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A modern day interpretation of The Parable of The Ten Virgins as found in Matthew, Chapter 25:1-13. It portrays distractions that can prevent us from filling our lamps with the oil of conversion: Judging, Noise, Extreme, Materialism, and Pride. It also portrays values young women are taught through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that help us carefully fill our lamps drop by drop: Divine Nature, Individual Worth and Knowledge, Good works, Choice and Accountability, Integrity, Faith & Virtue.

As daughters of Heavenly Father we are meant to shine. We are not ordinary. We are brilliant, beautiful and powerful. May this artwork be a reminder of the distractions and values of our time and remind us that today is the day to prepare.

“Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom.” (D&C 33:17) Choose You This Day.

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“Choose You This Day,” a modern day interpretation of the Ten Virgins by Megan Warner Taylor. Photographed by Don Wilhelmsen.

Extreme


Extreme wanders down dangerous paths.

Her blue lips symbolize a cold heart. She is past feeling. She embraces addictions of body and mind and feels compelled to invite others to join her. She knowingly chooses destructive behavior with no care for the consequences. The spirit has left her and she has a diminished conscience of the chains that bind her. 

Ephesians 6:11  “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Next is Extreme. She was the hardest girl to figure out. Her blue lips represent a heart that has grown cold. Her dark clothes and extreme make-up represent her path of darkness and heartache. She has bracelets on her wrists that represent her many addictions and the chains of Satan dragging her down. “And behold I say unto you all that this was a snare of the adversary, which he has laid to catch this people, that he might bring you into subjection unto him, that he might encircle you about with his chains, that he might chain you down to everlasting destruction, according to the power of his captivity” (Alma 12:6).

Her body is contorted, symbolizing the inability for the Spirit to flow in her. She does not cherish or respect her body. Her long black nails represent her ability to drag others down with her. When I first saw the pictures of the Extreme girl I was really surprised by how mad I looked. I realized that she is not happy. “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:3). 

C.S. Lewis’s book The Screwtape Letters is about two devils, Wormwood and Screwtape. Screwtape, a senior demon, is writing to his nephew Wormwood, helping him come up with ways to drag humans down to hell. One idea was to make them an extremist. Quoting Screwtape, “... an extreme patriot or an extreme pacifist. All extremes, except extreme devotion to the Enemy, are to be encouraged.”

misery loves company

as she is sitting, she has turned her back on what she believes
the world teaches us that as members of the church we have too many commandments, laws (restrictions) that we have no free agency.  

that the gospel holds us back, that is what Satan whats us to think, only through the gospel can we have total freedom, happiness and choices. If we choose to follow Satan, we soon have no choice and we become his slave.  

in the end the devil will not support his own, he promises us great rewards that will only lead to misery and destruction. His reaction when we sin & suffer is laughter and rejoicing. 

Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all can be transformed, cleansed, and freed from addiction.

Scriptures:
Alma 41:3
Alma 4:18 (Satan likes to poison us is degrees, small doses)
Helaman 6:35
Alma 19:30
Alma 23:7 what weapons (sins) can we bury today?


Links:
Addiction: You Will Be Freed

O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One- Elder M. Russell Ballard

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