Rhetoric: This passage is, once again, aimed directly at wayward members of the congregation whom he compares to “sheep having no shepherd.” In this case, the shepherd is not absent. Indeed, “a shepherd had called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice.” Because the Savior is the quintessential shepherd, it is certainly appropriate to read this passage as a reference to him, but it seems more likely that Alma is here referring to himself, reminding the members of his own teachings and exhortations—current sermon included. They have no shepherd not because one is not available, but because they have strayed from his keep.
Translation: The image of the shepherd, while well-known to readers of the Bible, is no longer concrete for most modern peoples. We understand sheep and shepherds primarily as metaphors, not from daily experience with them. The Nephites would have had a similar metaphoric relationship, for Mesoamerican had no sheep at this time. However, we cannot discount the possibility that Joseph translated the idea behind a more relevant local metaphor, rather than the specific words. (See commentary accompanying Alma 5:59.)