Each of us should evaluate our temporal and spiritual priorities sincerely and prayerfully.
Parables are a defining feature of the Lord Jesus Christ’s masterful approach to teaching. Simply defined, the Savior’s parables are stories used to compare spiritual truths with material things and mortal experiences. For example, the New Testament Gospels are replete with teachings likening the kingdom of heaven to a grain of mustard seed,1 to a pearl of great price,2 to a householder and laborers in his vineyard,3 to ten virgins,4 and to many other things. During part of the Lord’s Galilean ministry, the scriptures indicate that “without a parable spake he not unto them.”5
The intended meaning or message of a parable typically is not expressed explicitly. Rather, the story only conveys divine truth to a receiver in proportion to his or her faith in God, personal spiritual preparation, and willingness to learn. Thus, an individual must exercise moral agency and actively “ask, seek, and knock”6 to discover the truths embedded in a parable.
I earnestly pray that the Holy Ghost will enlighten each of us as we now consider the importance of the parable of the royal marriage feast.
The Royal Marriage Feast
“And Jesus … spake unto them again by parables, and said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
“And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
“Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
“But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.”7
In ancient times, one of the most joyous occasions in Jewish life was a wedding celebration—an event that would span a week or even two. Such an event required extensive planning, and guests were informed far in advance, with a reminder sent on the opening day of the festivities. An invitation from a king to his subjects to a wedding such as this was essentially considered a command. Yet, many of the bidden guests in this parable did not come.8
“The refusal to attend the king’s feast was a deliberate [act of] rebellion against … royal authority and a personal indignity against both the reigning sovereign and his son. … The turning away by one man to his farm and by another to his [business interests]”9 reflects their misguided priorities and total disregard of the king’s will.10
The parable continues:
“Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
“Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
“So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.”11
The custom in those days was for the host of a wedding feast—in this parable, the king—to provide garments for the wedding guests. Such wedding garments were simple, nondescript robes that all attendees wore. In this way, rank and station were eliminated, and everyone at the feast could mingle as equals.12
People invited from the highways to attend the wedding would not have had the time or means to procure appropriate attire in preparation for the event. Consequently, the king likely gave guests the garments from his own wardrobe. Everyone was given the opportunity to clothe themselves in garments of royalty.13
As the king entered the wedding hall, he surveyed the audience and immediately noticed that one conspicuous guest was not wearing a wedding garment. The man was brought forward, and the king asked, “Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.”14 In essence, the king asked, “Why are you not wearing a wedding garment, even though one was provided for you?”15
The man obviously was not dressed properly for this special occasion, and the phrase “And he was speechless” indicates that the man was without excuse.16
Elder James E. Talmage provides this instructive commentary about the significance of the man’s actions: “That the unrobed guest was guilty of neglect, intentional disrespect, or some more grievous offense, is plain from the context. The king at first was graciously considerate, inquiring only as to how the man had entered without a wedding garment. Had the guest been able to explain his exceptional appearance, or had he any reasonable excuse to offer, he surely would have spoken; but we are told that he remained speechless. The king’s summons had been freely extended to all whom his servants had found; but each of them had to enter the royal palace by the door; and before reaching the banquet room, in which the king would appear in person, each would be properly attired; but the deficient one, by some means had entered by another way; and not having passed the attendant sentinels at the portal, he was an intruder.”17
A Christian author, John O. Reid, noted that the man’s refusal to wear the wedding garment exemplified blatant “disrespect for both the king and his son.” He did not simply lack a wedding garment; rather, he chose not to wear one. He rebelliously refused to dress appropriately for the occasion. The king’s reaction was swift and decisive: “Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”18
The king’s judgment of the man is not based primarily upon the lack of a wedding garment—but that “he was, in fact, determined not to wear one. The man … desired the honor of attending the wedding feast, but … did not want to follow the custom of the king. He wanted to do things his own way. His lack of proper dress revealed his inner rebellion against the king and his instructions.”19
Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen
The parable then concludes with this penetrating scripture: “For many are called, but few are chosen.”20
Interestingly, Joseph Smith made the following adjustment to this verse from Matthew in his inspired translation of the Bible: “For many are called, but few are chosen; wherefore all do not have on the wedding garment.”21
The invitation to the wedding feast and the choice to partake in the feast are related but different. The invitation is to all men and women. An individual may even accept the invitation and sit down at the feast—yet not be chosen to partake because he or she does not have the appropriate wedding garment of converting faith in the Lord Jesus and His divine grace. Thus, we have both God’s call and our individual response to that call, and many may be called but few chosen.22
To be or to become chosen is not an exclusive status conferred upon us. Rather, you and I ultimately can choose to be chosen through the righteous exercise of our moral agency.
Please note the use of the word chosen in the following familiar verses from the Doctrine and Covenants:
“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men.”23
I believe the implication of these verses is quite straightforward. God does not have a list of favorites to which we must hope our names will someday be added. He does not limit “the chosen” to a restricted few. Instead, our hearts, our desires, our honoring of sacred gospel covenants and ordinances, our obedience to the commandments, and, most importantly, the Savior’s redeeming grace and mercy determine whether we are counted as one of God’s chosen.24
“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”25
In the busyness of our daily lives and in the commotion of the contemporary world in which we live, we may be distracted from the eternal things that matter the most by making pleasure, prosperity, popularity, and prominence our primary priorities. Our short-term preoccupation with “the things of this world” and “the honors of men” may lead us to forfeit our spiritual birthright for far less than a mess of pottage.26
Promise and Testimony
I repeat the admonition of the Lord to His people delivered through the Old Testament prophet Haggai: “Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.”27
Each of us should evaluate our temporal and spiritual priorities sincerely and prayerfully to identify the things in our lives that may impede the bounteous blessings that Heavenly Father and the Savior are willing to bestow upon us. And surely the Holy Ghost will help us to see ourselves as we really are.28
As we appropriately seek for the spiritual gift of eyes to see and ears to hear,29 I promise that we will be blessed with the capacity and judgment to strengthen our covenant connection with the living Lord. We also will receive the power of godliness in our lives30—and ultimately be both called to and chosen for the Lord’s feast.
“Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion.”31
“For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.”32
I joyfully declare my witness of the divinity and living reality of God, our Eternal Father, and of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and that He lives. And I also witness that the Father and the Son appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, thus initiating the Restoration of the Savior’s gospel in the latter days. May each of us seek for and be blessed with eyes to see and ears to hear, I pray in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
These verses were brought to my attention today. I wonder why Elder Bednar didn't reference them in his talk, since they perfectly apply! (the footnote for verse 11 IS this parable)
1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give aear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you, and also concerning bthis land unto which I have sent you.
2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that akeepeth my commandments, whether in life or in bdeath; and he that is cfaithful in dtribulation, the ereward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
3 Ye cannot behold with your natural aeyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the bglory which shall follow after much tribulation.
4 For after much atribulation come the bblessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be ccrowned with much dglory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may alay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.
6 Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be aprepared to bbear ctestimony of the things which are to come;
7 And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the aZion of God shall stand;
8 And also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the apoor; yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the blees well refined, that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;
9 Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all anations shall be invited.
10 First, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble;
11 And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the apoor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the bmarriage of the Lamb, and partake of the csupper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.
12 Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.
If the Lord blesses me with riches, I think I am to give myself poor, so I am always counted among the "poor"
D&C 104:13 For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man aaccountable, as a bsteward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.
14 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and abuilt the earth, my very bhandiwork; and all things therein are mine.
15 And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
16 But it must needs be done in mine own away; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the bpoor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
17 For the aearth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be bagents unto themselves.
18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the aabundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the blaw of my gospel, unto the cpoor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in dhell, being in torment.
It sounds like we are to give to the "saints" first, so that we as a people are taking care of each other first, then we go out from there?....
Lessons Learned:
This parable is comparing spiritual truths with material things and mortal experiences.
Elder Bednar’s “intended meaning” is not shared openly. You will receive the truth in this parable according to your faith in God, personal spiritual preparation and willingness to learn.
You must exercise your moral agency and actively “ask,seek, and knock” to discover the truths embedded in this parable.
The Parable of the Royal Marriage Feast is important!
Symbols:
Certain King - Kingdom of Heaven - This parable teaches how to return to God
Marriage arranged for his son - The son is Jesus Christ. He is the bridegroom
Wedding (one of most joyous occasions; lasts a week or two; required extensive planning; guests informed far in advance with a reminder sent on the opening day of the festivities) - The Second Coming takes place over a period of time. The extensive planning is laid out in the scriptures. We have all been invited to come. Is this the “reminder” on the “opening day of the festivities” from an apostle?
Servants sent to call people to the wedding (an invitation from a king to his subjects to a wedding was a command) - The servants are the apostles. The first group of invited guests are those who have already been invited and have had time to make preparations and obtain the appropriate attire. These are members of the church who have the temple ordinances and holy garments already. They are already aware of the coming wedding and have accepted the invitation when it first came.
Invited guests that do not come (a deliberate act of rebellion; personal insult to the king and the son;) - These are the members of the church who have made temple covenants who are choosing to leave and take off their garments and not respond to the invitation. They haven’t been looking forward to the wedding. They don’t want to go.
Other servants sent to those who refuse to come - These could be the local members who try to reach those who are leaving.
Dinner, with oxen, fatlings, all things ready - We are reminded that we’ve already accepted the invitation and the Lord has planned for us to be there. We are being told that “all things are ready” now and we are being called to make our way to the Lord’s Second Coming.
Those who refuse to come make light of it, go their ways to their farm and merchandise (shows their misguided priorities and total disregard of the king’s will)- These are the members who make light of “Second Coming” language, who think they have plenty of time to attend to their work and/or acquire more “things”.
King tells his servants the wedding is ready - We are being told the wedding is “ready”.
Those who were first bidden are not worthy - These are members who are not worthy to attend the marriage that is “now” ready and refuse to come. We will be literally “called out” soon and many will not go, will make light of it, and claim they need to go to work still. Their choice to do so shows they are not worthy.
Servants sent into the streets to invite as many as they find to come to the marriage - This is the final harvest. These servants may be those of other faiths who love the Lord and are calling people to come to Christ and prepare for His return.
Servants gather both bad and good to come to the wedding. - Many will repent during this last call.
Garments provided to guests by King (simple, nondescript robes, all wore; so rank and station were eliminated; all mingle as equals) - converting faith in Christ and HIs divine grace. - this clearly represents the temple where we are clothed in the holy garment and put on robes and are all dressed in white; where status is removed and all are alike. Also, represents the baptism by fire that is given “by the King” to convert these last minute guests to Christ, granting them faith through His divine grace.
Last minute guests have no time or means to get the appropriate attire - Those who convert at the “last day” haven’t had the time we have had to prepare and go to the temple.
King provides them garments. All given the opportunity to clothe themselves in garments of royalty - God will provide what is needed to this last group. Akin to the “last laborers in the vineyard” parable, they receive the same wage as those who have labored all day. Perhaps because the “price” to convert at the end requires a complete sacrifice.
One guest not wearing a wedding garment; called “friend” by the king; desired the honor of attending the wedding feast but didn’t want to follow the custom of the king. Wanted to do things his own way. Lack of proper dress revealed his inner rebellion against the king and his instructions - This refers to members of the church, perhaps who have already received their baptism by fire, hence they are called “friend”; who become casual and prideful and refuse to wear the garment they have received in the temple. They think they can follow Christ “their own way” and shouldn’t be judged for it. It may also be those outside the church who don’t want to join the church or receive ordinances, but still say they believe in Christ.
Guest is speechless (without excuse; guilty of neglect, intentional disrespect)) - No one who is offered the ordinances and refuses is left with excuse
Each guest had to enter by the “door” - The door is Christ. We must each be baptized by fire by Him alone. There is no other way.
Before reaching the banquet where the king would appear, each has to be properly attired - With charity, which is what Christ clothes us with when we enter the door.
The guest entered “another way” - He did not have charity
Not passing the “sentinels at the portal” - so he was an intruder - those who seek to enter Christ’s presence without having received charity will not be allowed to enter. These are the “tares’ in the church who “look” like others and want to be a guest at the table, but are rebellious in their hearts, not wanting to submit fully to the Lord’s commands.
King’s action was swift and decisive - “Behold I come quickly”
Bind, cast into outer darkness; weeping and gnashing of teeth - This is the final judgment of the wicked.
Many are called, but few are chosen (wherefore all do not have on the wedding garment - we choose to be chosen by the righteous exercise of our moral agency.
D&C 121:34-46 - Called who are not chosen because their hearts are set upon the things of this world and they aspire to the honors of men.
Our hearts, desires, honoring of sacred gospel covenants and ordinances, obedience to commandments and the Savior’s redeeming grace and mercy determine whether we are counted as one of God’s chosen.
Labor diligently to write, persuade your children and others to believe in Christ, to be reconciled (conform to His laws) to God.
Life is busy and full of commotion. Don’t be distracted from eternal things that matter most. Check yourself to see if you are focused on pleasure, prosperity, popularity, prominence. These things can cause you to forfeit your spiritual birthright.
The Holy Ghost will help you see yourself as you really are.
Appropriately seek for spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear
Pray for the capacity and judgment to strengthen your covenant connection with the Lord.
Seek the power of godliness in your life
Pray to be called and chosen.
We must wake up! We need to really “see” and “hear” what God wants us to see and hear.
We need to “put on our strength” which is the power of godliness that comes from the ordinances of the temple.
Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments - This is the invitation to come to meet the bridegroom, properly attired and worthy to enter.
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