Elder Myron Richins of the BYU Hawaii religion department focused on a very fundamental symbol developed in the scriptures at a BYUH devotional this past week. Having grown up around and working with sheep, Richins was able to bring a very comprehensive perspective on the emblematic values of a shepherd and his sheep.
He expounded upon an experience where while in Jerusalem, he witnessed men selling very obedient sheep without the use of corrals or pens. Instead, these men employed familiarity and leadership to direct their sheep. "Those men were shepherds," commented Richins. Quoting Mosiah 26:21, he said, "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. The use of one's voice in herding sheep and being a shepherd is very important."
Richins then proceeded to explain how his cousin, Denny, accidentally picked up 25 sheep that had escaped through a hole in their pen and got mixed up with Denny's 2,000 sheep. Vernon Judd, the owner of the 25 sheep, separated his sheep out by simply calling them and pounding on a bucket. "Vernon was a shepherd," explained Richins. "Those sheep had been around him. They knew his voice. They knew his call. That's what our Heavenly Father expects us to be with those that we're called to lead, his shepherds, so that individuals will follow us like those sheep followed Vernon. We're not merely to be sheepherders and to drive people around. We are to lead them by our lives."
In dealing with predators, shepherds keep their sheep safe by keeping them close and in a group. Richins also explained that they often use Pyrenees dogs, which he compared to the leaders of the church. "Our Father in Heaven keeps his sheep from being scattered by giving us stake presidents, bishops, home teachers, mothers and fathers. If we get too far from their teachings, Satan leads us astray." Richins then referenced Alma 5:59, "For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that 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."
"We cannot become too scattered to where those that are around us cannot protect us," Richins said. "Your bishops are your shepherds. Trust in them and follow their counsel. If they advise you to change directions with some of the things in your life, do it!"
After explaining how his grandfather and father use to trail their sheep a long distance across the Mormon Trail through Salt Lake City, Richins explained how shepherds now use railroads and semi trucks to move them around. "Sheep adapt to change when they are led by some of their own...If we are true followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we will adapt to change, change that takes place in the church, change that takes place at a university, change that takes place within our families, change that our Heavenly Father says that will be for our good and benefit and for the good and benefit of those that we are surrounded by and with."
Richins also shared an experience with President Monson at a funeral. President Monson had come across an old painting of Joseph Smith, stopped to examine it and exclaimed, "I love that man and am so grateful for what he has done for us."
In recalling this experience, Richins remarked, "President Monson today is following our Savior, is following the Prophet Joseph Smith, and all of latter-day prophets, as well as the ancient prophets, in helping to lead us back to our Heavenly Father."
To introduce his next story, Richins referred to a verse in the Book of Mathew about leaving the ninety and nine to find the one that had gone astray. "The Savior has asked us to seek after the one that is lost," Richins said. A young man in his community had found himself in trouble with drugs. His parents took action by, first, trying to talk to him and finally taking him to a treatment center. Richins had the opportunity of meeting with the young man who said, "If it had not been for a mom and dad that had cared enough for me to take me to a treatment center, I wouldn't have what I have today. I would not have a wife and four children that bless my life."
Richins then impressed upon his listeners, "Brothers and sisters, there's nothing that's too expensive for us to do to help save our Heavenly Father's children from the temptations of Satan. Our father in heaven knows each one of us and desires all of us to return to him. Our example, our prayers, our teachings, and our interest in others that are lost can help the truths of the gospel go forth."
Richins then discussed the idea found in 1 Nephi 22:5 of the Lord gathering his sheep from all corners of the world. "If you are moving 2,000 head of sheep down a road or anywhere, you can't stay at the back of them because if you do, all they do is mill around and circle," explained Richins. "They don't go anywhere. You have to take someone that will take...about 50 to 100 of them out in front and then they move those sheep along and then the rest follow."
"All of you from these various countries are being called upon to be that person or those people that take a small group of sheep, followers of Jesus Christ, and then lead them to where there will be hundreds and where there will be thousands that follow after them."
Isaiah compares Christ's death as "a lamb going to the slaughter" (Mosiah 14:7). Having been witness to many a sheep being sheered and having had to prepare sheep for meat, Richins explained how sheep are very obedient and hardly even move when their shepherds handle them. He uses Christ as the ultimate example of a submissive sheep and meek shepherd. "Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave His life freely for us...The Savior didn't fight. He gave His life for you and I. How much are we willing to give for Him?"
"I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that He made it possible for all of us to be resurrected and He made it possible for us to overcome sin and that we, with His help, can return to our Heavenly Father and I bear that testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
— Photo by Monique Saenz
—Read transcript of Elder Richin's devotional address