They all slumbered and slept

[laronius]

In the parable of the ten virgins it says that: 

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept

What would you say the sleeping symbolizes? It sounds negative but it apparently applies to the whole church membership, not just the foolish virgins.

[SilentOne]

Does it have to symbolize something?

If it does, I'd suggest just going about day to day life. In that story, at that point in the day, their usual business would be sleeping.

[mikbone]

Matthew 26: 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep⁠, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Sometimes during the sacrament my mind wanders and I am reminded of this verse.

[laronius]

2 hours ago, mikbone said:

Matthew 26: 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep⁠, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Sometimes during the sacrament my mind wanders and I am reminded of this verse.

I hadn't thought about that. Might be something there 

I did find this:

D&C 35:21 For they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure.

But this is definitely negative. Not something the wise virgins would be guilty of in my thinking.

[Carborendum]

13 hours ago, laronius said:

In the parable of the ten virgins it says that: 

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept

What would you say the sleeping symbolizes? It sounds negative but it apparently applies to the whole church membership, not just the foolish virgins.

We know that the five foolish will be "unaware" that any signs have come.  So, yes, they will sleep.  And they will eventually depart because their lamps are not full.

The five wise may be faithful.  But human frailties make it impossible for them to stand awake all night.  This symbolizes that even when we're watching for signs, we may not recognize them.  Part of the reason is that we have had so many false positives, that it is difficult to get excited about "yet another sign." 

Even the faithful will not know the day nor the hour.  But they will be awakened when the Bridegroom comes because we are at least where we need to be.  Stand in holy places.

[Backroads]

13 hours ago, SilentOne said:

Does it have to symbolize something?

If it does, I'd suggest just going about day to day life. In that story, at that point in the day, their usual business would be sleeping.

This is what I tend to interpret. Slumbering and sleeping aren't bad things, but they certainly aren't exciting. It's the day to day (night to night?) stuff of a mortal world. No real sin involved, but that's just it, isn't it? We can be leading mostly decent lives and still be at risk of getting caught off-guard. Like Carb said, the important thing is we recognize what is happening when it is happening because I think despite all the signs and warnings pretty much all will be caught off-guard to some extent. Will we have oil ready? 

Edited April 7 by Backroads

[DurangoUT01]

This seems to apply…

 

Ether 8:24-25

24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.
(Ether 8:24-25)

[mordorbund]

When discussing sleep in the scriptures, Ether’s a safe bet.

[Carborendum]

53 minutes ago, mordorbund said:

When discussing sleep in the scriptures, Ether’s a safe bet.

Well... ya know... it's a heavenly elixir.

Edited April 9 by Carborendum

[laronius]

A seeming reason for the sleepiness was that the Bridegroom tarried. I interpret that to mean it took longer than expected for Him to appear. 

One of the signs of the times is that people will say the Lord delayeth His coming. I go back and forth on my interpretation of that, between them using it as an excuse to not prepare, thinking there's plenty of time left and wondering why it's taking so long for Him to appear, feeling despair because of the delay. I guess it could be both. Sis Johnson in GC referred to His coming "at the unexpected midnight hour" implying I believe that it took longer than expected.

So if that is the case then sleeping could reference a time when the sense of urgency has passed and the saints fall back into their normal routines of living, either faithfully living the gospel day in and day out or starting to slide in their gospel living.

[Traveler]

It is my impression that the virgins slept is symbolic that they were not engaged in or doing anything else.  It think that this is significant because all of the virgins were invited and came with the intent to welcome the bridegroom.  They all thought things would turn out well for them.

Generally, it seems to me that Christians (believers) think they are okay with nothing to worry about – it is the other Christians (just not them) that have problems and need to be concerned.  I think this is similar but opposite to Jesus at the last supper telling his Apostles that one would betray him.  I marvel that James did not whisper to John that it must be Judas because he has sure been acting strange lately?”  Rather the Apostles were more concerned about themselves than to criticize, correct or think it is someone else.

I am not sure but that I am among the unwise virgins that has not sufficiently prepared for the L-rd’s coming. 

                                                                        

The Traveler

[Just_A_Guy]

As I understand it, the custom was that the virgins would have been waiting with the bride at her house for the groom to come and fetch her.

If he’s late enough that people are falling asleep, then the natural response at some point is “gosh, is he coming at all?  Girl, he’s a deadbeat.  Clearly not reliable.  Not a provider.  Not husband material.  You should send him on his way even if he *does* come.”

But these virgins did not give up on the bridegroom.  Nor did they abandon the bride.  They knew the groom had already paid the bride-price.  They continued their vigil as loving and loyal friends, showing faith that the wedding was indeed still “on”.  They aren’t bad girls; and even the ones we call “foolish” are still far wiser than most of their generation.  But, notwithstanding their good intentions—some of them just plain weren’t ready to fully cope with an event that wasn’t playing out on their timetable.

Edited Monday at 05:24 AM by Just_A_Guy