Book of Mormon Reading: Alma 5-6

This past Sunday, our family discussion was based on parables of the Savior. Each family member was to read, then share and teach one parable found in the New Testament. My seven year old wanted to share and teach the allegory of the good shepherd.

So before we shared together as a family, she and I read it together and I had her teach to me what she knew and I shared a few things with her.

When we all gathered back together, here's essentially what she shared:

The good shepherd is Jesus. We are sheep. He lets us in the door. The door is the way back to him. And He holds open the door because He died for us.

Today, I read about the good shepherd in Alma 5. What impressed me the most is that even after He has already paid the price for me, for my sins, for my transgressions, for my afflictions, for my infirmities, He. Still. Calls. After. Me.

Still.

He calls, in His own name, which is the name of Christ. (Alma 5:38).

Do I know my name in Christ?

Day 2: Jesus is . . .

Jesus is The Shepherd and Bishop of my Soul

(1 Peter 2:23-24)

My life has been blessed by bishops whom I have loved and respected.

Regular men.

Ordinary men.

Imperfect men.

But men, nonetheless, who, through the laying on of hands, are given the authority to become a spiritual and temporal shepherd over me, thus engaging in the extraordinary task of trying to be as the Savior and do what He would do if He were on the earth.

And as I've had opportunities to sit across a desk from many a bishop, I have often reflected on the trust the Lord has placed in them.

For them to lead and for me to follow.

For them to judge and for me to judge not.

For them to know and for me to know just enough.

And I confess that in my imperfection, I have not always followed completely,

or withheld my unrighteous judgment,

or was satisfied in knowing a part of the whole . . .

But I have certainly come to know that Jesus has placed these men in my life as a symbol of His love for me.

Because He wants me found.

He wants me clean.

He wants me home.