Alma 34:17–41

This Life Is the Time to Prepare to Meet God

Have you wondered what it will be like to meet Heavenly Father after this life? Amulek reminded the Zoramites that “this life is the time … to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32) and pleaded with them not to procrastinate the day of their repentance. This lesson is intended to help you in your efforts to prepare to meet God.

The importance of preparation

Think about something you have had to prepare for in your life, such as a test, a recital, or an athletic event.

• What were some strategies you used to help you be prepared?

• What were some things that made or could make preparation difficult?

Recall that Alma and Amulek preached to a group of Zoramites who had been cast out of their synagogues because of their poverty. These Zoramites had not previously believed in Jesus Christ (see Alma 31:16), so Alma and Amulek exhorted them to create space in their hearts for a testimony of the Savior to grow (see Alma 32:27–28; 34:4–6). While teaching these people, Amulek shared something we should all prepare for.

Read Alma 34:32, looking for what Amulek taught.

From Amulek’s teachings, we learn that this life is the time for us to prepare to meet God.

• What are some attitudes and behaviors you would expect of someone who is preparing to meet God?

Take a moment to ponder your feelings about returning to the presence of God. Consider whether you are striving to worthily return to His presence and what could distract you from that goal. As you continue to study, think about ways you can apply the teachings in Alma 34 to help you be better prepared to meet God.

Ways we can prepare to meet God

Many of Amulek’s teachings in Alma 34 help us understand how we can prepare now to meet God.

Choose at least three of the following sets of verses to study, looking for teachings that can help us prepare to meet God.

• Alma 34:17–27

• Alma 34:28–29

• Alma 34:30–31

• Alma 34:33–34

• Alma 34:37–39

• Alma 34:40–41

1. Answer the following questions for the three sets of verses you chose to study:

   • What did Amulek teach in these verses that could help you prepare to meet God?

   • How can following these teachings help us become more prepared to worthily return to God’s presence?

   • What did you learn about the character and desires of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ from the verses you studied?

Do not procrastinate your repentance

Refer to Amulek’s statement in verse 33: “Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end.” Consider marking this phrase in your scriptures.

• Why can it be tempting for some people to procrastinate repentance?

Read Alma 34:33–35, looking for reasons why Amulek urged that we do not delay our repentance.

We are taught that repentance can occur in the spirit world (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:31, 33, 58). But scriptural and latter-day prophets have emphasized how important it is that we repent in mortality. Elder Melvin J. Ballard [1873–1939] of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles provided this guidance:

It is much easier to overcome and serve the Lord when both flesh and spirit are combined as one. This is the time when men are more pliable and susceptible. … This life is the time to repent. (Melvin J. Ballard: Crusader for Righteousness (1966), 212–13; quoted in Dallin H. Oaks, “Cleansed by Repentance,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 94)

• What do verses 33–35 and this statement help you understand about why we should not procrastinate our repentance?

Repentance is an essential part of preparing to return to the presence of God. Remember that the Lord lovingly extends mercy to those who strive to repent, even when they have difficulty overcoming certain sins.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Sometimes in our repentance, in our daily efforts to become more Christlike, we find ourselves repeatedly struggling with the same difficulties. … Don’t be discouraged. If you are striving and working to repent, you are in the process of repenting. (Neil L. Andersen, “Repent …. That I May Heal You,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 41)

2. Answer the following questions:

   • What could you share from Amulek’s teachings in Alma 34:30–38 that could help someone who is tempted to wait until later in life to repent and change?

   • Why do you think repentance is worthwhile, despite the reasons this person may have to not do it?

   • What do you know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that could encourage this person to repent soon and often?

Reflect on what you have learned and felt today about preparing to meet God and not procrastinating repentance. Think about actions you want to take because of what you have studied today. Record your thoughts and impressions in your study journal.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How can I overcome the desire to procrastinate my repentance?

Watch the video “This Day” from time code 0:00 to 1:00. President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency cautioned us that thinking in terms of “someday” can be harmful to our spiritual progress:

What if I’m afraid to repent because I don’t want the truth to hurt my loved ones?

Elder Matthew L. Carpenter of the Seventy explained:

As I have counseled with others seeking to repent, I have marveled that people who were living in sin had difficulty making correct decisions. … I have often heard them share their fear that if their loved ones knew what they had done, they would stop loving them or leave them. When they followed this line of thinking, they resolved to just keep quiet and delay their repentance. They incorrectly felt that it was better not to repent now so that they would not further hurt those they loved. In their minds it was better to suffer after this life than go through the repentance process now. Brothers and sisters, it is never a good idea to procrastinate your repentance. The adversary often uses fear to prevent us from acting immediately upon our faith in Jesus Christ.

When loved ones are confronted with the truth about sinful behavior, while they may feel deeply wounded, they often want to help the sincerely repentant sinner to change and to reconcile with God. Indeed, spiritual healing accelerates when the sinner confesses and is surrounded by those who love them and help them to forsake their sins. (Matthew L. Carpenter, “Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 102–3)

Alma 34:34. What does it mean that the “same spirit” will possess my body when I die?

Spirits carry with them from earth their attitudes of devotion or antagonism toward things of righteousness (see Alma 34:34). They have the same appetites and desires that they had when they lived on earth. (Gospel Topics, “Spirit World,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)