The Lord is merciful and watchful over time, and the promise has been given to the Lamanites that they would ultimately receive again the “true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer.”
Translation: This verse shows certain signs that the English text is influenced by the New Testament vocabulary rather than being a direct translation of the plate text. The imagery of the Messiah as a shepherd, and his people as his sheep is an Israelite metaphor coming from the occupation of sheepherding in that land. In the New World there were no sheep, and there was no model profession of sheepherding to provide the imagery of the watchful master. The sentiment of the watchful and loving Lord was certainly part of Samuel’s discourse, but the imagery is dependent upon the New Testament’s description of the Lord as the “Good Shepherd.”
John 10:11-15
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, 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.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.