Remember Leitworter

Alan C. Miner

According to Ronald Anderson, in Helaman 5:1-5, Mormon explains that Helaman's sons Nephi and Lehi, gave up the judgment-seat to preach to word of God for "they remembered the words which their father Helaman spake unto them." Mormon then cites a direct quotation from Helaman in which he repeats the word remember 13 times in seven verses, thus identifying the theme of his counsel to them.

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 . . . 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. . . . O remember, remember, my sons . . . remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ . . .; remember that he cometh to redeem the world . . . and remember also the words which Amulek spake . . . that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people . . . 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. . . . (Helaman 5:6-12; emphasis added)

By naming his sons after their ancestors, Helaman hoped to instill in their lives a memory device that would trigger their remembrance to keep the commandments and to build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, just as their first parents had. [Ronald D. Anderson, "Leitworter in Helaman and 3 Nephi,." in The Book of Mormon: Helaman Through 3 Nephi 8, According To Thy Word, p. 242]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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