Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 72:4
"For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for him of my Father."
After this general conference my quest has been to study the parable of the ten virgins. Having at least four talks mentioning this parable during general conference, I figure it's pretty important to understand right now. In my quest I have also been trying to understand Hebrew marriage customs. The mansions being prepared made me think of this. After the betrothal the bride and groom lived separately for a year. During this time frame they both had important work to do in preparation of the marriage feast. The bridegroom lived with his father, and worked on building a home to bring his bride to. No one knew the hour or the day when the bridegroom would come for his bride. Only the father of the bridegroom knew because he alone would determine when the house was ready. The bride knew the year and the season which was usually after the harvest. That is why in the parable the ten virgins attending the bride are waiting, for they did not know the exact day or hour of the bridegroom's arrival, but they knew it was any day now.
What I find interesting is what the Lord said to his apostles leading up to his death and resurrection.
"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
(John 14:2-3)
After Jesus Christ's death and resurrection he literally went to His Father's house, and as the bridegroom has been preparing a place for all of us.
What is also interesting is in the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord doesn't mention he's preparing a place anymore, instead it says He has prepared them.
"For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them."
(Doctrine and Covenants 59:2)
"Let not your hearts be troubled; for in my Father’s house are many mansions, and I have prepared a place for you; and where my Father and I am, there ye shall be also."
(Doctrine and Covenants 98:18)
That makes me wonder if the homes are prepared what are we waiting for? It must be finishing the harvest before the wedding feast can begin. Which is exactly what we have been told to busy ourselves with.
