To understand this parable we need to understand Jewish customs surrounding marriage. In the New Testament Manual it says, "Traditionally, the bridegroom, accompanied by his close friends, would go at night to the bride’s house. Following the completion of the wedding ceremonies there, the wedding party would proceed to the groom’s house for a feast. Wedding guests who joined the procession were expected to carry their own lamps or torches."
According to The Guide to the Scriptures on lds.org, "A parable is based on comparing an ordinary object or event to a truth, and the underlying meaning or message of a parable is often hidden to listeners who are not spiritually prepared to receive it (Matt. 13:10–17)."
So what do the ordinary objects in this parable really represent?
Bridegroom = Savior (see Matthew 9:15; John 3:28–29)
Ten Virgins = Members of the Church
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks says, "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” (“Preparation for the Second Coming,” 8).
Wedding = the Savior's Second Coming
Lamp = Testimony
- Elder Bednar says, "Please think of the lamps used by the virgins as the lamps of testimony. The foolish virgins took their lamps of testimony but took no oil with them. Consider the oil to be the oil of conversion." ("Converted Unto the Lord")
Oil = Spiritual Preparation or Conversion
President Spencer W. Kimball (1899–1985) discussed what the oil symbolizes and why it cannot be shared with those who are foolish:
“The kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable. How can one share obedience to the principle of tithing; a mind at peace from righteous living; an accumulation of knowledge? How can one share faith or testimony? How can one share attitudes or chastity, or the experience of a mission? How can one share temple privileges? Each must obtain that kind of oil for himself. …
“In the parable, oil can be purchased at the market. In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. 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 [1972], 255–56).
Bridegroom coming at “midnight,”= We don't know when the Savior's Second Coming will be so we have to be prepared all the time, even at midnight
Foolish Virgins = Church members that procrastinate their spiritual preparation for the Second Coming
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency warned: “There is a danger in the word someday when what it means is ‘not this day.’ ‘Someday I will repent.’ ‘Someday I will forgive him.’ ‘Someday I will speak to my friend about the Church.’ ‘Someday I will start to pay tithing.’ ‘Someday I will return to the temple.’ ‘Someday …’ The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. It is that we may discover that we have run out of time” (“This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 89).
Wise Virgins = Church members that have a testimony AND are converted
Buy for yourself = individual accountability for spiritual preparation
- "As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves.” These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they 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—“line upon line [and] precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible." ("Converted Unto the Lord" by Elder Bednar)
Now that you understand what this parable is really teaching, click on the following link to watch "They That Are Wise". As you watch the video try to let the Spirit whisper specific ways you can accumulate oil of conversion for your lamps of testimony. Then act upon those impressions so you can be better prepared for the Savior's Second Coming. As Doctrine and Covenants 33:17 says, “Wherefore, 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."
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