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An Analysis of the Ten Virgins

Posted by Connor on January 13th, 2008

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The story of the Ten Virgins is one saturated with meaning. Each time I read it, I am able to peel off another layer of symbolism or application. This story has specific and important meaning to our day, and for that reason has been discussed often by our leaders.

First, it is important to note that the ten virgins were all “members of the Church”. Having all received invitations to the marriage celebration, they each fully expected that they would be allowed into the wedding. Each presented herself at the door, readily waiting for the bridegroom so that they might enter in with Him.

Spencer W. Kimball spoke to this effect when he said:

I believe that the Ten Virgins represent the people of the Church of Jesus Christ and not the rank and file of the world. (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 253)

We read early on in the story that half of the virgins were wise, and half were foolish. Their wisdom (or lack thereof) was in relation to their preparedness. Each had been previously instructed (we may assume) or inherently knew what would be needed for the night’s festivities: oil.

It must be observed that the virgins without oil were never regarded as evil, but as foolish. Bruce R. McConkie made this distinction when he wrote:

Not good and bad, not righteous and wicked, but wise and foolish. That is, all of them have accepted the invitation to meet the Bridegroom; all are members of the Church … but only five are valiant therein. (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:685)

The foolish virgins knew that they did not have oil with them. Yet we read in Matthew 25:7 that all the virgins trimmed their lamps once they had been notified of the bridegroom’s arrival. Commenting on this oddity, Elder Robbins notes:

They all thought they were ready. Outwardly, they all appeared prepared. (Lynn G. Robbins, Oil in Our Lamps)

Indeed, the foolish virgins believed that they were entitled to enter in with the bridegroom. Having received an invitation and made the effort to await His arrival, they thought all was well.

But when the bridegroom tarried and did not come until midnight, the foolish virgins realized that despite all their outward demonstrations of piety, they had failed to prepare sufficiently and thus could not make the final journey.

Speaking later to these foolish virgins, the bridegroom said: “I know you not”. Their failure to heed earlier warnings and prepare for a later eventuality showed that these virgins had not internalized the principles they outwardly professed to acknowledge and obey.

The fact that the five foolish virgins knocked, expecting to enter the marriage supper, indicates one of two things: (1) they thought they could prepare themselves after the Bridegroom came, or (2) knowing that they at first had not been prepared to enter, they were hoping for mercy. Either way, the door was shut. (Lynn G. Robbins, Oil in Our Lamps)

As this is parable, we find abundant modern application. For example, President Kimball has said:

Hundreds of thousands of us today are in this position. Confidence has been dulled and patience worn thin. It is so hard to wait and be prepared always. But we cannot allow ourselves to slumber. The Lord has given us this parable as a special warning. (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 253)

Much like any admonition to prepare for the Savior’s coming, this parable has both spiritual and temporal implications. For its spiritual application, President Kimball explains why the oil could not be shared:

The foolish asked the others to share their oil, but spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant. . . . This was not selfishness or unkindness. The kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable. . . . In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 255 )

In a temporal sense, we may observe in the parable the fact that the oil was a physical object of needed acquisition. This necessitated the purchase or barter to obtain the oil in preparation for the bridegroom’s arrival. Likewise, we have been commanded time and time again to store a year’s supply of food, water, clothing, and fuel to withstand and survive the great perils that will precede the bridegroom’s literal arrival.

We cannot say, when we arise to trim our lamps, that we were not warned. We cannot say that we had insufficient time, nor funds, nor opportunity. We have all been warned of the bridegroom’s arrival, and have been sufficiently and repeatedly instructed as to what type of oil we must store in preparation for the event(s).

It is up to each of us to determine whether we will be wise or foolish; whether we will outwardly display our belief and obedience while inwardly and privately failing to comply; whether we will be able to enter into the Lord’s rest, or whether He will shut the door and say “I know you not”.

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7 comments so far. Care to chime in?

I enjoyed the read. I think of this parable often and hope that what I am doing now will allow me access then.

#1 Jared on January 13th, 2008

In the San Diego North Stake Conference today, Elder Hales spoke long and hard about emergency preparation.

However, the ten virgins parable is a huge condemnation of church members in another, and in my mind, more important regard. In the D&C section 45 we read:

56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
57 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.

There is a great tendency in the Church to deny the Holy Ghost and reject the spirit of prophecy. Following the light of Christ back into his presence is the only way we are going to get there. This is why half of the virgins will not make it.

#2 Curtis on January 13th, 2008

[...] On a side note . . . Connor Boyack has an interesting article on the subject of being prepared: An Analysis of the Ten Virgins [...]

#3 Food Storage, Emergency Food and 150 years of Prophecy | Russell Page - Online on January 14th, 2008

Great post Connor. I appreciate the emphasis on It wasn’t good vs. evil, but wise vs. foolish. I think that too many saints miss that fact. I can’t tell you how many times I have endured Relief Society drama productions that portray the foolish as evil instead of foolish and it gives false comfort to those who are missing the boat.

I believe that temple marriage and temple covenants are a big part of being wise.

#4 Janet on January 14th, 2008

One quote that sticks out to me when I think of this parables comes from a fairly recent conference address by Elder Oaks when he said, “The arithmetic of this parable is chilling.”

Also, the quote by President Kimball where he said, “It is so hard to wait and be prepared always” reminded me of a talk I listened to yesterday by Elder Eyring that he gave back in 1990 at BYU. I highly recommend listening to it.

#5 Dustin on January 15th, 2008

Dustin, thanks for the links. I loved Elder Eyring’s talk. Awesome.

#6 Janet on January 15th, 2008

The ten virgins are the physical and spiritual senses. They never sin. Sin occurs in how we use them.

At the time of death, when we “sleep”, only five can illumine our way into the marriage with Christ, if we have attended to their development, if we have laid up our treasures in heaven by developing those “talents”. The physical senses are always left behind. They were never alive to begin with. We don’t really know them.

We cannot serve two masters. There isn’t enough “oil” to attend to both body and soul. So, prepare, build treasures in heaven, not this world, feed the “servants” - the senses of spirit, in this house (the body, in which the soul resides) whose care we have been charged with.

#7 Spence on March 11th, 2008