Random Thought #15

Since there are such parallels among cultures that represent the same information from a common source in very different ways, we sometimes miss them due to our unfamiliarity with them. They seem foreign to us unless we look for commonalities and patterns in them and try to understand where the root of this information is. Given that's not our nature, I wonder how many of us would be open to new revelations, especially if they seemed especially foreign to us? Would we willingly accept additional apocryphal writings that share a common theme, even if they were written by prophetic figures unbeknownst to us? Would we take the same challenge that exists in the Book of Mormon? Read the documents with a sincere desire to learn and ask for a confirmation from the Holy Ghost? We say we believe in modern-day revelation. If new scripture were revealed, would we recognize it as such? This reminds me eerily of the parable of the ten virgins. All of these women were anxiously waiting the bridegroom's arrival (2nd coming of Christ) but never knew exactly when it would be that he would come. He purposely came around midnight because he knew that only those were truly looking and were prepared would be waiting for him. None of the 10 virgins were bad people (the collective church are the 10 virgins), but some became lax and were not prepared and so missed out on the event. They got so used to the way things always were, that they were not actively preparing for the arrival of their Master. If we are not increasing our testimony, it is decreasing. Faith without works is dead. I would also say that a testimony without constant study of the Lord's word to people is good for very little. We cannot be slothful servants and simply wait for our leaders to say "OK everyone, get prepared, Chris is coming in T minus 1 year" We must be ready to meet our Creator every single day of our lives. If we don't, we may find ourselves as 1 among the 5 virgins who was not properly prepared.