One Drop of Oil at a Time

"the oil of spiritual preparedness cannot be shared”
—Elder Marvin J. Ashton

"each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store.
—President Spencer W. Kimball

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Here are two of the many comments made by the Lord's Annointed that refers to why this blog carries the name it does.

We are responsible for our own spiritual strength. We cannot always stand on the strength of others. This strength is developed over time, not by a single experience or a short-term effort. Like unused muscles, our spiritual strength will weaken and atrophy if we do not regularly add to that strength. And like oil added to a lamp, one drop at a time, we will eventually have enough in store to meet any need.

from A Time of Urgency
Marvin J. Ashton, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April, 1974

We are living in a time of urgency. We are living in a time of spiritual crisis. We are living in a time close to midnight. There is an urgency to meet the worldwide spiritual crisis through action now. It can only be accomplished by performance. Procrastination is a deadly weapon of human progress. Thank God there is no need of a shortage in the oil of preparedness. It is accumulated at will, drop by drop, in righteous living.

…

The oil in the parable (of the 10 Virgins) represents our faith and testimony, our purity and dedication, our good works, and our keeping of covenants—all of the ways in which we have “taken the Holy Spirit for [our] guide” (D&C 45:57).

The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish virgins because “the oil of spiritual preparedness cannot be shared.” 

from Converted Unto the Lord
President Spencer W. Kimball, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
March 2009

The vessels in the parable were containers for storing extra oil. Being wise means being prepared for the unexpected with an extra measure of faith, testimony, and the Spirit in our lives. Sometimes we grow complacent, thinking we have enough to get by. But following the Savior means more than just getting by. It means always striving to draw closer to Him, preparingƒconvert for those times when our patience, faith, and testimony will be tried.