What shall I do that I may have this Eternal Life?

And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy. (Alma 22:15)

What shall I do that I may have this eternal life?

There is a beautiful parallel between this story and the story of the rich man who had asked the Savior the same question. These two men were at different stages in their spiritual progression and therefore received different answers. To the king, Aaron responded with the basic principles of the gospel: faith, repentance, humility, and prayer. To the rich man, the Savior replied, if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Yet, the Savior knew that this rich man had a weakness. All his faithfulness could not prepare him for what the Savior would require next. He inquired, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions (Matthew 19:16-22).

What a great contrast from this humble king. The young rich man had kept all the commandments but could not keep one more-to sell his riches and follow the Savior. On the other hand, the king is willing to sacrifice everything, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy. As a result of the king's humble, penitent attitude he is enveloped by the power of God, being born again. As a result of the rich man's pride, he went away sorrowful.

Joseph Smith once said:

"A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary [to lead] unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God...Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life." (Lectures on Faith, 58)