From Prince to Shepherd: The Divine Pattern of Preparation for a Great Calling

When we consider the concept of leadership, we often picture polished speakers, strategic planners, or brilliant minds. But the gospel, and the record of the Lord's dealings with His people, teaches us that true leadership is not a birthright, nor is it merely a skill set acquired in comfortable academic settings. It is a divine calling, often preceded by a necessary period of wilderness—a crucible designed to strip away the self and prepare the vessel.

The Divine Necessity of the Wilderness

Kaye Hanson’s examination of Moses and Joshua reminds us of this fundamental pattern. Moses, raised in Pharaoh’s court, possessed all the trappings of power and privilege. He was destined for greatness, yet his initial experiences were far from preparation. He was a prince, yet he was forced into the life of a shepherd in Midian. This 40-year sojourn, while seemingly an interruption, was, in fact, the Lord's masterful curriculum. It was the period where the entitled prince was broken down to the humble laborer, acquiring the patience, the resilience, and the practical wisdom necessary to face the magnitude of his mission.

This pattern—the descent from privilege to humility—is not merely a historical curiosity; it is a doctrinal principle. It speaks to the very nature of the Atonement and the process of discipleship. We cannot be prepared for the magnitude of the covenant work—the work of building the Kingdom or administering the sacred ordinances of the temple—if we are still reliant solely on the temporal comforts or the worldly accolades of our youth.

Prophets as Types of the Savior

What is most profoundly instructive about Moses’ life is the way it functions as a type of the Savior Himself. As the professor noted, Moses was told that the Lord would raise up a prophet “unto him, a leader like unto him.” The Old Testament prophets, from Isaiah to Moses, are not just historical figures; they are shadows pointing toward the ultimate Light: Jesus Christ. They teach us that every great revelation, every divine calling, is inherently focused on the central figure of our faith.

This is the foundational doctrine of the Restoration. Our study of the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, confirms that the work of the prophets and apostles—from Joseph Smith to our living prophets and apostles—is singular: to gather Israel and point all hearts back to the Savior. Our commitment to the priesthood and the ordinances of the temple is therefore not a collection of separate rituals; it is one cohesive, divinely orchestrated path back to the fulness of the Gospel.

The Lesson for the Modern Disciple

If the wilderness was Moses’ necessary preparation, what is our wilderness? For the committed Latter-day Saint, the wilderness is the sustained effort of scripture study, the disciplined commitment to our covenants, and the willingness to submit our personal will to the Spirit's direction. It is the quiet, daily work of the scholar and the covenant-keeper.

We are called to be leaders in our spheres of influence, whether in the temple, the family, or the community. But like Moses, we must recognize that the call to lead does not negate the need for profound, humble learning. The insights gleaned from deep scripture study, the quiet contemplation in the temple, and the counsel received from the General Conference are our modern sources of divine instruction. They are the tar-pitch baskets that save us from the dangers of our own pride and worldly ambition.

To truly understand the pattern of preparation, we must not view our priesthood authority as merely an office, but as a divine stewardship—a sacred trust given only after we have demonstrated the humility and devotion required to steward it. We are called to walk in the footsteps of the prophets, always recognizing that our greatest calling is to follow the Savior.

We invite you to reflect on this: What 'Midian'—what period of quiet, humble learning or spiritual struggle—is the Lord calling you to endure right now, knowing that it is necessary for the next great revelation or calling He has for you? Let us commit to the study that prepares us not just for the next assignment, but for the eternal life promised through Christ.