Riding for The Brand

A few weeks ago in zone conference, Sister Bunker spoke about the cowboy code-- "a code of ethics that working cowboys valued and lived by" Her talk inspired to to find out more about this cowbow code and write a blog about it. So here it is: I hope you enjoy what you read just as much as I did!

"A cowboy would never dream of disrespecting a lady, taking the last of the water without refilling the bucket, or failing to share his last bit of food with a hungry stranger. The rules of cowboy etiquette were detailed and arcane. To know them, you had to be intimately familiar with life on the range. They covered any number of situations—when you could begin to eat, when you could wear your hat indoors, what to do if you came across a downed fence, and even where to leave your gun when you entered someone’s house. Cowboy ethics, on the other hand, were far simpler. Knowing right from wrong, following the Golden Rule and being willing to work hard would take you a long way." 

"It was the product of a unique place and time. Before the American West was settled and barbed wire closed off the plains, there was no framework of law. For the cowboy, the Code was the one civilizing influence that could be relied upon."

"The interesting thing is that no one can say with authority exactly what the Code of the West was. It was not carved in stone; in fact, it was not even written down on paper. Yet, while not every cowboy always abided by the Code, every cowboy knew what it was. What follows are the ten principles that capture the essence of the Code of the West and that still have meaning for us today:" 

1. Live Each Day With Courage                      

2. Take Pride In Your Work
3. Always Finish What You Start

4. Do What Has To Be Done

5. Be Tough, But Fair

6. When You Make A Promise, Keep It

7. Ride For The Brand
8. Talk Less And Say More

9. Remember That Some Things Aren’t For Sale

10. Know Where To Draw The Line 

  

(“Cowboy Ethics” Chapter 9- by James P. Owen)


RIDING FOR THE BRAND-- In the wild west days, ranchers hired cowbows to look after their cattle. These cowboys worked long and hard in all conditions to ensure that each cow was accounted for and was healthy and safe. Despite their rugged appearence, cowbows were kind and gentle and took as much care for his employer's cattle as he would his own.  

Each rancher had his own "brand"-- a marking on their cattle to showing who its owner was. This was the brand the cowbow would ride for, and he remained loyal to that brand until his service was no longer needed. If a cow went astray from it's pasture, he would search all across the plains until he found it. If a cow was sick, he would sit with it, and sometimes sing to it, and he would always try his best to nurse it back to health. A cowboy treated his work with as much importance as his own life. The open plains were his home, and there was no other place he would rather be.


Let us all  "ride for the brand" of the Savior. When our brothers and sisters wander from safe pastures, let us search with as much effort as one of these cowboys to reclaim them. When we see someone in need of comfort or service, let us comfort them and lend them a hand. Let us treat every person with as much love as we would if they were our own. Let us be kind and gentle, but stern when needed. Let us make the work of serving others our work!