The beauty of diversity and community was on full display at Temple Square in Salt Lake City with the recent unveiling of a striking sculpture depicting the Five Wise Virgins from the Biblical parable.
With spring flowers braving chilly weather and a solitary goose paddling in the reflecting pond, the sculpture adds to the allure of Temple Square.
Created by artist Ben Hammond, the statue features five women of different ethnicities, ages, and heights, each holding a lit lamp in anticipation of the Bridegroom, symbolizing Christ’s return.
Hammond is also known for his work on the Martha Hughes Cannon statue, which stands in the U.S. Capitol’s Emancipation Hall in Washington, D.C.
This new installation, located outside the Relief Society building, reflects the diverse backgrounds of Latter-day Saints from around the world — a community that now includes more than 17.5 million members across over 160 countries.
During the recent general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, various speakers, including General Relief Society President Camille Johnson, highlighted the relevance of the parable of the Ten Virgins in their messages.
Johnson noted that while the five wise virgins in the parable do not share the oil of their conversion, they do share their light, standing shoulder to shoulder, encouraging others to come to the light.
“Significantly,” Johnson remarked, “they are depicted supporting one another — shoulder to shoulder, an arm around another, making eye contact and beckoning others to come to the light.”
At the dedication of the statue, Johnson described it as a “beautiful reflection of being disciples of Jesus Christ” and expressed the importance of depicting the diversity of women within the church.
She stated, “That was important: that every woman who comes to the sculpture and here to Temple Square and in front of the Relief Society Building will feel like they’re a part of something big, and they’ll see themselves in the sculpture.”
The message delivered by Johnson and embodied in the statue prompts introspection about individual participation within the church and community.
Questions arise: Are we keeping our lamps of conversion filled?
Do we share our light with others?
Do we actively work towards creating a sense of belonging in Relief Society and the broader church community?
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles similarly spoke on the parable, stressing the importance of personal preparation to meet the Savior.
He emphasized that the essential lesson of the Ten Virgins is that one must actively accept the gospel and seek the Holy Ghost to navigate life’s challenges independently.
Renlund pointed out that no one can accept the gospel or take guidance from the Holy Ghost on our behalf; these choices must be made individually.
He also referenced two companion parables found in Mark 25 of the New Testament: the parable of the talents and the parable of the sheep and the goats.
In the latter, Christ illustrates how the sheep will sit on His right hand and inherit His kingdom, based on their actions towards the vulnerable in society.
Elder Renlund stated, “The distinguishing characteristic was whether they fed Him when He was hungry, gave Him drink when He was thirsty, housed Him when He was a stranger, clothed Him when He was naked, and visited Him when He was sick or imprisoned.”
Renlund concluded that Jesus Christ “expects us to use our gifts, talents, and abilities to bless the lives of Heavenly Father’s children … especially the most vulnerable and needy.”
These reflections tie back to the significance of the Five Wise Virgins statue and the messages conveyed by President Johnson.
As she prepared to embrace her role as Relief Society president, Johnson quoted Sister Reyna I. Aburto, who previously served as second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.
Johnson reiterated that “anywhere and everywhere we go, we are always part of Relief Society as we strive to fulfill its divine purpose, which is for women to accomplish God’s work in individual as well as collective ways by providing relief: ‘relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance — relief of all that hinders … joy and progress.’”
Overall, the unveiling of the Five Wise Virgins sculpture not only enhances the beauty of Temple Square but also serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of community, diversity, and personal responsibility in faith.
image source from：https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/04/17/five-wise-virgins-sculpture-general-conference-camille-johnson/
