I think the main message Paul is trying to convey in 1 Timothy, is that a woman shouldn't make her appearance a top priority, but should instead focus on helping others and doing good works towards the people around her.
The versus in D&C teach us that “what I say unto one I say unto all” and through this we know that men too need to be aware of how high they prioritize their appearance over the good works they should accomplish.
Moses tells us that we are created after the image of God which is a special thing, and a privilege. In Mosiah the Lord tells us that “he dwelleth not in unholy temples”. He is calling our bodies ‘temples’, and this means they are sacred, however we are not doing what is right he cannot influence us, or help us. Lastly, Alma says that part of the plan of restoration that God has planned is that our spirits will be restored to our bodies, which shows how important our bodies are in God’s plan for everyone.
Knowing all this helps us know that our bodies are to be respected and treated with care and reverence. When something is precious to someone they treat it with care and don’t flaunt it around to be openly judged by the world. Also openly showing off our bodies or putting our attention on our looks is in a sense saying that we treasure that part of our lives above other things in our lives. While it is good to keep our bodies healthy and to look nice and presentable, it should not be our main focus throughout the day. Alma 1:32 says that people who were not following the gospel of Christ tended to put their time and energy into their apparel and would adorn themselves in expensive things just so that they would look better than others (as evidence of the statement “being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes”).
I can personally apply these principles because I know that I tend to focus on how I look a lot, whether I mean to or not. Society has taught us to live like this. I think it is important to look nice and stay healthy, but once I get dressed for the day that should be the end of it. How I look is not what really matters, but what really matters is how I act. I also firmly believe that when we dress a certain way we act a certain way, and so when we stay modest and not overdress ourselves, we are going to be more modest and reverent in our daily activities and be more willing to look for what help others might need, instead of worrying what others might think/not think of us based on how we look that day.
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.
The versus don't expressly mention what was going on currently, but Paul does talk about the future. He says people who will leave the church because of the deceit of those around them and the false doctrines that people will teach against God. He says that these people who strive to lead others away from God are spiritually blind “having their conscience seared with a hot iron”. They will tell lies and they will be hypocrites.
He says some people will look down upon marriage and some will command that people stop eating meat.
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?
I think it gives young missionaries hope. I think young people tend to wonder how they can help teach people, and if older people will listen to them or ignore them simply because they are younger, but Paul counsels Timothy to not let people use the fact that he is young against him, but to be an example. By following Christ and providing good works to others through manual labor or through conversation you can be a good influence for God’s teachings and people will notice that.
4. Review 1 Timothy 6:7–11 and answer the following questions:
• What did Paul teach about the love of money?
Money doesn't matter. We did not come into this world with money, and we will not be taking it with us when we die. The people that desire simply to be rich will be the ones falling into many temptations and will be the ones following their lusts. Wanting only money will bring sorrow.
• In what sense is the love of money the “root of all evil”?
People that love money are covetous of others who have it, and it consumes them to the point that they wander away from the faith and will do all they can to have it even if it means putting others below them in their quest for money.
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?
First we must focus on our testimonies and on being close to God. If we obtain riches through our hard works we must use our blessing to help others who are struggling and to provide good works and service to them. We must not put our love into our money because then we are putting the focus on what WE want, not what we NEED or what others NEED. When we focus on ourselves we are doing what Satan would have us do in order to fall away from Christ.
thank you so much for reading!
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