Are We Shepherds or Sheepherders

True Shepherds

by President and Prophet Thomas S. Monson

 

 

WHAT?

Dad would drive about 35 miles an hour all the way up to Provo Canyon or until we would come around a bend in the road and our journey would be halted by a herd of sheep. We would watch as hundreds of sheep filed past us, seemingly without a shepherd, a few dogs yapping at their heels as they moved along. Way back in the rear we could see the sheepherder on his horse—not a bridle on it but a halter. He was occasionally slouched down in the saddle dozing, since the horse knew which way to go and the yapping dogs did the work.

 

Contrast that to the scene which I viewed in Munich, Germany, many years ago. It was a Sunday morning, and we were en route to a missionary conference. As I looked out the window of the mission president’s automobile, I saw a shepherd with a staff in his hand, leading the sheep. They followed him wherever he went. If he moved to the left, they followed him to the left. If he moved to the right, they followed him in that direction. I made the comparison between the true shepherd who led his sheep and the sheepherder who rode casually behind his sheep.

 

SO/NOW WHAT?

Within our families, are we shepherds or sheepherders? In our callings, do we minister or administer?  Throughout life, do we lead from the front by example or push from the rear by criticism?  Do we watch over our flocks day and night or do we turn a deaf ear and a blind eye?  Are we involved or detached?

 

Good questions.  I want to lead like the Savior.  Do you?

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

Picture of the Good Shepherd from www.beingisgood.blogspot.com