During His earthly ministry the Savior would often teach in parables using metaphors familiar to his audience. He would use analogies to enable the honest-of-heart listener the ability to understand the core concepts of his teachings while protecting the insincere from being accountable for these deeper meanings.

One of my favorite parables He gave was that of the good shepherd. In it he teaches us the difference between a shepherd and a hireling. "I am the good shepherd" the Savior says, "the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd," he continues, "whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep." (John 10:11-12)

What was the Savior teaching us here? Well to answer that we need to look into the motive of both parties. The shepherd is driven by His pure love. His love is blind, endless, patient, hopeful, and faithful. His love is not contingent upon the immediate circumstances the sheep or he are in. Nothing, including approaching wolves, will change his converging love for the sheep. However, the hireling's commitment to the sheep was menial. His impetus for watching the sheep was all selfishness, whether it was for money, possessions, or even for a returned favor. His love has no roots; therefore, he "leaveth the sheep, and fleeth."

One of the principles we can glean from the parable is how to found lasting relationships. With friends, family or our romantic partner, we can and need to be like the Good Shepherd and not like the hireling. So many friendships and marriages unfortunately shatter. Children grow up almost expecting to go through more than one marriage. Siblings all over the world don't speak to each other. Though I don't claim to understand the complexities and pains of those that struggle with these issues, I do have a testimony that if we turn to the Savior and become more like him we can mend and progress every relationship.