Question
Gramps,
Who do the Ten Virgins represent? Are they those who say they are Christians? Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Active members of the Church? How can we be certain we have oil in our lamps?
Shadow
Answer
Shadow,
The parable of the Ten Virgins is one of the Savior’s best-known teachings about preparing for His Second Coming. At first glance, it seems like a simple story, yet it raises important questions. Who do the ten virgins represent? Are they all Christians, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or only faithful, active members? And perhaps most importantly, how can we know we have oil in our own lamps?
Jesus introduced the parable by saying, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins” (Matthew 25:1). All ten were waiting for the bridegroom. All carried lamps. All waited. Outwardly, they looked alike. The only difference was that five had prepared by bringing extra oil.
The parable certainly has a broad application to anyone who professes to follow Jesus Christ. However, modern revelation shows its primary application is to the Lord’s covenant people. In Doctrine and Covenants 45, the Savior 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… shall abide the day.” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57)
Those who have “received the truth” are those who have accepted the restored gospel and entered into a covenant with Him. Elder Bruce R. McConkie summarized this by teaching,
“The ten virgins are members of the Church of Jesus Christ.”
This means the Savior was not contrasting believers with unbelievers. He was contrasting prepared disciples with unprepared disciples. The foolish virgins were not rebellious. They believed the bridegroom was coming and intended to meet him. Their problem was that they delayed preparing until it was too late.
The Lord gave similar counsel:
“Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that ye may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom.” (Doctrine and Covenants 33:17)
Does simply being an active member of the Church make someone one of the wise virgins? The parable suggests otherwise. All ten looked alike. The difference was not in their outward appearance but in what was inside their lamps. Likewise, two members may attend the same meetings and hold similar callings while having very different levels of personal conversion.
President Spencer W. Kimball beautifully explained what the oil represents:
“Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.” (Faith Precedes the Miracle)
Every sincere prayer, every act of repentance, every effort to keep our covenants, every act of service, and every prompting followed adds another drop of oil. That is why the wise could not simply share their oil. Testimony, conversion, and a relationship with Heavenly Father cannot be borrowed.
So how can we know we have oil in our lamps? The Lord answers by describing the wise as those who have “received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide.” A disciple with oil is one who consistently seeks and follows the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” (Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives)
Perhaps the best way to evaluate the amount of oil in our lamps is not by asking how busy we are in the Church, but by asking whether we are becoming more like Jesus Christ. Do we repent regularly? Are we more patient? Are we keeping our covenants?
Alma asked:
“If ye have experienced a change of heart… can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:26)
Conversion is reflected in our present relationship with the Savior.
President Nelson further taught:
“Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.” (Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives)
Those are the very things that quietly add oil to our lamps. None seems dramatic by itself, but over months and years, they transform us into prepared disciples.
The comforting message of the parable is that no one becomes wise overnight. The wise virgins filled their lamps one drop at a time, and we do the same. We need not worry whether our lamp is completely full today. Instead, we should ask whether we are still adding oil.
The Savior’s invitation is simple: keep your lamp trimmed, keep adding oil, and stay close to Him. As we receive the truth, allow the Holy Ghost to guide our lives, and faithfully follow Jesus Christ day by day, we can look forward to His return with hope rather than fear. Then, when the cry is heard, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh,” our lamps will be burning brightly, and we will be ready to enter into His presence.
Gramps
