Alma 34: Pour Out Your Soul In Your Closets And Your Secret Places

After Alma is done speaking, it's Amulek's turn. He goes straight to the point: that the Zoramites have to believe in Christ. They must have heard about it before they separated from the church, and they have to believe in him if they are going to be redeemed. 

And now it came to pass that after Alma had spoken these words unto them he sat down upon the ground, and Amulek arose and began to teach them, saying: Alma 34.1

My brethren, I think that it is impossible that ye should be ignorant of the things which have been spoken concerning the coming of Christ, who is taught by us to be the Son of God; yea, I know that these things were taught unto you bountifully before your dissension from among us. 34.2

And we have beheld that the great question which is in your minds is whether the word be in the Son of God, or whether there shall be no Christ. 34.5

Amulek claimed that Alma proved that the "word is in Christ unto salvation". I'm guessing that means, well, I'm not really sure. Amulek also draws on the testimony of Zenos, and Zenock, and Moses to make his point, which pretty much is: "If all of these people believe that Christ is coming, then you should, too!"

And ye also beheld that my brother has proved unto you, in many instances, that the word is in Christ unto salvation. 34.6 

My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words of Zenock; and also he has appealed unto Moses, to prove that these things are true. 34.7

Then Amulek goes on a tangent about laws, which is pretty boring, except the reference to Steve's upcoming book, Every Jot and Tittle.  How did Amulek know that Steve would write such a book? He truly must be a prophet.

In case you don't know where this phrase comes from, it was taken (plagiarized) from Matthew 5:18.

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. 34.11 

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. 34.13 

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:18

Amulek is a big fan of letting your emotions out. Who knows what will happen if you keep your faith all bottled up? I agree with him: It's best to pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save. 34.18 

Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. 34.19 

Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks. 34.20 

Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening. 34.21 

Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies. 34.22 

Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness. 34.23 

Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. 34.24 

Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. 34.25 

But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. 34.26

But, just when you are sure that Amulek is crazy, he starts talking some sense. He reminds the Zoramites to take care of the poor and the needy, or else all of their prayers are in vain.

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. 34.28

So it's time to repent, guys. And no, you can't just repent on your deathbed and get into heaven. It doesn't work like that. If you procrastinate too long, the devil will claim you.

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. 34.31 

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. 34.34 

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. 34.35

So be patient, and bear your burdens, and hold onto a firm hope that one day you can rest from your crappy life. (Really, Amulek? Is that the best you can come up with? That's not a very strong way to end your speech!)

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; 34.40 

But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions. 34.41