As we have all heard before, I am sure, there is a difference between the sheep herder that raised the sheep my grandpa worked with and a shepherd of Christ’s day. As a hireling, a sheep herder sees the sheep as the means to a paycheck. He does care for their safety, but only because his monetary loses when sheep are harmed or killed. When the sheep must be moved, the sheep herder drives them to their destination.
In contrast, we read in John 10 verses 2 through 5,
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
The relationship between the sheep and the shepherd are quite different than that of the sheep herder. It is this difference and the characteristics of a shepherd that I wish to discuss.
While Jesus Christ was the Good Shepherd and leader of all of us sheep, each of us has our own fold of stewardship. Of our folds are we sheep herders or shepherds?
There are six attributes of a shepherd that I would like to share with you today. It is my hope that as we learn of these qualities, it will make us better shepherds in our own right. These attributes in part come from a New Era article written by James Moss.
What are shepherds?
1. The Shepherd Loves his sheep.
True discipleship begins with the love of our neighbor, and more specifically, those sheep within our fold. Love should be the driving force behind the efforts of our callings. Just like sheep, those in our fold can tell when we have a genuine love and caring for them. Your love will ripple through your councilors and teachers to everyone within your fold. When leaders lead and teachers teach with love, the Spirit of the Lord will be felt and hearts will be softened and the fold unifed.
Service is one way that we can build love for others in ourselves, our courselors, our teachers, and all within our fold. An example of this principle is that of Ammon in the Book of Mormon. Ammon used service, humility, and the power of God to set the stage to teach King Lamoni. He showed true love for this man, and this love softened the king's heart and prepared him for the gospel message.
2. The Shepherd Knows his Sheep
The Savior said in John 10: 4, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep.” (John 10:14.) Sheep herders see the sheep as a ubiquitous pasture of dumb white animals, while the shepherd sees them as unique individuals that He calls by name.
As the shepherd of your fold, do you know the names of your sheep? Do you know their birthdays, careers, hobbies, frustrations, etc.? Even more important that these, do we know the sheep of our flock on a spiritual level? Do we seek the Spirit to better understand what we can do to meet the spiritual needs of our flock?
Bishop Collings shared a story at the father-and-sons fireside a couple of months ago that illustrates how we should care for the sheep of our folds. He spoke of a young home teacher who asked if everything was OK with the Bishop’s uncle Alan Collings and his family. They weren’t at church that week. This young brother was genuinely concerned with his home teaching families well being and was checking up to see what he could do to help.
We can't do it all by ourselves. We must utilize teachers, advisors, class presidencies, and home and visiting teachers to warn, expound, exhort, and teach each sheep based on their own specific needs and understanding of the gospel.
Remember the words of Paul to the Corinthians in 1 Cor 3:2, when he said, "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
The Spirit will direct you to provide milk or meat depending upon the need of the sheep.
3. The Shepherd goes out after the lost sheep and stays out until it is found.
As Christ ministered he spoke of the hireling who, when danger is upon him, flees for his own safety, but the shepherd leaves the ninety and nine to seek the lost sheep. He further taught in Luke 15:4, "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?"
Notice the ever so slight change that the Prophet Joseph made to this verse. The prophets translation says that the shepherd leaves the ninety and nine and goes into the wilderness to find the lost sheep. Often the lost sheep of our flock are in the wilderness. They are lost. They won’t find their way back without our help. Into the wilderness we must go to find the lost sheep in our fold, and search diligently until we find them and bring them back.
We as leaders must be examples of and teach our fold the importance of patience, perseverance, and prayer when it comes to finding those who are lost. Rome wasn’t built in a day and our prayers are answered according to the Lord’s timeline.
As a new missionary to the field I learned these three vital elements as I taught a family, the Fords. While checking back on some families taught many months before we came across the Fords. The father, Russell had by now read the Book of Mormon more than three times and had a testimony of its truthfulness. In contrast, his wife Lenore had not read the book nor had she received a similar witness. Further, Sister Ford had several stumbling blocks in her life. When challenged to baptism, Brother Ford accepted the challenge, but desired to wait for this saving ordinance until his wife was ready as well. As missionaries, the thought of waiting, what seemed like an eternity, to bring his wife to baptism seemed undawnting. We requested the help of the ward to fellowship and pray with us for the Fords. It took several months for Sister Ford to make some hard life changes. The ward stepped up by fellowshipping, serving, and loving the Fords. Patience, Persistance, and Prayer paid off. Not long before I was transferred from this area, I had the opportunity to baptize Sister Ford. I shall forever be greatful for the support of the Brandon, Manitoba Ward.
4. The Shepherd helps to bear the burdens of the sheep that is found.
Continuing the words of Jesus Christ in Luke 15 verse 5 we read, “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing.”
This verse reminds me of the words of Isaiah as he spoke of Christ the Shepherd. In Isaiah forty, verse 11, we read, “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.”
Those lost sheep who have been found require more than a simple wave to come back. We must take them by the hand, put our arm around them and gently lead them to the fold.
As leaders we must work with our teachers and members to show love and fellowship to those who return. A Relief Society lesson where the spirit is strong and the discussion is uplifting will provide a spiritual invitation to those who were once lost. Encourage your teachers to come to class prepared spiritually to uplift those in your fold. Help them to use the scriptures as a key part of their lessons. Reading and studying the scriptures will invite the spirit like nothing else. Home and Visiting Teachers have a vital responsibility to befriend new members and those returning. Encourage them to pray before each visit and invite the spirit into the home through a gospel message and prayer.
5. The Shepherd leads the sheep by personal example.
The Good Shepherd said, “Come, follow me.” He set for us a personal example of what he asks us to become. (See 2 Ne. 31:6–10.) Successful shepherds are leaders who practice what they preach and ask nothing more of their followers than that which they require of themselves.
6. The Shepherd feeds the sheep.
Ultimately, what is really important with regard to the sheep of our fold is whether or not their lives are actually changed for the better. Brother Moss remarks, “An entire flock of sheep can starve to death if the shepherd doesn’t provide them with food and water, either through leading them to the pasture or through bringing the feed out of the barn.”
Jesus’ challenge to Peter is the same challenge he gives to each of us. “ Feed my Lambs , Feed my sheep. Feed my sheep,” (See John 21:15–17.)
Leaders and our teachers, both those in class, and those assigned to visit the homes of our members are given the great responsibility of feeding our sheep. From the great missionary scripture in D&C Four we learn the nourishing ingredient the life-saving food must contain: Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
I testify that these six attributes we have just discussed are the characteristics of the Good Shepherd, even Jesus Christ. We must incorporate these attributes into our own lives and that of our organizations so that we can effectively shepherd our own flock and guide others to better shepherd theirs. I know that the spirit will guide us in carrying out this essential task.
Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
