Oftentimes, we hear of the parable of the lost sheep – of the shepherd who left his ninety-nine sheep to find the single lost one – when speaking of Home & Visiting Teaching, or even in regards to Missionary Work. We hear of stories of individuals who had worked hard with others who had strayed from the “straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life” (2 Ne 31:18), and managed to bring them back into activity, “and how great shall be [his] joy with him in the kingdom of [the] Father!” This parable is the story of him who strays from the flock on his own, for whatever reason.
But what of the person who is as a piece of silver (Luke 15:8), and is actually lost by someone else; by someone else’s carelessness? If we were to “have ten pieces of silver, [and lost] one piece, [would we] light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till [we] found it?” The Lord has told us that the worth He has placed on souls is great (see D&C 18). But is the worth of a soul, to us, worth the price of a silver coin? Or is it the price of a copper penny, lying forever in the gutter, unable to purchase anything for its keeper?
There is a stake missionary in our ward who exemplifies the spirit of missionary work to all who know him – he is renowned for it throughout the stake. But few people know WHY he is like this. Many years ago, he and his small family were converted to the gospel through two young Elders in southern Ontario, and it wasn’t long before he had the opportunity to share the gospel with others. Often, he felt the prompting to introduce himself to his neighbor, to befriend him, but he put aside the promptings as many of us
seem to do.
Before he knew it, his neighbor had joined another Christian church, and then moved away. You see, his neighbor was searching for the truth. He was unable “to come to any conclusion who was right and who was wrong” (JSH 1:8). That is why the Spirit had prompted our young friend, and he missed the opportunity. And he has been working very hard to right his “wrong” ever since.
Do we hear these same promptings concerning our dear brothers and sisters? Do we act as our young friend once did, and push aside the feelings, or do we “strengthen [our] brethren” (Luke 22:32) and “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27) to keep the body of Christ together?
Let us work with an increased desire to help the lost ones, and those who are along the edge of the gate, waiting to leave, that one day, we may call our friends and neighbors together and say, “Rejoice with me; for I have found [my brother and sister] whom I had lost.”
