Chapter 9 (BOMC)

In John, chapter 10, in the Bible, Jesus speaks of other sheep that are not part of Israel. He said, “and other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.“ (John 10:16)  As Christians, we understand that this references the Gentiles, who would later be adopted in through faith in Jesus.  However, in 3 Nephi, chapter 15, it refers to the people in America instead.  It reads, “and verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching. And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost. But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.” (3 Nephi 15:21-24)

Looking at what you just read very closely, we see that the Gentiles are not the other sheep. But is this true? It is now time to uncover who the other sheep are according to the Biblical text. To understand this, let’s look at John, chapter 10 once again. It reads, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14,15) These verses come before the one we read earlier.  The Lord’s sheep are His people, which in verse 16 we learn that other people would later be grafted into the same fold as the Jews. This is explained in detail by Paul the apostle.  It is written, “whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:4-6) “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Romans 11:25)

God’s sheep are the people of Israel, and the other sheep that came in later are the Gentiles. The gospel is now for the Gentiles.  Praise God that we, though we are not part of Israel, are grafted in. This is what the Bible teaches, and I also taught this when I was on an LDS mission. I believed that the “other sheep” were those who were not part of the fold of Christ. That God allows people into His fold through faith in Jesus. I would recite this verse all the time. “And other sheep I have, which  are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) Even in Mormonism, I believed that those who were lost and without Jesus were the lost sheep, or the Gentiles. I did not subscribe to the people in America as these other sheep. I disagree with the statement in the Book of Mormon where it teaches that the Nephites, not the Gentiles, are his lost sheep. So even before my mission, I doubted these words in the Book of Mormon.  This prepared me to be where I am today as a Christian. Now, let us look at the verses in 3 Nephi, chapter 15, again.

It is written, “and verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching. And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost. But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.” (3 Nephi 15:21-24) The Jesus of the Bible is not speaking here. Joseph Smith made this part up about the Nephite people.  it is sad that he attributed Jesus to his writing.

The question is, would Jesus ever contradict what His own apostles would later teach? Absolutely not. Now to make my point very clear, let’s reexamine what Paul taught the people in Ephesus.  It is written, “whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:4-6) What else could the other sheep refer to but the Gentiles according to these verses? Were the Gentiles part of the same body of Israel? They were not. However, they are called sheep nonetheless, and are now fellow heirs, having been adopted through faith in Jesus. Reemphasizing what Paul taught the Romans, we will read that portion again also.  “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Romans 11:25) This is wonderful news. God is so loving as to allow us into His fold. Amen.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help every person who is lost and without a shepherd. We were once a far off, not being part of Your fold.  Israel is your people, and I am so grateful to be adopted in. We stood looking in, wondering when we could be partakers also. Many people have believed in You, God, but they were unsure if they would be accepted due to restrictions against them. This must have been difficult for people to bear. Thankfully, You came down to save us, Jesus. We were always Your lost sheep, but now You have ushered us in. Thank You for trusting us. Those who would put their faith in You, Jesus. The tides have turned over the centuries, it seems. Israel has rejected You, Jesus, while the Gentiles have accepted You as their Lord, God, and King. You have not forgotten Israel but allow us to be a shining light in the darkness.  You’ve sent us to bear witness Your truths in all the world. Help us, Lord, to be Your light in the darkness. There are many people searching for truth, but we need the Holy Spirit to do the talking. I love You, Jesus. I believe in You. Amen.