Prophetic Commentary on Matthew 25

Matthew 25:  Prepared to meet Him

Regarding Matthew 25:1-2 . . .

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said, “The ten virgins obviously represent members of Christ’s Church, for all were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came”(April 2004 Conference Report).

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said, “The Savior compared the kingdom, in other words the Church, to ten virgins, five of whom were wise and five of whom were foolish; so we must not get the understanding that because we are members of the Church all is well with us and our exaltation is secure.”(Doctrines of Salvation 2:15.)

Regarding Matthew 25:3-4 . . .

President Brigham Young said, “Be careful that you are not caught with your vessels empty; keep your hearts full of the Holy Spirit…. By so doing you will be numbered with the wise virgins…. [Beware] lest you should be found in the condition of the five foolish virgins …[S]eek not after the delusive things of this world.” (Journal of Discourses [JD] 15:164; 19:7; see also D&C 33:15-17; 45:56-57.)

President Wilford Woodruff said that “to have oil in our lamps” is “to have fellowship with the Holy Spirit” which comes by “keeping the commandments of God, remembering our prayers, doing as we are taught by the revelations of Jesus Christ, and other-wise assisting in building up Zion. When we are laboring for the kingdom of God, we will have oil in our lamps, our light will shine and we will feel the … Spirit of God. On the other hand, if we set our hearts upon the things of the world and seek for the honors of men [or the] follies, fooleries, and fashions of Babylon ... we will have no oil in our lamps.” (JD 18:109; 22:208; 15:281.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained, “[T]he oil-filled lamps are symbolic of the Holy Spirit” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:684).

Regarding Matthew 25:8-9 . . .

Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: “[N]o one can gain the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit and give or sell that holy oil to another…. [T]he foolish virgins who do not come to know the Bridegroom by the power of the Spirit will not qualify to … partake of the blessings reserved for the wise.” (The Mortal Messiah 3:468.)

Elder David A. Bednar has said: “[The wise virgins] were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility ... This precious oil is acquired … patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible.” (Oct 2012 Conference Report [CR].)

President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Fasting, family prayer, home teaching … studying the scriptures … deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, [all] contribute importantly to the oil [in our] lamps” (Faith Precedes the Miracle, 256; in New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 91).

Regarding Matthew 25:14-23,  Elder Marvin J. Ashton taught that “it is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them” and that these gifts from God include “the gift of listening; the gift of hearing [the] still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost”(October 1987 Conference Report [CR]; quoted in New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual,  92).

Regarding Matthew 25:24-25 . . .

Elder Joseph F. Smith said, “What good would it be … to be baptized and receive not the Holy Ghost? And suppose [I] went a little further and received the Holy Ghost, thereby obtaining the testimony of Jesus, and then stopped at that, what good would it do [me]? None whatever, but would add to [my] condemnation, for it would be as burying [my] talent in the earth.” (Journal of Discourses 19:193.)

President James E. Faust said: “Some of us … miss opportunities to build up the kingdom of God because we have the passive notion that someone else will take care of it. The Lord tells us that He will give more to those who are willing. They will be magnified in their efforts … But to those who say, ‘We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have’ [2 Ne. 28:30].... If [our] talents are used to build the kingdom of God and serve others, [we] will ‘receive [our] reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come’ [D&C 59:23].” (April 1994 and October 2002 CR; see also New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 92;  D&C 46:11–12.)

Regarding Matthew 25:31–46, Elder Marion D. Hanks said:  “Jesus taught his followers the parable of the sheep and the goats, representing the judgment to come, in which he clearly identified those who will inherit life eternal… The key difference was that those who should inherit the kingdom with him had developed the habit of helping ... giving and ... serving. They had responded to the needs of the hungry, thirsty, homeless, the naked, the sick.... Nothing would seem more clear than the high premium the Savior put upon selfless service to others as an indispensable element of Christian conduct ... Helping, giving, and sacrificing ... should be as natural as growing and breathing.” (April 1992 CR; quoted in New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 93.)

Quoting Matthew 25:35-40 . . . 
... President David O. McKay said, “There is no other way that you can serve Christ” (October 1955 CR).

... President Howard W. Hunter said, “He will measure our devotion to Him by how we love and serve our fellowmen…. [T]rue religion consists not only in refraining from evil, but [also] in deliberately and purposefully doing acts of kindness and service to others.” (Oct.1986 & 1978 CR.)

… President Hinckley said, “This is the Lord’s way of caring for those in need” (April 2004 Conference ReCR]).

… President Monson has said, “[I]t is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ without taking an unselfish attitude toward [others]” (October 2004 CR).