Joshua Nelson
Joshua Nelson
Joshua Nelson
Joshua Nelson
Shepherd's Crook - We realize, as in times past, some of the sheep will rebel and are “as a wild flock which fleeth from the shepherd.” (Mosiah 8:21.) But most of our problems stem from lack of loving and attentive shepherding.With a shepherd’s care, many of our new members, those newly born into the gospel,would be nurtured by gospel knowledge and new standards. Such attention would ensure that there would be no returning to old habits and old friends. With a shepherd’s loving care, many of our young people, our young lambs, would not be wandering. And if they were, the crook of the shepherd’s staff, a loving arm, would retrieve them. “Feed My Sheep” – Ezra Taft Benson
The shepherd’s crook—a pastoral reminder that for every wandering person, for every lost soul, there is a loving, merciful shepherd who watches, willing at any moment to guide us to safety. He knows our name, and we know his voice. Friends and loved ones may offer guidance, too; but when they disappoint us, he still stretches forth his guiding arm. Especially is he mindful of those who are widowed and orphaned—physically or in spirit. Symbols of Reconciliation
Palm Branches – In the scriptures (Old & New Testament) these are tied with the word Hosanna due to the use of them when the Lord entered into Israel, Jerusalem, etc. Hosanna means: please save us or save now. “At the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the multitudes cried “Hosanna” and spread palm branches for Jesus to ride upon, thus demonstrating their understanding that Jesus was the same Lord who had delivered Israel anciently. These people recognized Christ as the long-awaited Messiah.” Guide to the Scriptures – Hosanna
“Preparing
for the Second Coming” – Elder Holland: "In
short,
apostasy and destruction of one kind or another was the ultimate fate of every
general dispensation we have ever had down through time. But here’s my theory.
My theory is that those great men and women, the leaders in those ages past,
were able to keep going, to keep testifying, to keep trying to do their best,
not because they knew that they would
succeed but because they knew that you would.
I believe they took courage and hope not so much from their own circumstances
as from yours—a magnificent congregation of young people gathered by the
hundreds of thousands around the world in a determined effort to see the gospel
prevail and triumph.
Moroni said once, speaking to those of us who would receive his record in the last days: “Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:34–35).
…. Ours, not theirs, was the day that gave them “heavenly and joyful anticipations” and caused them to sing and prophesy of victory. Ours is the day, collectively speaking, toward which the prophets have been looking from the beginning of time, and those earlier brethren are over there still cheering us on! In a very real way, their chance to consider themselves fully successful depends on our faithfulness and our victory. I love the idea of going into the battle of the last days representing Alma and Abinadi and what they pled for and representing Peter and Paul and the sacrifices they made. If you can’t get excited about that kind of assignment in the drama of history, you can’t get excited!
When Christ comes, the members of His Church must look and act like members of His Church are supposed to look and act if we are to be acceptable to Him. We must be doing His work, and we must be living His teachings. He must recognize us quickly and easily as truly being His disciples. As President J. Reuben Clark Jr. (1871–1961), former First Counselor in the First Presidency, once advised: our faith must not be difficult to detect.
“Fear
not, little flock. … Look [to Christ] in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”
“Ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath … prepared
for you” (D&C 6:34, 36; D&C 78:17)."
Closing:
Think back to the beginning, in the Great Council in Heaven. Each of you was there, each of you whether it was easy for all of us or not, chose to follow the Savior’s Plan and come to earth. We chose the Lord as Our Savior. Since then, up to the time you came to earth, you weren't just sitting around waiting to be picked to come to Earth. I’m not going to say we were the best because we’re on Earth now, but I know we were saved for this time for a reason, as other generations were saved for their time for a reason. We have a purpose here, now. It was not by chance that you were born into your family, that you live where you live, and that you have the Gospel. You have been prepared to fulfill your mission here on Earth, at this time, at this moment. Other generations have lived, worked, testified all leading up to you.
In the end – The Shepherd will know His sheep.