1 Timothy 4

Yesterday, President Thomas S. Monson commented on the continual decline of of the definition of morality amongst many Americans. It is interesting that Paul warned Timothy -

"NOW the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron..." (New Testament | 1 Timothy 4:1 - 2)

Loss of an understanding of morality is " conscience seared with a hot iron". Paul then describes several particulars of this loss of morality but then makes the analogy -

"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (New Testament | 1 Timothy 4:8)

Godliness or as would define as holiness is what is required for justification and sanctification for His life which is to come. That is why Paul admonished Timothy -

"...therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach." (New Testament | 1 Timothy 4:10 - 11)

Godliness is a characteristice "specially of those that believe". As Timothy so does labor, Paul teaches the true method of leadership -

"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.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (New Testament | 1 Timothy 4:12 - 16)