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The Shepherd
Marsha Steed S - Seek
H - Heed
E - Experience
P - Prepare
H - Help
E - Endure
R - Receive
D - Do
In our lives... do we not search for something... something intangible, that
always seems just beyond our grasp? That ever illusive 'if only'... Perhaps, if
we listen, for just a moment, you and I together, can discover where that is to
be found... or ... at least attempted to be found. There are three things I wish
to address. Leaders, Followers, and Love.
I know, it really doesn't seem that they are related, but let me submit, that
they can be, and in deed... as the Savior admonished... are intricately
interwoven throughout the scriptures.
S................. SEEK .............
We are all sheep...we need to listen for his voice...if we don't...what happens
to sheep
outside a herd. They are killed by wild animals...To understand the treasures, that they contain... for the simple asking are they
not... His voice. Can we follow Him... if we know not... his voice
are we to follow... only because our parents say to. or our families... are
'traditionally'... this way...or our spouse... prods us to it? Where must the
motivation come. From without... or... within Does the 'good shepherd'... know
His sheep... or all we just a mass of nameless ones? Can we truly know Him,
until we understand... that first He knows us
what of the lost sheep... do we press forward, and let the one... fall by the
wayside, because it is stupider, or slower, or less attractive... than the
others. Will He
Isaiah tells us, that He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd, gathering the
lambs with his arms, and carrying them in his bosom... gently leading those that
are with young.' Do we... do as much? I fear nae.
What is Love?
...scripturally speaking? Is it not Charity. What is love for a brother
Love... is wishing the best, and accepting them... as they are, while hoping
always for
more for them. What is Love for God? Is it not...forgetting self... in serving
his children...
1John 3:16...and 5:3
1 John 3:16
16 Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.
1 John 5:3
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his
commandments are not grievous.
and... what are his commandments... but to ... 'love the lord God with all thy
heart might
mind and stregnth... and thy brother as thyself'?
But...how can I know God's commandments if I do not know His word?or... hear his
voice... aye.
You ask them about Love...which they all want\need...and tell them it is
impossible
apart from God's word...true love is anyway begin... with Love...
Strike them... where they need the most.Who amongst us, does not wish to be
loved?
and... accepted?.
H............. HEED..............
The submission of our will... is the only thing we can truly give the Lord...
for everything else, is already His. Neal A. Maxwell.
John 21:15
15 ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas,
lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that
I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my sheep.
17 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.
E............... Experience ..........
"One thing I remember best about Provo Canyon is the experience encountered when
driving around a bend near Vivian Park -- to meet on the road a large herd of
sheep. Have y ou 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 hsi 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
thepathway he took. " ( Thomas S. Monson, pathways to Perfection p. 93 )
Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd, Verse 1
Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,
Dear are the sheep of his fold;
Dear is the love that he gives them,
Dearer than silver or gold.
Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,
Dear are his "other" lost sheep;
Over the mountains he follows,
Over the waters so deep.
Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd, Chorus
Out in the desert they wander,
Hungry and helpless and cold;
Off to the rescue he hastens,
Bringing them back to the fold.
Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd, Verse 2
Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,
Dear are the lambs of his fold;
Some from the pastures are straying,
Hungry and helpless and cold.
See, the Good Shepherd is seeking,
Seeking the lambs that are lost,
Bringing them in with rejoicing,
Saved at such infinite cost.
Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd, Verse 3
Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,
Dear are the "ninety and nine";
Dear are the sheep that have wandered
Out in the desert to pine.
Hark! he is earnestly calling,
Tenderly pleading today:
"Will you not seek for my lost ones,
Off from my shelter astray?"
Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd, Verse 4
Green are the pastures inviting;
Sweet are the waters and still.
Lord, we will answer thee gladly,
"Yes, blessed Master, we will!
Make us thy true undershepherds;
Give us a love that is deep.
Send us out into the desert,
Seeking thy wandering sheep."
Why did the Savior of the world, most often refer to himself... as a shepherd?
Why... in the eternal light of all that have come... were mere Shepherds, the
first to know of His birth... after his own mother and step-father Joseph? Is
there significance in this? I believe there is.
Luke 2:8
8 ¶ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ
the Lord.
12 And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this
thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a
manger.
17 And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told
them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by
the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The first to know of him.... were... Shepherds. The last he spoke to his
disciples was... of Sheep... and he shall return as..... A shepherd, gathering
his flock.
P............... Prepare ..............
Journal of Discourses, Vol.14, p.354 - p.355, Orson Pratt, March 10, 1872
When Jesus comes to Zion as is here predicted, in the 59th chapter of Isaiah, he
will come in the character of a great shepherd. Not in the clouds of heaven with
power and great glory; but appearing in the midst of Zion and administering to
the remnants of Joseph in the character of a shepherd. From thence is the
shepherd, the stone of Israel. Now we all know that Jesus sprang from Judah; but
here is a declaration that from Joseph is the shepherd, the stone of Israel.
That is, he will come the second time as a shepherd. He will gather his flock,
or as the Psalmist David has said, "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that
leadest Joseph like a flock, stir up thy strength and come and save us." He will
come as a shepherd, he will stir up his strength and show forth his power and
the remnant of Joseph will be lead by their shepherd, long before the Jews are
redeemed. "Arise and shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
risen upon thee."
H................Hear ................
How are we... to hear the voice of the Shepherd? Can we know.... if we are
indeed Sheepherders... or true Shepherds? Can we understand, if we hear HIS
voice... and know our Shepherd?
"I want to hear, really want to hear.
but the sounds of the world loudly ring in my ear.
while the voice of the Lord that is calling me
near... only Whispers....
The voice of the Lord is so still, so small...
I wonder if that' what I'm hearing at all.
How can I know..... if I've heard the call...of
the Shepard?
I have his promise, but I have my choice; To
be of his fold.... is to hear his voice... Knock
and he'll open, ask and receive.... From the
Shepherd.
The voice of the world comes on so strong,
Always insisting, 'You've got to belong.
How far can I follow
Without doing wrong to the Shepard?
Which is the world's voice? Which is mine?
Which voice is offering a message divine?
Maybe I'd know If I gave more time. To the Shepard....
Now as I kneel here next to my bed,
Chasing the voices from out of my head,
Listn'ning for feelings in my heart, instead
Comes the whisper.
Wonderful message, welcome sound;
Strange how loudly a whisper resounds.
The hope that escaped me before has been found....
In the Shepherd.
He gave his promise.
I made my choice.
I came to his fold when I heard his voice.
I knocked and he opened;
I asked and I received...
From the Shepherd....
E.............ENDURE.................
A story out of a book... called 'A town called Charity'.... about the lonely
experiences of a Shepherd on the hill...
.... I had had a rough night. Coyotes got three sheep.--- Story Signals pg 63 in
a Town called Charity ....
1 Nephi 22:25
25 And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he
numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one
shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.
1 ¶ VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the
sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
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.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they
were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door
of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not
hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in
and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 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.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life
for the sheep.
16 And 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.
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R ................ Receive ................
Psalm 23
1 ¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. -- What is
it... to want? To need something... to be lacking?
2 He maketh me to lie down--- is this, to submit? To finally, and unequivocably
say... I can not do it, alone? ... in green pastures: he leadeth me --- just
how, does the Savior... lead? beside the still-- ( song... ) waters-- or, that
which is life-sustaining.
3 He restoreth --- to return... to give back... that which we already had! ....
my soul: he leadeth -- again the leading... and how are we... to follow? .... me
in the paths - someplace, He has... already gone. The path, is not one, we have
to forge... for He has done it already. of righteousness- justification....
rightness... deliverance. for his glory... is our progression... our monument,
is his... name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk ( proceed ) through the valley ( low places ) of the shadow
( distress or danger ) of death, I will fear no evil ( trials, tribulations,
pains sorrows... disappointments... sicknesses, sins... ) : for thou [art] with
me; thy rod ( offshoot. family ... body of Christ )) and thy staff (( support ))
they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table ( sustainance ) before ( know's our needs before we
utter them )) me in the presence of mine enemies ( or that which binds us... be
it circumstances... people... or sins )) : thou anointest my head with oil( the
priesthood can be there for us )) ; my cup runneth over ( not be room enough to
recieve the blessings )) .
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow (( as the sheep who know the voice ))
me all (( not some... or a few... )) the days of my life: and I will dwell in
the house of the LORD for ever.
D................ DO ...........................
Journal of Discourses, Vol.16, p.74 - p.75, Brigham Young, May 25, 1873
But how are we to understand this angel referred to by John, when he comes
along? This is an important question. How, in the language of Scripture, are we
to know the voice of the Good Shepherd from the voice of a stranger? Can any
person answer this question? I can, it is very easy. To every philosopher upon
the earth, I say, "Your eye can be deceived, so can mine; your ear can be
deceived, so can mine; the touch of your hand can be deceived, so can mine; but
the Spirit of God filling the creature with revelation and the light of
eternity, cannot be mistaken--the revelation which comes from God is never
mistaken. It is the spirit of truth, and it testifies of Jesus, of his Father,
of the things which God has done for the children of men, and that which he is
now doing. No man upon the earth can be mistaken when he sees by the eye of
revelation, when Jesus shines upon his understanding by the light of his Spirit.
Now, then, how are we going to know the voice of the Good Shepherd from the
voice of a stranger? Take the words of Jesus. He says, "My sheep hear my voice
and they follow me, a stranger they will not follow." Why? Because they know not
the voice of a stranger. When an individual, filled with the Spirit of God,
declares the truth of heaven, the sheep hear that, the Spirit of the Lord
pierces their inmost souls and sinks deep into their hearts; by the testimony of
the Holy Ghost light springs up within them, and they see and understand for
themselves. This is the way the Gospel should be preached by every Elder in
Israel, and by this power every hearer should hear; and if we would know the
voice of the Good Shepherd, we must live so that the Spirit of the Lord can find
its way to our hearts. I have said to the Latter-day Saints, many and many a
time, and I say to them now, live your religion, that the Spirit of God may by
within you like a well of water springing up to everlasting life. Suppose I were
to give way to the spirit of the enemy and leave the spirit of the Gospel, then,
if you were not prepared to judge between the voice of the Good Shepherd and the
voice of the stranger, I could lead you to ruin. Be prepared that you may know
the voice when it comes through the servants of God, then you can declare for
yourselves. "This is the word of the Lord." My caution and counsel to the
Latter-day Saints, and to all the inhabitants of the earth is--"Live so that you
will know truth from error.
Today began like most, the annoying buzz of an alarm clock, followed by bleary
eyed stumbling to the Breakfast table. I poured a mug and sat down in front of
the computer to read my mail. I slugged down the liquid and made my way to the
bathroom to take a shower. Feeling somewhat refreshes I dressed and poured
another cup and added my customary two tablespoons of sugar. I left the coffee
sitting on the counter to cool as I wandered around chasing down my planner, my
good pen and my wallet. I grabbed my car keys from the countertop, tucked my
planner under my arm and checked once more to make sure I had my pen. I walked
to the bedroom and smiled at the sleeping figure under the sheets. I leaned over
to kiss Michelle good-bye and as always she woke briefly and whispered something
akin to
"Byun.....lubb you". I walked over to Abby's crib and kissed her softly on the
forehead. Mouthing the words "I love you" at Michelle I made my way out of the
bedroom, the jangle of keys in my hand breaking the morning silence.
I stepped outside into the brilliant sun and walked to the car. I was suprised
to find the windows fogged over, condensation leaving trails as the drops slid
down the glass. I got in the car and and turned the key, wincing as the stereo
filled the car with a deafening roar. I quickly
cranked the volume knob to the left and pulled out of the lot.
Half-way to work I realized that I had a nice breakfast sitting on the kitchen
counter. Grumbling to myself I pushed harder on the accelerator and sped along
the highway.
Twenty-five minutes later I pulled into the lot at work and into my parking
place. I turned off the car, got out and stretched a minute then unlocked the
door and stepped inside. The cool air gave me a chill as I keyed my code into
the alarm to turn it off. I tossed my planner on the
desk and it was then that I saw a note . One of those little yellow sticky notes
with just enough room on it to write down some distasteful task. I plucked the
note off the desk and grumbled again. Now I had to find time in my schedule to
run all the way across town to purchase a part
for a customer that would probably never be a return customer. I opened my
planner and stuck the note on the page that reads "Today's List" and tried to
figure out when I could manage to fit this in. It required at least a 25 minute
drive through the busiest part of town and the parts
place I was going to was notoriously slow. I heard the door open behind me and
cursed myself for forgetting to lock it. I looked up in time to see my assistant
turning the lock while precariously balancing a cup of coffee on his knee. The
fact that he was standing on one foot made caused me to chuckle. " What are you
laughing at?" he rumbled. " I'm only here so you can get that damn part."
"You've got a meeting in two hours on the other side of town so you better
get moving."
" Yes Sir," I said, giving him a mock salute. "I'm on my way."
He responded by making an obscene gesture and disappearing around the corner. I
unlocked the door and stepped outside, remembering to lock it behind me. Once
again I was in my
car and threading my way through the already obnoxious traffic. After another 30
minutes of stop and go driving and the sneers and curses of other motorists I
pulled up in front of Bindels Warehouse.
It was early and no customers were there yet so I took a place at the counter. I
could hear some shuffling in the backroom so I shouted a questioning "hello?"
I waited several minutes, received no response. This time, a little louder I
shouted, " Hello...are you open yet?"
In a few minutes a white-haired man appeared , moving slowly and looking a
little under the weather. " Great!",
I thought to myself, " I'm already in a hurry and I get Moses to fill my order."
I glanced at the clock, then back to the forlorn figure slowly making his way to
the counter. The overhead lights were reflecting off his wire-rimmed glasses and
the slow shuffle of his feet gave little promise of any speed. Two withered
palms grasped the counter and a soft sigh escaped from him. His hands were
trembling slightly and when I looked up I was startled to find tears escaping
from underneath the rims of his glasses. He made no attempt to wipe them away
and just stood there, his slight body trembling as the tears slid down his
wrinkled face.
Worried now I asked, " Are you okay?" He made a gesture with his head that
seemed to say yes and no and replied in a voice choked with emotion, " It's my
lunch, I just remembered that Nora didn't make a lunch for me today."
It was obvious now that I was dealing with someone that wasn't quite right. I
smiled and said, " Is there someone else here that can help me?" He appeared not
to notice and continued speaking in-between soft sobs. "My first day here Nora
made me a lunch, roast beef and horseradish on rye, a thick slab of apple pie
and two boiled eggs. That sandwich was piled so high I couldn't hardly bite into
it. She was good that way, 'bout keeping me fed. Inside that bag she put my
lunch was a note, written on a napkin. It said I hope this fills you as you have
filled my life with love. She didn't sign it or nuthin, but there was a smear of
lipstick on it, that pretty peach color she was always so fond of."
" Excuse me, I interrupted, But I'm in a hurry and I really need that part,
think you could get it for me?"
He glanced at me curiously and took the piece of paper I offered to him. " I'll be
right back.", he said, and he turned and slowly walked to the backroom. " What a
nut.", I thought to myself. " Carrying on about his lunch like that."
He returned much sooner than I expected, given his shuffling pace. He placed my
package on the counter and told me the price. I handed him my credit card and
he slid it through the scanner. While we were waiting for the card to go through
he spoke again. " Nora won't be making me no more lunches". he said, tears still
streaming down his face. " I buried Nora yesterday, we've been together 59
years. Now she's gone."
Stunned, I stood there, feeling like a hopeless fool. "I'm so sorry I said, I
didn't know." It's alright, she's gone on to a much better place, but she's left
this old world much worse for it." He slid the package across to me and laid the
slip on the counter for me to sign. I woodenly
signed it, feeling the old man's grief continue to hit me in waves. I clutched
the package to me and turned to go out the door. I paused and turned again to
say something, anything,
but he had already gone back into the warehouse. On the way back to work I made
a detour. Michelle was surprised to see me as I opened the door. I spoke to her
and she disappeared
for a few minutes and came back giving me a curious look. I left and drove back
to Brindels. The old man wasn't at the counter, so I handed the bag to the young
guy that was there. He promised me he would give it to the man I had spoken to
that morning. Inside was a roastbeef sandwich on rye, a peace of peach cobbler,
we didn't have any apple pie, and two boiled eggs. The note read " Nora was a
wonderful lady and I am sure you filled her life with happiness. I
missed the meeting and I didn't care.
d' Amorte Dean Bloomfield
S - Seek ć S - Seek
H - Heed
E - Experience
P - Prepare
H - Help
E - Endure
R - Recieve
D - Do
We are His undershepherds. We are not called to push, or prod, or force his
children to him... for He knows them. We are called, as sheep, to hear His
voice, and know our Shepherd, so that we may follow Him. We are called, to find
the lost ones, and show them the way. We are called... to learn of His paths,
and to walk in them. We... are His undersheperds, seeking to learn of His voice,
and to follow it in our daily walk.
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Extra references ::
Luke 15:4
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?
5 And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 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.
7 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.
Alma 5:59
59 For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over
them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf
enter his flock doth he not drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he
will destroy him.
60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you
will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his
sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you,
that ye may not be destroyed.
1 Peter 2:25
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and
Bishop of your souls.
Matthew 18:12
12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray,
doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh
that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of
that [sheep], than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of
these little ones should perish
Mosiah 26:21
21 And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive
into the church, and him will I also receive.
Marsha Steed 8/25/96
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