17. Beware Lest Thou Forget

Deuteronomy, the repetition of the ancient holy law, contains guides for holy living and spells out blessings for remembering and obeying God.

“Deuteronomy 1—16: An Exhortation to Obedience, Part 1,” Old Testament Student Manual Genesis–2 Samuel (1980), 214–222.
Deuteronomy is a title formed from the two Greek words deutero, “second”, and nomos, “law”. Thus, the title means “the second law”, or “the repetition of the law”. The Shema, which consists of Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Deuteronomy 11:13–21; and Numbers 15:37–41 (in that order), is recited twice daily by all devout Jews as an evening and a morning prayer. In Deuteronomy 11, Moses pointed out to Israel that the children were not aware of all that God had done for their fathers while they were wandering in the wilderness (see Deut. 11:2). He gave them specific instructions about teaching their children (Deut. 11:18–19) and promised them certain blessings if they obeyed.

“Deuteronomy 17—33: An Exhortation to Obedience, Part 2,” Old Testament Student Manual Genesis–2 Samuel (1980), 224–233.
Moses sets the penalty for worshiping false gods. He prophecies that a prophet like him would come (Deut. 18:15). He sets out rules for war (Deut. 20). “Christ is the Stone of Israel. ‘I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.’ (D. & C. 50:44.) Christ is thus the stone or foundation upon which all men must build. Of him the psalmist prophesied: ‘The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.'”

“Beware Lest Thou Forget the Lord,” Dean L. Larsen, April 1991 General Conference.
The concerns expressed by Moses for his people have been repeated by other prophet leaders through all of the gospel dispensations. It has seemed that one of the inevitable side effects that occurs as people apply gospel principles in their lives is that their circumstances also improve. The message that echoes to us from the pages of history and the counsels of the Lord and his prophets is to seek first the kingdom of heaven, to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, and in all things to acknowledge the Lord.