During Tuesday's devotional at the Cannon Activities Center, Elder Cecil O. Samuelson recalled his early missionary days in Scotland and recalled 'timeless counsel' from a talk that Gordon B. Hinckley, then the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave during a meeting.
"Elder Hinckley used as the text of his message the fourth chapter of the book of 1 Timothy. While…I think he did not speak from more an a few notes, his message that day was and continues to be a blessing to me," said Elder Samuelson, member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and president of Brigham Young University. "Let me share with you some of the ideas and principles."
"We can all use counsel and encouragement in the fulfilling of our duties today, and it strikes me that Paul' s counsel to Timothy--timely in his day--is also remarkably current when applied to our own times and situations," he stated.
Paul cautioned Timothy to teach pure doctrine only and to focus on Jesus, Samuelson explained. Samuelson said verse 16 of that chapter is a summary of what Paul taught Timothy, but also applies to people living on earth today:
"'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.' What does it mean to 'take heed unto thyself'? In other words, we need to pay close attention to make sure that we are what we think we are and what we claim to be."
Samuelson stated that the way one conducts himself or herself must be in harmony with teachings. "Just as we are expected to take care of ourselves and use good judgment in our personal activities, so are we commanded to be sure that our behavior is consistent with the doctrine.
A person, however, can be an example in a negative way, Samuelson warned. "We must never discount the power in destructive ways that negative examples can also have." He urged BYU-Hawaii students, faculty, and staff to remember they are always noticed by others. Because of BYU-Hawaii's reputation and its sponsorship from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members of the campus community will always be "on stage," he said.
The BYU president concluded his remarks by suggesting ways in which Latter-day Saints can be examples in word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith, and purity. He then returned to quote Paul: "Let no man despise thy youth: but be an example of the believers…"
During his talk, Samuelson read a statement touching on the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Like all of you, I mourn today for our beloved and so recently departed prophet… We will miss him, but we're all so very grateful for all that he has done for us and for so many around the world. I'm also grateful, as you are, for the sure promises of a glorious resurrection, not only for him, but for all of us and for all of Heavenly Father's children, made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ."
Elder Samuelson also encouraged the audience to pray for the Hinckley Family and the leadership of the Church, "always remembering that this is Jesus Christ's Church and He is its leader."