Matthew 19:16–30; Mark 10:17–31

“What Lack I Yet?” (Matthew 19:20)

Lawyer asks Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life. Outtakes include the desert landscape, Jesus with the two men/lawyers with his disciples and followers in the background, and some of the images from “Christ and the Rich Young Ruler.”

A wealthy young man asked Jesus what was required of him to obtain eternal life. Jesus lovingly invited the young man to sell his riches and follow Him. This lesson will encourage you to learn from the Savior what He would have you do as you seek to better follow Him.

Advice on how to improve

Choose something you like to do and that you are good at (for example, a sport, a musical instrument, a hobby, a subject in school, or work). Then honestly evaluate your abilities in that activity and your desire to improve by answering questions such as the following:

What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
If you could choose any person to observe you and then give you specific advice on how to improve, who would it be? Why?

Now ask yourself the same questions again, but this time with your spiritual progress in mind (for example, you could focus on your gospel knowledge, your worthiness, your desires for improvement, or your Christlike attributes).

In the New Testament, we learn about a young man who decided to seek counsel from the Savior. Read Matthew 19:16–19 to learn about this young man’s question and how the Savior initially responded to him.

How do you think the Savior’s response to this young man applies to our lives as well?
What do you learn about Jesus Christ from His response?

Read and consider marking the question the young man asked that is recorded in Matthew 19:20. Consider rewriting his question in your scriptures using your own words.

President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) taught:

Every one of us, if we would reach perfection, must [at] one time ask ourselves this question, “What lack I yet?”

(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee [2000], 197)

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil.

The Gospel of Mark adds some important details about Jesus Christ to this account. Read Mark 10:21, looking for evidence of the following truth: Because Jesus Christ loves us, He will help us know what we lack in our efforts to follow Him.

Notice that Mark 10:21 does not mention the Savior vocally expressing His love. Yet Mark wrote that “Jesus beholding him loved him.” Take some time to ponder how Jesus Christ views you and the love that He feels for you.

Read Mark 10:22 to see what the young man chose to do.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained some possible consequences of the young man’s decision.

We are left to wonder what intimacies [the young rich man] might have shared with the Son of God, what fellowship he might have enjoyed with the apostles, what revelations and visions he might have received, if he had been able to live the law of a celestial kingdom. As it is, he remains nameless; as it might have been, his name could have been had in honorable remembrance among the saints forever.

(Bruce R. McConkie, “Obedience, Consecration, and Sacrifice,” Ensign, May 1975, 51)

If you could go back in time and talk to this young man before he decided to walk away from the Savior’s invitation, what would you say to him?

Are you willing to ask and obey?

Close your eyes and try to imagine the Savior looking at you with that same love He had for the young man in this account.

Elder Larry R. Lawrence of the Seventy extended the following invitation and promise.

I would like to suggest that each of you participate in a spiritual exercise sometime soon, perhaps even tonight while saying your prayers. Humbly ask the Lord the following question: “What is keeping me from progressing?” In other words: “What lack I yet?” Then wait quietly for a response. If you are sincere, the answer will soon become clear. It will be revelation intended just for you.

(Larry R. Lawrence, “What Lack I Yet?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 35)

What impact do you think accepting Elder Lawrence’s suggestion would have on your life? What impact might not accepting it have?
What impact does a knowledge of Christ’s love for you have on your willingness to ask this question?

Take some time now to ask God what He would have you change in your life. It could be something that you should stop doing, start doing, or do differently. Then reflect on your life and write down thoughts and impressions that come to you. (If your answer does not come quickly, continue to ask over time with a determination to obey the answer when you receive it. God will answer at the right time and in the best way for you.)

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How are the Savior’s invitations to repent a sign of His love?

Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Seventy taught:

If we are humble, we will welcome the Lord’s invitations to repent, to sacrifice, and to serve as evidence of His perfect love for us. After all, an invitation to repent is also an invitation to receive the wonderful gift of forgiveness and peace.

(S. Mark Palmer, “Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 116)

Is it good to continuously worry about our shortcomings?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

Am I doing enough? What else should I be doing? The action we take in response to these questions is central to our happiness in this life and in the eternities. …

But at the same time, our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do not want us to be paralyzed by continual uncertainty during our mortal journey, wondering whether we have done enough to be saved and exalted.

(Dale G. Renlund, “Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 111)

Mark 10:25. What does “a camel [going] through the eye of a needle” mean?

Some have asserted that the eye of the needle was a small door in the Jerusalem city wall, requiring a camel to be stripped of its load in order to enter. There is no evidence that such a door ever existed. Others have proposed that altering one letter in the Greek text would change the scripture to mean that a rope, not a camel, would have to pass through the eye of a needle. However, when Jesus Christ referred to a camel passing through the eye of a needle, it was likely an example of hyperbole, an intentional exaggeration to teach “that a rich man shall hardly [with difficulty] enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23).

(New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 63)

Mark 10:23–27. Is it hard or even impossible for a rich person to enter heaven?

The Joseph Smith Translation of Mark 10:27 reads, “With men that trust in riches, it is impossible; but not impossible with men who trust in God and leave all for my sake, for with such all these things are possible” (Joseph Smith Translation, Mark 10:26 [in Mark 10:27, footnote a]).