Heinrich Hofmann’s painting “Christ and the Rich Young Ruler” (shown above) powerfully portrays the importance of the second great commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39). By initially kneeling and addressing Jesus as “Good Master” (Mark 10:17), the young man demonstrated respect and esteem for the Savior and His teachings. He also acknowledged that he had faithfully obeyed the Ten Commandments. Hofmann’s portrait depicts, however, that this youthful leader is not willing to give his wealth to the poor and is turning away from the nearby people in need of help.
After the rich young ruler’s departure, Jesus concludes: “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24-25). The Saviour’s words suggest little hope for this rich ruler’s eternal exaltation.
Parallels with the Ministry of Amulek
Recently, my daily reading of the Book of Mormon has focused on the ministry of Amulek, and my thoughts have been opened to alternate possibilities for the rich young ruler. Like the young man in the New Testament, Amulek acknowledged, “and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry.” (Alma 10:4). To obtain such great wealth, Amulek sacrificed his faith in God, “I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart” (Alma 10:6). When he was middle-aged, an angel appeared to Amulek and counselled him to return to his home to provide shelter and feed a rejected prophet named Alma. Amulek followed the angel’s counsel, and Alma blessed Amulek’s wife and children (see Alma 10:7-11; see Book of Mormon video “Amulek Receives Alma into His Home | Alma 8”).
Alma spent many days in Amulek’s house instructing him concerning the things of God. Together, they would again attempt to teach the gospel to the people of Ammonihah. This time, many believed their words, repented, and searched the scriptures (Alma 14:1). Most, though, sought to destroy Alma and Amulek “and bound them with strong cords, and took them before the chief judge of the land” (Alma 14:4) where they were sentenced to jail.
While taking Alma and Amulek to prison, the lawyers and judges forced them to witness the deadly fires destroying many of the women, children, and those who had believed their preaching (see Alma 14:8-13). We do not know what specifically happened to Amulek’s wife and children; perhaps they were among the faithful who perished in those deadly fires. Amulek wanted to call down God’s power to save them, but Alma responded, “The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory…the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day” (Alma 14:11). Those newly converted Saints endured martyrdom so that God’s righteous and eternal judgments in the next life might be fulfilled for both the punishment of the wicked and the exaltation of the righteous.
Alma and Amulek were then taken to prison for many days, where they were bound with cords, kept naked, starved, denied water, beaten, spat upon, and mocked. After especially brutal beatings, Alma cried out:
“O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance. And they broke the cords with which they were bound; and when the people saw this, they began to flee … and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, so that they fell to the earth; and the chief judge, and the lawyers, and priests, and teachers, who smote upon Alma and Amulek, were slain by the fall thereof. And Alma and Amulek came forth out of the prison, and they were not hurt; for the Lord had granted unto them power, according to their faith which was in Christ” (Alma 14:26-28).
If we are going through challenging times and earnestly seek to know and do God’s will, we can find strength, comfort, help, and even divine rescue.
After escaping prison, Alma and Amulek went to the land of Sidon, where they found believers who had fled Ammonihah. Many were baptized, and the Church prospered. We also learn that Amulek was rejected and disowned by his “friends and also by his father and his kindred” (Alma 15:16). When Alma saw that Amulek had sacrificed all of his wealth, and perhaps his wife and his children for the gospel of Christ, Alma “took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations” (Alma 15:18). For the rest of his life, Amulek would continue to assist Alma in preaching and ministering the word of God throughout all the land.
Longed-for Conversions
Like Amulek, might the rich young ruler repent and accept subsequent callings to “come and follow [Christ]” (Matthew 19:21)? Amulek demonstrates that even though a wealthy young person may initially reject callings to serve God, attitudes may change as an individual ages. For example, President Russell M. Nelson described how much he longed for his parents to accept temple ordinances and covenants:
“As I matured and began to understand the magnificence of Heavenly Father’s plan, I often said to myself, ‘I don’t want one more Christmas present! I just want to be sealed to my parents.’ That longed-for event did not happen until my parents were past 80, and then it did happen. I cannot fully express the joy that I felt that day, and each day I feel that joy of their sealing and my being sealed to them” (Ensign, May 2018, 94).
President Nelson’s joy in being sealed to his elderly parents demonstrates that Christ is repeatedly extending opportunities to follow Him.
By studying Amulek’s ministry, it has become evident to me that repentance is an eternal principle of the gospel. Whether rich or poor, each individual needs to seek opportunities to turn his or her thoughts and actions to our Savior and serve Him with all her or his “heart, might, mind and strength that ye may stand blameless before God on the last day” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:2). Because of Christ’s infinite atoning sacrifice, there is hope for all trying to walk the road back to God. Those who have faith and repent—both the living and the dead—will joyfully approach our Redeemer’s triumphant return.