Part 1 -The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Study Matthew 25:1-13 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 25:1-13, “What Is the Meaning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins?” (pg. 154-155). Then, write responses to the following questions:
Who does the bridegroom represent?
The Savior.
Who did President Harold B. Lee say the virgins represent?
Those who professed to be believers in Christ.
What does the wedding represent?
The Second Coming.
Why did the bridegroom come at “midnight,” while the wedding guests “slumbered and slept”? How does this apply to our waiting for the Savior’s Second Coming?
To impress upon His followers and the world the need for unceasing watchfulness for the Second Coming; to let us know that it will happen when we least expect it. This applies to our waiting for the Second Coming to let us know to not lose faith or hope, but to know that He is coming, and to be prepared at all times.
What did five of the virgins do that was foolish (see Matthew 25:3)? How might a Church member today make the same error as the foolish virgins? What would the consequences be?
Five of the virgins did not bring oil in order to be prepared in case they had to wait for the bridegroom through the night. Today, this can be translated as spiritual preparation, and whether or not we have been staying on the right path and growing closer to Him. The consequences of not being spiritually, or physically, prepared for the Second Coming is that we may not be saved at that time, as He would not recognize us as His followers.
What should we learn from the actions of the five wise virgins?
We should learn that we must always be prepared for the Second Coming, and to keep in mind that spiritual preparedness cannot be shared. We should do all that we can to encourage others to be prepared themselves, so we do not have to turn others away from their pleas for help at the time of the Second Coming.
Keeping in mind that the oil in the parable represents spiritual preparation for the Second Coming, what are some ways we can add “oil” to our “lamps”? What does Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57 teach about ways to add oil to our lamps?
This teaches that we need to be watchful for the deceitful and cunning ways of the devil at all times so that we may not be led astray. We need to keep the oil in our lamps in order to keep the Holy Ghost as our guide, and to do so requires daily effort. Sincere prayer, scripture study, keeping the Sabbath Day holy, regular Church and temple attendance, service to others, family home evening, and so many other things are ways that we can be prepared. It’s simple. We just have to do it.
Part 2 – The Parable of the Talents
After studying Matthew 25:14-30 and the institute student manual, “An Explanation for the Parable of the Entrusted Talents” (pg. 155), write responses to the following questions:
Although a talent was a sum of money in New Testament times (see talent under “Weights and Measures” in the Bible Dictionary, p. 798), it can also represent all that the Lord has given us. List the rewards each of the three men received in the parable of the talents and explain why each man received that reward. What mattered more than the number of talents or gifts each received?
The man who received five talents increased his riches with five more talents, and his reward was to be ruler over many things and to enter into the joy of the Lord. The man who receives two talents increases his riches with two more talents, and his reward was to be ruler over many things and to enter into the joy of the Lord. The man who received one talent did not increase his talents, instead hid it away to give it back at the right time. The told took the talent from him and gave it to the man with ten talents, and cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. From this story, we can gather that the use of the talents and the increase of them was more important that the number of talents or the gifts that they received.
What reason did the third man give for hiding his talent?
The third man said that He was afraid, so he his talent in the earth so that the Lord would be able to keep what was His.
What teachings in 2 Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Doctrine and Covenants 3:7-8; 6:33-37 can help us overcome our fears and to develop and use the talents given to us from the Lord?
2 Timothy 1:7 says that “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” telling us that fear is part of the natural man. We have the power to use the talents that He has given us, we just have to push through the fear and do it. Proverbs 3:5-6 lets us know that we need to trust in the Lord and pray to Him to know what we should do, and by doing so we will know how to best use and increase the talents that He has given us. D&C 3:7-8 reminds us that we should fear God more than man, that we should be faithful to Him, and by doing so He will protect us from the temptations and the attacks of the devil. D&C 6:33-37 tells us to never fear to do good or to do His will and reminds us that so long as we are going good and remembering Him in every thought and deed that we will always prevail over evil, because He is the Christ. When we do these things, we will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Outline a plan whereby you can better develop and use two of the gifts the Lord has given you.
One gift that the Lord had given me is the ability to draw; not like a famous artists drawing skills, but still better than average. I know that it’s not really a spiritual gift, but if I draw things that pertain to the gospel, I can make it a gift that glorifies His name and His teachings. I actually have a plan to make a large painting/drawing in my home that goes over the Plan of Salvation, except with a spacey-feel to it. Having the sun, moon, and stars represent the kingdoms of Heaven; a black hole to represent outer darkness; even shooting stars to represent veils. Some versions of this are already on google pictures, but my idea is different, and I want it to be a staple in my home. Let it be a living representation of the Plan of Happiness for my children who may get tired of hearing it in the same-ol’ way in Church regularly, and maybe have it be a point of discussion with guests who wonder what it’s all about. Another gift that the Lord has given me is the ability to listen to and understand, to sympathize (or even empathize) well with others. I have already used this gift well in order to help others several times, and I hope to be able to gear this towards others in and outside of the Church so I can bring people back to Christ. Not manipulate them, but to help them see that Christ is the answer to their problems.
Part 3 – The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
After studying Matthew 25:31-46 and Mosiah 2:17, write responses to the following questions:
What difference does the way we treat others make to the Lord?
It makes all the difference to the Lord, because anything and everything that we do to our fellow man is the way that we treat the Lord.
List the six actions found in Matthew 25:35-36 that permitted “the sheep” to receive their reward at the King’s right hand. What are some spiritual or physical needs people have around you that are similar to those listed in the parable?
The six things that allowed “the sheep” to receive their reward was to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, housing the homeless stranger, clothing the naked, taking care of the sick, and visiting those that are in prison. Similar to these, there are people that are seeking the truth – literally hungry and thirsty for knowledge – that can be taught the truths and gems of heaven. There are others who are stuck in their ways, struggling with addiction, that can be shown the light and brought back to a better life. More literally, there are those on the streets, homeless and struggling to find their next meal (or even those that are in a home, but financially struggling) that could use a helping hand; even those that are sick and cannot take care of themselves of course need a helping hand. There are all sorts of people that can relate to those listed in the parable.
How will following the principles of this parable about preparation for the Second Coming help someone prepare for that event?
By doing the things above, by being “the sheep” it helps us to prepare for the Second Coming because doing all of these things will bring us closer to Christ, and it also puts “oil in our lamps”. These are ways to help our fellow men, to help ourselves, to come closer to Christ and protect ourselves from the temptations of the adversary.
Study Matthew 25:1-13 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 25:1-13, “What Is the Meaning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins?” (pg. 154-155). Then, write responses to the following questions:
Who does the bridegroom represent?
The Savior.
Who did President Harold B. Lee say the virgins represent?
Those who professed to be believers in Christ.
What does the wedding represent?
The Second Coming.
Why did the bridegroom come at “midnight,” while the wedding guests “slumbered and slept”? How does this apply to our waiting for the Savior’s Second Coming?
To impress upon His followers and the world the need for unceasing watchfulness for the Second Coming; to let us know that it will happen when we least expect it. This applies to our waiting for the Second Coming to let us know to not lose faith or hope, but to know that He is coming, and to be prepared at all times.
What did five of the virgins do that was foolish (see Matthew 25:3)? How might a Church member today make the same error as the foolish virgins? What would the consequences be?
Five of the virgins did not bring oil in order to be prepared in case they had to wait for the bridegroom through the night. Today, this can be translated as spiritual preparation, and whether or not we have been staying on the right path and growing closer to Him. The consequences of not being spiritually, or physically, prepared for the Second Coming is that we may not be saved at that time, as He would not recognize us as His followers.
What should we learn from the actions of the five wise virgins?
We should learn that we must always be prepared for the Second Coming, and to keep in mind that spiritual preparedness cannot be shared. We should do all that we can to encourage others to be prepared themselves, so we do not have to turn others away from their pleas for help at the time of the Second Coming.
Keeping in mind that the oil in the parable represents spiritual preparation for the Second Coming, what are some ways we can add “oil” to our “lamps”? What does Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57 teach about ways to add oil to our lamps?
This teaches that we need to be watchful for the deceitful and cunning ways of the devil at all times so that we may not be led astray. We need to keep the oil in our lamps in order to keep the Holy Ghost as our guide, and to do so requires daily effort. Sincere prayer, scripture study, keeping the Sabbath Day holy, regular Church and temple attendance, service to others, family home evening, and so many other things are ways that we can be prepared. It’s simple. We just have to do it.
Part 2 – The Parable of the Talents
After studying Matthew 25:14-30 and the institute student manual, “An Explanation for the Parable of the Entrusted Talents” (pg. 155), write responses to the following questions:
Although a talent was a sum of money in New Testament times (see talent under “Weights and Measures” in the Bible Dictionary, p. 798), it can also represent all that the Lord has given us. List the rewards each of the three men received in the parable of the talents and explain why each man received that reward. What mattered more than the number of talents or gifts each received?
The man who received five talents increased his riches with five more talents, and his reward was to be ruler over many things and to enter into the joy of the Lord. The man who receives two talents increases his riches with two more talents, and his reward was to be ruler over many things and to enter into the joy of the Lord. The man who received one talent did not increase his talents, instead hid it away to give it back at the right time. The told took the talent from him and gave it to the man with ten talents, and cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. From this story, we can gather that the use of the talents and the increase of them was more important that the number of talents or the gifts that they received.
What reason did the third man give for hiding his talent?
The third man said that He was afraid, so he his talent in the earth so that the Lord would be able to keep what was His.
What teachings in 2 Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Doctrine and Covenants 3:7-8; 6:33-37 can help us overcome our fears and to develop and use the talents given to us from the Lord?
2 Timothy 1:7 says that “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” telling us that fear is part of the natural man. We have the power to use the talents that He has given us, we just have to push through the fear and do it. Proverbs 3:5-6 lets us know that we need to trust in the Lord and pray to Him to know what we should do, and by doing so we will know how to best use and increase the talents that He has given us. D&C 3:7-8 reminds us that we should fear God more than man, that we should be faithful to Him, and by doing so He will protect us from the temptations and the attacks of the devil. D&C 6:33-37 tells us to never fear to do good or to do His will and reminds us that so long as we are going good and remembering Him in every thought and deed that we will always prevail over evil, because He is the Christ. When we do these things, we will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Outline a plan whereby you can better develop and use two of the gifts the Lord has given you.
One gift that the Lord had given me is the ability to draw; not like a famous artists drawing skills, but still better than average. I know that it’s not really a spiritual gift, but if I draw things that pertain to the gospel, I can make it a gift that glorifies His name and His teachings. I actually have a plan to make a large painting/drawing in my home that goes over the Plan of Salvation, except with a spacey-feel to it. Having the sun, moon, and stars represent the kingdoms of Heaven; a black hole to represent outer darkness; even shooting stars to represent veils. Some versions of this are already on google pictures, but my idea is different, and I want it to be a staple in my home. Let it be a living representation of the Plan of Happiness for my children who may get tired of hearing it in the same-ol’ way in Church regularly, and maybe have it be a point of discussion with guests who wonder what it’s all about. Another gift that the Lord has given me is the ability to listen to and understand, to sympathize (or even empathize) well with others. I have already used this gift well in order to help others several times, and I hope to be able to gear this towards others in and outside of the Church so I can bring people back to Christ. Not manipulate them, but to help them see that Christ is the answer to their problems.
Part 3 – The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
After studying Matthew 25:31-46 and Mosiah 2:17, write responses to the following questions:
What difference does the way we treat others make to the Lord?
It makes all the difference to the Lord, because anything and everything that we do to our fellow man is the way that we treat the Lord.
List the six actions found in Matthew 25:35-36 that permitted “the sheep” to receive their reward at the King’s right hand. What are some spiritual or physical needs people have around you that are similar to those listed in the parable?
The six things that allowed “the sheep” to receive their reward was to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, housing the homeless stranger, clothing the naked, taking care of the sick, and visiting those that are in prison. Similar to these, there are people that are seeking the truth – literally hungry and thirsty for knowledge – that can be taught the truths and gems of heaven. There are others who are stuck in their ways, struggling with addiction, that can be shown the light and brought back to a better life. More literally, there are those on the streets, homeless and struggling to find their next meal (or even those that are in a home, but financially struggling) that could use a helping hand; even those that are sick and cannot take care of themselves of course need a helping hand. There are all sorts of people that can relate to those listed in the parable.
How will following the principles of this parable about preparation for the Second Coming help someone prepare for that event?
By doing the things above, by being “the sheep” it helps us to prepare for the Second Coming because doing all of these things will bring us closer to Christ, and it also puts “oil in our lamps”. These are ways to help our fellow men, to help ourselves, to come closer to Christ and protect ourselves from the temptations of the adversary.