The importance of "remembering the words"

One way I strengthen my understanding of the major themes of the Book of Mormon is by reading different sections at the same time.

Such is the case today, as my personal studies this week caused me to read Helaman 5 at the same time my family studied Alma 30.

This post will attempt to outline the importance of "remembering the words" and the various blessings which are promised to those who do this.

What "words" are we talking about?

Much has been written on this blog about the "word of God."  In this post, I argue that the "word of God" is a symbol of following the living prophet. In this post, Stisa discusses how this scriptural symbol actually describes a process by which the tree of life grows inside us as we plant, nourish, and nuture the word in our hearts.

Furthermore, I've pointed out how multiple Book of Mormon figures prophesy of the enduring nature of the scriptural record. (See this post on "The Brightness of the Scriptures" for all of the examples.)

When we keep these things, we are led to something else that endures:

"do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away" (Helaman 5:8)

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (3 Nephi 12)

The specific context from Helaman 5 is Nephi and Lehi's Father (Helaman-2) reminding them to "remember the words of their fathers."

9 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 Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.
10 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 to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.
11 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 unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls. (Helaman 5)

These messages form the key ingredients of the Gospel:

1. Only Christ can save us.
2. He saves us as we repent and follow Him.
3. Power was given to Him to redeem us, therefore He sends his angels to bring about repentance among the children of men. 

This is a major theme of the Book of Mormon. I'll connect this to other passages in a follow-up part.