Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Several times in the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord applies the parable of the 10 virgins to our day. As we study this section, I hope that you will look for the counsel that the Lord gives His saints that helps them to 1) receive the truth, 2) take the Holy Spirit for their guide, and 3) to be not deceived.
References in the Doctrine and Covenants to the parable of the foolish virgins:
President Russell M. Nelson: "You are a chosen generation, foredetermined by God to do a remarkable work—to help prepare the people of this world for the Second Coming of the Lord.” (“Becoming True Millennials,” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2016/01/becoming-true-millennials?lang=eng).
President Russell M. Nelson: Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. (https://www.lds.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?l=eng).
Before joining the Church, Ezra Booth was a Methodist minister. He became interested in the Restoration in early 1831 after reading from the Book of Mormon. He traveled to Kirtland with John and Elsa Johnson to meet the Prophet. Mrs. Johnson suffered from rheumatism, which had caused pain, swelling, and stiffness in her arm. When she first met Joseph Smith, she had not been able to raise her hand to her head for about two years.
“During the interview the conversation turned on the subject of supernatural gifts, such as were conferred in the days of the apostles. Some one said, ‘Here is Mrs. Johnson with a lame arm; has God given any power to man now on the earth to cure her?’
A few moments later, when the conversation had turned in another direction, [Joseph] Smith rose, and walking across the room, taking Mrs. Johnson by the hand, said in the most solemn and impressive manner: ‘Woman, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I command thee to be whole,’ and immediately left the room. …
Mrs. Johnson at once lifted [her arm] up with ease, and on her return home the next day she was able to do her washing without difficulty or pain.” (from Haydn’s History of the Disciples, quoted in History of the Church, 1:215–16).
Joseph Smith: After Ezra Booth was baptized, he received the priesthood and was sent on a mission to Missouri. He apparently began this mission with great expectations, assuming he would be able to convert many people by displaying signs and performing miracles. However, after preaching for a short time and not seeing the results he anticipated, Ezra Booth “turned away” and apostatized." (History of the Church, 1:216).
The Prophet Joseph Smith made the following observation about Ezra Booth: “When he actually learned that faith, humility, patience, and tribulation go before blessing, and that God brings low before He exalts; that instead of the ‘Savior’s granting him power to smite men and make them believe,’ … then he was disappointed” (History of the Church, 1:216).
Council to the wise and warnings to the foolish.
Joseph Smith: "That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives. The principle is as correct as the one that Jesus put forth in saying that he who seeketh a sign is an adulterous person; and that principle is eternal, undeviating, and firm as the pillars of heaven; for whenever you see a man seeking after a sign, you may set it down that he is an adulterous man. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3: 385.)
President Howard W. Hunter: “Be faithful in your marriage covenants in thought, word, and deed. Pornography, flirtations, and unwholesome fantasies erode one's character and strike at the foundation of a happy marriage. Unity and trust within a marriage are thereby destroyed. One who does not control his thoughts and thus commits adultery in his heart, if he does not repent, shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear” (see D&C 42:23; 63:16). (94 15, p. 50) (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.139).
President Russell M. Nelson: Yes, every test, every trial, every challenge and hardship you endure is an opportunity to further develop your faith. (see D&C 63:11; 101:4). (Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 95; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 75).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “Therefore, true enduring represents not merely the passage of time, but the passage of the soul-and not merely from A to B, but sometimes all the way from A to Z. To endure in faith and do God’s will (see D&C 63:20; 101:35) therefore involves much more than putting up with a circumstance” (Conference Report, Apr. 1990, 43; or Ensign, May 1990, 34).
Elder B. H. Roberts: “If obtained "by purchase" the saints may be accounted blessed. If "by blood" since they were "forbidden to shed blood" lo, their enemies will be upon them, and they shall be "scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance." And so the event turned out. The saints failed to respond with becoming promptness to the commandment to purchase the land of Zion; and all that was predicted in the revelation befell them. The passage then was a warning to the saints, not a threat directed at the old settlers of Jackson county; and if blood was to be shed, clearly it was to be the blood of the saints rather than that of their enemies” (Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol.1, Ch.22, p. 264).
Elder Orson Pratt: "This remarkable prophecy . . . was given, as we have already remarked, at a time when no human sagacity could have foreseen such events. No man, unless he were a prophet, could have so clearly portrayed the subsequent history of the Church. Had it not been for these and other predictions of a like nature, no one would for a moment have supposed, that the people of that boasted land of freedom would shed the blood of the Saints, and drive them from the lands which they had purchased, and persecute them from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue.
“All other denominations had been tolerated for many years, and no such scenes of persecution had been known in the United States since their Constitution was formed. Religious freedom was the boast of the whole nation. Yet in the midst of such universal freedom and religious liberty, the voice of a great prophet is heard, declaring the word of the Lord, and predicting events that none looked for events, that to all human appearance, were very unlikely to come to pass events that have since been fulfilled to the letter." (Masterful Discourses of Orson Pratt, p. 98.)
President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Education is the key to opportunity." (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/04/the-perpetual-education-fund?lang=eng).
President Brigham Young: "There is one principle I would like to have the Latter day Saints perfectly understand that is, of blessings and cursings. For instance, we read that war, pestilence, plagues, famine, etc., will be visited upon the inhabitants of the earth; but if distress through the judgements of God comes upon this people, it will be because the majority have turned away from the Holy Commandments which the Lord has delivered to us, and cease to hold the balance of power in the Church, and we may expect the judgments of God to come upon us;
“… but while six tenths or three fourths of this people will keep the commandments of God, the curse and judgments of the Almighty will never come upon them, though we will have trials of various kinds, and the elements to contend with natural and spiritual elements. While this people will strive to serve God according to the best of their abilities, they will fare better, have more to eat and to wear, have better houses to live in, better associations, and enjoy themselves better than the wicked ever do or ever will do." (Journal of Discourses, 10:335 336, 22 29 June 1864.)
President Ezra Taft Benson: “We may not be too far from the day prophesied by Heber C. Kimball ... “The Saints will be put to tests that will try the integrity of the best of them. The pressure will become so great that the more righteous among them will cry unto the Lord day and night until deliverance comes.” (“Prophecy of Heber C. Kimball,” Deseret News, Church Section, May 23, 1931, p. 3.) (Conference Report, Apr. 1978, 46; or Ensign, May 1978, 32).
"Why all this counsel? Because the Lord "counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy over all his works." (Jacob 4:10.) The Prophet Joseph Smith learned by heard experience that it is wise to take counsel. (D&C 3:4, 7.) Part of Sidney Rigdon's undoing was that he failed to take counsel. (D&C 63:55.) If we follow counsel, we will be able to establish Zion under the Lord's direction. (D&C 105:37.) The pure in heart, the wise, the nobel, and the virtuous will seek counsel from the prophet. (D&C 122:2.) Indeed, it might be said that the acceptance or rejection of counsel by a Saint gives his duly ordained priesthood leader insight into his mind and spirit. It gives evidence of a member's attitude and response to the mind and will of God. (D&C 124:118.) And it can be destructive of the spirituality of a man of learning, of riches, or of any other special interest if he reaches the state of mind or attitude in which that interest keeps him from accepting the counsel of priesthood authority. (2 Ne. 9:29.)" (Glenn L. Pearson and Reid E. Bankhead, Building Faith with the Book of Mormon , p.72)
Jedediah M. Grant commenting on Sidney Rigdon: “Having a fruitful imagination, he became extravagant.” (Collection of Facts Relative to the Course Taken by Elder Sidney Rigdon, 1844)
Teaching Thoughts:
References in the Doctrine and Covenants to the parable of the foolish virgins:
- 33:17 Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom--
- 45:56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
- 63:54 And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire.
- 65:3 Yea, a voice crying—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom.
- 88:92 And angels shall fly through the midst of heaven, crying with a loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying: Prepare ye, prepare ye, O inhabitants of the earth; for the judgment of our God is come. Behold, and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
- 133:10 Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord.
- 133:19 Wherefore, prepare ye for the coming of the Bridegroom; go ye, go ye out to meet him.
President Russell M. Nelson: "You are a chosen generation, foredetermined by God to do a remarkable work—to help prepare the people of this world for the Second Coming of the Lord.” (“Becoming True Millennials,” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2016/01/becoming-true-millennials?lang=eng).
President Russell M. Nelson: Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. (https://www.lds.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?l=eng).
Before joining the Church, Ezra Booth was a Methodist minister. He became interested in the Restoration in early 1831 after reading from the Book of Mormon. He traveled to Kirtland with John and Elsa Johnson to meet the Prophet. Mrs. Johnson suffered from rheumatism, which had caused pain, swelling, and stiffness in her arm. When she first met Joseph Smith, she had not been able to raise her hand to her head for about two years.
“During the interview the conversation turned on the subject of supernatural gifts, such as were conferred in the days of the apostles. Some one said, ‘Here is Mrs. Johnson with a lame arm; has God given any power to man now on the earth to cure her?’
A few moments later, when the conversation had turned in another direction, [Joseph] Smith rose, and walking across the room, taking Mrs. Johnson by the hand, said in the most solemn and impressive manner: ‘Woman, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I command thee to be whole,’ and immediately left the room. …
Mrs. Johnson at once lifted [her arm] up with ease, and on her return home the next day she was able to do her washing without difficulty or pain.” (from Haydn’s History of the Disciples, quoted in History of the Church, 1:215–16).
Joseph Smith: After Ezra Booth was baptized, he received the priesthood and was sent on a mission to Missouri. He apparently began this mission with great expectations, assuming he would be able to convert many people by displaying signs and performing miracles. However, after preaching for a short time and not seeing the results he anticipated, Ezra Booth “turned away” and apostatized." (History of the Church, 1:216).
The Prophet Joseph Smith made the following observation about Ezra Booth: “When he actually learned that faith, humility, patience, and tribulation go before blessing, and that God brings low before He exalts; that instead of the ‘Savior’s granting him power to smite men and make them believe,’ … then he was disappointed” (History of the Church, 1:216).
Council to the wise and warnings to the foolish.
- “Signs come by faith, unto mighty works” (63:10).
- Lust prevents feeling the Spirit, brings fear (63:16).
- “Endureth in faith, and doeth my will” (63:20).
- Blessings of your faithfulness => mysteries, living water, and everlasting life (63:23).
- Do things ‘that you may have advantage of the world” (63:27).
- While we serve God, we will be blessed (63:34-37).
- Have intentional, righteous actions (63:37).
- Make virtuous preparations (63:37).
- Be faithful and endure (63:47).
Joseph Smith: "That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives. The principle is as correct as the one that Jesus put forth in saying that he who seeketh a sign is an adulterous person; and that principle is eternal, undeviating, and firm as the pillars of heaven; for whenever you see a man seeking after a sign, you may set it down that he is an adulterous man. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3: 385.)
President Howard W. Hunter: “Be faithful in your marriage covenants in thought, word, and deed. Pornography, flirtations, and unwholesome fantasies erode one's character and strike at the foundation of a happy marriage. Unity and trust within a marriage are thereby destroyed. One who does not control his thoughts and thus commits adultery in his heart, if he does not repent, shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear” (see D&C 42:23; 63:16). (94 15, p. 50) (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.139).
President Russell M. Nelson: Yes, every test, every trial, every challenge and hardship you endure is an opportunity to further develop your faith. (see D&C 63:11; 101:4). (Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 95; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 75).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “Therefore, true enduring represents not merely the passage of time, but the passage of the soul-and not merely from A to B, but sometimes all the way from A to Z. To endure in faith and do God’s will (see D&C 63:20; 101:35) therefore involves much more than putting up with a circumstance” (Conference Report, Apr. 1990, 43; or Ensign, May 1990, 34).
Elder B. H. Roberts: “If obtained "by purchase" the saints may be accounted blessed. If "by blood" since they were "forbidden to shed blood" lo, their enemies will be upon them, and they shall be "scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance." And so the event turned out. The saints failed to respond with becoming promptness to the commandment to purchase the land of Zion; and all that was predicted in the revelation befell them. The passage then was a warning to the saints, not a threat directed at the old settlers of Jackson county; and if blood was to be shed, clearly it was to be the blood of the saints rather than that of their enemies” (Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol.1, Ch.22, p. 264).
Elder Orson Pratt: "This remarkable prophecy . . . was given, as we have already remarked, at a time when no human sagacity could have foreseen such events. No man, unless he were a prophet, could have so clearly portrayed the subsequent history of the Church. Had it not been for these and other predictions of a like nature, no one would for a moment have supposed, that the people of that boasted land of freedom would shed the blood of the Saints, and drive them from the lands which they had purchased, and persecute them from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue.
“All other denominations had been tolerated for many years, and no such scenes of persecution had been known in the United States since their Constitution was formed. Religious freedom was the boast of the whole nation. Yet in the midst of such universal freedom and religious liberty, the voice of a great prophet is heard, declaring the word of the Lord, and predicting events that none looked for events, that to all human appearance, were very unlikely to come to pass events that have since been fulfilled to the letter." (Masterful Discourses of Orson Pratt, p. 98.)
President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Education is the key to opportunity." (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/04/the-perpetual-education-fund?lang=eng).
President Brigham Young: "There is one principle I would like to have the Latter day Saints perfectly understand that is, of blessings and cursings. For instance, we read that war, pestilence, plagues, famine, etc., will be visited upon the inhabitants of the earth; but if distress through the judgements of God comes upon this people, it will be because the majority have turned away from the Holy Commandments which the Lord has delivered to us, and cease to hold the balance of power in the Church, and we may expect the judgments of God to come upon us;
“… but while six tenths or three fourths of this people will keep the commandments of God, the curse and judgments of the Almighty will never come upon them, though we will have trials of various kinds, and the elements to contend with natural and spiritual elements. While this people will strive to serve God according to the best of their abilities, they will fare better, have more to eat and to wear, have better houses to live in, better associations, and enjoy themselves better than the wicked ever do or ever will do." (Journal of Discourses, 10:335 336, 22 29 June 1864.)
President Ezra Taft Benson: “We may not be too far from the day prophesied by Heber C. Kimball ... “The Saints will be put to tests that will try the integrity of the best of them. The pressure will become so great that the more righteous among them will cry unto the Lord day and night until deliverance comes.” (“Prophecy of Heber C. Kimball,” Deseret News, Church Section, May 23, 1931, p. 3.) (Conference Report, Apr. 1978, 46; or Ensign, May 1978, 32).
"Why all this counsel? Because the Lord "counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy over all his works." (Jacob 4:10.) The Prophet Joseph Smith learned by heard experience that it is wise to take counsel. (D&C 3:4, 7.) Part of Sidney Rigdon's undoing was that he failed to take counsel. (D&C 63:55.) If we follow counsel, we will be able to establish Zion under the Lord's direction. (D&C 105:37.) The pure in heart, the wise, the nobel, and the virtuous will seek counsel from the prophet. (D&C 122:2.) Indeed, it might be said that the acceptance or rejection of counsel by a Saint gives his duly ordained priesthood leader insight into his mind and spirit. It gives evidence of a member's attitude and response to the mind and will of God. (D&C 124:118.) And it can be destructive of the spirituality of a man of learning, of riches, or of any other special interest if he reaches the state of mind or attitude in which that interest keeps him from accepting the counsel of priesthood authority. (2 Ne. 9:29.)" (Glenn L. Pearson and Reid E. Bankhead, Building Faith with the Book of Mormon , p.72)
Jedediah M. Grant commenting on Sidney Rigdon: “Having a fruitful imagination, he became extravagant.” (Collection of Facts Relative to the Course Taken by Elder Sidney Rigdon, 1844)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Look for the counsel that the Lord gives His saints that helps them to 1) receive the truth, 2) take the Holy Spirit for their guide, and 3) to be not deceived.
- Ask others to share some of the experiences in their life that have build their faith and helped them to perform ‘mighty works’ for the Lord (63:11).
- What things would the lord have you do ‘that you may have advantage of the world?” (63:27).