Presidency Message

Presidency Message You are Free The gospel makes us free. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, the gospel “is a plan of freedom that gives discipline to appetite and direction to behavior.” The gospel plan puts us on the right path by increasing our knowledge and capacity. We can then become what we can and ought to be. But we must be willing to give away all our sins. We sometimes hold to habits, maybe even good activities, which use up our time and interfere with those activities which would bring us closer to our true capacity. The March, 2013, Ensign, You Are Free, page 38, by D. Todd Christofferson, tells a true story about 5 sheep. A grandfather, a stake patriarch, a good and gentle and true man of God, was bringing in the sheep. He walked to the edge of the field and called, ‘Come on.’ Immediately, without even stopping to bite off the mouthful of food they were reaching for, all five heads turned in his direction, and then four of the sheep broke into a run until they had reached his side and received his pat on each head. A granddaughter observing asked, ‘Oh, Grandmother, how did Grandfather get them to do that?’ She answered, ‘The sheep know his voice, and they love him.’ Four of the sheep had come, but one at the edge of the field held back. This ewe was new to the fold. A few weeks back a neighbor had given this sheep to the grandfather because she had been wild and wayward and was always leading his other sheep through the fences and causing so much trouble that he wanted to get rid of it. Grandfather gladly accepted the sheep, and for the next few days he staked it in the field so it wouldn’t go away. Then he patiently taught it to love him and the other sheep. Then, as it felt more secure in its new home, he left a short rope around its neck but didn’t stake it down. Grandfather and his sheep had almost reached the [straggler] at the edge of the field, and through the stillness he called again, ‘Come on. You aren’t tied down any more. You are free.’ The sheep gave a lurch and reached his side. Then, with his loving hand on her head, he and all the members of his little flock turned and walked back to be safe for the night. Like this sheep who did not know his shepherd, some of us are bound and tied down because of the sins and poor choices we make. We can expand our freedom by perfecting our obedience. When the Lord calls, we can come and follow him with great confidence. We can become free and have peace in our lives knowing that we have chosen liberty and not captivity. Joshua l:5,7 assures us, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest”. Thankfully, we have teachers and leaders here on earth to love us and help guide us back to the fold. We have the scriptures and we have latter-day prophets to guide us. We have prayers and with faith we can gain the strength we need to make correct choices. We can choose to follow his voice, “Come unto me.” Then as we fulfill our callings and as we try to be an example of a follower of Christ for all of our associates, we can also influence others to come unto Christ. The gospel is sweet and brings peace to all. Praying that you will be uplifted in this season of renewal, Love, Susan Nichols.

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