08 March 2026
The principle of counting and accounting works. It is the Lord’s way.
Sacrament Meeting Program
Presiding: Bishop Todd Christensen
Conducting: Bishop Todd Christensen
Opening Hymn: CS 83 - When He Comes Again
Invocation: By Invitation
Ward Business
Sacrament Hymn: #1206 - Were You There?
Administration of the Sacrament
Speaker: Bishop Todd Christensen
Speaker: President Mark James
Closing Hymn: #1005 - His Eye is on the Sparrow
Benediction: By Invitation
Messages From General Conference
Remembering the Sheep
By Elder William K. Jackson
Of the Seventy
Christ is the Good Shepherd. Each one of the flock is precious to Him. He patterned shepherding and taught us by word and deed the qualities of a good shepherd, including knowing your sheep by name, loving them, finding those that are lost, feeding, and, ultimately, leading them back home again. He expects us to do the same as His undershepherds.
We can learn much about ministering the Lord’s way from the ancient prophet—and exceptional shepherd—Moroni. He lived during very difficult times, not having the benefits of cell phones, computers, and the internet. But he managed to keep track of the sheep. How was this done? We get a glimpse into his methodology in Moroni 6. There we read that members “were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way. … The church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls” (Moroni 6:4–5; emphasis added).
For Moroni, it was all about people—names! He practiced the principle of counting and accounting so that all would be remembered. Any who struggled or wandered were noticed, allowing the Saints to discuss their welfare in councils. Like the shepherd who left the ninety and nine (safe and secure, I am certain) and went after the one that was lost (see Luke 15:4–7), we have been asked to be just as aware of our flocks—to notice and remember and go and do likewise.
As a mission leader in India, I recall asking a young branch president about some of his goals for the coming year: “How many men will you prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood?” His immediate response was “Seven!”
I wondered from where in the ether he had conjured up that very specific number! Before I could respond, he produced a piece of paper with the numbers one through seven written down the side. The first five lines had names on them—real people that he and his elders quorum were going to invite and encourage to have the blessing of the priesthood in their lives. Of course, I had to ask about the empty lines six and seven. “Oh, President,” he said, shaking his head sympathetically, “surely we will baptize at least two men in the first of the year who could have the priesthood by the end of the year.” This superb leader understood the principle of counting and accounting.
Christ has organized His Church in such a way that it should be difficult to forget a soul, for each is dear to Him. Every individual in a ward, regardless of age or gender, has a multitude of stewards—shepherds—who are tasked with looking after them, with remembering. A young man, for example, has assigned to his well-being a bishopric, ministering brothers, adult youth advisers, seminary teachers, quorum presidencies, and then some—all serving as safety nets, strung up firmly beneath that youth to catch him if he falls. Even if just one net is properly positioned, that young man will be safe, noticed, and remembered. And yet, often we find nary a net in place. People wander off routinely into the mists—and no one notices. How can we be better shepherds? We can learn to count and account.
Elder William K. Jackson
