Remember Me, O My God

The final chapter in Nehemiah’s book recounts five religious practices that had to be corrected as the children of Israel reestablished themselves in the promised land after the Babylonian captivity:

1. Separate the Moabites and the Ammonites from the Israelites, according to the instructions in Deuteronomy 23:3 (v. 1-3)
2. Don’t defile the temple by letting a relative of the high priest live there (v. 4-9)
3. Pay tithing, so that the Levites have sustenance (v. 10-14)
4. Sanctify the sabbath day, by not transacting business on it (v. 15-22)
5. Don’t marry outside of the covenant (v. 23-29)

The remediations escalate. On the first one, the people appear to self-correct. The second one involved Nehemiah removing the objectionable objects from the temple. By the fifth one, he was cursing people and plucking off their hair (v. 25). After recounting each of the final three incidents, Nehemiah offers a variation of a prayer, which becomes something of a refrain for the chapter as a whole:

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

Nehemiah 13:14; see also v. 22, 31

Prayer is good, but as I read these refrains, they sound desperate and anxious, like a man who hopes he’s done the right thing and that he’ll get credit for it.

Book of Mormon prophet Alma faced similar issues of non-compliance with God’s law, but he handled them differently. When he became aware that some church members were influencing others to sin, he “was troubled in his spirit” (Mosiah 26:10). He tried referring those cases to the king, who responded that this was an ecclesiastical matter, and that Alma would have to handle it as high priest over the church. “The spirit of Alma was again troubled.” What did he do? “He went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter.” Why? “For he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God” (Mosiah 26:13).

I can imagine Alma worrying about all of the people involved: the accused as well as the victims. After all, his own son was one of the perpetrators (see Mosiah 27:8-10). The answer he received from God was measured and merciful. Anyone who confesses and repents should be forgiven. Those who choose not to follow the guidance of the church should not be church members anymore, but the church should err on the side of forgiveness: “As often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me” (Mosiah 26:30).

Jesus would later give similar guidance as He taught about ordinances in the church. Baptism should be performed according to His instructions, so that they could stop arguing. “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me” (3 Nephi 11:28-29). The sacrament should not be administered to those who are unworthy. “Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out from among you, but ye shall minister unto him and shall pray for him” (3 Nephi 18:30). The Savior reminded them that He had welcomed them all:

Ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation.

3 Nephi 18:25

So yes, some things must be kept sacred. The Savior Himself overthrew the moneychangers’ tables in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13), in an event that’s reminiscent of scenes 2 and 4 above. He also quoted Malachi’s admonition, which is similar to scene 3. (See 3 Nephi 24:8-11.) But His primary focus was on ministering to those in need. Immediately after He overthrew the tables, “the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them” (Matthew 21:14).

Nehemiah wanted to follow God’s law, but I wonder if he might have been more successful in his ministry if he had adopted Alma’s approach: Think through all sides of the issue, everyone who might be affected by your actions. Then, pray for guidance, not just for ratification of your actions. If he had been more troubled — not only by the disobedience to God’s instructions but also by the likely impact of the remediation — He might still have corrected the infractions, but less harshly, more peacefully. And instead of begging for God’s approval, he might have heard the same reassuring words God spoke to Alma:

Because thou hast inquired of me concerning the transgressor, thou art blessed.
Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my sheep.

Mosiah 26:19-20

Today I will strive to resolve issues — even serious issues involving compliance with God’s law — in a Christlike manner. I will remember that God’s commandments are intended to bless His children, and I will be inclusive in inviting all to come to Him and receive His salvation.