Alma 34:33-36

33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.

36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb.

37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;

38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

39 Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing.

40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;

41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

(Alma 34:33-41)

Amulek continues.

They have received many witnesses. “Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before” (Hebrews 10:15).

“And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.

“And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words” (2 Nephi 11:2-3).

He tells them not to procrastinate the day of their repentance. “But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head” (Helaman 13:38).

After this life, if they fail to repent, there comes a night of darkness. “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).[1]

“What is the ‘night of darkness’ mentioned in Alma 34:33 and Alma 41:77 It is a descriptive name for the spirit world (p. 255). Is ‘eternal torment’ (Alma 36:12) a torment that lasts forever? No, rather ‘eternal’ represents the nature of the torment. not the duration, for it ‘comes from God who is Eternal.’”[2]

At that time, no works can be performed.

“There is a danger in the word someday when what it means is ‘not this day’ … The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. It is that we may discover that we have run out of time. The God who gives us each day as a treasure will require an accounting. We will weep, and He will weep, if we have intended to repent and to serve Him in tomorrows which never came or have dreamt of yesterdays where the opportunity to act was past. This day is a precious gift of God. The thought ‘Someday I will’ can be a thief of the opportunities of time and the blessings of eternity.”[3]

When they face God, they will not be able to repent.

“And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

“Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection” (Alma 40:13-14).

The same spirit which possess their body at the time of death will have the same power to possess them in the eternal world.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.[4]

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid [GR may it not be].

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:14-18).

What did Amulek mean when he said, “that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world”?

“[A] of the passage has led some people to believe that the ‘same spirit’ (Alma 34:34) refers to a person’s own spirit, which they suppose cannot change after death. Occasionally, some have suggested that this means that a smoker, for example, will still have a craving for tobacco after he dies, but that his spirit will not be able to satisfy this craving. However, a careful reading of the next verse shows what Amulek meant. Speaking to these people who had already been members of the church, he declared:

“‘[I]f ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.’ (Alma 34:35)

“From this it is clear that the ‘same spirit’ that possesses the wicked person and will continue to possess him in the hereafter is the devil, not the individual's spirit. Those who do the devil’s will and refuse to repent will come under his power both in this world and the world to come. This is particularly true of those who have already entered into the covenant by being baptized.”[5]

By procrastinating their day of repentance, they will become subjected to the spirit of the devil.

“For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;

“For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

“And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

“And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

“Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment” (2 Nephi 28:19-23).

For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.

At that time, the devil will seal them as his. “And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness” (2 Nephi 9:9).

The Spirit of the Lord will withdraw and have no place in them. They devil has all power.

The Lord, Amulek reminded them, does not dwell in unholy temples. “I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples” (Mosiah 2:37).

“And he doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the kingdom of God; therefore I say unto you the time shall come, yea, and it shall be at the last day, that he who is filthy shall remain in his filthiness” (Alma 7:21).

“And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples” (Helaman 4:24).

He only dwells in the hearts of the righteous. They will sit with Him in his kingdom because their garments are made white through the blood of the Lamb. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11).

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[1] “I must work the works of him that sent me, while I am with you; the time cometh when I shall have finished my work, then I go unto the Father. (JST John 9:4).

[2] Review of Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 3, Alma through Helaman (1991), by Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet., Donald W. Parry, Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4/1 (1992): 144.

[3] This Day, President Henry B. Eyring, April 2007 General Conference.

[4] “For in so doing sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

[5] Scripture Insight, “Do Not Procrastinate the Day of Your Repentance,” Maxwell Institute website.

Alma 34:31-32

31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. (Alma 34:31-32)

Amulek continues.

He told them to come forth and not harden their hearts any more. “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil” (Psalm 37:8).

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Now is the time of their salvation.

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:11-12).

therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

They are to repent an not harden their hearts. “A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way”(Proverbs 21:29).

“Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief” (Proverbs 28:14).

If they do this, the plan of salvation will be brought to them.

“Amulek admonished the people to ‘come forth and harden not your hearts any longer’ (Alma 34:31). This reiterates the major theme of the missionary message—that despite offenses, persecution, and adversity, what matters most in life is not a person's station or situation but how a person reacts to it. The vital thing is to repent because ‘this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God’ (Alma 34:32). According to Amulek, the Zoramite poor could not afford to wait until they were free or wealthy or part of the elite to do what is good; rather, they needed to soften their hearts, obey the commandments regardless of their circumstance in life, and concentrate on the things of God now.”[1]

“Isn’t it wonderful to know that we don’t have to be perfect to experience the blessings and gifts of our Heavenly Father? We don’t have to wait to cross the finish line to receive God’s blessings. In fact, the heavens begin to part and the blessings of heaven begin to distill upon us with the very first steps we take toward the light. The perfect place to begin is exactly where you are right now. It doesn’t matter how unqualified you may think you are or how far behind others you may feel. The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of His light will begin to awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul. The darkness may not dissipate all at once, but as surely as night always gives way to dawn, the light will come.”[2]

Now is the time for us to prepare to meet God. “And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men must repent; for he showed unto all men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents” (2 Nephi 2:21).

“And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God” (Alma 42:4).

This is the day for us to perform our labors.

“Every person experiences many challenges in this mortal life. Each has personal agency to make choices that affect his or her progress. Good choices bring promised blessings, and bad choices always bring undesired consequences. Life is uncertain. Our time is short. Our time is precious. This is the time ‘to prepare to meet God’  Alma 34:32 There is not time to waste in personal experimentation or involvement with those things that have been proven harmful to our bodies and our souls. None of us are perfect, and we all need help. But we are not left alone if we are teachable, with hearts to feel and ears to hear.”[3]

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[1] The Zoramite Separation: A Sociological Perspective, Sherrie Mills Johnson, Maxwell Institute.

[2] The Hope of God’s Light, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2013 General Conference.

[3] Follow the Instructions, Elder D. Rex Gerratt, April 2003 General Conference.

Alma 34:28-30

28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.

29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men.

30 And now, my brethren, I would that, after ye have received so many witnesses, seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance. (Alma 34:28-30)

Amulek continues.

After having given the poor Zoramites a list of things they must do, he tells them there is more. Should they “turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need … if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith” (Alma 34:28).

“[W]ill you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them” (Alma 5:55).

“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates [IE cities, towns] in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

“But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth [HEB needs]” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).

“He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse” (Proverbs 28:27).

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21).

“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias[1] prophesy of you, saying,

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:7-8).

“For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.

“For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.

“For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God” (Moroni 7:6-8).

“For the vile person will speak villany [HEB obscenity], and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail” (Isaiah 32:6).

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate [unfit, worthless]” (Titus 1:16).

“After Amulek talked about prayer, he spoke about something else that is an important element of your conversion—serving others. Otherwise, he said, ‘your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing.’ In other words, to be converted, you must not only open your heart to a knowledge of the gospel and the love of God, you must practice the gospel law. You cannot fully understand or appreciate it unless you personally apply it in your life. Jesus said that He came to serve, not to be served. Christ told Peter that when he was converted, he should strengthen his brethren. So it must be with you. You must look outward and care about others. You can be compassionate; you can be friendly; you can share; you can help others in a hundred small ways. As you do, the gospel of Jesus Christ will become a part of you.”[2]

“When we fast, brethren and sisters, we feel hunger. And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position of the hungry and the needy. As we do so, we have greater understanding of the deprivations they might feel. When we give to the bishop an offering to relieve the suffering of others, we not only do something sublime for others, but we do something wonderful for ourselves as well. King Benjamin taught that as we give of our substance to the poor, we retain ‘a remission of [our] sins from day to day.’”[3]

If we don’t have charity, we “are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men” (Alma 34:29).

“And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

“Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—

“But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 4:16-18).

“It is interesting that Amulek instructed the oppressed poor to care for the needy. This seems to be a warning that they should not begin a new community (as was done before) that would merely change who the elite were. Rather, they were to always care for anyone in need, thus counteracting effects of a stratified society that marginalized segments of the population. Amulek then explained, ‘If ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men’ (Alma 34:29).”[4]

Amulek reminded them they had received many witnesses to gospel truths.

Witnesses are an essential part of the gospel. The Savior’s last words before ascending to heaven after His resurrection emphasized the importance of witnesses. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

When the apostles met to replace Judas, Peter made it clear the replacement must be a witness to Christ and His ministry. “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness [GR must become a witness] with us of his resurrection” (Acts 1:22).

Through the witness they received, they were to “bring fruit unto repentance” (Alma 34:30). “Bring forth therefore fruits meet [GR appropriate to, worthy of] for repentance” (Matthew 3:8).

“And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest” (Alma 13:13).

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[1] “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me [OR regard, reverence for me] is taught by the precept of men” (Isaiah 29:13).

[2] When Thou Art Converted, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, April 2004 General Conference.

[3] The Law of the Fast, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2001 General Conference.

[4] The Zoramite Separation: A Sociological Perspective, Sherrie Mills Johnson, Maxwell Institute website.

Alma 34:15-27

15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. (Alma 34:15-27)

Amulek continues teaching the poor Zoramites about the atonement.

Christ will bring salvation to those who believe in Him. “Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people” (Psalm 3:8).

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1).

“The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14).

This is the intent of the atonement to bring about mercy which can overpower justice.

“Upon hearing the words of Christ, we exercise faith by choosing to follow the teachings and example of the Savior. To do this, Nephi taught that we must rely ‘wholly upon the merits of [Christ,] who is mighty to save’ (2 Nephi 31:19). Because Jesus was a God in the premortal existence, lived a sinless life, and during His Atonement satisfied all the demands of justice for you and me, He has the power and keys to bring about the resurrection of all men, and He made it possible for mercy to overpower justice upon conditions of repentance. Once we understand that we can obtain mercy through Christ’s merits, we are able to ‘have faith unto repentance’ (Alma 34:15). To rely wholly upon Christ’s merits then is to trust that He did what was necessary to save us and then to act upon our belief.”[1]

Mercy can satisfy the demands of justice. Those who lack faith will face the demands of justice. Those who have faith and repent will be saved through the plan of redemption.

“And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also” (Alma 42:15).

“[M]ercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

“For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.

“What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit” (Alma 42:23-25).

“What makes people repent? As near as I have been able to determine, once a person has sufficient faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that he believes Christ has paid for his sins, then he will repent. And it seems that very few, if any, will repent until they believe this truth. Therefore, it is vital to teach the truth about Jesus Christ as the literal son of God and our Lord and Savior and Redeemer in order to bring souls to repentance. Faith in Jesus Christ unto repentance is the saving power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”[2]

To begin to exercise faith, we must call upon God and exercise faith we will receive forgiveness for our sins through His mercy.

“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost [GR perfectly] that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25).

Earlier, the poor asked where and how they could pray if they could not pray in the synagogue. Amulek tells them placed where they could cry to they Lord.

·        Pray when they are in the field over all their flocks.

“For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.

“Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.” (Alma 33:4-5).

·        Pray in their houses over all their household, morning, mid-day, and evening.

“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

“Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:1-3).

“Prayer is one of the greatest blessings we have while here on earth. Through prayer we can communicate with our Heavenly Father and seek His guidance daily. Jesus taught, ‘Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name’ (3 Ne. 18:19). We should pray each day that we will have the power to resist temptation. Amulek teaches us that we should pray ‘morning, mid-day, and evening’ and that our hearts should ‘be full, drawn out in prayer unto [God] continually’  (Alma 34:21, 27). Our daily prayers influence our thoughts, our words, and our actions. In order to retain a remission of our sins, it is essential that we ask our Heavenly Father each day for strength to stay in the straight and narrow way.”[3]

He continues, telling them to ask the Lord for His help in dealing with other things in their lives.

·        Pray to the Lord against the power of their enemies.

·        Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him…

“Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (3 Nephi 18:15, 18).

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

“For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright [OR the upright shall behold His face]” (Psalm 11:7).

“His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever” (Psalm 111:3).

“I told you last Sabbath, and I can tell you again today … that the enemy of all righteousness Acts 13:10 Alma 34:23 never was more formidably arrayed against the Saints than at this very present time. There never was a greater hatred against pure, undefiled, practical religion; and it seems as though every person was our enemy. But if your eyes were opened, as were those of Elijah's servant, you would see more that are for us than all that are against us.”[4]

·        Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

“The people who found themselves doomed to lower-class status in the new land were laborers. Amulek’s counsel to them to pray over their crops and flocks (see Alma 34:24–25) indicates they were farmers and shepherds—possibly the ones who grew the foodstuffs and provided meat for the wealthy. They built the synagogues used by the elite (see Alma 32:5), and they probably labored for the wealthy in other ways as well.”[5]

·        [Y]e must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:5-6).

“I am grateful to Mormon for also including Amulek’s words about prayer to these poor Zoramites who had been forbidden to worship in churches they helped build, and therefore apparently assumed they could no longer approach God. In what can only be described as poetry (at least by me), Amulek enjoins the outcast Zoramites to pray to the Lord wherever they are, whenever they can, over all aspects of their lives. And if they can’t speak their prayers aloud, they should speak them silently … [R]emember that verse after verse begins with ‘Cry unto him’ … In closing this portion of his counsel, Amulek eloquently insists that mortals must also utter private prayers in sequestered places and in their hearts for themselves and others … A sidenote here: I think the word wilderness in this passage can refer to a barren spiritual place or condition as well as to a remote location.”[6]

·        Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

“But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul” (2 Nephi 32:9).

“Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings” (D&C 108:7).

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[1] The Doctrine of Christ, Elder Brian K. Ashton, October 2016 General Conference.

[2] The Resurrection, Elder Hartman Rector, Jr., October 1990 General Conference.

[3] Retaining a Remission of Sin, Elder Keith Crockett, October 2000General Conference.

[4] Practical Religion—Simplicity—Temporal Salvation—Advantages of Utah As a Settlement for the Saints—False Reports, Etc, President Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 4:36, June 7, 1857.

[5] The Zoramite Separation: A Sociological Perspective, Sherrie Mills Johnson, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14/1 (2005): 82-83.

[6] The Book of Mormon: Passport to Discipleship, Marilyn Arnold, Mormon Studies Review 23/1 (2011): 11-12.

Alma 34:10-14

10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

11 Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another. Now, if a man murdereth, behold will our law, which is just, take the life of his brother? I say unto you, Nay.

12 But the law requireth the life of him who hath murdered; therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.

13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away.

14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal. (Alma 34:10-29)

Amulek continues to teach the atonement.

It is essential for there to be a great and last sacrifice.

“And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

“And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth” (Moses 5:6-7).

This will not be a sacrifice of man, beast, or fowl.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:8-9).

“Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without [GR outsides] the gate” (Hebrews 13:12).

This sacrifice must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice. “Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more” (2 Nephi 9:7).

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9).

“The unfathomable extent of Christ’s mercy and His Atonement are explained by Amulek … [He] explains that there must be a “great and last sacrifice” (Alma 34:10). And then he clarifies that this cannot be a sacrifice of beast or fowl similar to those already known to man. It had to be a sacrifice of a God—Jesus Christ. For this must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice. And so the sacrifice was made, and by faith we find ourselves traveling this journey we call mortality. As a result, our hearts are saddened with the unexplained loss of a child, or the supposed untimely illness or disability of a loved one. Single parents struggle to provide financial security and the reassuring influences of the gospel in their home. And maybe most difficult of all is the pain experienced of helplessly watching the suffering of a loved one because of sin and transgression.”[1]

Amulek explains no many can sacrifice his blood to atone for another’s sins. He uses the example of a murderer. Will their law take the life of his brother? No! “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deuteronomy 24:16).

“Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord” (Mosiah 29:25).

“The atoning sacrifice had to be carried out by the sinless Son of God, for fallen man could not atone for his own sins. The Atonement had to be infinite and eternal to cover all men throughout all eternity.”[2]

The law required the person who committed the murder to suffer the punishment for his crimes. It is only “there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world” (Alma 34:12).

It is essential there should be a great sacrifice. Then, there will be a stop to the shedding of blood. The law of Moses will be fulfilled.

“And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings” (3 Nephi 9:19).

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

“Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end” (3 Nephi 15:5).

This is what the law means. “And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled” (2 Nephi 25:24).

“Yea, and the people did observe to keep the commandments of the Lord; and they were strict in observing the ordinances of God, according to the law of Moses; for they were taught to keep the law of Moses until it should be fulfilled” (Alma 30:3).

The Son of God will be this last, great sacrifice. It will be infinite and eternal. “And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross” (D&C 138:35).

“By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them” (D&C 20:17).

“This infinite atonement of Christ and Christ’s divine Sonship go together hand in hand to form the single most important doctrine of all Christianity. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, ‘We view the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ as the center and core and heart of revealed religion.’ The book of Alma declared, ‘This is the whole meaning of the law’ (Alma 34:14).”[3]

“[The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ] … is the central message of all the prophets. It was prefigured by the animal sacrifices prescribed by the law of Moses. A prophet declared that their whole meaning ‘point[ed] to that great and last sacrifice [of] … the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal’  (Alma 34:14). Jesus Christ endured incomprehensible suffering to make Himself a sacrifice for the sins of all. That sacrifice offered the ultimate good—the pure Lamb without blemish—for the ultimate measure of evil—the sins of the entire world.”[4]

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[1] For Thy Good, Bishop Richard C. Edgley, April 2002 General Conference.

[2] The Miracle of the Atonement, Elder C. Scott Grow, April 2011 General Conference.

[3] Our Message to the World, Elder Robert E. Wells, October 1995 General Conference.

[4] Sacrifice, President Elder Dallin H. Oaks, April 2012 General Conference.

Alma 34:8-9

8 And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made. (Alma 34:8-9).

After emphasizing the words of Zenos and Zenock, which Alma had shared, Amulek continues

Amulek testified Alma’s words were true. Witnesses are an essential part of the gospel. “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matthew 18:16).

“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).

“And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day” (Ether 5:4).

“And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (D&C 6:28).

He told them Christ will come among us and take upon Himself our sins. “[H]e shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

“[B]by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12).

“And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else” (Alma 11:40).

that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

He will atone for our sins. We know this “for the Lord God hat spoken it” (Alma 34:8).

“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it [GR All of you drink from it];

“For this is my blood of the new testament [GR covenant], which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:27-28).

“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

“Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself” (Hebrews 7:26-27).[1]

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

“Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more” (2 Nephi 9:7).

“O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world” (Helaman 5:9).

“Saints who respond to the Savior’s message will not be led astray by distracting and destructive pursuits and will be prepared to make appropriate sacrifices. The importance of sacrifice to those who want to be Saints is exemplified by the atoning sacrifice of the Savior, which is at the center of the gospel.”[2]

It was essential an atonement be made. Without it, the plan of salvation would have failed and all would have been lost.

 “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

“For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord” (2 Nephi 9:6).

 “And now behold, if it were possible that our first parents could have gone forth and partaken of the tree of life they would have been forever miserable, having no preparatory state; and thus the plan of redemption would have been frustrated, and the word of God would have been void, taking none effect” (Alma 12:26).

“[W]hy shouldn’t the Atonement be dispensed with altogether? With Alma, whom he thought ‘among the greatest of the ancient American prophets,’ [B. H.]Roberts says it is ‘expedient,’ and in brackets he interprets expedient to mean necessary. The great and last sacrifice must occur, infinite and eternal, for the highest impact on the family of God (see Alma 34:8-14). ‘Even God’s omnipotence must conform to the attributes of truth and wisdom and justice and mercy. But neither justice nor mercy would require nor permit more suffering on the part of the redeemer than was absolutely necessary.’ (TWL, 34.) Otherwise, it would be cruelty, pure and simple. The testator’s blood is the effectual seal of the testimony of the testator (see I Nephi 9:7; Alma 13, 14). Hence came a Lord of life with power of life within himself and power to impart it in a voluntary act.”[3]

The atonement was necessary. Without it, we would all but cut off and be fallen and lost.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

“I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world” (Mosiah 4:7).

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[1] “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made ruler over the heavens;

“And not as those high priests who offered up sacrifice daily, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people; for he needeth not offer sacrifice for his own sins, for he knew no sins; but for the sins of the people. And this he did once, when he offered up himself” (JST, Hebrews 7:25-26).

[2] Are You a Saint?, Elder Quentin L. Cook, October 2003 General Conference.

[3] B. H. Roberts: the Book of Mormon and the Atonement, Truman G. Madsen, Maxwell Institute website.