One Fold and One Shepherd

Another Testament of Jesus Christ

The single most important message of the Book of Mormon is that it unequivocally testifies of Jesus Christ.  It includes 600 years of prophecy concerning His coming and culminates in His appearing to the Nephites following His resurrection.  It ties together the old covenant (i.e., Old Testament) and the new covenant (i.e., New Testament) in a way not possible in the Bible as we have it.  It was written to the “house of Israel . . .  and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations . . .” (from the title page of the Book of Mormon).

One Fold and One Shepherd

The Apostle John tells us in his gospel (chapter 10) that Jesus taught:

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep . . . As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep” (vs. 14-15).  Jesus then went on to say:  “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” (vs. 16).

 

When Jesus appeared to the Nephites, He referred to this moment. He then went on to tell them: “And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: 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. ” (3 Nephi 15:21).

Speaking of His apostles in Jerusalem (to whom He said other sheep I have, He said: And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.  And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice - that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost. 

But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me (3 Nephi 15:22-24).

Referring to the Lost Ten Tribes, Jesus said: “. . . I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem . . . I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and they shall hear my voice, and be numbered among my sheep, and that there may be one fold and one shepherd . . .” (3 Nephi 16:3). 

We have no record yet of those visits, but I have faith that one day we will.

Text copyright  January 2014, Gebara Education

Pictures:

Christ and the Nephite child from www.theholyfaceofjesus.wordpress.com

The Good Shepherd from www.beingisgood.blogspot.com

Christ Choosing Nephite Disciples from www.lds.org