Parable: Ten Virgins
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The arithmetic of this parable is chilling. The ten virgins obviously represent members of Christ’s Church, for all were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came. But only half were ready when he came.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
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The parable of the ten virgins teaches that when the Lord comes in His glory, of all followers of Christ invited to the wedding feast, only half will be given entrance. The inspired explanation of this parable reveals our second source of protection: “For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day” (D&C 45:57). The other half will be denied entrance because they are not prepared. It is not enough to have received the truth. We must also “have taken the Holy Spirit for [our] guide” and “not [be] deceived.” How do we take the Holy Spirit for our guide? We must repent of our sins each week and renew our covenants by partaking of the sacrament with clean hands and a pure heart, as we are commanded to do (see D&C 59:8–9, 12). Only in this way can we have the divine promise that we will “always have his Spirit to be with [us]” (D&C 20:77). That Spirit is the Holy Ghost, whose mission is to teach us, to lead us to truth, and to testify of the Father and the Son (see John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; 3 Nephi 11:32, 36).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
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Of the Seventy
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
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In our pre-earth life, we cheered for the opportunity to be part of our Father’s great plan of happiness. On those days when the adversary wriggles into our hearts with doubt, fear, frustration, and contention, we may momentarily wonder about that decision. He is hoping his “fiery darts” will draw us off and lure us to his domain. In the war in heaven, Satan’s goal was to persuade us to misuse our agency to follow him rather than our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He is still at it, hoping to distract us to merely hang out, do little if anything, and certainly not worry about being on “the Lord’s errand.” He promises us his glory. But let me tell you, his glory is nothing. He is miserable, and he wants us to be the same. He cannot promise worlds without number because he does not have any. He cannot promise a resurrected, perfect body, because he does not have one. He cannot promise that families will be forever because he gave up his place with our Father in Heaven. He cannot promise us rest or peace because he does not have that either. When the trump sounds to signal the Lord’s return, “Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.” Remember the Lord’s words: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Being true to our covenants and promises is the message of Christ’s parable of the ten virgins. It is all about light. The Lord has said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The virgins carried light. You remember the story: five were wise and five were foolish. They took their lamps, their light, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. The ten virgins represent members of the Church, and the bridegroom represents Jesus Christ. The Lord explained in Latter-day scripture that the wise virgins are those who “have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived.” We read in Matthew: “They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” The five who were foolish showed up, but without an important element to provide light. They had no oil to light their lamps. Oil came from olives that had been soaked, purged of impurities, and crushed in the press and collected in vessels. It was a lot of work to get oil. We continue with Matthew: “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight [later than they expected] there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. “Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps [meaning they lit their lamps]. “And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Your first thought might be, “Why didn’t the wise sisters share?” “What about ‘charity never faileth?” “Weren’t they ministers who helped their sisters in need?” “Were they heartless and stingy?” No. Oil represented more than what came in a jar. They were wise because they had been collecting oil in the press of life, always striving to live faithful to their covenants with the Lord. Their oil, and ours, is best described as love for God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, as a desire to live with integrity, fulfilling our promises. Oil comes from worship in the temple, connection to and gratitude for families past and present, partaking of and honoring covenants with the Lord, doctrinal understanding gained by studying the words of the Lord in scripture and from living prophets, paying tithing, fulfilling callings, mercy, repentance, and drawing upon the Atonement of Jesus Christ in those times when faith, hope, resilience, and testimony are tried. In the account, the foolish were off to the market. But you cannot buy the oil of testimony. They had not “taken the Holy Spirit for their guide,” and their vessels remained empty. Now, back to Matthew’s account: “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut. “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. “But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” The Joseph Smith Translation is even more explicit. Rather than, “I know you not,” the revelation says, “Verily I say unto you, ye know me not.” “Ye know me not” is a stunning rebuke. Ronald A. Rasband, "The Divine Destiny of His Daughters" [2021 BYU Women's Conference, Apr. 30, 2021], Gospel Library. Credit: Serena Magee (Sego Lily)
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
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That last fateful week of His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ gave the parable of the ten virgins. He was teaching of His return to those prepared to receive Him, not with palms in their hands but with the light of the gospel within them. He used the image of lamps lit and burning, with extra oil to fuel the flame, as a description of a willingness to live His ways, embrace His truths, and share His light. You know the story. The ten virgins represent members of the Church, and the bridegroom represents Jesus Christ. The ten virgins took their lamps and “went forth to meet the bridegroom.” Five were wise, prepared with oil in their lamps and some to spare, and five were foolish, lamps dark with no oil in reserve. When the call came, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,” the five who were “wise and [had] received the truth, and [had] taken the Holy Spirit for their guide” were ready for “their king and their lawgiver,” that “his glory [would] be upon them.” The other five were frantically trying to find oil. But it was too late. The procession went forward without them. When they knocked and pleaded for entrance, the Lord responded, “I know you not.” How would we feel if He said to us, “I know you not!” We, like the ten virgins, have lamps; but do we have oil? I fear there are some who are just getting by on a thin skiff of oil, too busy with worldly pressures to properly prepare. Oil comes from believing and acting on prophecy and the words of living prophets, President Nelson in particular, his counselors, and the Twelve Apostles. Oil fills our souls when we hear and feel the Holy Ghost and act on that divine guidance. Oil pours into our hearts when our choices show we love the Lord and we love what He loves. Oil comes from repenting and seeking the healing of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. If some of you are looking to fill what some call “a bucket list,” this is it: fill your bucket with oil in the form of the living water of Jesus Christ, which is a representation of His life and teachings. ... I leave with you my blessing as an Apostle of Jesus Christ that you will diligently strive to live righteously and be among those who, with palms in their hands, will herald the Son of God, the great Redeemer of us all.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
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People often inquire about the exact time of the Second Coming. While we cannot know that (see Matthew 24:36), what if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If you knew that you would meet the Lord tomorrow—through premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would you do today? As Jesus taught in His prophecy of the Second Coming, blessed is the “faithful and wise servant” who is attending to his duty when the Lord comes (see Matthew 24:45–46). “Wherefore,” the Savior tells us, “be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom—For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly” (Doctrine and Covenants 33:17–18). Jesus Christ lives. I testify that He shall come, as He has promised.
President Dallin H. Oaks
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of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Another experience began 48 hours after my wife’s burial. At that time, I was rushed to the hospital in an acute medical crisis. I then spent the first four weeks of a six-week stay in and out of intensive care and in and out of consciousness. Virtually all my experience in the hospital during that first period is lost to my memory. What is not lost is my memory of a journey outside the hospital, out to what seemed the edge of eternity. I cannot speak fully of that experience here, but I can say that part of what I received was an admonition to return to my ministry with more urgency, more consecration, more focus on the Savior, more faith in His word. ... Against that backdrop of Christ’s victory over death and His recent gift to me of a few more weeks or months in mortality, I bear solemn witness of the reality of eternal life and the need for us to be serious in our planning for it. I bear witness that when Christ comes, He needs to recognize us—not as nominal members listed on a faded baptismal record but as thoroughly committed, faithfully believing, covenant-keeping disciples. This is an urgent matter for all of us, lest we ever hear with devastating regret: “I never knew you,” or, as Joseph Smith translated that phrase, “[You] never knew me.” [parable of the ten virgins]
President Jeffrey R. Holland
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The Second Coming of Christ (2)
President Jeffrey R. Holland
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Relief Society General President (4)
President Camille N. Johnson
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Toward the end of His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ was asked when He would come again. In answering, He taught three parables, recorded in Matthew 25, about how to prepare to meet Him—whether at His Second Coming or whenever we leave this world. These teachings are crucial because personal preparation to meet Him is central to life’s purpose. The Savior first told the parable of the ten virgins. In this parable, ten virgins went to a wedding feast. Five wisely brought oil to fill their lamps, and five foolishly did not. When the bridegroom’s imminent arrival was announced, the foolish virgins left to buy oil. When they returned, it was too late; the door to the feast was shut. Jesus identified three aspects of the parable to help us. He explained: “And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. “For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall … abide the day.” In other words, they did not need to fear or be anxious, because they would survive and prosper. They would prevail. If we are wise, we receive the truth by accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ through priesthood ordinances and covenants. Next, we strive to remain worthy of having the Holy Ghost always with us. This capability must be acquired individually and personally, drop by drop. Consistent, personal, private acts of devotion invite the Holy Ghost to guide us. The third element that Jesus highlighted is avoiding deception. The Savior warned: “Take heed that no man deceive you. “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” The Savior knew pretenders would try to deceive the very elect and that many disciples would be duped. We should neither believe those who falsely claim divine sanction nor venture into metaphorical deserts or secret chambers to be taught by counterfeits. The Book of Mormon teaches us how we can differentiate deceivers from disciples. Disciples always promote believing in God, serving Him, and doing good. We will not be deceived when we seek and take counsel from trusted individuals who are themselves faithful disciples of the Savior. We can also avoid deception by worshipping regularly in the temple. This helps us maintain an eternal perspective and protects us from influences that might distract or divert us from the covenant path. The essential lesson of this parable of the ten virgins is that we are wise when we accept the gospel, seek to have the Holy Ghost with us, and avoid deception. The five wise virgins could not help those without oil; no one can accept the gospel, take the Holy Ghost as a guide, and avoid deception on our behalf. We have to do this for ourselves.
Elder Dale G. Renlund
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With so many powerful helps to guide us in our mortal journeys, it is disappointing that so many remain unprepared for their appointed meeting with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. His parable of the ten virgins, spoken of so frequently in this conference, suggests that of those invited to meet Him, only half will be prepared. We all know examples of the unprepared: returned missionaries who have interrupted their spiritual growth by periods of inactivity, youth who have jeopardized their spiritual growth by separating themselves from Church teaching and activities, men who have postponed their ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood, men and women—sometimes the posterity of noble pioneers or worthy parents—who have departed the covenant path short of making and keeping covenants in the holy temple. Many of such deviations occur when members fail to follow the fundamental spiritual maintenance plan of personal prayer, regular scripture study, and frequent repentance. In contrast, some neglect weekly renewal of covenants by not partaking of the sacrament. Some say the Church is not meeting their needs; those substitute what they perceive as their future needs ahead of what the Lord has provided in His many teachings and opportunities for our essential service to others. Humility and trust in the Lord are the remedies for such deviations. As the Book of Mormon teaches, the Lord “doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him” (Helaman 12:1). Trusting in the Lord is a particular need for all who wrongly measure the commandments of God and the teachings of His prophets against the latest findings and wisdom of man.
President Dallin H. Oaks
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To have humility is one of the powerful commandments we have been given to guide us in our mortal journey. It prepares us for our appointed meeting with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Take care not to become distracted. Remember His parable of the ten virgins. We want to be among the five humble ones who were admitted to the presence of the Lord. The Lord loves all of His children and longs for their return, but we all know examples of returned missionaries who have interrupted their spiritual growth with periods of inactivity. We know of youth who have jeopardized their spiritual growth by separating themselves from Church teachings—such as those who are expressing little desire to be married or to have children. And there are adult members who do not seek to be a covenant-making people—such as men who do not prepare for ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood. Those of diminishing faith and activity in the restored Church are a major source of concern to your prophet leaders.
President Dallin H. Oaks
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In counseling us to prepare “for our appointed meeting with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ,” President Oaks said,“Take care not to become distracted. Remember His parable of the ten virgins. We want to be among the five humble ones who were admitted to the presence of the Lord.” How many here are familiar with the parable of the ten virgins? Could you tell me where it is found? Yes, Matthew 25. Who else in the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve have spoken about the parable of the ten virgins recently? Interestingly, Elder Bednar has spoken about the ten virgins three times in general conference. Elder Rasband spoke of the parable three years ago, and Elder Renlund spoke about it just last April. With President Oaks’s invitation and three apostles explaining the principles of this important parable, I have thought again about President Eyring’s message of the law of authorized witnesses. I have found myself riveting my attention on this parable. Let me share a sampling of the teachings of the apostles and then we will return to President Oaks. First, the teaching of Elder Rasband: “The ten virgins represent members of the Church, and the bridegroom represents Jesus Christ. … We, like the ten virgins, have lamps; but do we have oil? … Oil comes from believing and acting on prophecy and the words of living prophets…. Oil fills our souls when we hear and feel the Holy Ghost and act on that divine guidance. Oil pours into our hearts when our choices show we love the Lord and we love what He loves. Oil comes from repenting and seeking the healing of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” Next from Elder Renlund: “The five wise virgins could not help those without oil; no one can accept the gospel, take the Holy Ghost as a guide, and avoid deception on our behalf. We have to do this for ourselves.” Now, from Elder Bednar: “The wise virgins … were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time … patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available.” Remember the warning and counsel of President Oaks just two weeks ago: “Take care not to become distracted. Remember His parable of the ten virgins. We want to be among the five humble ones who were admitted to the presence of the Lord.” And once again, President Eyring: “One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time.”
Elder Neil L. Andersen
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Relief Society General President (3)
President Camille N. Johnson
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Relief Society General President (2)
President Camille N. Johnson
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in the Primary General Presidency Hi friends, this is Sister Tracy Browning, and we are back again studying the primary songs. This week we're studying one of the new primary songs that are part of the new hymnals, which I love. This one is called "When the Savior Comes Again," and it speaks about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I want you to listen to the chorus that says, "Lift up your voice! Rejoice! And prepare for that day! Learn of the Lord and keep following His way. No one knows the day and hour when He will come again, But He’ll return as scriptures say; it will be a joyful day When our beloved Savior comes again." I love the joy that this song invites us to have around the Second Coming of the Savior, and it reminds me of scripture that's in Doctrine and Covenants 45:56 and 59. It reads, "And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. ... For the Lord shall be in their midst, and His glory shall be upon them, and He will be their king and their lawgiver." Friends, I just invite you to consider what one small way you can prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior. How can that be an act of joy in that small way that you're preparing? Bye for now.
Sister Tracy Y. Browning
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