I was reminded today by a beloved friend that some days we need to rely on remembering our special moments because it is all we have. It is the days we feel unloved, forsaken, directionless, and alone in our suffering. My special moments are my glimpses into heaven. They keep me going when I wonder, despite all my knowledge and testimony, is all this worth it….
It would seem that heaven thinks remembering is the way to go too because I don’t think there is a more significant word in the Book of Mormon that is repeated more often than the word ‘remember’. It was an important concept amongst the ancient Israel who used festivals, harvests and commemoration days for this purpose.
King Benjamin spoke of ‘remembering’ 15 times in his speech to his sons and to the people gathered to hear him (Mosiah 1:3,4,6,7,17; 2:40 twice, 41 twice; 4:11,28,30; 5:11,12; 6:3). 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. 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).
Perhaps the greatest example of the importance of this word comes from Alma and 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). Remembering brought Alma to Christ.
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 have in common…….they remembered Christ, always….in all their endeavours.
I don’t want accolades at my funeral. I am hoping that people will ‘remember’ what I have taught them about the Saviour and that they will talk of Him. My fear is that I would be remembered for not enduring to the end. I know remembrance of my glimpses into heaven are crucial for my endurance.
The Saviour died over 2,000 years ago and He is still
remembered by many but many are also trying to forget Him. He, however, will
never forget us…..because….He has graven us upon the palms of His hands and He has worn the crown of thorns on His
head (Isaiah 49:16; John 19:2). In the words of a dear friend Bonnie Lake
Bloomfield:
I don’t know
how the sun remembers to rise,
Or how the
stars remember their places.
I don’t know
how the flowers remember to bloom,
Or how in
spring the leaves fill their spaces.
It’s enough for
me to know who created it,
And I’ll never
be the same;
Because I know
I have a God who loves me
And a King, who
remembers my name.
My King, who
remembers my name;
A mighty King,
who remembers my name!
He is the Lord
of all creation,
And yet, my
King remembers my name.
I’m a small
creature compared to His greatness;
I’m only one
and the same,
But I’ll always
be His, and He will be mine –
A King, who
remembers my name!
I look at the
world today with people
Rushing about
without thinking of why;
Why we’re all
here, and what is life about
And where we
all go when we die.
But I know, and
I’ll ever be thankful
That I know
from whence I came.
I’ll go home to
heaven once more,
To my King, who
remembers my name.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Crown of Thorns by Mindi Oaten)
