December 17 — Identifying the Good Shepherd. Isaiah 40:11 “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
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The Lord’s gentle demeanor is one attribute that has drawn many to follow Him. He never used violence as a means to garner attention, nor did He fight back. He was the consummate role model of gentleness as He obeyed the Father. Indeed, He was the Good Shepherd who gave His life for all.
On the scene of world history, there have been many other shepherds, if you will. A few good ones, and many others who are bad. In light of Jesus’ example, we humbly ask our Mormon friends to examine the life of their founder, to ask themselves if Smith was a good shepherd.
A gunfight in the early evening of June 27, 1844, resulted in the lives of Joseph, and Hyrum Smith coming to an end. Neither left this life without fighting to save himself, as we’re assured of in a chapter heading of church history which says, ‘The Handsome Fight’. Today’s LDS reference is a good comparison to determine who’s a good shepherd. Is it the fulfilled promise of God, or someone who believed it was ‘providential circumstances’ guns were smuggled into the Carthage Jailhouse enabling Smith to shoot, and kill two men?
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For info on how guns were smuggled into the jail, and the gunfight resulting in the deaths of the Smith brothers, see History of the Church, volume 6, pp. 604, 607-608, and pp. 617-621.
“The handsome fight”??? I don’t know…I always considered fighting ugly.
If the Christian Church fell into apostasy, then Jesus isn’t a “Good Shepherd”