• Day 87
    • Principle: Obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ leads to preparedness for the second coming.  
    • Read: Jacob 7:24 - Enos 1:18 (Keep it up!)
      •  What is the result of obedience to the Lord and His teachings in these verses?
    • Prior to the death of Jesus Christ there were questions from His apostles about His second coming.  (Note: Matthew 24:3; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:4)  The discussion takes place in Matthew 24–25.  Read Matthew 25:1–13 and look for signs that will proceed the second coming of Christ.  
    • Dallin H. Oaks added


      • “Of [the parable of the ten virgins], the Lord said, ‘And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins’ (D&C 45:56).

        “Given in the 25th chapter of Matthew, this parable contrasts the circumstances of the five foolish and the five wise virgins. All ten were invited to the wedding feast, but only half of them were prepared with oil in their lamps when the bridegroom came. The five who were prepared went into the marriage feast, and the door was shut. The five who had delayed their preparations came late. The door had been closed, and the Lord denied them entrance, saying, ‘I know you not’ [Matthew 25:12]. ‘Watch therefore,’ the Savior concluded, ‘for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh’ [Matthew 25:13].

        “The arithmetic of this parable is chilling. 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. But only half were ready when he came” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 8).

    • David A. Bednar taught

      • “Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no.

        “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” (David A. Bednar, “Converted unto the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 109).

    • Additional Study