Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus are often called pastoral epistles because they were written to men who had been made pastors or shepherds over congregations of Saints.

In the priesthood session of the October 1988 general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley, then first counselor in the First Presidency, gave direct counsel to bishops in the Church. In that respect, his talk was similar to Paul's pastoral epistles. A comparison of some points in his talk with some in Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus is striking and shows the applicability of God's word in all ages.Below, scriptures from Paul's letters are printed in boldface, followed in italic type by comparable points selected from President Hinckley's talk.

For a bishop must be blameless. (Titus 1:7.)

You must be men of integrity. You must stand as examples to the congregations over which you preside. You must stand on higher ground, so that you can lift others. You must be absolutely honest, for you handle the funds of the Lord, the tithes of the people, the offerings that come of their fasting, and the contributions which they make from their own strained resources. How great is your trust as keepers of the purse of the Lord!

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Tim. 3:7.)

Your morals must be impeccable. The wiles of the adversary may be held before you because he knows that if he can destroy you he can injure an entire ward. You must be wise with inspired wisdom in all of your relationships lest someone read into your observed actions some taint of moral sin. You cannot succumb to the temptation to read pornographic literature, to see pornographic films, even in the secrecy of your own chamber to view pornographic videotapes. Your moral strength must be such that if ever you are called upon to sit in judgment on the questionable morals of others, you may do so without personal compromise or embarrassment.

A bishop then must be . . . not greedy of filthy lucre; . . . not covetous. (1 Tim. 3:2-3.)

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Tim. 6:9-11.)

You cannot use your office as bishop to further your own business interests lest through some ensuing financial mishap accusation be placed against you by those who succumbed to your persuasiveness.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Tim. 2:24-26.)

You cannot compromise your qualifications to sit as a common judge in Israel. It is a fearsome and awesome responsibility to stand as a judge of the people. You must be their judge in some instances as to worthiness to hold membership in the Church, worthiness to enter the house of the Lord, worthiness to be baptized, worthiness to receive the priesthood, worthiness to teach and to serve as officers in the organizations.

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them receive them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. (1 Tim. 5:8, 16.)

You must be the judge of their eligibility in times of distress to receive help from the fast offerings of the people and commodities from the storehouse of the Lord. None for whom you are responsible must go hungry or without clothing or shelter though they be reluctant to ask. You must know something of the circumstances of all of the flock over whom you preside.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (Titus 4:2-4.)

You stand as a watchman on the tower of the ward over which you preside. There are many teachers in that ward. But you must be the chief teacher among them. You must see that there is no false doctrine creeping in among the people. You must see that they grow in faith and testimony, in integrity and righteousness and a sense of service. You must see that their love for the Lord strengthens and manifests itself in greater love for one another.

A bishop then must be . . . the husband of one wife, . . . one that ruleth well his own house. (1 Tim. 3:2, 4.)

As most of you have come to know, as you seek for divine guidance, you are blessed with wisdom beyond your own and strength and capacity you did not know you had. It is possible to budget your time so that you neglect neither your employer, your family, nor your flock.

*****

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Sunday School course of study on the New Testament, lesson No. 39.

Information compiled by R. Scott Lloyd

Sources: Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary; October 1987 and October 1988 general conferences.