Amy A. Wright · First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency
1It was a day filled with pointed and direct parables, complex questions, and profound doctrine. After delivering a scathing rebuke of those who were like “whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness,” Jesus taught three more parables about spiritual preparedness and discipleship. One of these was the parable of the ten virgins.
2“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
3“And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
4“They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
5“But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
6“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
7“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
8“Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
9“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
10“But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
11“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
12“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
13“But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, Ye know me not.
14“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
15President Dallin H. Oaks posed the following thought-provoking questions in relation to the coming of the Bridegroom: “What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today?”
16I have learned from personal experience that spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord is not only essential but the only way to find true peace and happiness.
17It was a crisp fall day when I first heard the words “You have cancer.” My husband and I were stunned! As we drove home in silence, processing the news, my heart turned to our three sons.
18In my mind I asked Heavenly Father, “Am I going to die?”
19The Holy Ghost whispered, “Everything is going to be OK.”
20Then I asked, “Am I going to live?”
21Again, the answer came: “Everything is going to be OK.”
22I was confused. Why did I receive the exact same answer whether I lived or died?
23Then suddenly every fiber of my being filled with absolute peace as I was reminded: We did not need to hurry home and teach our children how to pray. They knew how to receive answers and comfort from prayer. We did not need to hurry home and teach them about the scriptures or words of living prophets. Those words were already a familiar source of strength and understanding. We did not need to hurry home and teach them about repentance, the Resurrection, the Restoration, the plan of salvation, eternal families, or the very doctrine of Jesus Christ.
24In that moment every family home evening lesson, scripture study session, prayer of faith offered, blessing given, testimony shared, covenant made and kept, house of the Lord attended, and Sabbath day observed mattered—oh, how it mattered! It was too late to put oil in our lamps. We needed every single drop, and we needed it right now!
25Because of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, if I died, my family would be comforted, strengthened, and one day restored. If I lived, I would have access to the greatest power on this earth to help succor, sustain, and heal me. In the end, because of Jesus Christ, everything can be OK.
26We learn from a careful study of the Doctrine and Covenants what “OK” looks like:
27“And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
28“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.”
29Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to “abide the day.” Abiding the day does not mean adding to an ever-increasing to-do list. Think of a magnifying glass. Its sole purpose is not simply to make things appear bigger. It can also gather and focus light to make it more powerful. We need to simplify, focus our efforts, and be gatherers of the Light of Jesus Christ. We need more holy and revelatory experiences.
30Located in northwestern Israel is a beautiful mountain range often referred to as the “evergreen mountain.” Mount Carmel stays green year-round due largely in part to tiny amounts of dew. Nourishment happens daily. Like “the dews of Carmel,” as we seek to nourish our souls “with things pertaining to righteousness,” “small and simple things,” our testimonies and the testimonies of our children will live!
31Now, you may be thinking, “But Sister Wright, you do not know my family. We are really struggling and do not look anything like this.” You are correct. I do not know your family. But a God with infinite love, mercy, power, knowledge, and glory does.
32The questions you may be asking are questions of the heart that ache in the depths of your soul. Similar questions are found in the holy scriptures:
33“Master, carest thou not that [my family] perish?”
34“Where is now my hope?”
35“What shall [I] do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing [me]?”
36“Where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?”
37“How is it possible that [I] can lay hold upon every good thing?”
38“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”
39And then ever so sweetly come the answers:
40“Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation?”
41“Hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness?”
42“Believe ye that [He is] able to do this?”
43“Believest thou the prophets?”
44“Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you?”
45“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
46My dear friends, we cannot share our oil, but we can share His light. Oil in our lamps will not only help us “abide the day” but can also be the means of illuminating the path that leads those we love to the Savior, who stands ready “with open arms to receive” them.
47“Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, … and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
48“And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.”
49Jesus Christ is the “hope in thine end.” Nothing we have or have not done is beyond the reach of His infinite and eternal sacrifice. He is the reason why it is never the end of our story. Therefore we “must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if [we] shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: [We] shall have eternal life.”
50Eternal life is eternal joy. Joy in this life, right now—not despite the challenges of our day but because of the Lord’s help to learn from and ultimately overcome them—and immeasurable joy in the life to come. Tears will dry up, broken hearts will be mended, what is lost shall be found, concerns shall be resolved, families will be restored, and all that the Father hath will be ours.
51Look to Jesus Christ and live is my testimony in the sacred and holy name of the beloved “Shepherd and Bishop of [our] souls,” Jesus Christ, amen.