Just had a thought.
So, in the Alternate time line, Desmond is making everyone remember the original timeline.
But so what? What is the point of this? So, they remember the island and the original timeline. Big deal! Its not like they can "go back" to the island - the island is underwater in that reality. There is nothing to go back to! Unless...
The losties go to the location where the island sank, scuba dive down to the donkey wheel, and turn it.
Personally, my theory about how the island got underwater is that it was donkey wheeled there - (how else would it be underwater with buildings perfectly intact etc.) So, by turning it again perhaps they can make it appear somewhere where it is no longer underwater.
Just maybe - doing this would converge the two timelines/realities as well!