It is said that there is safety in numbers. When it comes to wild nature, the interactions of predator to prey, it is nearly always true, there is safety in numbers. The same is nearly always true when it comes to the world of man — the easiest prey is the one that wanders away from the watching eyes and comforting presence of friends. He or she that wanders will be in need of rescue if separated from the security of the community. While in nature this may be looked at as part of the natural order, survival of the fittest, among the children of God no son or daughter should ever be abandoned as prey to the predatory actions of the evil one and his followers.

In nature we observe it all the time, a herd will seem to be safely grazing, and one of its members will become dangerously separated from its kind. Either by stalking or evoking confusion and panic, a predator will cut its prey from the herd for self-preservation or survival of the pack. While in the wild this is the circle of life and is nature’s way, among the family of man, the sons and daughters of God, the thought of losing one to the merciless, unjust and evil cause of the adversary is unthinkable and should be avoided at the greatest of cost. Rescuing and saving the one should be the common cause of God’s children. The Savior certainly did indicate this truth in His own words and deeds.

Addressing Pharisees and scribes who murmured against Him because He received and dined with “so-called” sinners, He offered 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 neighbours, 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).

The Lord did not advocate abandoning the 99 for the one. The wise shepherd of whom He spoke left the 99 in the care of one another, and without complaint, fulfilled his compassionate duty to find the one and joyfully return it to the fold. The shepherd Jesus described was willing to give whatever was necessary to watch over and protect his flock, and each individual lamb, even if it meant his discomfort, sacrifice and putting his own life in harm’s way. The worth of each lamb to the flock is of such great measure that every effort is made to protect the one, and the whole.

A ransom of infinite value was paid by our Redeemer, therefore, if something is worth what someone else will pay for it, the human soul must be of infinite worth.

The Savior’s willingness to watch over and with joy to sacrifice for every one of us is the same as the dedication of the man in the parable to his sheep. What truly illustrates the worth of a child of God, the worth of a soul, is to understand what the Savior gave for each and every one of us as individuals that we might return to the safety and love of our heavenly home and family. In His own words the Lord expressed what He did for us that we might not suffer as did He. “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19).

How great is the worth of a soul? My father told me many times in my growing up, “Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.” If that sentiment is true, then the worth of a human soul is greater than any of us can possibly imagine. An apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, declared, “Let us consider the cost of God’s precious love. … His agony in Gethsemane and on the cross was greater than any mortal could bear. Nevertheless, because of His love for His Father and for us, He endured, and as a consequence, He can offer us both immortality and eternal life” (October 2016 General Conference).

A ransom of infinite value was paid by our Redeemer, therefore, if something is worth what someone else will pay for it, the human soul must be of infinite worth.

“…if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!”

Doctrine and Covenants 18:16

As a young missionary in Paraguay I often pondered the words of the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants 18. I do still ponder them today. “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16).

If we labor all of our days on behalf of the Good Shepherd, searching for His lost lambs, that lost one, crying repentance and living by that example, by His grace we will find ourselves with unspeakable joy basking in the light of His love. Oh how infinite our joy will be when we find ourselves in the presence of those we sought out, and with those who with lifting hands rescued us. Then we will understand the worth of a soul and the heavenly joy of which the Savior spoke. May we all with outreached hand lift up the one and rejoice with He who lifts us all. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.