In 1 Timothy 2:9-10 it explains that we should be dressed in a modest manner. In the time that Paul wrote this to Timothy that meant that women shouldn't adorn themselves with unnecessary embellishments such as a lot of jewelry or with drastic hairstyles. Even though Paul addressed the modesty of women specifically we read in Doctrine and Covenants 61:18 and 36 that the words of Paul, because he was an apostle of the Lord, apply to both men and women. Just as we are taught in D&C 1:38 if it is spoken by Christ's apostles or prophets it is the same as if He spoke them.
Study Moses 6:9; Mosiah 2:37; Alma 41:2. Then list three reasons our bodies could be considered sacred. How does understanding that our bodies are sacred help us know why they should be covered modestly?
In Moses 6:9, found in the LDS Scripture The Pearl of Great Price, echos what is also taught in Genesis, that we are created in the image of God. Mosiah, a book found in the Book of Mormon, 2:37 teaches that those who openly rebel against the Lord will not be able to be with Him. Alma, also in the Book of Mormon, 41:2 teaches about the resurrection of all people and how we will have our spirit and body combined once again this time in perfect form to never be parted again.
All three of these scriptures testify of the sacredness of our bodies and how we will gain our perfected states. It is through these verses that we are able to come to a deeper understanding of how important our bodies are and why we must follow the Lord's commands on being modest.
What is mentioned in Alma 1:32 that relates to the other concern Paul mentioned about dress? What can you do to apply these principles in your life?
Alma 1:32 says, "For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible." Paul mentions in 1 Timothy that being modest helps us to avoid pride, are sober of thought and able to show their light that they have for Christ. Modesty in 1 Timothy is mainly focused on the apparel but it is more than that. Being modest also means being wholesome in thought and being honest in your doings.
I personally strive to live these principles everyday, though I admit some days are better than others. I am not perfect and I know that all three of these principles can use some work for me personally.
2. List the evidences Paul mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:1–5 that an apostasy would not only come in the future, but that some people were already practicing false doctrines.
Paul mentions how there will be those that fall away from the faith, known as apostatize, and they will be recognized by the things that they do that is contrary to what is and has been taught. Some of the signs given by Paul is that there will be hypocrisy and the condemning the things that the Lord has commanded us to do.
3. How could Paul’s counsel to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 be used to strengthen a new missionary or a young person called to serve in any responsibility?
1 Timothy 4:12 says, "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." We are often times persuaded to think that just because someone is young and lacking life experience that their voice is not important or as important as others. I think this verse proves that philosophy wrong. We must learn to value the voice of the youth. Though they may not have the same life experiences they are still able to be taught through the Spirit and be inspired by the Lord. I would love to tell a young beehive or a deacon that they should never be afraid to share a thought or be the example that they know they can be.
4. Review 1 Timothy 6:7–11 and answer the following questions:
What did Paul teach about the love of money? In what sense is the love of money the “root of all evil”?
Paul teaches us that the love of money can lead to terrible things. I want to just explain that the desire to be financially stable and be able to support oneself or family is not what Paul is referring to here. He is specifically speaking about greed and covetousness. Greed is a nasty vice that is usually paired with pride and in some cases gluttony. I think that is how money is the "root of all evil". If a persons sole motivation is money then there is nothing to keep him/her from doing whatever it takes to gain more.
5. What guidelines are given in 1 Timothy 6:17–19 and Jacob 2:18–19 that when followed can help ensure that you do not focus too much on money or material wealth?
We are given council in 1 Timothy that the rich should be held accountable for their wealth and use it to help those in need so that they are not prideful or desire only to gain more. In Jacob we are taught to first seek the Lord then if we are righteous in our desires to obtain riches we shall receive them. The stipulations given in Jacob though is that we must be willing to help those in need with the wealth we receive. I would also like to point out here that even though we are promised, as long as we are righteous in our seeking, to receive riches that does not necessarily mean we will be extremely wealthy or become millionaires just because we have the righteous desire to be so. What the Lord sees as wealthy and what we see as wealthy can be very different. The overall message of theses two sets of scripture is that we must first seek to be in line with the Lord before we seek after wealth.
No comments:
Post a Comment