"Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do"

What great lessons we can learn from the traditions and practices of the shepherds of any land. Each evening at sundown, for example, the shepherds bring their small flocks of sheep to a common enclosure where they are secured against the wolves that roam. A single shepherd then is employed to guard the gate until morning. Then the shepherds come to the enclosure one by one, enter therein, and call forth their sheep—by name. The sheep will not hearken unto the voice of any other shepherd but will leave the enclosure only in the care of their true shepherd, confident and secure because the shepherd knows their names and they know his voice.“But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers” (John 10:2–5).

My dear brothers and sisters, there are great lessons to be learned from these stirring words of the Master Shepherd. Into our hands, as members of this great Church, has been given responsibility to be the true shepherds unto the flocks of Israel. Do we understand the personal nature of the shepherd’s call? Whether we go as home teachers or visiting teachers, whether we serve as auxiliary leaders or teachers, or leaders at whatever level, we have received a divine injunction from God, through a living prophet, to become personal shepherds and ministers. No, it is not a new call; it has always been so. Do we know our sheep, each one, by name? Do they know our voice, or must they hearken unto the voices of strangers? Do we go before them, constantly reassuring and building confidence because they know our voice? Or are we strangers unto many? I promise you that you will not be a stranger, that you cannot be if you come to know the voice of the Master Shepherd, for that voice will confirm what a prophet has declared, and the Spirit will direct your efforts. And then, and only then, you will become a true shepherd in Israel. Elder John R. LasaterOf the First Quorum of the Seventy

I work at Wells Fargo and one of the requirements of my job is to use the person's name during the transaction. I hated it at first and was weird to say someone's name to them because they already know their own name, why should I have to tell it to them?!? =) But I quickly learned that the "sweetest sound a person can hear is the sound of their own name." Now when I go to places, everyone is so rude to me and so impersonal because NO ONE uses my name!!! I know I'm taking Elder Lasater's talk literally, but what a perfect way to be a loving and personal disciple of Christ then to use the person's name in order to reach their heart. I'd like to invite everyone to use people's names and I promise you that you'll make more of a difference in their lives and be a stronger influence. Good luck!