Ten Virgins Parable

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

 1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 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.

10 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.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

This is a Painting I did a while ago for a Relief Society activity. I really enjoyed the process of doing this painting. It isn't the most realistic or professional but the process was good. It is a great parable. That there will be those that are prepared and those that are not. Also that the Lord is in charge that he is the one that we need to be prepared for. So that we can live with him and enjoy a life like he does. We can not do that with "empty vessels" we need to fill our lamps so that we can approach the bridegroom prepared.

James 1:5

This is a scripture that I have grown to understand. That if we need wisdom we need to ask of God. When we ask in faith with real intent we can have answers to our prayers. The Spirit will witness of truth.

The Sacred Grove...a poem

I walked through a wooded grove one day,

the sun breaking through a clouded sky,

and autumn leaves carpeting the narrow way.

As I rest for a moment on a fallen tree,

and contemplate the majesty of God’s creations,

my mind wanders to a day far past.

I reflect on the life of a young humble boy

whose faith led him to this very place.

And I imagine what testimonies these trees would bear

if given a voice to speak.

Of seeing the Father and the Son

and absorbing their illuminating power.

The heavens were opened once again

the sun breaking through a clouded world.

Hundreds of years have aged this grove

and the trees still witness of that wonderful truth

that God in His love still speaks to His Children.

I walked through a wooded grove one day,

the sun breaking through a clouded sky,

and autumn leaves carpeting the narrow way.

As I rest for a moment on a fallen tree,

and contemplate the majesty of God’s creations,

my mind wanders to a day far past.

I reflect on the life of a young humble boy

whose faith led him to this very place.

And I imagine what testimonies these trees would bear

if given a voice to speak.

Of seeing the Father and the Son

and absorbing their illuminating power.

The heavens were opened once again

the sun breaking through a clouded world.

Hundreds of years have aged this grove

and the trees still witness of that wonderful truth

that God in His love still speaks to His Children.

To give background and due credit.. My sister and I went to the Sacred Grove in Palmyra, New York. My sister wrote it with some prompt from me. This poem makes me smile, because the Sacred Grove is one of my favourite places on earth. This Poem captures to me the wonder and awe of that sacred place. This is where the boy Prophet Joseph Smith saw God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, Opening the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. The time where the true church of Christ will be restored to the earth never to be taken again. I am so grateful for Joseph's faith and character. Through much persecution and trial Joseph endured to the end. He was an instrument in the hands of the Lord to restore the gospel of Christ. I am grateful that at a young age he needed answers and followed the prompting  he recieved while reading James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." I know that Joseph was called before he was born to do the work of the Lord at that time. I know that the true church of Christ is upon the earth. Jesus Christ is at the head of the Church and that the church is directed by him, that he guides his servants the prophets. I echo in the message of a  hymn "Praise to the man, who communed with Jehovah. Jesus anointed that prophet and seer. Blessed to open the last dispensation, kings shall extol him, and nations revere."