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.
This comes from a sermon by Amulek to the poor people of the Zoramites.
Amulek was from the city of Ammonihah and was commanded by an angel to take care of Alma. They became missionary companions and preached to the city of Ammonihah. The wicked in the city ended up burning the believers and their records, while Alma and Amulek were forced to watch. They were later delivered from prison and continued their missionary efforts.
When they came to the Zoramites, they found that they had perverted their form of worship and cast the poor out of their churches. So they focused their teaching efforts toward the poor people who were rejected by the rich and prideful.
Alma gives a sermon on faith in chapter 32. They use the words of the prophets to teach them about worship and Christ in chapter 33.
Chapter 34 includes the following:
Amulek bears his testimony of Christ and His atonement. Without an atonement all men would perish. This sacrifice will fulfill the Law of Moses. He shall bring salvation to all who believe on His name.
Through this infinite sacrifice mercy can satisfy the demands of justice. However, those who do not exercise faith unto repentance are subject to the whole of the demands of justice. Therefore only the repentant can gain redemption.
You begin to exercise faith unto repentance by calling on God in prayer. Pray for mercy. He then gives some examples of when and where to pray and what to pray over. (Basically everywhere, and over everything.) "...and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually..."
After you have done this, if you turn away the sick and the afflicted, and refuse to give your substance to those in need, your prayer is in vain and you are "as hypocrites who do deny the faith."
Amulek reminds them of the various witnesses they have received and asks them to no longer harden their hearts, but to repent so that the plan of redemption can be brought about to them.
Insert verse 32.
Do not procrastinate the day of repentance. If you do not take advantage of the time you are given in this life, then "cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed."
"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." (verse 34)
By procrastinating the day of your repentance, you are placing yourself in the power of the devil.
The Lord does not dwell in unholy temples.
Remember these things, work out your salvation, deny the coming of Christ no more.
"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 blessing which he doth bestow upon you." (verse 38)
Be watchful and pray continually that you are not led away by the temptations of the devil. He rewardeth you no good thing.
Be patient in bearing your afflictions. "...do not revile against those who do cast you out...lest ye become sinners like unto them;"(verse 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." (verse 41)