STIMULATOR message for the week of August 8, 1972
Message from President Merlin W. Sant, August 8, 1972
“Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 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.” (1 Timothy 4:12,15,16)
Dear Fellow Missionaries —
Such was the Apostle Paul’s counsel to a young man whom he called his son in the gospel. We don’t know exactly what Timothy’s calling in the Church was at the time he received this epistle from Paul, but we do know that he was a stalwart, dedicated servant of the Lord.
Although this instruction was intended more specifically for Timothy, how well it applies to all of us in our ministry. Even those of us who are young in years may command respect from everyone we meet by being an example of the believers. How wise the Apostle was in in the giving of this counsel. All the factors he outlines are of utmost importance to those who preach the gospel and minister in its ordinances.
The language we use, the love for people we manifest, the spirt we emanate, the faith and trust in the Lord we display, and the purity of our lives all have direct bearing on our success as missionaries. And let’s be sure we give more than lip service or half-hearted support to those vital principles of conduct. Let us truly be “examples of the believers” in all we do.
While Sister Sant and I are not actually your parents, we look upon you as Paul did upon Timothy –[ you are our sons and daughters in the gospel, and we love each one of you as we do our own son. We want to develop a close personal relationship with each of you so we may share your joys and your sorrows, and we earnestly pray that your joys may be many and your sorrows but few.
Faithfully yours,
President Merlin W. Sant
“Be careful how you live, you may be the only Bible some people read.”
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