Early Christian tradition holds that Timothy became bishop at Ephesus, where Paul had left him (1 Timothy 1:3). This would explain why, in his first epistle to Timothy, Paul described the qualities of a bishop (1 Timothy 3:1-7) ¹ and exhorted him, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery” (1 Timothy 4:14). ² Three of the medieval lists of the Seventy include Timothy in that number.

Timothy must have been a young man when Paul wrote to him, “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” (1 Timothy 4:12). The Greek word rendered “despise” also appears in Paul's instructions to the Corinthians in regard to Timothy:

Paul further admonished Timothy, “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren” (Timothy 5:1).

The scriptures are replete with accounts of young people accomplishing great things. Joseph was only 17 when he was taken to Egypt as a slave, but became ruler of that land by the age of 30 (Genesis 37:2; 41:46). David was but a lad when he confronted Goliath and became a hero of his people, and the young shepherd boy ultimately became king of Israel (1 Samuel 17:33, 42). ⁴

Noah was ten years old when ordained to the priesthood (D&C 107:52). John the Baptist was far younger, only eight days old when ordained (D&C 84:27-28). The Lord ordained Jeremiah while in his mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5-6). Job declared, “in the days of my youth ... the secret of God was upon my tabernacle [tent]” (Job 29:4).

Several ancient prophets objected that they were too young to be given authority from God. These include Enoch (Moses 6:31), who was ordained a high priest at age twenty-five (D&C 107:48), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5-10). Soon after weaning him, Hanna brought her son Samuel “unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young” (1 Samuel 1:24). “Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child” (1 Samuel 2:18). He was still in childhood when the Lord called him to be a prophet (1 Samuel 3:1-21). Jacob, son of Lehi, was yet in his youth when he saw the glory of the Lord (2 Nephi 2:4; 11:3).

Upon becoming king of Israel, Solomon prayed, “And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child” (1 Kings 3:7). Feeling inadequate in his calling, he asked the Lord to give him “an understanding heart to judge thy people” and the Lord so blessed him (1 Kings 3:9-12). The Bible does not inform us of Solomon's age when he became king, but Ignatius, a late first-century A.D. bishop, wrote that he was twelve years of age ( Epistle to the Magnesians 3).

One of Solomon's descendants, Josiah, became king at the age of eight years (2 Kings 22:1). Josiah's ancestor Jehoash, became king when he was seven years old (2 Kings 11:21).

In the Book of Mormon, the first Moroni was appointed chief captain over all the Nephite armies at the age of twenty-five (Alma 43:17). Mormon was fifteen when the Lord visited him (Mormon 1:15), and in that same year he became leader of a Nephite army (Mormon 2:1).

Latter-day leaders, too, have sometimes been called to service at an early age. Joseph Smith was fourteen years of age when he was first visited by the Father and the Son. Joseph F. Smith was fifteen years of age when he departed for a full-time mission in Hawaii. At age nineteen, he was ordained a seventy, and he ultimately became an apostle and president of the Church. Heber J. Grant was twenty-four when called to be a stake president; two years later, he was ordained an apostle.

Many other examples could be given. Over the past couple of decades, hoping to write a book bearing the same title as this article, I have amassed information on children and teens who have accomplished things well beyond their chronological years. They, like Timothy, did not allow others to despise their youth.

The sons of Mosiah were among the most successful missionaries in history. The reason for their success is given in Alma 17:2-3:

The same is true of young Timothy, to whom Paul wrote “that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (Timothy 3:15).

In his book Way to Be , President Gordon B. Hinckley has outlined to the youth of our day seven B's that can help them lead a happy and productive life: “Be Grateful,” “Be Smart,” “Be Involved,” “Be Clean,” “Be True,” “Be Positive,” “Be Humble,” “Be Still,” and “Be Prayerful.” The prophet has been in the forefront of proclaiming that today's youth are among the finest of God's children and that, with the Lord's help, they can achieve the righteous desires of their hearts and lead others by their example. All in favor …

For additional material relating to this lesson, see:

• John A. Tvedtnes, “Making the Grade: Study Pointers for LDS Students,” a 5-part series posted on the Meridian Magazine web site, 2005. Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 .
• John A. Tvedtnes, I Have a Question: “What were the ages of Helaman's ‘stripling warriors'?” The Ensign , September 1992

² The presbytery is the body of elders. The pattern of being called and ordained in this passage is also found in Article of Faith 5 (“We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority”) and Hebrews 5:4, (“And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron”).

³Paul employed a different Greek verb in his instructions to Titus: “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:15). That same verb is used in Matthew 18:10, where Jesus says, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones” (Matthew 18:10 ).

⁴ David was the youngest of eight brothers, the three eldest of which were serving in Saul's army at the time David slew Goliath (1 Samuel 17:12-14). Since the minimum age for military service in ancient Israel was 20 (Numbers 1:1-3), David must have been considerably younger than his warrior brothers.

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