It similar to the question, "if you could do just one exercise, what would you do?" And you have all these answers, it is the squat, no, it is the deadlift, please guys it is the power clean. It is not a useful question because you will never be in the position of choosing just one exercise to be done for the next month, year or decade.

Memorization is important and understanding is important, and the two are not in any conflict whatsoever.