To fully understand Alma’s charge to Helaman we must once again remember the tight connection between religion and politics. The Nephite polity is built upon the Nephite religion, even though we see clear examples of members of the Nephite hegemony drifting away from the Nephite egalitarian ideal. The internal strife that would be evident in other cultures maintaining a king-base hierarchy could be avoided by the gospel of the Nephites, with its egalitarian emphasis. Thus Alma is not only telling Helaman to preach the moral values of the gospel, but to use the worldview of the gospel to guide the people away from the dangers of the secret combinations, from the internal strife to leadership that was found in the plates, and in the surrounding cultures.
Literary: The admonition to Helaman now becomes a set of commands. The first is a personal command; to remember. Alma is part of a traditional culture, and important understanding of life is contained in the traditions, specifically those that are to be entrusted to Helaman. Helaman is to remember, and to follow the tradition documented in the records.
The second admonition is externally focused. While Helaman remembers, he is to use that remembrance for his people’s sake. Thus he should teach that tradition, which consists of repentance and faith on the Atoning Messiah.