Elder Gerrit W. Gong on following the Savior's example as shepherds

Elder Gerrit W. Gong (born December 23, 1953) was called as a Seventy in April 2010, then to the Presidency of the Seventy in October 2015. He was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in April 2018.

"As the 'Shepherd of Israel' (Psalm 80:1), Jesus Christ exemplifies how shepherds in Israel minister in love. When our Lord asks if we love Him, as He did with Simon Peter, our Savior implores: 'Feed my lambs.… Feed my sheep.… Feed my sheep.' (John 21:15–17.) The Lord promises that when His shepherds feed His lambs and sheep, those in His fold 'shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking' (Jeremiah 23:4).

"Our Good Shepherd cautions that shepherds in Israel must not slumber (see Nahum 3:18), nor scatter or cause the sheep to go astray (see Jeremiah 23:1; 50:6, 44), nor look our own way for our own gain (see Isaiah 56:11; Ezekiel 34:2–6). God’s shepherds are to strengthen, heal, bind up that which is broken, bring again that which was driven away, seek that which was lost. (See Ezekiel 34:2–6)

"The Lord also warns of hirelings, who 'careth not for the sheep' (John 10:13), and 'false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves' (3 Nephi 14:15).

"Our Good Shepherd rejoices when we exercise individual moral agency with intention and faith. Those in His fold look to our Savior in gratitude for His atoning sacrifice. We covenant to follow Him, not passively, blindly, or 'sheepishly,' but instead desiring with all our hearts and minds to love God and our neighbor, bearing one another’s burdens and rejoicing in one another’s joys. As Christ freely dedicated His will to the will of the Father, so we reverently take upon us His name. We gladly seek to join His work of gathering and ministering to all of God’s children.

"Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is our perfect Good Shepherd. Because He has laid down His life for us and is now gloriously resurrected, Jesus Christ is also the perfect Lamb of God. (See 2 Nephi 9:10–12.)"

- Gerrit W. Gong, "Good Shepherd, Lamb of God," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Gong's address considered our dual roles as sheep in the fold of the Shepherd, and as shepherds assisting in His great ministry to bless lives. Considering the example and characteristics of the "perfect Good Shepherd," he challenges us to likewise serve and bless as we seek to find and rescue the lost sheep and lambs.

One of our beautiful hymns, "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd," teaches this message powerfully. The words are worth reviewing:

1. Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,
Dear are the sheep of his fold;
Dear is the love that he gives them,
Dearer than silver or gold.
Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,
Dear are his "other" lost sheep;
Over the mountains he follows,
Over the waters so deep.

(Chorus)
Out in the desert they wander,
Hungry and helpless and cold;
Off to the rescue he hastens,
Bringing them back to the fold. (4th verse only: we'll hasten,)

2. Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,
Dear are the lambs of his fold;
Some from the pastures are straying,
Hungry and helpless and cold.
See, the Good Shepherd is seeking,
Seeking the lambs that are lost,
Bringing them in with rejoicing,
Saved at such infinite cost.

3. Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,
Dear are the "ninety and nine";
Dear are the sheep that have wandered
Out in the desert to pine.
Hark! he is earnestly calling,
Tenderly pleading today:
"Will you not seek for my lost ones,
Off from my shelter astray?"

4. Green are the pastures inviting;
Sweet are the waters and still.
Lord, we will answer thee gladly,
"Yes, blessed Master, we will!
Make us thy true under-shepherds;
Give us a love that is deep.
Send us out into the desert,
Seeking thy wandering sheep." (Hymns #221)

Two phrases in particular are profound to me. First from verse 2:

See, the Good Shepherd is seeking,
Seeking the lambs that are lost,
Bringing them in with rejoicing,
Saved at such infinite cost.

The Savior's action in rescuing those lambs includes the "infinite cost" of His Atonement on their behalf. There is no greater blessing, no more profound gift in all of eternity.

The second phrase relates to our charge:

"Make us thy true under-shepherds;
Give us a love that is deep.
Send us out into the desert,
Seeking thy wandering sheep."

The description "under-shepherd" does not appear directly in the scriptures, but the concept is profound. As we labor faithfully in His work of ministry, we truly are functioning as a shepherd, fulfilling the role that He would fill in our place. It's a profound responsibility!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)