D&C 33:17 ‘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-‘
Q: What can I do to make sure my lamp is trimmed and burning and that I am carrying oil with me at all times?
A: TEMPLE WORTHINESS
“Could the importance of temple worthiness be one of the Lord’s messages to us in the parables of the ten virgins and the marriage of the king’s son? These parables have more than one possible interpretation. However, one wise way to “liken [these parables] unto us” is to study them with the temple in mind. This perspective reminds us of the urgent need to have and to be ever worthy of a current temple recommend. In the parable the bride and the virgins would have gone forth to meet the Bridegroom, or Lord, in His own house. In our day we might consider His own house to be the house of the Lord. The ten virgins, according to Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “represent those church members who are looking for the Bridegroom to come; and the oil-filled lamps are symbolic of the Holy Spirit which lights the way before the saints.” Elder McConkie further explains that this parable is not about “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. In biblical times constant effort was needed to ensure that an adequate amount of oil was maintained in lamps. In our day we must exert constant effort to remain temple worthy. In the parable the virgins were not able to enter the door without oil. In our day neither can we enter the door of the temple without a recommend.” (Lynn G. Robbins, “Oil in Our Lamps,” Ensign, Jun 2007, 44–48)
I have been thinking a lot lately about how important it is to me to have a current temple recommend. I had the thought in the temple last week that there aren’t very many people in the world who have the privilege of going to the House of the Lord. It made me feel good about my choices and where I am in life. Although I know I’m not perfect, I felt that the Lord is pleased with me. It is such a blessing to be able to partake in the blessings of the temple, and as Elder McConkie implied, a temple recommend is considered modern day oil.
A: WISE CHOICES
“The oil of preparedness and steadiness is accumulated each day through consistent, wise choices. President Spencer W. Kimball described it this way: “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” (David A. Bednar, “Steadfast and Immovable, Always Abounding in Good Works,” New Era, Jan 2008, 2–6)
These articles made me think of the parable of the tree of life (1 Nephi 8). Some members of the Church will start off holding to the iron rod, but will sometime in their lives wander off and become lost. (vs. 23) Others will cling to the iron rod, partake of the fruit, and become ashamed. (vs.25)Few will press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron until they partake of the fruit. (vs.30) Being a member of the Church doesn’t grant us Eternal life. It is only the gate by which we enter.
A: CONSISTENCY & ENDURANCE
“Preparing to walk guiltless before God is one of the primary purposes of mortality and the pursuit of a lifetime; it does not result from sporadic spurts of intense spiritual activity.” (David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 80–83)
I love the way Elder Bednar teaches us how we can always have oil-it’s not something we decide to obtain one month, then the next month discontinue. We have to constantly re-filling our oil and adding to it. I need to take better inventory of how I’m using my time to prepare for the Bridegroom. It’s a scary thought to think that half of Church members will be unprepared. One thing my Patriarchal Blessing says is that I will be committed and love being committed to my responsibilities. I know by attending my church meetings, faithfully serving in my calling, and honestly sustaining others, I will be filling my oil. Also, by remaining worthy of a temple recommend and using it often I will be better prepared.
