Visiting Teaching Message
The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Good Shepherd
Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How
will understanding the life and mission of the Savior increase your
faith in Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching?
For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.
Faith, Family, Relief
This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring
aspects of the mission of the Savior.
Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, taught:
"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? ...
"I say unto you, that ... joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that
repenteth" (Luke 15:4, 7).
As we come to understand that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, our
desire increases to follow His example and serve those in need. Jesus
said: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of
mine. ... And I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15). Because
of Christ's Atonement, none of us will ever be so lost that we cannot
find our way home (see Luke 15).
President Thomas S. Monson said, "Ours is the responsibility to care
for the flock. ... May we each step up to serve."1
From the Scriptures
Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:11; Mosiah 26:21
From Our History
Elizabeth Ann Whitney, who attended the first Relief Society meeting,
said of her conversion in 1830: "As soon as I heard the Gospel as the
Elders preached it, I knew it to be the voice of the Good Shepherd."2
Elizabeth followed the voice of the Good Shepherd and was baptized and
confirmed.
We too can hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and share His teachings
with others. President Monson said, "We are the Lord's hands here upon
the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children."3
Just as a shepherd seeks out a lost sheep, parents may seek after a
child who has wandered. President James E. Faust (1920-2007), Second
Counselor in the First Presidency, said: "To those brokenhearted
parents who have been righteous, diligent, and prayerful in the
teaching of their disobedient children, we say to you, the Good
Shepherd is watching over them. God knows and understands your deep
sorrow. There is hope."4
What Can I Do?
1.
How does knowing that the Savior is the Good Shepherd bring peace into
our lives?
2.
How can I support parents whose children have wandered from living the gospel?
http://www.lds.org/ensign/
-Sister Peterson
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