1 Timothy 4

Paul addresses Timothy with a great deal of counsel regarding priesthood leadership. Timothy seems to have been much younger than many of the saints over which he was called to preside. Paul counsels Timothy -

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (New Testament 1 Timothy 4:12)

This counsel seems to again address principles related to "the end of the commandment" of charity, purity of heart, clear conscience, and faith unfeigned in chapter one, verse five of which I blogged about yesterday. But herein, Paul counsels Timothy to be an example of how believers are to behave. But not only behave, but in "word" and "conversation". But not only be an example of such, but priesthood leaders -

"These things command and teach." (New Testament 1 Timothy 4:11)

Paul instructs -

"...give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (New Testament 1 Timothy 4:13)

And also -

"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them..." (New Testament 1 Timothy 4:15)

So -

"...that thy profiting may appear to all..." (New Testament 1 Timothy 4:15)

Paul emphasizes the importance of magnifying our callings saying -

"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." (New Testament 1 Timothy 4:14)

In modern day, the Lord said much the same thing -

"Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
100 He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:99 - 100)

We do this as we -

"...labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." (New Testament 1 Timothy 4:10)

And as we do this, as we -

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine..." (New Testament 1 Timothy 4:16)

Then -

"...in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (New Testament 1 Timothy 4:16)

For what it's worth, as I read these words, I kept thinking about the stake high council.