Thoughts on the Good Shepherd By Homer S.

Ellsworth At Christmastime, our thoughts often turn to the biblical account of the shepherds watching over their flocks. The shepherds scene is indeed symbolic: It brings to mind the care with which our Heavenly Father watches over all of his children, and the loving concern he feels for each of us. And it helps to remind us that he sent his beloved Son to guide us back to himthe babe born in Bethlehem of Judea, the Good Shepherd with an unparalleled, divine mission. A major part of our scriptures presents types and shadows of the coming of Jesus, his mortal ministry, and his mission as the Savior of all mankind. Certainly symbolism is apparent in the many references to the Shepherd and the flock. Indeed, the Savior himself used these symbols often in his teaching. It would have been natural for the Savior to refer to sheep and the flock in his attempts to teach the worth of souls as he went about establishing his ministry. His fellow Galileans understood the value of sheep, the necessity for a flock, and the responsibilities of a shepherd. His followers could therefore more clearly perceive the truths that he was teaching them. And those he selected as his disciples could more easily understand what he had to say to them about their responsibilities in helping him carry out his divine commission. The Good Shepherd In introducing his mission among men, Jesus identified himself as the Good Shepherd: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11.) In the Saviors time and place, a shepherd who was the owner of the sheep not only loved them but would risk his life for them. This was true of David. When his fathers sheep were attacked by a bear and a lion, David slew them both. (1 Sam. 17:3435.) At the time he was anointed by Samuel to be king, David was the shepherd of a flock in Bethlehem. And through his lineage, Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, the Good Shepherd whose flock would take in all the world. The Savior provided his disciples with ways of recognizing him. He compared the true shepherd to one who does not really care for his flock, who just tends sheep for a living: But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (John 10:12.) This may be an allegory about the wolf as Satan, coming in various ways to catch and to scatter the sheep. Here the hireling shepherd is one who gives way instead of resisting Satans temptations. But the Savior points out that he is the Good Shepherd, that he knows his sheep, that they are known of him, and that he will lay down his life for themall of them. This, of course, reminds us of the passage in 3 Nephi: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (3 Ne. 15:21.) In the account recorded in John, Jesus pointed out that he was ready to give his life for all of the children of our Father in Heaven. He also was describing what would actually take place through his crucifixion and atonement. Also, in John 10:7, the Savior explains that it is through him as the Savior, and only him, that mankind can gain entrance into his Heavenly Fathers kingdom: Then Jesus said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. There were two kinds of sheepfolds in Jesus time. One, a large building with beams covered with tree branches and straw, was used in the winter for the sheep. In the summer and spring the sheep for an entire town were kept in a large enclosure open to the sky but with walls high enough to keep predators out. At night all the individual family shepherds brought their flocks to the large fold and one man stood guard through the night instead of all the shepherds.

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Jesus used this parable to illustrate that he was the shepherd who took care of the sheep at night; he was the protector and guardian of the flock and no man could come into the fold without knowing the gospel and knowing his relationship to his Father in Heaven. Indeed, Jesus is the gatekeeper and he employeth no servant there. (2 Ne. 9:41.) The Shepherds Flock Through the analogy of the sheep and the shepherd, the Savior also explained that his followers would recognize his voice. They would know that he was the true shepherd who would find them and call them out of the world. The sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (John 10:3.) When I was in Israel I saw a little boy who could whistle and call his sheep as we call dogs. My son-inlaw, who spent two years there, told me that these shepherds are so close to their sheep that they literally call the sheep by name and the sheep come out of the flock. Jesus, understanding the nature of sheep, referred to them in characterizing the Pharisees and others who did not belong to his fold and did not recognize who he was. They did not come out and follow him as he called. In this manner, he clearly pointed out the difference between the true followers and their shepherd and the hypocrites and their counterfeit shepherd. In the ninth chapter of John, we read that the Pharisees asked the Savior why he had healed a blind man on the Sabbath. After considerable discussion, the Savior suggested that he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (John 10:13.) Continuing, the Savior said, The sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. (John 10:45.) The Savior was pointing out that the blind man, who had been excommunicated unjustly by the Pharisees, had now found refuge in the flock of the Good Shepherd. In some ways, the Pharisees were like goats. Nearly all flocks in the Middle East have sheep and goats, as was the case in Jesus time. Both are usedthe hair of the goats is useful for many practical purposes, and cheese and yogurt are made from the milk. But sheep and goats are very different and do not graze very well together. Shepherds usually prefer the sheep, since goats get into all sorts of trouble. They climb steep, hazardous slopes and often browse while standing on tree branches. Sheep are gentle, walk slowly, and usually obey. This is not so with wandering goats. The Shepherds Love References to sheep are also used by the Savior to explain his deep concern for the worth of every soul. In Luke 15:4 we read, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And in Matthew 9:36 we read: But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. [Matt. 9:36] Sheep turned out into the mountains to graze without the care of a shepherd are subject to all kinds of difficulties. Although most sheep follow the flock, wandering aimlessly and exposing themselves to predators, some sheep are taught to follow the shepherd, who leads them in safe paths. In either case, if there is no one to care for the sheep, the predators will come and the sheep will be scattered in the mountains and be killed or go astray.

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The people of Israel were sheep without a shepherd. They had been betrayed by their own priests and subjugated by foreign nations, and they suffered from lack of leadership. In addition, they were soon to be scattered following the destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus had been sent to the flock to lead as many back as would follow him. But he knew that, initially, those who followed would be few in number. As today in some places in the Mideast, the large flock may have been made up of several thousand sheep that belonged to many families and were taken care of by several shepherds. In this way the flock was more secure; therefore, people preferred to have their sheep in large flocks. Small flocks usually had only one shepherd and were much more likely to be victims of robbers. But in Luke 12:32 the Savior said, Fear not, little flock; for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Apparently he was telling his people that though they were a little flock they had no need to fear, even though there were not thousands of them with many shepherds. Their Father in Heaven would see to it that even with just one shepherd they would still be taken care of. The Shepherds Call The Savior used the analogy of sheep in his great post-resurrection call of Simon Peter. In John 21 we read that the risen Lord told his Apostles, who were fishing at the Sea of Tibereas, to cast their nets in a particular spot. When they did so they obtained a great catch. A little later, after they had dined with Jesus, he said, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? Peters answer was, Yea, Lord. Then three times the Savior commanded him to feed his sheep. (John 21:1517.) Though he was talking to a fisherman, he referred to sheep. It seems that the Savior was explaining to Peter that the work of saving souls is a much greater work than that expended for making a living and feeding our physical beings. This event was of great importance because Jesus was asking Peter to become the chief shepherd, the head of the flock on earth, now that Jesus was to return to his Father in Heaven. The Savior was telling Peter that he was the new leader, that his new occupation was to be the work of saving the souls of menthe sheep of the Saviors fold. The Lamb of God The analogy of the lamb also provided a clear, understandable context for the Crucifixion and the Atonement. John 1:29 reads, The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. At each Passover, an unblemished lamb was slain as part of the meal to be eaten to celebrate Israels deliverance from Egypt. The lamb had to be male and was selected beforehand. It was sacrificed before the whole congregation, and its blood was sprinkled on the familys doorway. In this context, the lamb is an apt symbol for the Savior, who was unblemished by sin and whose atonement delivered us from the bondage of sin. Truly John spoke of him as the Lamb of God, the one who was to be sacrificed. In Acts 8:32, the eunuch read from Isaiah, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth. When the eunuch asked Philip who Isaiah was referring to, Philip began to preach to him of Jesus. This symbol of the sheep provided a meaningful, beautiful comparison to an Easterner who knew about the sheep and the flock and could understand in the true sense the humility, patience, and meekness of the Savior. Following their discussion the eunuch was baptized. (Acts 8:3438.) References in the scriptures to sheep and the shepherd as types and shadows enrich our understanding and appreciation of the Savior and his mission on earth. Through these references, we realize more fully

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the nature of his mission, his manner of calling disciples to help him with his work, and his loving concern for all of mankind. Our appreciation of him as the Good Shepherd who came to lead us back to our Heavenly Father deepens, intensifying our yearnings to live a better life and renewing our hope and faith in a better future when Christ will come again to the earth to reign in love and peace.

Sheep, Shepherds, and Sheepherders by James R. Moss

Surprise! This article is not about our woolly friends that provide us with warm clothing and delicious lamb chops. Nor is it about those rugged individualists who brave the winter elements and steep mountain trails to care for them. It is, however, about another kind of sheep, and it is about you. Thats rightyou! For whether you know it or not, you are either a shepherd or a sheepherder. Want to know why, and what the difference is? A few years ago, Elder Thomas S. Monson contrasted two experiences: One thing I remember best about Provo Canyon is the experience encountered when driving around a bend near Vivian Parkto meet on the road a large herd of sheep. Have you ever seen a sheepherder in one of our western mountain canyons directing the sheep? He is usually at the rear of the flock, slouched down on his horse, sound asleep. And doing the work are half a dozen small dogs yapping and barking at the heels of the sheep. He is a sheepherder. A few months ago in Munich, Germany, I saw a true shepherd. There he was with staff in hand, singing, walking in front of his flock; and the flock followed behind him. When he turned to the left, the sheep turned to the left; when he went to the right, they went to the right. There were no dogs barking at the heels of his sheep. They indeed knew their shepherd and were following the pathway he took. (Pathways to Perfection, p. 93.) Now, what was the difference between the shepherd and the sheepherder? It was leadership! And how does that difference apply, and why is it so important to you? Because you, my friend, are a leader! It is virtually impossible to belong to the Church and not be a leader. You may be a good leader, an average leader, or a poor leader, but you cannot easily escape that choice responsibility. Whether in priesthood quorums or programs, auxiliary organizations, family units, or social groups, you are given the opportunity to directly or indirectly lead others. The same thing often happens in school, at work, and among your friends. In fact, every human activity involving two or more people is in part a leadership activity. Every time you consciously or unconsciously influence another person or group of people to make a decision or take an action, you are being a leader. Your constant challenge, therefore, is to continually strive to become a more effective leader by learning the lessons of successful leadership.

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These are found in their most complete form in the scriptures and writings of the living prophets. The parables of the shepherd and the sheep are among the very best of them. The Savior often referred to himself as a shepherd (see John 10:115) and taught leadership lessons using that example as in the parable of the lost sheep (see Matt. 18:1214; Luke 15:47). Ancient prophets such as Isaiah (see Isa. 40:11), the apostle Peter (see 1 Pet. 2:25), and Nephi (see 1 Ne. 22:25) also likened the Master to a shepherd in teaching us about his leadership characteristics. Now, before you read any farther, go and get your scriptures and read these six references. They are very brief and will only take you five minutes to read. When you have done this, continue reading the article. All right, are you finished? You probably noticed that the qualities of successful leadership are clearly identified in these references. Understanding and properly applying the lessons they teach can change you from being a stumbling sheepherder into a super shepherd, from being a poor or average leader into a great one. Remember that in each case the shepherd is the leader, and the sheep are the followers. Now, what are the lessons? 1. Love all of the sheep. Remember in the parable of the lost sheep that when it was found, the shepherd rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. (Matt. 18:13.) Successful leaders love all of their followers, not just those who follow the best. Someone once said, I dont care how much you know until I know how much you care. Successful leaders lead with a love so strong that their followers can actually feel it, and they spend extra time and effort sharing that love with followers who at first reject it. This is the very essence of charity, that Christlike attitude of acceptance that encircles all with a sweet security regardless of response. It is the prime prerequisite for successful leadership. 2. Number the sheep and measure their performance to determine who is lost. Nephi wrote that the Good Shepherd gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him. (1 Ne. 22:25.) In leading the sheep, the shepherd must know how many sheep he has, what their needs are, and who especially needs help. In the October 1970 general conference, Elder Monson counseled, When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates. Counting the sheep is a prerequisite to feeding the sheep. The story is told of a rancher who one Sunday found himself the only person in church. The minister came down from the pulpit and asked him whether or not he should go ahead with the service, and the man replied, If I go out to feed my sheep, and only one comes, I still feed him! The minister returned to his pulpit and preached a powerful sermon for over an hour, then came back down to the rancher and asked how he liked it. The man replied, If I go out to feed my sheep, and only one comes, I sure dont feed him the whole load! A wise leader can profit from this counsel and provide the feed where it is needed. 3. Go out after the lost sheep and stay out until it is found. A successful shepherd or leader is willing to leave the comfort and security of the usual physical, social, or procedural patterns of life to actually go after that which is lost, until he find it (Luke 15:4), to bring a lost sheep back to the fold. It is not enough to simply hope and pray and plan and worry. These are necessary, but if a sheep is lost it will not find its way back to the fold unless someone actually goes out to help it. The thickets and canyons in which sheep and people are lost may be spiritual, physical, intellectual, or social. The successful shepherd finds out, goes out, stays out, and brings back the lost sheep.

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4. Help bear the burdens of the sheep that is found. When a sheepherder finds a lost sheep, he sends it back to the flock with a swift kick and angry words, unmindful of why it was lost, what injuries it may have suffered as a result, and the difficulties it might have in rejoining the flock after being separated for a period of time. The shepherd treats the sheep very differently. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing. (Luke 15:5.) Remember Isaiahs vision of the Shepherd Savior? He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isa. 40:11.) Successful leaders find out why followers have been lost, what problems they presently face, and then help the person make the difficult journey back from the shadows of separation to the brightness of belonging. They exemplify Dina Craiks beautiful understanding of true friendship in leadership: Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor to measure words, but pouring them all right out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away. (Quoted by Neal A. Maxwell in A More Excellent Way, Deseret Book Co., 1967, p. 51.) 5. Involve others in fellowshipping the sheep that is found. When a sheep or a person rejoins the flock after a period of separation, it is usually as difficult for it as it is for newcomers to establish relationships and gain friendships. Many things may have changed while it was lostothers may have joined the flock, new social patterns and activities may have been introduced, and the flock may have even moved to a new pasture. Instead of coming back to a familiar home, the returning sheep finds himself bewildered and insecure. Wise shepherds recognize this and always involve as many others as possible in the reentry process. When the shepherd in the Saviors parable returned home with the lost sheep, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (Luke 15:6.) And remember the parable of the prodigal son? When the son finally came to his senses and returned home, his leader-father immediately organized a welcome home party, complete with a feast, to which he probably invited his sons former friends. (See Luke 15:2225.) A successful leader even involves others when they may not be as effective as he is, knowing that participation is more important than perfection. 6. Get to know the sheep. The Savior said, I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep. (John 10:14.) Sheepherders never learn to know their sheep on an individual basis, treating them all alike as if one were no different from another. Shepherds establish individual relationships with each of their sheep and lead the flock as a whole. Further, they strive to understand not only the outward person, with all of the signals of dress and grooming habits, speech patterns, and other ways in which people either try to tell or hide something about themselves, but also the inner person. This requires a spiritual friendship as well as an emotional and intellectual relationship. It goes beyond knowing to feeling, beyond mere surface knowledge to the kind of divine discernment the Lord urged Samuel to develop when the prophet went to the house of Jesse to choose a new king for Israel: But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Sam. 16:7.)

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7. Let the sheep get to know you. It is not enough to merely know the sheep. They must also know you. When the shepherd putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers. (John 10:45.) Remember that when the Savior said he knew the sheep, he also said they knew him (see John 10:14), a reciprocal relationship which Nephi also confirmed (see 1 Ne. 22:25). People and sheep both follow others out of love, and love is developed by becoming part of anothers life. The Savior constantly made himself a part of his followers daily activities, eating with them, discussing their problems, and teaching them in the setting of their own concerns. As he became a part of them, they in turn became a part of him and were willing to follow because they knew and trusted him. 8. Lead the sheep by personal example. Shepherds say, Come, follow me. The Savior set for us a personal example of what he asks us to become. (See 2 Ne. 31:610.) Successful shepherds and leaders are consistent in their correlation of personal and institutional leadership. They practice what they preach and ask nothing more of their followers than that which they require of themselves. 9. Feed the sheep. In the final analysis, what is really important in leading sheep and people is whether or not their lives are actually changed for the better by the one who leads them. An entire flock of sheep can starve to death if the shepherd doesnt provide them with food and water, either through leading them to the pasture or through bringing the feed out of the barn. The sheepherder who fails to feed is a leader who fails to lead, and neither is of any benefit to sheep or people. When Jesus challenged Peter about his new leadership responsibilities as president of the Church, the Saviors directions were clearFeed my sheep. (See John 21:1517.) Successful leaders are like the farmers who make sure that the water gets to the end of the row, that every individual plant receives the life-giving nourishment it needs to survive and grow. 10. Sacrifice yourself for the good of the sheep. Successful leadership requires sacrifice on the part of the leader. The example of the good Samaritan in the Saviors parable identifies some types of such sacrificetime, effort, personal feelings, financial means, inconvenience, and possible physical and social injury. (See Luke 10:2537.) Jesus meant it when he said, As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:15.) Good shepherds and good leaders are both willing to sacrifice all that is required of them for the life of the sheep, whether that means dying for them or the more difficult task of living for them in quiet dedication on a daily basis. These, then, are the lessons of leadership we can learn from the Good Shepherd. They are easy to learn but more difficult to apply. Whether you are a stumbling sheepherder or a super shepherd depends upon how willing you are to improve, what effort you make to do so, and how closely you conform to the perfect model our Savior-leader has provided for us. That it is of great personal importance for you to do so is clear from the stewardship accounting required by the Lord of an earlier generation of shepherds. As the prophet Ezekiel recorded the repeated failures of the shepherds of Israel in his day (see Ezek. 34:131), so will heavenly scribes of necessity report the leadership failures of this day. Remember well the basis of judgment for that prior dispensation, and avoid a disastrous duplication for yourself in this one. Now, remember that you are a leader. Remember that you can be a great leader. Remember that the Good Shepherd watches over you and will constantly help you as you strive to become like him. Remember that you can be like him if you will be like him. Learn these lessons. Prepare yourself. Then go forth and lead your generation right on to the celestial kingdom. The time is now, and the leader is you!

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Me? A Shepherd in Israel?

One of the practices that distinguishes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that of having lay shepherds. We have no paid clergy in the wards, branches, stakes, and districts of the Church; rather, the members themselves minister to each other. Every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a calling to be a shepherd in Israel. Member-shepherds serve in bishoprics and branch presidencies, as priesthood and auxiliary leaders, as clerks and secretaries, as teachers of every kindincluding home and visiting teachersand in countless other capacities. Lay shepherds have several things in common. Each has sheep to nourish, encourage, and serve. Each is called by the Lord through His appointed servants. Each is accountable to the Lord for his or her stewardship as a shepherd. Seeking the Lost Sheep Joseph Serge Merilus left his native Haiti at the age of 19 and moved to the Dominican Republic in 1980 in search of work. Eighteen months later he went back to Haiti, fell in love, and returned to the Dominican Republic with his new bride, Marie Reymonde Esterlin. As they began their married life together in their newly adopted country, Joseph experienced a spiritual hunger. He and Marie visited several churches seeking to satisfy that hunger, but as Haitian Creole speakers in a Spanish-speaking country, they had difficulty understanding and being understood. Eventually they ran into two Latter-day Saint missionaries, who invited them to church. After Joseph and Marie had attended several meetings, the missionaries patiently taught them the discussions in Spanish, and they were baptized in September 1997. Joseph was called to serve in the Sunday School presidency, then as a counselor in the branch presidency, and later as branch president. But because of a series of misunderstandings and hurt feelings, much of it resulting from miscommunication, Joseph, Marie, and their five children fell into inactivity and were largely forgotten by local Church members. During the next seven years, the couple had four more children and welcomed a nephew and a niece from Haiti into their home. Through much effort Joseph became fluent in Spanish and English and began teaching English and Haitian Creole for a local company. In August 2007 two priesthood leaders, in the process of seeking out the Lords lost sheep, appeared on the familys doorstep. They discovered that Joseph and Marie still had testimonies of the gospel, even though they had not attended meetings for seven years. The leaders invited the family to return to church, which they did the very next dayall 13 of them. They have been attending ever since. Today Joseph is a branch mission leader in Barahona, located in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic. His two eldest sons also serve in branch leadership, and his nephew, a newly ordained elder, is the Young Men president. Recently the family traveled to the temple, where they were sealed as an eternal family. Just think of it, 13 lost sheep are now found because two member-shepherds were willing to search for, nourish, and bring this family back to the Lords fold. They were led to this home just as you and I will be led as we seek out the lost sheep who are our responsibility.

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I have been a witness of and a participant in thousands of shepherding visits. I testify to the marvelous outpouring of the Spirit that accompanies them. I have seen many lost sheep return and have felt the joy that comes as they are welcomed back into the fold. I have seen hearts touched, blessings pronounced, tears shed, testimonies borne, prayers offered and answered, and love expressed. I have seen lives changed. Feeding the Flocks Sometime between 592 and 570 B.C., God spoke to His prophet Ezekiel regarding negligent shepherds. Because of their negligence, the flock had been scattered. Of those shepherds, the Lord said: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds[:] should not the shepherds feed the flocks? The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost. Yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Thus saith the Lord God; I will require my flock at their hand (Ezekiel 34:2, 4, 6, 10). In many respects, we have become a chapel-based church. We go to great effort to provide spiritual and emotional nourishment for those who come to church, but what of those who have lost their way to the chapel? If I have received a calling to serve in the Church, then I have sheep to whom I have a divine obligation to minister and to serve. For example, as a teacher I am a shepherd not only to those who show up for my class but also to those who do not attend. I have the responsibility to find them, become acquainted with them, be their friend, minister to their needs, and bring them back to the fold. Leading Them Back As member-shepherds we would do well to remember and ponder the teachings in Luke 15. In that chapter the Lord taught the parables of the lost sheep, the lost piece of silver, and the prodigal son. All three relate to that which was lost and then found again. In the parable of the lost sheep, the Lord asks: What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance (Luke 15:47). In the parable, only one sheep strayed and was lost, but such is seldom the case in our wards and branches. The parables application remains the same, however, regardless of the number of sheep who have strayed from the fold.

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The parable does not indicate how long the recovery process took. In our shepherding efforts, some sheep will return after a single visit, while others will require years of constant and gentle encouragement. During the process of recovering our brothers and sisters, let us not forget that the sheep we are bringing back to the fold are dear to the heart of the Shepherd. 1 He knows each one of them individually. He loves each one of them with a perfect love. Because they are His, He will guide us, direct us, and inspire us in what to say if we will ask and then listen to the voice of the Spirit. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, many will respond positively as we sincerely and humbly reach out. May we remember our responsibilities as shepherds so that we can give a good accounting to the Lord regarding our stewardship over the sheep He has assigned to each of us. Watching Over the Sheep We are shepherds watching over Israel. The hungry sheep look up, ready to be fed the bread of life. Our task is to reach out to those who, for whatever reason, are in need of our help. President Thomas S. Monson, True to Our Priesthood Trust, Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2006, 5758. I have been a witness of and a participant in thousands of shepherding visits. I testify to the marvelous outpouring of the Spirit that accompanies them.

Watch with Me Henry B. Eyring Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

As you watch over His sheep, your love for Him will grow. And that will increase your confidence and your courage. I am grateful for the honor of speaking in the name of the Lord to the shepherds of Israel. That is who we are. When we accepted the priesthood, we took upon us the responsibility to do our part in watching over the Church. None of us can escape accountability. The president of the priesthood in all the earth bears the total responsibility. Through the keys of the priesthood, each quorum bears its part. Even the newest deacon in the most distant place on earth has a part in the great responsibility to watch over the Church. Listen to these words from the Doctrine and Covenants: Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? And then the Savior includes even the deacons in His listing of assignments: The deacons and teachers should be appointed to watch over the church, to be standing ministers unto the church (D&C 84:109, 111). I pray that I might explain our sacred trust so that even the newest deacon and the convert most recently ordained will see his opportunity. In many places in the scriptures, the Lord has described Himself and those He calls to the priesthood as shepherds. A shepherd watches over sheep. In the scriptural stories, the sheep are in danger; they need protection and nourishment. The Savior warns us that we must watch the sheep as He does. He gave His life for them. They are His. We cannot approach His standard if, like a hired servant, we watch only when it is convenient and only for a reward. Here is His standard:

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I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep (John 10:11 12). The members of the Church are the sheep. They are His, and we are called by Him to watch over them. We are to do more than warn them against danger. We are to feed them. Once, long ago, the Lord commanded His prophet to rebuke the shepherds of Israel. Here is the warning, which is still in force, in the words of the prophet Ezekiel: And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? (Ezek. 34:12). The food those shepherds took for themselves, letting the sheep starve, could lead to salvation for the sheep. One of the great shepherds in the Book of Mormon described both what that food is and how it can be provided: And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith (Moro. 6:4). It is painful to imagine a shepherd feeding himself and letting the sheep go hungry. Yet I have seen many shepherds who feed their flocks. One was the president of a deacons quorum. One of his quorum members lived near my home. That neighbor boy had never attended a quorum meeting nor done anything with the members of his quorum. His stepfather was not a member, and his mother did not attend church. The presidency of his deacons quorum met in council one Sunday morning. Each week they were fed the good word of God by the fine adviser and teacher. In their presidency meeting, those 13-year-old shepherds remembered the boy who never came. They talked about how much he needed what they received. The president assigned his counselor to go after that wandering sheep. I knew the counselor, and I knew he was shy, and I knew the difficulty of the assignment, so I watched with wonder through my front window as the counselor trudged by my house, going up the road to the home of the boy who never came to church. The shepherd had his hands in his pockets. His eyes were on the ground. He walked slowly, the way you would if you werent sure you wanted to get where you were headed. In 20 minutes or so, he came back down the road with the lost deacon walking by his side. That scene was repeated for a few more Sundays. Then the boy who had been lost and was found moved away. Now, that story seems unremarkable. It was just three boys sitting in a room around a small table. Then it was a boy walking up a road and coming back with another boy. But years later, I was in a stake conference, a continent away from the room in which that presidency had met in council. A gray-haired man came up to me and said quietly, My grandson lived in your ward years ago. With tenderness, he told me of that boys life. And then he asked if I could find that deacon who walked slowly up that road. And he wondered if I could thank him and tell him that his grandson, now grown to be a man, still remembered.

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He remembered because in those few weeks he had been, for the first time in his life that he recognized, watched over by the shepherds of Israel. He had been warned by hearing eternal truth from people who cared about him. He had been offered the bread of life. And young shepherds had been true to their trust from the Lord. It is not easy to learn to do that well and do it consistently. The Savior showed us how, and how to train others to do it. He established His Church. He had to leave His Church in the hands of inexperienced servants, just as many of us are. He knew they would face difficulties beyond their human powers to resolve. What He did for them can be a guide for us. When the Savior went to the Garden of Gethsemane to suffer bitter agonies before His betrayal and sufferings on the cross, He could have gone alone. But He took His priesthood servants with Him. Here is the account from Matthew: Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me (Matt. 26:38; emphasis added). The Savior prayed to His Father for strength. In the midst of His agony, He returned to Peter to teach him what it requires for all who would watch with Him: And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:4041). There is a reassurance and a warning in that simple exchange of the Master with His shepherds. He watches with us. He who sees all things, whose love is endless, and who never sleepsHe watches with us. He knows what the sheep need at every moment. By the power of the Holy Ghost, He can tell us and send us to them. And we can by the priesthood invite His power to bless them. But His warning to Peter is to us as well. The wolf who would kill the sheep will surely tear at the shepherd. So we must watch over ourselves as well as others. As a shepherd, we will be tempted to go near the edges of sin. But sin in any form offends the Holy Ghost. You must not do anything or go anywhere that offends the Spirit. You cannot afford that risk. Should sin cause you to fail, you would not only be responsible for your own sins but for the sorrow you might have prevented in the lives of others had you been worthy to hear and obey the whisperings of the Spirit. The shepherd must be able to hear the voice of the Spirit and bring down the powers of heaven or he will fail. The warning given to an ancient prophet is a warning to us as well: So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand (Ezek. 33:78). The penalty for failure is great. But the Lord taught Peter how to build the foundation for success. He repeated a simple message three times. It was that love for the Lord would be in the heart of a true shepherd. Here is the end of the account: He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep (John 21:17).

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It is love that must motivate the shepherds of Israel. That may seem difficult at the start, because we may not even know the Lord well. But if we begin with even a little grain of faith in Him, our service to the sheep will increase our love for Him and for them. It comes from simple things that every shepherd must do. We pray for the sheep, every one for whom we are responsible. When we ask, Please tell me who needs me, answers will come. A face or a name will come into our minds. Or we may have a chance meeting that we feel isnt chance. In those moments, we will feel the love of the Savior for them and for us. As you watch over His sheep, your love for Him will grow. And that will increase your confidence and your courage. Now, you may be thinking: Its not that easy for me. I have so many people to watch over. And I have so little time. But where the Lord calls He prepares a way, His way. There are shepherds who believe that. Ill tell you about one. Two years ago, a man was called as the president of his elders quorum. He had been a member of the Church for less than 10 years. He had just become worthy to be sealed to his wife and family in the temple. His wife was an invalid. He had three daughters. The oldest was 13, and she cooked the meals and, with the others, cared for the house. His scant earnings from manual labor supported not only those five people but a grandfather who lived with them in their small house. When he was called to be president of his elders quorum, it had 13 members. That tiny quorum was responsible for another 101 men who either had no priesthood at all or who were deacons, teachers, or priests. He was responsible to watch over the souls of 114 families, with little hope that he could devote more than his Sundays and perhaps one night a week to his service, with all he did to serve his own family. The difficulty of what he faced drove him to his knees in prayer. Then he stood up and went to work. In his efforts to meet and know his sheep, his prayers were answered in a way he had not expected. He came to see beyond individuals. He came to know that the Lords purpose was for him to build families. And even with his limited experience, he knew that the way to build families would be to help them qualify to make and keep temple covenants. He began to do what a good shepherd always does, but he did it differently when he saw the temple as their destination. First, he prayed to know who were to be his counselors to go with him. And then he prayed to know which families needed him and had been prepared. He called on as many as he could. Some were cold and did not accept his friendship. But with those who did, he followed a pattern. As soon as he saw interest and trust, he invited them to meet the bishop. He had asked the bishop beforehand: Please tell them what it takes to be worthy to go to the temple to claim its blessings for them and their families. And then please testify to them, as I have, that it will be worth it. A few then accepted the quorum presidents invitation to a temple preparation class taught by stake leaders. Not all completed the course and not all qualified for the temple. But each family and each father was prayed for. Most were invited at least once to a feast of the good word of God. With every invitation came the presidents testimony of the blessings of being a family sealed forever and the sadness of being separated. Every invitation was issued with the love of the Savior. During the presidents service, he has seen 12 of the men he taught ordained elders. He has seen four of his elders ordained high priests. Those numbers dont come close to measuring the miracle. The families of those men will be blessed over generations. Fathers and mothers are now sealed to each other and to their children. They are praying over their children, receiving the help of heaven, and teaching the gospel with the love and inspiration the Lord gives to faithful parents. That president and his counselors have become true shepherds. They have watched over the flock with the Master and have come to love Him. They are eyewitnesses to the truth of what the Savior taught an Apostle, Thomas B. Marsh. It is true for all who watch with the Lord over His sheep:

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Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go. Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward. Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen (D&C 31:1113). I testify that God the Father lives and answers our prayers. I am a witness that the loving Savior watches over His sheep with His faithful shepherds. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

What manner of man ought you to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. 3 Nephi 27:27

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What manner of man ought you to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. 3 Nephi 27:27

What manner of man ought you to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. 3 Nephi 27:27

What manner of man ought you to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. 3 Nephi 27:27

What manner of man ought you to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. 3 Nephi 27:27

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