Why Not Share?

When I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, ... shall not be hewn down... but shall abide the day. Doctrine & Covenants 45:56

No doubt many have read the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) and asked themselves, Why don’t the wise virgins simply share what they have with the foolish virgins so that they can all go to the wedding feast? We can hardly imagine that Jesus would not encourage people to share with one another. But some things simply cannot be shared. For example, individuals may share their testimonies, but they cannot actually give their testimony to another person. They may share doctrinal truths, but they cannot convey to someone else the knowledge they have gained over a lifetime of study. Spiritual marathons will not do. Sudden bursts of spiritual energy will not suffice. Rather, every prayer we offer, every passage of scripture we ponder, every act of Christian service we render fills our spiritual lamps gradually, one drop at a time. Spiritual preparation cannot be rushed. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 122)