The Parable of the Ten Virgins

This parable was highlighted so often in the past General Conference that it couldn't go overlooked. I had to dive into it to study it again (mostly to prepare for a Relief Society lesson, but also just because there must be something the Lord wants us to see.) We've been taught this parable so many times that we could probably recite it from memory, but the Spirit helped me look at it with fresh eyes in preparation for my lesson.

Jesus Christ taught in parables so that they could be studied. He promised that, as we do, more truth would be given. (Matthew 13:12)

We typically paint the foolish virgins as lazy, apathetic, or procrastinating. They thought they had more time before the bridegroom would come. They thought they had enough oil. They thought they could depend on the wise virgins to share their oil. These are all accurate warnings and should certainly be heeded. We learn to fill our reservoirs with the oil of conversion, drop by drop, as we dedicate our lives daily to the Lord. It's an important lesson. As we draw nearer to the second coming of Jesus Christ, prophecy indicates that the world will grow increasingly darker. Having our lamps and backup vessels full of oil will provide peace and comfort through the turmoil of the last days.

As I pored over the verses this time around, certain details stuck out to me as they hadn't before. Symbols changed, and I was taught a whole new lesson, one that I have been seeking for quite some time.

Wise virgins: Older generation (more experienced)

The wise virgins in this scenario will represent those who are more experienced in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They gained their testimonies through following the commandments of the Lord. They wore modest clothes to prepare for later covenants, took their second piercings out of their ears in 2000, abstained from tattoos, and learned to trust the Lord through obedience to His rules. They are friends, family, and ward members with no stewardship over us, unable to receive revelation on our behalf. This is not to be confused with our priesthood leaders who are set apart to help us on our covenant path.

Foolish virgins: Younger generation (less experienced)

The foolish virgins are the rising generation. They are foolish because they are inexperienced. They may have even experienced trauma associated with the older standards. They are still trying to figure out their faith. They may be questioning what they have been taught. In our day, this may look like those who are struggling to wear their garments, getting tattoos, or have multiple piercings.

Gone out: Going out

When the call came that the bridegroom was coming, Matthew 25:8 says, “our lamps are gone out.” However, a more accurate translation suggests that their lamps were dimming, but not yet extinguished. They turned to the wise virgins for oil, but the oil could not be shared. The well-intentioned, wise virgins pointed the foolish virgins to the vendors. Believing this was the only way they would have enough oil for the bridegroom's return, the foolish virgins left, and when they returned, it was too late. What started me on this journey of discovery was one simple question. What would have happened if the foolish virgins had stayed with whatever oil they had? Would they have still been turned away from the wedding? I can’t believe they would have been because the wedding isn’t about oil or light, it’s about the bridegroom. If they had stayed for him, even in the dark, he would have accepted them. When we follow Christ even when it’s hard, uncomfortable, or scary, He accepts us.

Oil from vendors: Lower law (rules and regulations)

The wise virgins had time to purchase their oil from the vendors. They were raised with the lower law. We’ve seen the struggle when the focus of the gospel shifts. In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses was the center of Israelite life. Every move they made focused on laws of cleanliness, fairness, and self-control. After some time, the Israelites became so obsessed with the rules and regulations that they forgot the spirit of the law. Without that spirit, which was intended to change their hearts, the law did them no good. It became transactional, a burden, or worse, a weapon. When the Messiah came, many were so focused on the laws that they didn’t recognize their own Savior, for whom they awaited, because He shifted the focus away from the traditions and back to the transformative spirit. He taught a higher law. Today, we are seeing the same shift. We became so focused on modesty that we used it as a way to measure the holiness of those around us. It was hurting people and pushing them away from Christ. But things are changing. Garment styles are changing, the youth are no longer taught that they cannot have multiple piercings or tattoos, and the older generation is uncomfortable, myself included. I have struggled over what these changes mean. I was asked if we were allowed to get tattoos now, and I genuinely couldn’t answer. I think the truth is that it doesn’t really matter. Maybe the tattoo and piercing thing was just to teach us self-control and obedience, but now we are having to learn those lessons in very different and much more challenging ways.

Oil for trimmed lamps: Higher law (relationship)

Amber Dawn Pearce taught in her podcast, Hope Smiling Brightly, about what it meant to trim your lamp. She states that it is important to trim your wick as it frays because excess residue can lead to an inefficient flame. It becomes smoky, ragged, and dim because it burns too much oil. I believe that this shift of focus from rules and regulations to the higher law of covenant relationship is preparing us for the second coming of Christ. Rules and regulations had their place in teaching us lessons that needed to be taught, but now they are becoming a hindrance to sharing the light of Christ. The rising generation doesn’t have time to go buy oil from the vendors. They don’t have the energy to waste on worrying about piercings and tattoos because Satan is attacking them in ways that we never had to deal with. He is viciously attacking the root of their identity 24/7 because he knows that he is running out of time. They need to focus all of their energy on what actually matters. The Bridegroom.

Bridegroom: Know Him, know what He has done for you

In ancient Israelite tradition, the bridegroom leaves his wife after they drink from the cup of the covenant to prepare a wedding chamber for her. Only his father decides when the chamber is ready, and the bridegroom can proceed. Presumably, there would be sufficient light inside, and when he comes to retrieve her, her light would be swallowed up in the light of her new home. When Christ died, He went to prepare a place for us. (John 14:2) And He will return to retrieve us when His Father says the time has come. As we wait, the world is growing darker, and the light from our lamps is comforting, but it is not what saves us. Christ is our only path to salvation. Those who know Him, who know what He has done for us, who choose to wait for Him even in the dark, will be welcomed into the wedding.

For those who feel their flame dimming, who feel as if their oil is running out, trim your lamps. If there are parts of the gospel that you struggle with, don’t waste your energy on that. We have been taught by Elder Uchtdorf:

 “If you want to nourish a tree, you don’t splash water on the branches. You water the roots. Similarly, if you want the branches of your testimony to grow and bear fruit, nourish the roots. If you are uncertain about a particular doctrine or practice or element of Church history, seek clarity with faith in Jesus Christ. Seek to understand His sacrifice for you, His love for you, His will for you. Follow Him in humility. The branches of your testimony will draw strength from your deepening faith in Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son.”

In short, know Him. Focus on having a relationship with Jesus Christ, and He can make that oil last. In Judaism, Hanukkah is the festival of lights. It celebrates the miracle of oil burning eight times longer than it should have, so the Jews could rededicate their temple. We believe in a God of miracles. He can stretch your oil for as long as is necessary. He turned water into wine (John 2), multiplied the widow’s oil (2 Kings 4), and caused oil and meal never to run out (1 Kings 17). You don’t need to know all things. You just need to know Him. Stay for Him. He is coming back.