2002
The Rich Young Man
September 2002

“The Rich Young Man,” Liahona, Sept. 2002, 12

The Rich Young Man

A rich young man wanted to go to heaven

One day a very rich young man came to Jesus and asked Him what he should do to go to heaven. Mark 10:17

Jesus said he must obey the commandments

The Savior told him to obey God’s commandments, to love and honor his father and mother, and not to kill anyone or lie or steal. The rich young man said he had always obeyed those commandments. Mark 10:18–20

Jesus said he must also sell everything he had and follow Jesus

Jesus loved the young man. Wanting to help him, Jesus told him he needed to do one more thing—sell everything he had and give the money to the poor, then follow Him. If the young man did that, he could go to heaven. Mark 10:21

He could not do that and walked away sad

The rich young man did not want to give away everything he had. He loved his possessions more than he loved God. The young man left sad. Mark 10:22

It is hard for those with riches to go to heaven

The Savior told His disciples that it is hard for those who love riches to go to heaven. Not understanding, they asked who can live with God. Jesus said that people who love God with all their hearts can live with Him in heaven. Mark 10:23, 26, 29–30

Illustrations by Robert T. Barrett