Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd

This week, I am posting a vocal arrangement of our Come Follow Me suggested song, “Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd” found in the LDS Hymnbook.  I used verses 1,3 and 4 for this video. This lesson studies portions of the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament. Ezekiel chapter 34 uses the symbolism of the “Shepherd” in a few different contexts. One of these contexts is “shepherds” or leaders during Ezekiel’s time who should have been caring for their flock or the people within their stewardship, but were not…. and the other being the ultimate “shepherd”, Jesus Christ, who seeks after his lost sheep. 

• Ezekiel 34:11-16 11 ¶ For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. 16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

The fourth verse of “Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd” has a phrase that says “make us thy true undershepherds; give us a love that is deep. Send us out into the desert, seeking thy wandering sheep.” This might be another context of “shepherd”, being those who act under the direction of the Savior to help him in his work of finding and leading those “lost sheep” back to the Lord. 

“Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd”, references it’s lyrics from the following scriptures:

• • Luke 15:4-7 4 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? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 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
  • 1 Peter 5:2-4 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd was written by:

Text: Mary B. Wingate, 1845–1933 and Music: William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838–1921. 

If you enjoy this content, please remember to subscribe to my YouTube channel and like this video 🙂 Thanks! Marilee

Note: Within this video there are portions of the depiction of Lehi’s Dream found in Nephi chapter 8 of the Book of Mormon. Here is the link to watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/c/BookofMormonVideos (Lehi has a vision filled with symbolism. Central to his vision is the tree of life and the eating of its fruit.)