The 24th chapter of Matthew is well known for its detail in foreseeing the Second Coming of the Savior. It is significant, then, that immediately following is the parable of the Ten Virgins, which bears repeating here:
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
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.
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.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matthew 25:1-13).
Some of the obvious messages of this — among the last of the parables the Savior taught before His arrest and crucifixion — is that the bridegroom represents the Savior, and that the brides are symbolic of His followers. It is of interest that all the potential brides were worthy. All were in the right place at the right time. All were desirous of being accepted by the bridegroom. But only the prepared were allowed in.
The word "prepare" means to "make ready," the operant part of the word being "pre" which means "before in time," or "earlier than," or "prior to."
The first step in preparing is of personal worthiness. Well stated is Paul's injunction to "take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13). Paul knew that shallow commitment would not see these early Christians through life's adversities. Even incidental indulgences — holes in the whole armour of God — are always eventually penetrated by the fiery darts of the adversary. How much more difficult it is to face severe challenges when also being pierced by fiery darts!
We are instructed in modern revelation to "Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold it cometh quickly, saith the Lord" (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8).
In preparing temporally, we have only to follow the guidance of our leaders, who have spoken on the subject with a most certain trumpet.
President Gordon B. Hinckley's address on temporal preparation in the October 2005 general conference notes that "the best storehouse is the family storeroom. In words of revelation the Lord has said, 'Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing' (Doctrine and Covenants 109:8).
"Our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such preparation as will assure survival should a calamity come. We can set aside some water, basic food, medicine, and clothing to keep us warm. We ought to have a little money laid aside in case of a rainy day.
"Now what I have said should not occasion a run on the grocery store or anything of that kind. I am saying nothing that has not been said for a very long time.
"Let us never lose sight of the dream of Pharaoh concerning the fat cattle and the lean, the full ears of corn, and the blasted ears; the meaning of which was interpreted by Joseph to indicate years of plenty and years of scarcity (see Gen. 41:1—36).
"I have faith, my dear brethren, that the Lord will bless us, and watch over us, and assist us if we walk in obedience to His light, His gospel, and His commandments. He is our Father and our God, and we are His children, and we must be in every way deserving of His love and concern."
President Hinckley wisely titled this address "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."
