The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-31

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores,

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now is comforted, and thou art tormented.

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Classification: Reversal of Human Judgment; Rich and Poor

Narrative: This parable is given in the same moment Jesus gave the parable of the unjust steward. Jesus makes it clear (with help from JST Luke 16:16-23) that He likens the rich man in both parables to the Pharisees of His day.

Interpretation: A greedy man who hoards his money to himself will find it nearly impossible to enter into heaven while the poor man who suffered much will be welcomed greatly.
   If the people still alive will not listen to the prophets (or read their words) then they will not listen to one who had returned from the dead. They will either believe the words of the Savior and His prophets or they won't. I don't think the Lazarus in this parable is the same Lazarus that the Savior really did raise from the dead.

Application: It's up to you whether or not to believe in the words of the prophets and change your ways now before you die. Learn wisdom while in thy youth (no matter how old you are) and learn to keep the commandments of God. (See Alma 37:35)

"Be Ye Prepared" by Elder Legrand Richards