Remembering the Past vs. Remembering to Have Hope in Christ

White flower

I Had an Interesting Conversation Today

We had an interesting conversation today in our Sunday School class. It was related to the chapters we have been reading in The Book of Alma. The discussion was about why some people feel that repentance is painful. Many do. I have at times as well. We probably all have. To cut to the end of our discussion, that is the adversary trying to cause you to feel like it is not worth it to improve. It is not worth removing the guilt and shame of past mistakes. It is not worth the trouble or is not needed. None of those answers will remove the pain.

Alma 36 is a beautiful chapter about finding hope in Christ as you repent and see that your pains will be removed. You do not need to be “harrowed up by the memory of [your] sins” any longer. It is written in a beautiful structure of chiasmus. The entire chapter is beautifully laid out in repeating structures that reverse themselves, with the center being the atonement of Christ. Earlier this week, I also shared how this structure works. The picture below summarizes the poetic structure. I’m barely scratching the surface; there is so much to learn here. In short, chapter 36 of The Book of Alma is where Alma tells his son about his conversion and repentance process. The short version of the story is that his father was the high priest when he found himself as an extremely rebellious and “very wicked” man. He was actively trying to not only destroy the church but to drive believers out and lead “them away to destruction.” He was visited by a heavenly messenger, causing him to see the damage he was causing, and he said he “felt the pains of hell” as he remembered his sins. As he focused on Christ and His hope, he found peace and a way to repent.

Alma's narrative of change, repentance, and conversion is presented in a format of enduring beauty. Its structure is a work of art that could be pondered and appreciated for a lifetime. It's a structure that looks like this:

The beautiful chiasmus of Alma chapter 36

Remembering the Past vs Remembering to Have Hope in Christ

When Alma tells his conversion story, remembering is a big part of his story and his actual conversion.  How often are we told to “remember” in the scriptures or by prophets?   The beauty of this process in Alma’s conversion is plain to see.

• (1) - Alma is “harrowed up” by the memory of his sin.

• (2) - Alma remembers his father prophesying of Christ’s coming and his atonement.

Everything changed as he focused on the second memory above and pondered Christ. He then prayed to God, asking for mercy and holding on to the hope of the forgiveness of his sins through the atonement.

• (2a) - He continued to think on Christ and hold to that hope.

• (1a) - He could remember his pains no more; he was no longer “horrowed up” in the memory of his sins.

Repentance is a process, but having hope in Christ and even taking the most minor first step can remove the pain of past sins. Christ tells us his “yoke is easy” and his “burden is light.”  We promise to “remember him always” as we take the sacrament and continue or renew our baptism covenants each week. Alma shows us the effect of that in a beautiful way here.

How Do We Wash Ourselves Clean

Let’s look at this from another scripture source. Isaiah tells us what it takes to wash ourselves clean. He tells us it is more than just not doing a bad thing as if life were made up of checklists or simple dos and don’ts. We must also watch over and love others. We are asked to do the Lord's work. Notice the two red circles on the graphic from Alma Chapter 36 above. Alma did this by spending the rest of his life helping others find Christ.

As I read Isaiah's words, I’m reminded of the “two great commandments” from Matthew 22. Jesus told us we must love God with our hearts, minds, and might, and then we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. There is a remarkable parallel here as he teaches us how to wash ourselves clean. Other translations of Isaiah 1 can help us understand due to how the words are translated. I have used the NSRVUE and the NLV to help me understand.

Isaiah 1:16-17 “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove your evil deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.” NRSVU - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Another translation example

Isaiah 1:16-17 “Wash yourselves. Make yourselves clean. Take your sinful actions from My eyes. Stop doing sinful things. Learn to do good. Look for what is right and fair. Speak strong words to those who make it hard for people. Stand up for the rights of those who have no parents. Help the woman whose husband has died.” NLV - New Life Version

To make ourselves clean, Isaiah tells us to do the following:

• Stop sinning and doing evil things. We must work to repent and improve ourselves daily.

• We must learn to do good. This is not a task to be completed but a lifelong journey. Study the words of the Lord and ancient and modern prophets. Make and keep covenants. Learning to do good takes patience and understanding, just as the Lord is patient and understanding with us.

• We must look for what is right and fair, then speak up to help our neighbors and those around us. This is not just a suggestion but a responsibility. It is also important to remember that we are also told that contention is of the devil. We should not use this verse to go out and fight those we disagree with, but Isaiah is telling us to be involved. Many are hurting around us, being mistreated, or not having access to justice. We can and should be mindful of ways to help without adding more contention to the world.

• We should help and protect the orphans or those without parents or family support.

• We need to help the widows (and the widowers.) We are told in other places to “seek out the poor” - then help them.

Turn to the Lord

Zechariah 1:3

“Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.”

All it takes from us is one small step or attempt to “turn to the Lord,” and he is there for us. He never turns away from us but asks us to take the first step. We must knock, we must listen, we must take even a tiny step in faith, and he is there with open arms. He will not force anyone to follow him, but the blessings he will give us if we choose to, are beyond our understanding. Turn to Him; he will be there with open arms to help us.