TO SERVE GOD

 

When Joshua stood with the strength of a prophet before the children of Israel and delivered his farewell, he recounted not his power but the Lord’s in deliverance of His people from bondage and His gifting of ‘the land for which the Israelites did not labour and the cities which they did not build’ (Joshua 24:1-14).

The children of Israel became fearless in the strength of God under Joshua’s leadership. Nations trembled at the mention of their name as they flooded Canaan and claimed the land. None could stop their conquering spirit. They earned the name Jeshurun (righteous Israel) because they chose to serve God under Joshua’s leadership to do so (see The Old Testament Student Manual Book 1 p 242). The people are only as good as the example they follow….Joshua was that leader and that example.

As they entered the promised land, the children of Israel were given three warnings, in the event that some heathen nations were allowed to remain and live alongside them: 1. Beware of social intercourse with them (Joshua 23:7; 2. Refrain from worshipping their false gods (vv 7-11); and 3. Avoid intermarriage with hem (v 12). If these rules were ignored, Israel would fall into the snare of idolatry and their covenant with Jehovah, along with His protection and prosperity would be null and void.

As a result of Joshua’s devotion to Jehovah, we have one of the most instructive and famous scriptures of all time: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

“The Saints today also face a world intent on their spiritual destruction. Canaan has long passed from the earth, but Satan, who incited Canaan’s wickedness and opposition to Israel, is still determined to destroy those who follow the Lamb of God (see 1 Nephi 14:12-14)…..

“Now during this critical period, and it is a critical period that we are passing through, I hope that we will keep ever burning in our hearts the spirit of this great work which we represent. If we do so, we’ll have no anxiety; we’ll have no fear; we’ll not worry about the future because the Lord has given us the assurance that if we live righteously, if we keep his commandments, if we humble ourselves before him, all will be well.” (Elder Ezra Taft Benson, In Conference Report, Oct 1950, pp 145-46)

We still have Joshuas at the head of our Israel today to inspire us to serve the one and true living God. Today, we have President Oaks. Even though times become perilous and even though there will be times of insecurity to propel us into anxiety, the prophets at the head of Israel today, like Joshua will lead us to “be strong and of good courage; to not be afraid, neither dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)

We, the children of Israel,

Ever follow the Shepherd

Who would not see us lost,

Who rescued our souls

Never counting the cost.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Good Shepherd by Del Parson)

A MOTHER'S ANGUISH

 

With Mother’s Day coming up, I am mindful of women who greet this day with broken hearts:  women who have lost children, women who have never had children, and women who have wayward children. I fall in the last category, very often wondering what I could have done better in my life to have prevented the troublesome life of my daughter.

I worried for a long time that I have not been a better parent to my children and also that my parents were not better parents to me.  I have agonised over the issues and hang ups that have followed me from my childhood and weaknesses and incorrect teachings and false thinking that have been passed down to me by my parents. 

Likewise, I have worried about all the bad 'stuff' I have passed on to my children.  I read many years ago about 'intergenerational sins' and how easily we can pass them on to generations of our posterity, seemingly innocent weaknesses and faulty thinking that somehow end up being serious stumbling blocks to someone down the line.  In other words, how we live not only affects us but many others whose lives we impact. It’s a sobering and frightening thought. This well-meaning parable of the lost sheep sears my heart:

“Twas a grown-up sheep that wandered away from the ninety and nine in the fold.

And out on the hilltops and out in the storm twas a sheep that the Good Shepherd sought,

And back to the flock and back to the fold twas a sheep that the Good Shepherd brought.

Now why should the sheep be so carefully fed and cared for still today?

Because there is danger if they go wrong, they will lead the lambs astray.

For the lambs will follow the sheep you know wherever they wander, wherever they go.

If the sheep go wrong, it will not be long till the lambs are as wrong as they.

So still with the sheep do we earnestly plead for the sake of the lambs today,

If the lambs are lost what a terrible cost some sheep will have to pay.”

-        Author Unknown, A variation of C.C. Miller’s “Parable of the Lost Sheep”

If you feel the weight of this message, know that the hope lies in the second sentence. There is someone on your side invested in your responsibility of parenthood. The Good Shepherd can feed you to rise to the greatest work you will ever do in your mortality, that of being a parent. And when you stumble, He will pay the price for your parental flaws. A close friend of mine shared with me the truth of this that has brought some peace to my heart:

“I have often thought of my parental failing in the middle of the night. One night as I was thinking of these failings I thought that one day I will have to pay for them. I wanted to pay for them but as I thought that, the Saviour’s voice came into my mind, “I have already paid for them”. Tears of comfort whenever I think of this.”  

Be comforted. Whatever the pain in your heart, the Good Shepherd will heal your wounds. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Good Shepherd by Chris Brazelton)

THE GATE

 

 

“Each evening at sundown, the shepherds bring their small flocks of sheep to a common enclosure where they are secured against the wolves that roam the deserts. A single shepherd then is employed to guard the gate until morning. Then the shepherds come to the enclosure one by one, enter therein, and call forth their sheep – by name. The sheep will not hearken unto the voice of a stranger but will leave the enclosure only in the care of their true shepherd, confident and secure because the shepherd knows their names and they know his voice.”

-        Elder John R. Lasater, “Shepherds of Israel”, Ensign, May 1988, p 74)

 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

“But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

“And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

“And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

“I am the door of the sheep.

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine…..I lay down my life for the sheep.”

-        John 10:2-5,7,9,11,14,15

 

 

How grateful to know Your voice

In this world of utter despair

And hear it echo

In Your loving tender care.

 

How fiercely You watch,

How tenderly You care,

How safe You make me feel

Knowing You are ever there.

 

How grateful I am to be in Your flock,

              How grateful to be in Your keep,                  

You are my shepherd

And I am Your sheep.

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Gate by Jenedy Paige)

THE SHEPHERD

 

The more I study the Church history, the more I can see one truth: the Saviour himself restored His Church. We often say the Church was built on the sacrifices of the pioneers. This statement is not without its foundation but it overlooks the power behind those pioneers and their sacrifices.

When President Joseph F. Smith received his revelation regarding the spirit world in 1918, he was given to understand the greatest truth regarding the Church and its ability to rise. In the revelation, he observed that there were noble and great spirits who were chosen ‘in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God’, and that they were prepared, with many others, to come forth ‘in due time to labour in the Lord’s vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men’ (D&C 138:55,56).

I am amazed how plain it is to see that the Saviour placed these chosen people where they should be for the establishment of the Church. Over and over He sent men prepared to receive the Gospel to Joseph, asking for baptism and a revelation from the Lord to know what He would have them do. This is what the Church was built on. Consider just a few of these men:

·        Orson Pratt, a brother of Parley P. Pratt, was baptized in 1830 in New York and arrived on Joseph’s doorstep six weeks later asking him to inquire of God what his duty was. He was 19 years of age (History of the Church, 1:127-28)

·        Sidney Rigdon heard the message of the restored gospel in 1830 in Ohio and was baptized immediately. Soon after his baptism, he travelled to Fayette, New York, to meet the Prophet and inquired what the Lord wanted him to do.  (History of the Church, 1:128)

·        Edward Partridge first heard the Gospel message in Ohio in 1830, from the missionaries who had been sent to the Lamanites and who stopped there on the way to Missouri. In December of that year he travelled to Fayette, sought out the Prophet and asked to be baptized (History of Joseph Smith, p 191-2)

·        Parley P.  Pratt: I read about his story years ago. It is astounding. In short, he was preaching around the countryside and came upon a man who had been given a Book of Mormon. He thought Parley would be interested in it so he gave it to him. Parley Pratt started reading and could not stop until the next day. He could not eat or sleep until he finished it. He also found the Prophet and asked to be baptized.

And Joseph? It is not by accident that he wanted to know which Church to join at 14 years of age. He was led to read the scripture which brought him to the sacred grove to utter the question he asked. Therefrom, he was guided in all things until his life was asked of him.

The Church was restored and has prospered because of one thing: “I am the good shepherd…..and my sheep hear my voice” (John 10:14,27)

We are in this Church because we are His sheep. We were prepared long before the world began to answer the call. All glory be to the Shepherd who calls us His own….

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Gentle Saviour by Greg Collins)

THE DIVINE PLAN PART 3

 

When I posted Part 1 of The Divine Plan, I inserted just a detail of this picture which I found on the internet without knowing who the artist was. A couple of readers pointed out to me that the picture was not complete and advised me of the name of the artist. One reader told me the entire picture had a broader meaning and when I found it, I understood why. I read the artist’s story behind the art but to me this painting has a broader meaning.

The symbolisms surrounding Christ’s birth were plentiful and subtle. This painting brings to light two of them: the shepherd and the lambs, both of which represent the baby in the womb of the virgin Mary travelling to Bethlehem for the birth of the ultimate shepherd and the ultimate sacrificial lamb.

Jesus Christ is often called the Good Shepherd (see D&C 50:44; John 10:7-18; Alma 5:38-60; Helaman 7:18). Is there a more tender proclamation of this title than the one that fell from the Saviour’s lips: “I know my sheep and they are numbered” (3 Nephi 18:31). Consider the reality of this:

“By day and by night the shepherd is always with his sheep…as he is always with them, and so deeply interested in them, the shepherd comes to know his sheep very intimately. One day a missionary, meeting a shepherd on one of the wildest parts of Lebanon, asked him various questions about his sheep, and among others, if he counted them every night.

“On answering that he did not, he was asked how he knew if they were all there or not. His reply was: “Master, if you were to put a cloth over my eyes, and bring me any sheep and only let me put my hands on its face, I could tell in a moment if it was mine or not.” (George M. Mackie, Bible Manners and Customs, [n.d.], 33, 35)

A shepherd knows his sheep and cares for them out of love. There are so many facets about the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. It’s very worth learning about it to better understand why the Saviour used this metaphor when He described His relationship to us.  

I would like to share here one that I find most important. I do not know the source of the following information but I want to share it because this is the greatest thing a shepherd can do for his sheep:

“Sheep can get their head caught in briers and die trying to get untangled. There are horrid little flies that like to torment sheep by laying eggs in their nostrils which turn into worms and drive the sheep to beat their heads against a rock, sometimes to death. Their ears and eyes are also susceptible to tormenting insects. So the shepherd anoints their whole head with oil. Then there is peace. That oil forms a barrier of protection against the evil that tries to destroy the sheep.”

This is the ultimate work of the Good Shepherd. He saves. He saves those who go astray and he saves those who get tangled in impossible situations and he saves those who are tormented by evil of this fallen world. He can anoint our heads with the oil of peace and protection to ward off the enemy of our souls.  

King David wrote Psalm 23 titled “The Lord Is My Shepherd”, paying homage to Jehovah who would one day sit on his throne. He acknowledged that it was He who ‘anointed his head with oil’ and for that his cup of gratitude ‘ran over’. King David knew and understood all about sheep because before he was king, he was a shepherd…..another connection, another symbolism.

How grateful to know Your voice

In this world of utter despair

And hear it echo

In Your loving tender care.

 

How fiercely You watch,

How tenderly You care,

How safe You make me feel

Knowing You are ever there.

How grateful I am to be in Your flock,

How grateful to be in Your keep;

You are my shepherd

And I am Your sheep.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Journey to Bethlehem by Joseph Brickey)

HOLY SPIRIT:

 

I might have difficulty in expressing myself  today as I recount the influence of the spirit of which I wish to bear witness.

A week ago I had a priesthood blessing to receive some clarity regarding my health and the path I need to take next. I felt I didn’t receive any answers regarding my present earthly sojourn. Instead I was told that my ‘eternal rewards are stacking up’. I felt guilty because I did not appreciate this as much as I should have because I know after all, this is most important, but I badly needed some comfort and clarity regarding my present condition.

A week later the clarity came in amazing force….and it wasn’t what I expected. I felt the influence of the Holy Ghost so strongly that I could not hold back the weeping. I was taught, I was born witness to what I was told and I knew what my path needed to be. As I expressed my gratitude through prayer, over and over my words pointed to the footprints of the Saviour of the world that I needed to follow. Once again the tears flowed. I had my answer. He was the Shepherd and I was the sheep.

When I had my blessing, I was anointed with holy oil. I read recently a wonderful analogy regarding anointing and sheep:

“Sheep can get their head caught in briers and die trying to get untangled. There are [also] horrid little flies that like to torment sheep by laying eggs in their nostrils which turn into worms and drive the sheep to beat their head against a rock, sometimes to death. Their ears and eyes are also susceptible to tormenting insects. So the shepherd anoints their whole head with oil. Then there is peace.”

I can relate to the experience of the sheep. I felt tormented too. The writer, who to me is unknown, continued on to say that if we have mental and physical torment, God can anoint our heads with oil so we can fix our hearts and mind and have our eyes on Him always.

The Bible Dictionary defines the anointing oil as ‘a symbol for purity and for the Holy Spirit and its influence’. The most important anointing that makes this possible is this:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives….to comfort all that mourn….to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep. As we follow, through His spirit, He anoints our heads with oil to give us beauty for ashes and everlasting peace. And He watches over you and me because He has promised He knows His sheep (3 Nephi 18:31).

How grateful to know Your voice

In this world of utter despair

And hear it echo

In Your loving tender care.

 

How fiercely You watch,

How tenderly You care,

How safe You make me feel

Knowing You are ever there.

 

How grateful I am to be in Your flock,

How grateful to be in Your keep;

You are my shepherd

And I am Your sheep.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Eva Koleva Timothy)