Parables and Accounts that teach Eternal Truths

Luke 16: 1-12: The parable of the unjust steward. Elder James E. Talmage explained that the lesson we can learn from this parable is to, “Be diligent; for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass. Take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil; if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of, how much more should you, who believe in an eternal future, provide therefor! If you have learned wisdom and prudence in the use of ‘unrighteous mammon,’ how can you be trusted with the more enduring riches?” (Jesus the Christ, 464). Our time on this earth is short and we need to realize that and use this time to prepare for eternal life. If we are working hard to keep the commandments of God and securing our eternal future, we will be blessed. Obtaining riches is not always bad, we can use our money to do good in this world. Luke 16:19-31: The parable of the rich man and Lazarus. We are taught to put God first in our lives. If we have His will as our priority, we will be blessed and find joy in this life. Luke 16:13 reads, “No servant can serve two masters. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Our love and desire to make money cannot come before our love and desire to serve God. Luke 17:11-19: The ten lepers. Only one of the ten lepers came back to thank Jesus for healing them. We must always remember to be grateful for our blessings and thank our Heavenly Father for all He has given us.

Luke 18:1-8: The parable of the unjust judge. Luke 18:1 teaches us the main lesson of this parable, “men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “When lonely, cold, hard times come, we have to endure, we have to continue, we have to persist. That was the Savior’s message in the parable of the importuning widow. … Keep knocking on that door. Keep pleading. In the meantime, know that God hears your cries and knows your distress. He is your Father, and you are His child” (“Lessons from Liberty Jail,” Ensign, Sept. 2009, 30). Luke 18:9-14. The parable of the Pharisee and the publican. In this parable, the Savior warns us of hypocrisy. We must be a humble people, just as the Savior was humble, and love all of God’s children. The Savior stated the moral of the parable in terms of pride and humility: “For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14; see also D&C 52:15). (New Testament Student Manual)