17- (5-22-23) Oil In our Lamps

17-   May 22, 2023 

Hello Family,

 

This week my personal study has been filled with all the miraculous stories of the early books recorded in the Book of Mormon. It is mind boggling to me how much of what we know to be true comes from these early pages or the “small plates of Nephi”. If you are looking for some way to jump start your excitement again in your personal study I would recommend writing down or highlighting what this small record teaches us that other people in the world don’t know or have. It is remarkable!

 

Throughout these early books there are multiple accounts of righteous people slowly slipping into “carnal security”. The peace and joy and excitement of their faith fades and gets swallowed up by wealth, pride, or the popularity of the world. Every time, it seems to be the same. It is no different for us in our day. We all know of some who’s faith have faded, leading them down different paths. What can we do to make sure that this cycle of deception doesn’t happen to us?

 

We can so easily get caught up in worldly pursuits and interests. Our image and the concern of what others think of us can override all other priorities in  our lives. Our ego’s  can lie to us, telling us we can do it our way, or all on our own. We fool ourselves into thinking we can manufacture our own happiness or pave our own way. But history, particularly Book of Mormon history, tells us otherwise. 

 

Near the end of His ministry the Savior gave us the parable of the ten virgins. I love this parable, because it teaches us of His return in a coming day. It describes members of His church who have been baptized into His Gospel and have made covenants with Him. The oil lamp represents these covenants, and the oil represents our “keeping” of these covenants. Five are preparing daily, keeping their lamps trimmed. The other five are procrastinating their preparations, leaving themselves spiritually empty.

 

Here is a short part of Elder Rasband’s recent teaching from this past conference about this particular parable.

 

“We, like the ten virgins, have lamps; but do we have oil? I fear there are some who are just getting by on a thin skiff of oil, too busy with worldly pressures to properly prepare. 

Oil comes from believing and acting on prophecy and the words of living prophets, President Nelson in particular, his counselors, and the Twelve Apostles. Oil fills our souls when we hear and feel the Holy Ghost and act on that divine guidance. Oil pours into our hearts when our choices show we love the Lord and we love what He loves. Oil comes from repenting and seeking the healing of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

 

If you get a chance, go back and study the entirety of his talk, it is a really good one. 

 

Invitation: Take a quiet moment and ask yourself, What am I doing each day to ensure my lamp is full of oil? 

 

I know that the Savior will come again. In my life time or not, I know that I have been given this time allotted me to prepare to meet Him. I must do everything in my power to be ready. The awesome thing is that along the way of our preparing, He is willing and eager to bless us with so very much, especially peace and real joy.

 

Love you all! Have a great week!