The 10 Virgins did it! So can we!!

How did Enoch do it? The more I think about him and what he accomplished, the more I wonder at his accomplishments. All ten of the virgins in his story were at the door with lamps full of oil! They were all going to the temple regularly, serving faithfully, loving their neighbors by deed, not just smiling to them over the fence. They obviously loved their Father in Heaven because they were taken into his presence because their acts were so consistent with his presence that he could not deny them. Wow! And, Enoch was another of the ‘weak and simple folk’ of the world. As I recall, he even considered himself homely and not able to express himself well! He just wanted to be left alone on the back row. How did he do it?

Brothers and sisters, the Lord has not given us this assignment for us to fail. We can do it. I love what The Lord tells us through Samuel the Prophet “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Sam. 15:22. So, is it the day to day little things we do in obedience to what we are asked to do that fills our lamps? Is that why we can’t share our “oil” with the other five? Think about it; here is the Savior of the world who gave the law of Sacrifice to Adam who then was instructed to make this the center point of worship just as the Sacrament is today, saying that to obey is better than Sacrifice!

So, do you feel overwhelmed with everything you are asked to do? I do. If however, we do as Nephi did when he said, ““I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:6).

Of what then do we have to fear? If we listen to Pres. Hinkley from a quote 10 years ago, it would be to delay our obedience. “The time has come to get our houses in order … There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1998, p. 53).

For everyone of you that has a legitimate reason for not being able to make weekly contributions to your storage, there is someone in the ward with help for you to do it. If your excuse is that you are just a lazy loser, don’t be proud, confide in your priesthood leader and I am sure the bishop will have some kind and appropriate advice.

How fortunate we are to have been warned. How lucky we are to still have time. But how much do we really have? Let’s give Bishop Langston a feel of what Enoch must have felt when all of his people obeyed.

And, it might not be a good idea if you Real-estate people start eyeing this property for development when the ward is taken up or you might find yourselves here to do the job.