2 Nephi 1:16--To Observe the Statutes and the Judgments of the Lord

And I desire that ye should remember to observe the statutes and the judgments of the Lord; behold, this hath been the anxiety of my soul from the beginning.

After Nephi teaches his brothers, their father, Lehi, speaks to them, reminding them of the great things the Lord has done for them and urging them to hearken to his words, to awake from the deep sleep of hell and shake off the chains that bind them. Lehi is old; he is about to die, and he knows it. These are some of the last words he will say to Laman and Lemuel. Twice he tells them to remember here; once in verse 12 and again in verse 16.

This is another instance of the word remember preceding an imperative verb, which I used to think was not much more than a filler that didn't change the meaning. However, as I reasoned on March 29, using the word remember shifts the burden to Laman and Lemuel to remind themselves, to become more independent and accountable for keeping the commandments without having to rely on constant reminders from the Lord and others. Here, Lehi desires that they should remember to observe the statutes and judgments of the Lord, not just that they should observe them. It is their responsibility to keep the statutes and judgments at the forefront of their minds so that all their actions are based on, and in compliance with, God's law.

In the American legal system, law is created in two ways. First, legislatures write laws, called statutes, that citizens are required to observe. Second, courts rule on cases, interpreting the statutes and creating case law. Citizens have just as much responsibility to observe the judgments of the courts as they do the statutes of the legislature. Therefore, judgments and statutes make up the law. So Lehi is telling Laman and Lemuel to remember to observe the law of the Lord, or the rules which define Godhood. If we are to become like God, we must remember (see explanation in March 29 post) to live by the same law. People are free to choose whether they will or not. It has been my experience that when I remember and choose to live by the laws the Lord has set forth, I am happier and more fulfilled. I will continue to remember to observe the statutes and the judgments of the Lord.