36 Now these dissenters, having the same instruction and the same information of the Nephites, yea, having been instructed in the same knowledge of the Lord, nevertheless, it is strange to relate, not long after their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites—drinking in with the traditions of the Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God.
Our memory is highly dependent on our priorities and on our decisions. That is the message I get from this verse. The Amalickiahites had once been Nephites and had received the same instruction as their former friends and neighbors. Strictly speaking they knew the principles of the gospel. If they had been given a multiple choice exam, I’m guessing they would have been able to answer basic gospel questions correctly. But as they chose to reject the lifestyle and values of the Nephites, their memory was affected in a dramatic way. Strange as may seem, Mormon tells us that these former Nephites became “more hardened” than the Lamanites who had never been taught the gospel. He summarizes their state by saying that they had completely forgotten the Lord.
Today, as I partake of the sacrament and promise to “always remember Him,” I will consider that promise in light of this principle. I will ask myself whether any part of my heart is becoming hardened and whether any of my priorities and decisions need to be realigned in order to help me fulfill that promise. I will recognize that my ability to remember is dramatically impacted by the choices I make every day and I will resolve to live in a way that will enable me to keep that promise.
Leave a Reply