Speaking Sunday afternoon, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve told how he was detained in traffic one day while search and rescue crews worked to save a little white ewe stranded 25-feet up the face of a rock cliff.

Elder L. Tom Perry

"One concern bothered me," he said. "Where was the shepherd?"

Knowing a little about how animals react to being cornered by strangers, Elder Perry worried about the feasibility of their rescue efforts. "The shepherd's calming voice and helping hand were what this situation needed, but he seemed to be missing in action," he said.

Applying his observations to less-active and non-member neighbors, he said, "as members of the Church, sometimes we seem to be missing in action."

There is no substitute for a member-oriented proselyting program, he said, quoting President Thomas S. Monson. "?'A member-oriented program is the key to success and it works wherever we try it.'?"

Certainly, the full-time missionaries will continue to do the best they can, he continued. "But wouldn't it be better if you and I stepped up to do a job that is rightfully ours and for which we are better suited since we personally know those who are lost and need to be rescued?"

Elder Perry said that from his experiences after extensive travel, and aided by the results of a recent survey, that more than half of the people in North America "have little or no awareness of our practices and beliefs."

"This same survey," he said, "also showed that when non-members interact with faithful Church members over an extended period of time or are exposed to clear and accurate information regarding Church beliefs and doctrines, their attitudes become positive and open."

If members would do more of the finding, allowing missionaries more time for teaching, "great things would begin to happen," he said. "We're missing a golden opportunity to grow the Church. ... ."

"It should be with great earnestness that we bring the light of the gospel to those who are searching for answers the Plan of Salvation has to offer," said Elder Perry. "Many are concerned for their families. Some are looking for security in a world of changing values. Our opportunity is to give them hope and courage and invite them to come with us and join those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Returning to the episode of the stranded ewe, Elder Perry noted how frantic and hopeless the ewe must have felt, completely powerless to rescue herself, one step away from certain disaster.

"It is important for each of us to ponder how it feels to be lost, and what it means to be a 'spiritual' shepherd who will leave the ninety-nine to find the one who is lost."

Such shepherds experience "inexpressible joy," he said.