Spiritual Preparation

In Matthew 25, we read about the parable of the 10 virgins. Five of the virgins were wise and were prepared to meet the bridegroom with their lamps filled with oil while the other five were foolish and unprepared. The oil in the lamps represents spiritual preparation and the bridegroom represents our Savior, Jesus Christ. Elder David A. Bednar suggests that we see the lamps as a testimony and the oil as conversion. All 10 of the virgins had a testimony. It was complete conversion that half of them lacked. How many of us will be like the 5 foolish virgins with a testimony, but no true change in ourselves when it’s time to meet the Savior?

Why couldn’t the 5 wise virgins share their oil? Can’t a parent or a spouse use their conversion to save their loved ones? Elder Bednar states, “Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed?” We can rely on others to help us build and strengthen our testimony. But, in the end, we must experience our own conversion to be prepared to meet the Savior. We must change our very nature to become fully converted. Our mission on earth is to change and become someone new.

Elder Bednar explains, “As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must ‘buy for ourselves.’ These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time—'line upon line [and] precept upon precept’ (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible.”

Reference: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/converted-unto-the-lord?lang=eng