On many occasions throughout the scriptures Lord asked us to feed his sheep (John 21:15-17). It is an important commandment for each and every one of us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to feed the Lord’s sheep.
But who are these sheep? Sheep mean many of our Heavenly Father’s children who are our brothers and sisters waiting for the wonderful gospel whether they are non-members, in-actives or less-actives, they need to be taught, because we truly have the Lord’s plan of happiness.
Feeding the Lord’s sheep means:
- Teach them to pray so that they can receive the restored gospel and the happiness in their lives.
- Reading scriptures with them
- Inviting them to the church, so that they can continually be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ so that they can follow his example in their lives.
These are some ways we are feeding his sheep and this is our responsibility as a member of the church, as a priesthood holder and as a missionary.
When I was serving in Visakhapatnam 3rd branch I met a brother called Akhilam Ramesh, he was a returned missionary and he was a handicap. He could not walk properly, so there are some members from Visakhapatnam 3rd branch who moved to Vijayawada and were living there, and this brother, Akhilam Ramesh, was assigned to do home teaching to those families in Vijayawada. Every time he went to do home teaching he used to take his companion and travel all the way down to Vijayawada from Visakhapatnam. It takes 6 hours journey and he used to do home teaching to those families
He inspired me so much, I understood that he knew how important it is to feed the Lord’s sheep, and he never complained to go all the way to Vijayawada from Visakhapatnam because he said that’s his responsibility as a member of the church, as a priesthood holder and as a disciple of Christ.
Jesus Christ when he was on the earth, He never gave up in feeding his sheep though he faced many trials and tribulations but he didn’t stop feeding his sheep, because he loved us and suffered all the pain with patience (1Nephi 19:9) and as a disciple of Christ why we have to give up in serving our fellow beings or non members? Through our restored gospel which gives peace and comfort in our lives.
Heavenly father trusted his only begotten son Jesus Christ so he sent him to earth and he did his Father’s will in feeding God’s sheep through his wonderful missionary work. Jesus Christ trusted his 12 apostles and he gave his priesthood power and authority to feed the sheep and in the same way Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ trusted Joseph Smith and chose him as a prophet in this last dispensation and now they trust each one of us that’s why we received priesthood power and authority from them because the only one reason is to feed the Lord’s sheep.
Missionary work is not a sacrifice for two years or one and half year or home teaching or visiting teaching is not sacrifice of one hour but it is the evidence of our love to our Heavenly Father and our savior Jesus Christ.
So, we have a work to do as a priesthood holders and as a member of the church, especially you and I, let’s roll up our sleeves and do the Lord’s work by putting our trust in the Lord. We can do it! If we will be prayerful and faithful. We can do it better than we have ever done before.
The church needs our strength, it needs our love and loyalty and also it needs a little more of our time and energy.
So you and I can go with a determination to try little harder to be a little better. Then one day we will receive the blessings of the temple.
I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the earth.
I know prophet Joseph Smith was chosen by God. I know prophet Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, seer and revelator. I know Book of Mormon is true. I say in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
