathers to the valleys of the West, and temples were “established in the top of the mountains” (2 Nephi 11:2).
Remembering to keep a journal and do our individual family history and genealogy – Alma pointed out that the plates of brass contained “the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning” and “that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another” (Alma 37:3-4). That is what should happen with our journals, family histories, and genealogy.
Testimony – Like Helaman we should teach our children and our grandchildren what is most important to remember –
“Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God…Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents (our family name) who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them” (Helaman 5:6-7, emphasis added).
“O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesu Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world” (Helaman 5:9, emphasis added).
“And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come t redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth them unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls” (Helaman 5:10-11, emphasis added).
“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 might 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” (Helaman 5:12, emphasis added).