Lesson 43: The Shepherds of Israel – Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 - Brother Duane S. Crowther has written: "Ezekiel lived the life of a captive and labored among Jewish exiles and slaves in Babylonia. Like Jeremiah, he was commanded to perform symbolic actions. Like Jeremiah, he struck out at the sins of Judah and gave the reason for God's rejection of his chosen people. Though of an upper class heritage before going into captivity, he was forced to live a life of poverty and despair. He ministered to the common people while Daniel ministered to the royalty." (Prophets & Prophecies of The Old Testament, p529)

Reading 2 – Ezekiel 34:2-4

Reading 3 - Ezekiel 34:5–6

Reading 4 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: “Anyone serving in any capacity in the Church in which he is responsible for the spiritual or temporal well-being of any of the Lord’s children is a shepherd to those sheep. The Lord holds his shepherds accountable for the safety (salvation) of his sheep” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 710).

Reading 5 - Ezekiel 34:11–16

Ezekiel 18:4-5,9-10,13-14,17-22

Reading 6 - President Spencer W. Kimball said: "Having received the necessary saving ordinances - baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, temple ordinances and sealings - one must live the covenants made. He must endure in faith. No matter how brilliant was the service rendered by the bishop or stake president or other person, if he falters later in his life and fails to live righteously 'to the end' the good works he did all stand in jeopardy." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p149)

Reading 7 - Ezekiel 18:30-31

Jeremiah 31:33

Hebrews 10:16

Reading 8 – Ezekiel 37:1-14

Reading 9 - Ezekiel 37:15-20

2 Nephi 3:12

Elder Boyd K. Packer said: “The stick or record of Judah—the Old Testament and the New Testament—and the stick or record of Ephraim—the Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ—are now woven together in such a way that as you pore over one you are drawn to the other; as you learn from one you are enlightened by the other. They are indeed one in our hands. Ezekiel’s prophecy now stands fulfilled” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1982, 75; or Ensign, Nov. 1982, 53).