Choice 2: Matthew 25. Three Parables of Preparation

1. The Parable of the Ten Virgins.

•     Who does the bridegroom represent?

The bridegroom represents the Savior.

•     Who did President Harold B. Lee say the virgins represent?

According to President Harold B. Lee the virgins represent “those who were professed believers in Christ.”

•     What does the wedding represent?

The wedding represents the represents the kingdom of God.

•     Why did the bridegroom come at “midnight,” while the wedding guests “slumbered and slept”? How does this apply to our waiting for the Savior’s Second Coming?

The bridegroom came at an hour when no one was expecting it, only those virgins who were already prepared where able to make it to the wedding. This is the same way it will be for us. No one knows when the Savior will come; it is only our job to make sure we are ready for whenever that will be.

•     What did five of the virgins do that was foolish (See Matthew 25:3)? How might a Church member today make the same error as the foolish virgins? What would the consequences be?

The five foolish virgins took their lamps but no oil with them. A foolish virgin today might be a member of the church who just goes through the motions; they are holding the lamp that comes with being a member but have not taken the time and effort to fill it with a testimony. The oil is what gives a lamp purpose. Just like the virgins in the parable the consequence is to not be ready at the Second Coming.

•     What should we learn from the actions of the five wise virgins?

The wise on the other hand were prepared even though they didn’t know when the bridegroom was coming. They brought vessels of oil just in case. No one expected his coming to be at midnight and probably thought he was coming earlier but the virgins still brought extra. We can’t take any chances and think we know what we need; we can only do our best to be ready.

•     Keeping in mind that the oil in the parable represents spiritual preparation for the Second Coming, what are some ways we can add “oil” to our “lamps?” What does Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57 teach about ways to add oil to our lamps?

We add oil to our lamps by reading our scriptures, saying our prayers, and following God’s commandments. D&C 45:57 says that the wise are those that have received truth and use the Holy Ghost as their guide.

2. The Parable of the Talents.

•     Although a talent was a sum of money in New Testament times (see talent under “Weights and Measures” in the Bible Dictionary, pg. 789), it can also represent all that the Lord has given us. List the rewards each of the three men received in the parable of the talents and explain why each man received that reward. What mattered more than the number of talents or gifts each received?

The two that added to their talents were made rulers whereas the servant who hid his talent had his ownership taken away. It didn’t matter the number of talents added upon because the servants were meerly showing their responsibility and willingness to do what their lord said.

•     What reason did the third man give for hiding his talent?

The third man said he went and hid his talent because he was afraid.

•     What teachings in 2 Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 3:5–6; Doctrine and Covenants 3:7–8; 6:33–37 can help us overcome our fears and to develop and use the talents given to us from the Lord?

From those scriptures I learned that even though you may not understand why you are being asked to do something, we must trust in the Lord and follow his commandments. If we do, we will be blessed.

•       Outline a plan whereby you can better develop and use two of the gifts the Lord has given to you.

1. I’ve been playing piano for a lot of years but most often I try to keep it hidden at church because I’m not very good at accompanying hymns. I would like to start practicing hymns every day so that I feel more comfortable volunteering my talents.

2. I’ve always had a sort of talents for listening to others. I love listening to what others have to say and it always helps me to better understand them. I hope to enhance and use this gift on my mission as I try to understand and relate to the people I get to teach.

3. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

•     What difference does the way we treat others make to the Lord?

Matthew 25:40 says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” The way we treat our fellow men is how we treat the Lord.

•     List the six actions found in Matthew 25:35–36 that permitted “the sheep” to receive their reward at the King’s right hand. What are some spiritual or physical needs people have around you that are similar to those listed in the parable?

1. Gave food to the hungry

2. Gave drink to those who were thirsty

3. Took in strangers

4. Clothed the naked

5. Visited the sick

6. Went to those in prison

There are people all around us who suffer from these very same things; they may be of either a physical or spiritual manner. Some of us are hungering and thirsting for the gospel, some feel alone and like strangers who need a friend, whatever it may be we have an opportunity to give and what we have and help those around us.

•     How will following the principles of this parable about preparation for the Second Coming help someone prepare for that event?

Well these parables help us prepare for that event because it shows us things we can do in our own life. It also allows us to help others prepare as well as we share our knowledge.

Scout Motto: Be Prepared

Things we can watch for to prepare for Christ’s coming:

1. False Christs and prophets

2. Persecution of the followers of Christ

3. The prophecies that have been told because Christ has “foretold you all things”

Other ways to prepare for the Second Coming: 

Doctrine and Covenants 87:8

“Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”

Joseph Smith – Matthew 1:32

Watch for the abominiation of desolation spoken of by Daniel to be fulfilled

Joseph Smith – Matthew 1:37

“And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be decieved...” Read and study your scriptures. Hold them dear to your heart.

Joseph Smith – Matthew 1:46-50

Watch, be ready, and be faithful in all the things the Lord has asked. He wants to return to find us in action and doing exactly what he told us to do.

Doctrine and Covenants 33:17

“Wherefore, be faithful, praying always...that you may be ready...”

Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57

“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived...they shall abide the day.” Learn how the Holy Ghost works on you in your life and how to follow his promptings.

The Widow's Mite

In Mark 12:28-30 declares that the first and greatest commandment is to “...love the Lord they God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” The Widow’s Mite is such an amazing example of someone who perfectly followed this commandment. The woman gave “...all that she had, even all her living.” She loved the Lord more than her money, any of her wants, and more than anything she possesed. Although what she gave wasn’t very much by the standards of the world it was more than anyone else in the eyes of the Lord because of the greatestness of her sacrifice. She gave all that she had. It’s never about how much money you give to the Lord. He isn’t in need of anything we posses, it is the principle of sacrifice put into action that He asks for. 2 Nephi 25:23 says, “...that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” We will never be able to repay the Savior for his sacrifice on our behalf no matter what we do. We owe everything we have and more. The widow was someone who understood that and was then willing to give everything she had. So what are some ways that we can apply this example of sacrifice and obedience into our own lives? For some reason the thing that came to my mind it time and how we exercise our callings. Are we giving time to do our callings when we’re free and have nothing to do or are we giving as much time and attention as we can? I know I can definitely put my calling on the back burner sometimes when I could be making it an opportunity to practice the principle of sacrifice. Each of us is so blessed and I encourage everyone reading this that they will find aspects of their life in which they can try to sacrifice. From previous experience I know that even when you feel like you are giving up something great the Lord will bless us with something even better!

A Pennies Wage

1. The scripture never says that the young man does what the Savior suggests and sells what he has it only says that “he went away sorrowful.” After reading Matthew 6:19-24 I think that the young man’s heart, although he had kept the commandments from his youth, was set on his worldly possesions. Because he had a lot, it must’ve been an important part of his life. It wasn’t until he was asked to leave it that we see his true desires. However, when our heart truly is in the right place we have been promised such greater things for our sacrifices here on earth. Matthew 19:29 says to everyone who has forsaken things for the Lord’s sake “shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

Now how can I apply these scriptures to my own life? The first thing that comes to mind that would help me to put the Lord first in my life is to acknowledge that He’s there. Now I’m not saying that I don’t believe in God, because I absolutely have a testimony that He is real, lives, and loves me but I know I could work on being more consistent in my morning and evening prayers. Along with prayers it is important to show gratitutde and accept that we don’t do things on our own. I need His help and everything I have is because of him.

2. Laborers were hired at the 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th, and 11^th hours. The man agreed to pay each a penny. The four groups of workers labored 9, 6, 3, and 1 hours. Each of them received a penny just like the man had agreed.

3. What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord’s kingdom?

I learned from these scriptures that the Lord welcomes anyone who is willing to work. It doesn’t matter where a person is in life, working a full days job or struggling at the end of the day to make ends meet, he is willing to bless them.

What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?

The comforting message is that in the end they can still receive the same reward. It doesn’t matter when they joined the church, the blessings are still available to them and they didn’t miss out.

What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?

Reading that story I feel the same way sometimes. I know that I would be very frustrated if I had been one of the early workers but I have to realize that those workers from the beginning agreed to that payment. The lord of the vineyard is not cheating them, he is free to do as he sees fit.

Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ

1. Read Luke 10:38-42; 11:1-13; 12:13-40; 13:23-24; 14:16-33 and the institute student manual commentary for Luke 11:5-13, “The Parable of the Friend at Midnight” (p. 115). Make a list of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and what the Savior taught about counting the costs of following Him.

As I went through the scriptures, I picked out a few things that I thought were what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. They are:

• Someone who listens to Christ’s teachings
• Puts Christ first in their lives
• Prays with faith
• Forgives everyone
• Helps others
• Does not covet
• Is selfless
• They are prepared and don’t make excuses
•  Loves others
•  Bears their cross (not of the world) and follows Christ

I think what Christ meant when he taught about “counting the costs” of following Him is to remind us that we are eternally indebted to him and we’re going to have to give all that we have to try to repay Him.

2. Identify one of the teachings from your list that you would like to apply more fully in your life. Write a paragraph about how you could apply that teaching and what difference you believe it would make in your life.

The teaching that stuck with me the most is just being willing to give up everything. We are so indebted to Christ and all that he has done that we can never repay him.  But how can I do that? The first thought that came to my mind is being grateful for all that I have. By acknowledging that things came from God, I’m giving up my own ownership. This change in ownership allows me not only to realize how much I rely on God but also a realization of the need to give to others. In my life I’m going to try to be more grateful.

3. Read Luke 14:33; Omni 1:26; Mosiah 2:34; Matthew 13:44-46. Explain in writing what is ultimately required to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The overall theme that I got from these scriptures is that in order to be a disciple of Jesus Christ we need to give up everything, or at least be willing to do so. Omni 1:26 tells us to fast, pray, and endure to the end. Mosiah 2:34 says we are to, “render to him all that you have and are.” Matthew 13:44-46 is the parable of the pearl, where the man sells all that he has to buy the pearl of great price. The last of these scriptures though probably says it the best in Luke 14:33 which reads, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”