That We May Always Remember

That We May Always Remember.
By: Jacob Sok

In my life I have heard many people over the years share what principles or words they live by. Many wise and interesting things have been stated, and left me thinking what it is by which I live my life by. Well after some thought, really there are two main indisputable facts that have guided me through my life being; God answers prayers, and Star Wars is the best movie ever made.....

*** Now taking some liberty here, I just wish to draw one gospel parallel from this film and then I promise to quote scripture.. and rest assured my devotion is to Christianity not Science-Fiction :)
I find it interesting how the Lord can teach us in many ways, individually and unique to our understanding. I recognize at first glance a space odyssey from the early 1970's such as this, may not be inherently doctrinal, but I have come to learn that the Lord uses many means to communicate truths to us, for me I am often drawn to parallels between the gospel I love and things I love as well. So in that same spirit I hope I can use this modern analogy to illustrate a truth very near and dear to my heart, and encourage us to develop spiritual eyes to see the gospel around us in everyday life.***

The Star Wars film entitled A New Hope for me has been a film I have treasured since my childhood. With iconic characters of the young Luke Skywalker and rugged Han Solo or the wise Obi-Wan and of course the frighting Darth Vader. The story, and for those who have not seen it (to which in that case I would recommend you make time for two things this coming weekend, church and time to enjoy the film), tells the tale of young innocent farm boy of a remote planet in a galaxy far far away. Luke is led on a journey by a wise mentor and warrior named Obi-wan who embark with others to  rescue a princess and the galaxy from the evil Darth Vader. Luke in his journey discovers his connection with a binding power called the force that gives him the capacity to face insurmountable odds.  At the center of the evil Empire's military power is a Galactic Battle station called the Death Star that has the capability to destroy planets and threatens the very nature of the universe. It is up to Luke and his band of follower who decide to attack this immense fortification. 

This truly cinematic and iconic scene displays the adventurous battle for peace as the star ships engage in a riveting encounter with the forces of evil.  As the climax of the battle draws to a peak, Luke realizes that their efforts have been rather futile to this point. Just when all is lost he hears in his mind the voice of his since gone mentor Obi-wan remind him "Luke remember the force will be with you always...."to which Luke's hope and abilities are consecrated through this power, in a final victory against the enemy. 

The key part from this film that has always made me think was the pivotal moment when Luke in his hour of need is reminded by his mentor to "remember the force" and that it would be him always.
Interesting, that out of all the things he could have told Luke, Obi-wan tells him to remember something he all ready knew.

Recently it has been brought to my attention again, the importance of remembering.
It my prayer that we may be enlightened as we study this topic.

Whilst traversing through life it is so easy for us to become preoccupied, distracted and misled. The "noise" of the world, is a myriad of competing voices hoping to entangle us into vain and shallow pursuits. Often life's irony is, the more we try and find what we want, we end up forgetting what we are worth.

The Savior constantly is inviting us to remember Him and his plan for us. Prophets of both ancient and modern time have called us to remember the most important things and what our real potential is.

I have often thought what tools does Satan use the most and I have found that in the root of all our covenants is the plea from the Lord to have us remember Him. It stands to suggest that the adversary will do his best to impede every attempt of ours to remember the Lord, as he distracts us, that will one day evolve from distracting to disorientation and deceiving, which leaves us lost.

Really thinking about this truly conniving tactic, shows that Satan really doesn't have to do more that place custom made distractions that can distort our vision of true importance. Even with good things such as academic and professional achievements, hobbies and recreation, and technology, all contribute to his goal and if not bridled can have serious effect on us.

Luckily we do not have be victims of  this pathetic ploy, rather we can remember the Lord. To remember, is often forgotten as what it truly is, a verb. It requires discipline and choice to retain in ones cognition truth, ideas and feelings.
Using an electronic application I found that there are about 784 times in which the the word remember shows up in scripture. It is commandment that often goes over looked. When we enter into covenants especially baptism, we promise to always remember Him, and we in return receive His guidance and spirit.

There is so much that this can do for us. As we remember the Lord we are reminded of what truly matters and all that we are being prepared for. I know that true strength in resisting the adversary comes by way of taking time to remember the Lord and His teachings and more importantly what he has done for you in your personal life.

A Book of Mormon account illustrates this very clearly. In the first book of the Book of Mormon, is an account of the family of a prophet named Lehi. Lehi and his family lived in a moderately abundant life style, being blessed by the Lord, in Jerusalem around 600 BC.  The Lord in His mercy comes to Lehi in a dream and warns him that Jerusalem will be destroyed and that he should take his family into the wilderness and they will be led to a land of promise. Lehi in turn takes his family and departs for the wilderness being guided by the Lord. Lehi had many sons, of whom he tried to teach and raise up unto Lord. It went forth that during their journey Lehi receives many instructions from the Lord, which include the commandment to have his sons make a series of trips back to Jerusalem. First they are commanded to go back and retrieve from a wicked man an ancient record of commandments and genealogy written by the prophets of the old testament. On another occasion they are instructed to go back and bring with them another family the Lord had prepared for the promise land as well. In these trips the boys experience trials and growth and many tests of faith. The brothers named Laman and Lemuel often hardened their hearts and murmured not having enough faith to see the blessings the Lord was preparing for them. On the contrary the younger brothers Sam and especially Nephi were often humble and received with grace the challenges set before them.

In a time of particular hardship as told in chapter 7 of First Nephi, we find Laman and Lemuel who begin to murmur and become angry with Nephi. Nephi returns the complaints with a simple question, "how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us?" this question is varied and repeated many times. Before understanding the power of this question Laman and Lemuel attempt to leave Nephi to die in the wilderness, bound by strong cords. In this Nephi remembers the Lord and in faith pleads for the strength to free himself from the bands. The Lord blesses him and helps him escape. Later the brothers nervously ask for forgiveness and Nephi forgives them and invites them to call upon or remember their God.

This question has provided much insight for me in my life several times. We can grow cold and lonely in the upsets of life, or forget the great love that can be ours as we dedicate ourselves to the enticements of distractions. When I have felt tempted to think I have been forget or the Lord has been silent, I have several time reflected on Nephi's question. By remembering the Lord and those times in our lives where we felt connected, we invite Him back into our lives.

Simply stated we can ask our selves "When we feel forgotten, does the Lord feel remembered?". I know life in all its up and down can be as random and unexpected as anything. I feel my life has been rather "off-script" and left of center field. But in those moments it would serves to try an remember the Lord. I promise as we do we can feel His spirit and learn how to feel that again. Recognize answers we didn't know we had received already. I promise He surely members us.

A beautiful passage as written by Isaiah and quoted by Nephi reads "Can a woman forget her suckling child...yea ye may forget, yet I will not forget thee...I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." (1 Nephi 21: 15-16)

The Savior in all his glory, remained with the scars of His mortal experience to always remember us. The marks in hands represent all of our hopes, our failures and His absolute loyalty to you and to me.  Might we do the same with our trials and blessings, use them to remember Him.

We can remember Him in so many ways. We can pray to Him often. Read His words in the scriptures. Attend church to partake of the sacrament and hearken to council of prophetic voices today.

This simple principle of remembering that provides a healing power, is more than mere wishful thinking, this is a reality and I testify it works. The act of remembering Him is one of the great commandments. Surely when He is on our minds He can make His way to our hearts. I testify healing, understanding, growth and answers come as we make daily and genuine efforts to remember Him.

It is my humble prayer and invitation that we prayerfully ponder even if it be just one way that we can personally remember the Lord and make that the goal of each and everyday. I promise ideas will come and little by little we can remember Him more and more. As we do so we all will feel closer to Him and recognize how He chooses to speak to us individually. May we find ourselves, as He sees us.... that is, worth remembering.




To further your study on this topic please consider the following sources-

- Lest thou forget. By Ronald A Rasband October of 2016 (LDS.org)
-1 Nephi 3-21
- Hymn: Where Can I turn for Peace (LDS Hymnal)

***Note: This article was complied from a talk I presented to a group of Young Single Adults in July of 2016.
{All pictures and paintings found through google imaging provided by LDS Gospel Art collection, and Star Wars images are propety of  Lucasfilm inc.}