While speaking during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference, President Dallin H. Oaks observed that the Savior’s parable of the ten virgins had been “spoken of so frequently in this conference.”
Here are the four references to the parable given at the April 2025 general conference, in chronological order.
President Camille N. Johnson
In the Saturday morning session, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson testified that Jesus Christ will heal all afflictions in His time. And that while we wait to be healed, we can all seek spiritual healing.
“To be whole means to be complete and full. Much like the five wise virgins who had their lamps full with oil when the bridegroom came, we can be whole in Jesus Christ as we fill our lamps with the nourishing oil of conversion to Him. In that way, we are prepared for the symbolic wedding supper, His Second Coming,” she said. She went on to speak more of the parable for several more minutes.
Elder Sandino Roman
Elder Sandino Roman spoke in the Saturday afternoon session about how faith is an act of trust. He invited listeners to imagine they are explorers who need a lamp filled with oil to light their way:
“Your faithfulness to God and your constant interactions with Him are the fuel for your lantern. So, when you encounter dark and perilous situations, instead of walking towards them blindly, you will turn on your lamp filled with the oil of faith in Christ to shed glimmers of hope on the uncertain path. Your past experiences will increase your hope that the Lord will sustain you on your journey.”
Elder Dale G. Renlund
In the Saturday afternoon session, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about following the Savior’s teachings to prepare for the Second Coming. He mentioned three parables in Matthew 25 that will help us prepare to meet the Savior.
Of the parable of the ten virgins, Elder Renlund taught:
“The essential lesson of this parable of the ten virgins is that we are wise when we accept the gospel, seek to have the Holy Ghost with us, and avoid deception. The five wise virgins could not help those without oil; no one can accept the gospel, take the Holy Ghost as a guide, and avoid deception on our behalf. We have to do this for ourselves.”
President Dallin H. Oaks
President Oaks spoke of the “divine helps” to guide us through our mortal journeys. Of the parable, he said:
“With so many powerful helps to guide us in our mortal journeys, it is disappointing that so many remain unprepared for their appointed meeting with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. His parable of the ten virgins, spoken of so frequently in this conference, suggests that of those invited to meet Him, only half will be prepared.”
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