Symbolism, examples of symbolism, parables
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—For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly. ~Doctrine and Covenants 33:17-18
“The Parable of the Ten Virgins,”
Ensign, Mar 2009, 48–49
In this parable, the Savior taught us how to prepare for His Second Coming. and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17). This counsel refers to the parable of the ten virgins, which illustrates how we are to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming (see Matthew 25:1–13). Here are some explanations that may help you as you study this parable and ponder its meaning.
Ten Virgins
It was a custom among the Jews for the bridegroom to come at night to the bride’s house, where her bridesmaids attended her. When the bridegroom’s approach was announced, these maidens went out with lamps to light his way into the house for the celebration.
In this parable the virgins represent members of the Church, and the bridegroom represents Christ. The Lord explained to Joseph Smith that the wise virgins are those who “have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived” (D&C 45:57).
Bridegroom
In the Bible, the image of a wedding is used to portray the coming of the Lord (see Isaiah 62:5; Matthew 22:1–14). Jewish weddings included the announcement of the bridegroom’s coming to the bride’s house. The weddings usually began in the evening, with the lamps lit at dusk. So midnight was later than the ten virgins would have expected the bridegroom—and the announcement came suddenly.
We do not know the timing of Christ’s Second Coming, but we should prepare for it as though it could come at any time—whether soon or late.
Vessels
The vessels in the parable were containers for storing extra oil. Being wise means being prepared for the unexpected with an extra measure of faith, testimony, and the Spirit in our lives. Sometimes we grow complacent, thinking we have enough to get by. But following the Savior means more than just getting by. It means always striving to draw closer to Him, preparing for those times when our patience, faith, and testimony will be tried.
Lamps
The oil lamps used by the Jews in Jesus’s day are called Herodian lamps, after King Herod. These lamps enabled people to carry light wherever they went. In the same way, we are to carry the light of the gospel with us (see Matthew 5:14–16).
The handle was shaped by hand and then attached to the lamp.
The body of the lamp was made of clay and shaped on a potter’s wheel.
The spout or nozzle was made from a mold.
A wick made of flax fibers or a rush stem was placed in the spout, and then the lamp was filled with olive oil. Once the wick absorbed the oil, the lamp was lit.
Oil
Olives are first soaked in water to clean them and purge them of their bitterness, and then they are crushed to extract their oil. Olive oil, produced throughout the Mediterranean region, had multiple uses anciently: food, cooking oil, condiment, treatment for wounds, ingredient in cosmetics and soaps, and fuel for lamps.
The oil in the parable represents our faith and testimony, our purity and dedication, our good works, and our keeping of covenants—all of the ways in which we have “taken the Holy Spirit for [our] guide” (D&C 45:57).
The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish virgins because “the oil of spiritual preparedness cannot be shared” (Marvin J. Ashton, “A Time of Urgency,” Ensign, May 1974, 36).
Drop by Drop
“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.”
Which Virgin?
(A Poem on the Parable of the Ten Virgins)
A parable the Savior told to His disciples long ago
Of wise and also foolish ways, of signs and saints in latter days.
The things He saw, we too can see, when next He comes to you and me.
Ten virgins bearing lamps alight awaited the bridegroom through the night.
Invited, honored guests they came, some wise — some foolish, not the same.
Those who have eyes will surely see, they’re much the same as you and me.
The first bears palms for homage true, an olive branch, a lily, too.
Her voice speaks peace; she’s humble, meek; she often turns the other cheek.
So pure in heart, oh could it be— that this first virgin could be me?
The second, gowned in burial white, seems searching for a heavenly sight.
The sacrament— her gift of love; the wheat and water decreed above.
Her repentant heart we all can see; perhaps this virgin could be me.
Third in Priesthood blue and gold concerns herself with young and old;
ordinances for the living an dead, two doves she brings the prince who weds—
the Holy Ghost and sealings’ key, this lovely virgin must be me.
Tall and fair with scrolls and lyre, the fourth seeks truth and knowledge power.
She sets her goals on talents bright, keeping eternity in sight.
She’ll reach her goals and grow to be the kind of virgin I would be.
But wait, more wise than many others, the fifth gives charity to her brothers.
Quietly, gently, her fruits are shared with all who need her loving care.
Even the foolishes’ needs she sees; oh, that this virgin might be me.
The sixth in proud and rich array lacks for naught along life’s way.
The treasures of the earth she brings; ‘tis more to earth than heav’n she clings.
In her I see a part of me; is this the virgin I will be?
The seventh is surely pleasure’s child, in dress and pose, not meek or mild.
It’s time for eat and drink and fun; there’s ample time ere the bridegroom comes.
Her foolishness she cannot see; do others see that part of me?
The eighth has much to overcome— addictions and excess have quite undone
That temple holy her soul once was, now all eroded for sins’ own cause.
If I’m not careful as can be, this foolish virgin will be me.
The virgin nine who loves the dark, in secret seeks to leave her mark.
Drawing others from the light, she sees all things with Satan’s sithe.
Her foolishness is sad to see; don’t let her be a part of me.
Should I become a virgin ten, with power over the acts of men,
A troubled conscience I might know, as through the busy world I go;
All ego and dishonesty is what the world expects of me.
Am I more foolish or more wise? Am I living in disguise?
Do I gather oil ever bright, to keep my gospel flame alight?
When the bridegroom comes, I pray He’ll see one wise virgin will be me.
