Reaching out to the One

I have always loved the parable of the "Lost Sheep:  "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."  (Luke 15:4-7)

In the middle East Shepherd's stay with their sheep day and night.  "he depends on the sheep to follow, and they in turn expect him never to leave them..."  (George M. Mackie,  Bible and Manners of Customs 33-35)

Recently President Nelson invited members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to "reach out to the one who is feeling lost or alone."   As  gift for him as he celebrates his 100th birthday on September 9th.  

Below is his invitation:

“I am soon approaching my 100th birthday,” President Nelson wrote in a social media post on Saturday, June 1. “One of the places where the Savior used the number 100 in the scriptures was the parable of the lost sheep. Though 99 of his flock were safely by his side, the shepherd went in search of the one who was lost.

President Russell M. Nelson speaks during a worldwide Relief Society devotional on March 17, 2024. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“At age 99, I have no need of physical gifts,” he continued. “But one spiritual offering that would brighten my life is for each of us to reach out to ‘the one’ in our lives who may be feeling lost or alone.”

What could this spiritual offering look like? President Nelson invited all to prayerfully consider a few questions over the coming months:

• “Who do you know who may be discouraged?”
• “Who might you need to reconcile with or ask for forgiveness?”
• “Has one name been on your mind lately, though you haven’t quite known why?”

As these questions are brought to the Lord, “He will inspire you to know how to reach out and lift one who needs help,” President Nelson wrote.

“What a beautiful example the Savior has shown us — that through each of us ministering to just one within our reach, we can spread the love of Jesus Christ throughout the world,” he concluded his social media post, using the hashtag #99plus1."

May we all be inspired to reach out to the one as our beloved Prophet has asked.