Weddings & Lamps Sheep & Goats Matt 25

To help us understand this parable we need to understand a little about the Wedding Customs of ancient Israel. In Jesus’ time it was the custom for the groom and his friends to go to the bride’s home to escort her to his home, accompanied also by her friends, or attendants. It was a great celebration that many people participated in. As the bridal procession progressed through the town, it was increased in size by little groups who had gathered in waiting at various spots along the route. It usually happened at night, and torches and lamps were used as the people waited along the route to join the party and then danced, sang, and rejoiced with the new couple as they made their way to the grooms home where they entered in to the feast. Next slide - Video of They that are wise

Watch First 5:46 min https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-040-they-that-are-wise?lang=eng&_r=1 https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-040-they-that-are-wise?lang=eng&_r=1

BrideGroom = The Savior The Church, His Covenant People Marriage Feast = His coming in glory at the 2nd Coming

10 Virgins = Pure & Clean Believers in Christ Expectantly waiting

An Outward symbol of Conversion & a lifetime of Acts of Righteousness Oil & Lamps

What made some Wise and some Foolish?

What made some Wise and some Foolish? Matt 25:4 They didn’t just bring the lamp but they brought some extra in a “vessel” in addition to the lamp.

What made some Wise and some Foolish? Matt 25:5 While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept

What happened at Midnight? Matt 25:6-8 Give us of your oil for our lamps have gone out.

How did the Wise Answer? Matt 25:9 Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

When they came back the door was shut & they could not gain entrance What was the Result? Matt 25:10-12 They dashed off madly to run and buy but when they came back the door was shut and when they knocked they couldn’t gain entrance as he said- I know you not. When they came back the door was shut & they could not gain entrance

Were the 5 Wise just being selfish? Lessons for Us Were the 5 Wise just being selfish? So what are the lessons for US if - we are to prepare for His 2nd Coming. Were the 5 Wise women just being Selfish in not sharing? Remember that the Lamps and Oil were symbols of belief & practice of righteousness throughout their lives. 2nd Coming of the Savior Lamps & Oil = Symbols of Conversion and Acts of Righteousness

Lessons for Us Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Elder David A. Bednar, Oct 2012 General Conference Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no. 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.

Lessons for Us Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Elder David A. Bednar, Oct 2012 General Conference Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no. 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.

Lessons for Us Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Elder David A. Bednar, Oct 2012 General Conference Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no. 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.

The clear answer to each of these questions is no! Lessons for Us Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? Elder David A. Bednar, Oct 2012 General Conference Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no. 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. The clear answer to each of these questions is no!

These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; Lessons for Us As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves”. Elder David A. Bednar, Oct 2012 General Conference Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no. 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. These inspired women were not describing a business transaction;

Lessons for Us Rather they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain ample supply of the oil of conversion. Elder David A. Bednar, Oct 2012 General Conference Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no. 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.

Lessons for Us This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time - Line upon Line and precept upon precept Elder David A. Bednar, Oct 2012 General Conference Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no. 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.

Lessons for Us This precious oil is acquired patiently and persistently. Elder David A. Bednar, Oct 2012 General Conference Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no. 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. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible.

Lessons for Us You can’t light an empty lamp! Internalize the Savior’s teachings & feed the flame!

Lessons for Us In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. Attendance at sacrament meetings adds 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. President Spencer W. Kimball, 1972

Okay- But how do the Sheep & the Goats work into this? Matt 25:31-33 looking for how the Lord will determine whether someone is a “sheep” looking for how the Lord will determine whether someone is a “goat” D&C 29:27

When He comes again we want to be like Him Goal: When He comes again we want to be like Him

Depends entirely upon US! Whether we are wise or foolish, Whether we are sheep or goats Depends entirely upon US!

Watch From 5:46 to 8:44 https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-040-they-that-are-wise?lang=eng&_r=1 https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-040-they-that-are-wise?lang=eng&_r=1

How can we be prepared for Living in the Times of the Signs By being faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom D&C 33:17 D&C 33:17