Timothy

1. Timothy www.kevinhinckley.com

2. 1 Timothy 1:18-20Timothy’s Charge • Fight the good fight • Hold on to your faith • Maintain good conscience • Reject these and shipwreck your faith OR

4. Timothy

5. Titus

6. 1 & 2 Timothy, TitusThe Pastoral letters • Pastor or Shepherd • Provide significant counsel to those serving as pastors or leaders in the Church.

7. A Little History 1- Judizers Gospel of the Patriarchs Law of Moses Gospel Restored by the Savior Gospel Of the Hellenists (Greek) Gnostic Offshoot

8. Signs of apostasy

9. 1 Tim 3:14-15I write unto thee…that thou mayest know Truth

10. Information, Not Wisdom • Clearly, the stresses and strains that assault us cannot be attributed to a lack of knowledge. In fact, a current weekday edition of the New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in a whole lifetime in 17th-century England. 2 [2. Richard S. Wurman, Information Anxiety (1989), 32.] • But unfortunately, the explosive increase in information has not led to a parallel increase in true wisdom. For example, Medicare has one of the largest data banks in the world. Yet it sent an official letter to a retired housekeeper which explained the reason for terminating her benefits in this way: “Your benefits have been denied because of your death. If you believe this information is not correct, please contact the Social Security Administration.” 3 [3. 1997 Page a Day Notes: The 365 Stupidest Things Ever Said (1996).] • Richard B. Wirthlin, “Four Absolute Truths Provide an Unfailing Moral Compass,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 9

11. 2 Tim 3:7 • Why are some people “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”? • How can we ensure that our learning brings us to a knowledge of the truth?

12. Bigger trucks? • Two men formed a partnership. They built a small shed beside a busy road. They obtained a truck and drove it to a farmer’s field, where they purchased a truckload of melons for a dollar a melon. They drove the loaded truck to their shed by the road, where they sold their melons for a dollar a melon. They drove back to the farmer’s field and bought another truckload of melons for a dollar a melon. Transporting them to the roadside, they again sold them for a dollar a melon. As they drove back toward the farmer’s field to get another load, one partner said to the other, “We’re not making much money on this business, are we?” “No, we’re not,” his partner replied. “Do you think we need a bigger truck?” • We don’t need a bigger truckload of information, either. Like the two partners in my story, our biggest need is a clearer focus on how we should value and use what we already have. • Dallin H. Oaks, “Focus and Priorities,” Ensign, May 2001, 82

13. Information Overload • Because of modern technology, the contents of huge libraries and other data resources are at the fingertips of many of us. Some choose to spend countless hours in unfocused surfing the Internet, watching trivial television, or scanning other avalanches of information. But to what purpose? Those who engage in such activities are like the two partners in my story, hurrying to and fro, hauling more and more but failing to grasp the essential truth that we cannot make a profit from our efforts until we understand the true value of what is already within our grasp. • A poet described this delusion as an “endless cycle” that brings “knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word,” in which “wisdom” is “lost in knowledge” and “knowledge” is “lost in information” (T. S. Eliot, “Choruses from ‘The Rock,’ ” in The Complete Poems and Plays, 1909–1950 [1962], 96). • Dallin H. Oaks, “Focus and Priorities,” Ensign, May 2001, 82

14. How do we change from “ever learning” to gaining “knowledge of the truth”? • focus • quiet time • prayerful pondering • develop information into knowledge and mature knowledge into wisdom • establish priorities • Dallin H. Oaks, “Focus and Priorities,” Ensign, May 2001, 82

15. Wise and inspired use of information • We have thousands of times more available information than Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln. Yet which of us would think ourselves a thousand times more educated or more serviceable to our fellowmen than they? The sublime quality of what these two men gave to us—including the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address—was not attributable to their great resources of information, for their libraries were comparatively small by our standards. Theirs was the wise and inspired use of a limited amount of information. • Dallin H. Oaks, “Focus and Priorities,” Ensign, May 2001, 82

16. We can be “ever learning” and yet allow the everlasting truths to get lost in life’s shuffle as in this lamentation: • Where is the Life we have lost in living?Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?(T. S. Eliot, “Choruses from ‘The Rock,’ ” in The Complete Poems and Plays, 1909–1950, New York: Harcourt, Brace, and World, 1971, p. 96).

17. Alma had come through great trials and faced even greater ones. And the record says, “And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5).

18. Responsibilities of people who teach the gospel?

19. Sound doctrine • Read Titus 1:9, 13; 2:1, 15; and 3:8. How can Elder Packer’s statement apply to Paul’s counsel to Titus?

20. President Harold B. Lee stated, “You’re to teach the old doctrines, not so plain that they can just understand, but you must teach the doctrines of the Church so plainly that no one can misunderstand” (“Loyalty,” in Charge to Religious Educators, 2nd ed. [1982], 64).

21. President Gordon B. Hinckley stated: “I have spoken before about the importance of keeping the doctrine of the Church pure, and seeing that it is taught in all of our meetings. I worry about this. Small aberrations in doctrinal teaching can lead to large and evil falsehoods” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 620).

22. 1 Tim 1:3; 4:6,13; Titus 2:1How can true doctrine help us guard against apostasy? • “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. … That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” • Boyd K Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17

23. How can we be sure that what we teach is true doctrine? • “God has revealed everything necessary for our salvation. We should teach and dwell on the things that have been revealed and avoid delving into so-called mysteries. My counsel to teachers in the Church, whether they instruct in wards and stakes, Church institutions of higher learning, institutes of religion, seminaries, or even as parents in their homes, is to base their teachings on the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets” • Joseph B Wirthlin, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 77

24. 2 Tim 1:13; Titus 1:9What are we to do once we receive sound doctrine?

25. 1 Tim 4:12-16Example of believers

26. 2 Tim 2:22-26Foolish and unlearned questions • 2 Timothy 2:22-26 • What does Paul mean by “unlearned questions” (verse 22)? Can you give examples of “foolish and unlearned questions” that we take up today? What is wrong with dealing with questions that start quarrels? Notice that the word “strifes” in verse 22 and the word “strive” in verse 23 are variations of the same root, both in English and in Paul’s Greek. What does it mean to say that the Lord’s servant must be gentle to everyone? How do we preach gently? How can we rebuke gently or exhort gently? Verse 25 will make more sense if you put “to him” after the phrase “oppose themselves.” What do the last part of verse 25 and verse 26 say is the point of preaching and exhortation? Paul seems to be using “repentance” and “recover themselves” as parallel terms. In what way is repentance a recovery of self? Why does Satan take us captive? How does he do so? How does the gentleness that Paul recommends to Timothy differ from Satan’s method? How do the results of the two methods differ?

27. Asceticism describes a life characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures (austerity). Those who practice ascetic lifestyles often perceive their practices as virtuous and pursue them to achieve greater spirituality. Many ascetics believe the action of purifying the body helps to purify the soul, and thus obtain a greater connection with the Divine or find inner peace. This may take the form of self-mortification, rituals or renunciations of pleasure. However, ascetics maintain that self-imposed constraints bring them greater freedom in various areas of their lives, such as increased clarity of thought and the ability to resist potentially destructive temptations. • The principles and practices of an ascetic; extremeself-denial and austerity

28. 2 Tim 3:14-17 • Why should it be important to Timothy whom he has learned things from (verse 14)? Is it important to us? When? When not? With regard to what do the scriptures make us wise (verse 15)? Is imparting that wisdom to us the purpose of scripture? What is the significance of Joseph Smith’s change in verse 16? How is scripture good for doctrine (teaching)? For reproof? For correction? For instruction (training) in righteousness? Look at footnote 17a. What does that tell us about how to understand verse 17? In what sense does scripture make us perfect? If you change “furnished” to “equipped” and “unto” to “for,” the verse will probably be easier to understand. How does scripture equip us for all good works?

29. Phil:2:16; 3:7-17Moved from hope? • What analogy did Paul use? • Did Paul believe that he had already obtained his salvation? • What is the relationship between the past and the future? • What other help does he point us to for the hard parts of the journey? Greek culture in Paul’s day elevated athletes, and he explains salvation in terms of training and competing for the reward Gal 2;2; 5:7; 1 Cor 9:24-25

30. 1 Cor 9:24-25Victor’s crowns • Olympia – olive wreath • Delphi – Laurel wreath • Nemea – wild celery wreath • Isthmia – Pine wreath Corruptible Perishable

32. 1 Timothy 6:10 • The love of money is the root of all evil

33. Content • Thus, within our allotments we see how the saintly display kindness even within barbed-wire circumstances, yet others have barbed attitudes even within opulence. Meanwhile, the discontented continue to build their own pools of self-pity, some Olympic size. • Neal A Maxwell, CR Apr 2000

34. 1 Timothy 6:5-10 • X1 Timothy 6:17-18 Instruction for wealthy Saints • XJacob 2:18-19 • 1 Timothy 5:8 Care for widows and own family

35. 1 Timothy 4:12 • Be an example of the believers

36. 1 Timothy 3:1-8 • Qualities of a bishop

37. Titus 2Sound doctrine • Who was this advice for living righteously given to? • Vs 6 Young men • Vs 3 aged women • Vs 9 servants • Vs 2 aged men • Vs 4 young women

38. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 • Adorn yourselves modestly

39. For the Strength of Youth • Dress and Appearance• Dress modestly to show respect for God and yourself. • Avoid extremes in your clothing and appearance. • Dress appropriately for all Church meetings and activities

40. For the Strength of Youth • Dress and Appearance Servants of God have always counseled his children to dress modestly to show respect for him and for themselves. Because the way you dress sends messages about yourself to others and often influences the way you and others act, you should dress in such a way as to bring out the best in yourself and those around you. However, if you wear an immodest bathing suit because it's "the style," it sends a message that you are using your body to get attention and approval, and that modesty is not important. Immodest clothing includes short shorts, tight pants, and other revealing attire. Young women should refrain from wearing off-the-shoulder, low-cut, or revealing clothes. Young men should similarly maintain modesty in their dress. All should avoid tight fitting or revealing clothes and extremes in clothing and appearance. • As Latter-day Saint youth, you can also show respect for the Lord and yourselves by dressing appropriately for Church meetings and activities, whether on Sunday or during the week. If you are not sure what's appropriate, ask for guidelines from your parents, advisers, and bishop.

41. 1 Timothy 1:3-7 • Stay focused on true doctrine

42. D&C 35:13-14

43. D&C 35:13-14 • Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of my Spirit; • And their arm shall be my arm and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them.

44. Why do you think the Lord used military imagery in this scripture?

45. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 • How is doing the work of the Lord like going to war? • Read Doctrine and Covenants 76:28–29. Who is the enemy? • Who has he declared war on? • What kind of war are we fighting?

46. 2 Timothy 3 • The scriptures cut through the false doctrine and evil of the last days

47. How many of you have been immunized for a disease? • Can you remember how it felt? • Was it worth the pain? Why? • What risks do you take if you are not immunized?

48. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 • What kinds of diseases are represented here? • How might they be even more dangerous than polio or smallpox?

49. 2 Timothy 3 • Elder Boyd K. Packer: • “Paul taught that a knowledge of the scriptures was our immunization against these [latter-day] evils” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1985, 42; or Ensign, May 1985, 33).

50. 2 Timothy 3 • Ezra Taft Benson added: • “This is an answer to the great challenge of our time. The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life” (“The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 80).