Remembering in the Book of Mormon

The word, remember, has been discussed on this blog before. I think this is the latest one, with references to previous posts. It is worth bringing up because the connotation in the scriptures is slightly different from our modern understanding of it. This is especially seen when the scriptures talk about God remembering something. With our modern understanding of the term, the all-knowing God should never have to remember anything, so this whole concept may seem strange.

Bibliical scholar, Matthew R. Schlimm explains

We usually talk about remembering impersonal objects: concepts, ideas, facts, where we put something, where we heard something, or how a joke goes. In the Bible, the verb zakhar is linked more to people than objects. God remembers people, as well as relationship concepts, like covenants. As we will see, people are also called to remember God. Finally, while the basic meaning of zakhar is “remember,” we’re not talking about momentarily recalling a fact. The verb relates to reflection that usually leads to action. As one scholar puts it, “God’s remembering has to do with his attention and intervention, whether in grace or judgment.” Another scholar goes even further, saying, “When God is challenged to ‘remember’ the meaning is better taken as ‘pay attention to.’” So, while “remember” often works to translate zakhar, there are times when it means “reflectively call to mind and act accordingly.”

Out of curiosity, I searched through the Book of Mormon to find examples of God remembering someone or something. I found many, but to my surprise, every single time God is remembering in the Book of Mormon, it is his covenants or his covenant people. No exceptions. I will not quote all the scriptures here but they are found in

• 2 Nephi 29 (several times)
• 1 Nephi 19 (several times)
• Mormon 8:21-23
• 3 Nephi 16:11-12
• Mormon 5:20-21
• 2 Nephi 3 (several times)
• 3 Nephi 29:3
• 3 Nephi 20:29
• Ether 4:15
• 1 Nephi 17:40
• Mormon 9:37

For instance, 3 Nephi 29:3 states

And ye need not imagine in your hearts that the words which have been spoken are vain, for behold, the Lord will remember his covenant which he hath made unto his people of the house of Israel.

Every time God remembers in the Book of Mormon, the wording is similar: It is always about covenants and his covenants people. Consider this example in 1 Nephi 19

15 Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophet, that they no more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, then will he remember the covenants which he made to their fathers.

16 Yea, then will he remember the isles of the sea; yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth.

17 Yea, and all the earth shall see the salvation of the Lord, saith the prophet; every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall be blessed.

18 And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer.

Notice that the Holy One of Israel remembers the covenants and his people in verses 15 and 16 and that Nephi writes this to persuade his people to remember Him in return. When people remember or are admonished to remember something in the Book of Mormon, there is more variation. Often they remember God, but it can also be certain words for instance. Helaman 5 contains a good illustration of the point made in the quote from Schlimm, that "the verb (remember) relates to reflection that usually leads to action". 

5 For they remembered the words which their father Helaman spake unto them. And these are the words which he spake:

6 Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God;

In the verses that follow until verse 12, the word "remember" is used 13 more times. The sons of Helaman are urged to remember their forefathers, the words of King Benjamin, the words of Amulek and to build their foundation on the rock of their redeemer. After all this, we read about the effect on the sons of Helaman

And they did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God (Helaman 5:14)

Because they remembered, they went forth and kept the commandments. When God remembers his covenants, he offers his gospel, restores his church brings forth the Book of Mormon, enables the blessings of the temple, etc. When we remember Him or the things we have been taught, it should also lead to action on our part. We should go forth keeping the commandments like the sons of Helaman.