Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Sunday afternoon session of October 2022 general conference about the importance of gaining a personal testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Cook’s conference talk summary
Elder Cook’s great-great-grandfather Heber C. Kimball and fellow Apostle Brigham Young had the responsibility of evacuating the Saints from Missouri while Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail.
About 30 years later, Heber C. Kimball, then in the First Presidency, taught that: “Many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and His work.
“To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves.”
The Book of Mormon prophet Alma gave counsel to his three sons — two were “true to God and His work.” Alma wanted each to have a testimony of Jesus Christ. His preventive counsel was to bridle passions, but for those who have transgressed, to repent.
“In Alma’s day, in Heber’s day, and certainly in our day, we all need to seek our own testimony of Jesus Christ, bridle our passions, repent of our sins, and find peace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and be true to God and His work.”
Notable quotes from Elder Cook’s conference talk
“We each need a personal testimony of God’s work and the seminal role of Jesus Christ.’”
“Alma’s preventive counsel was to bridle passions, but for those who have transgressed, to repent.”
“All have sinned, and it is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can obtain mercy and live with God.”
“Because of the Savior’s Atonement, healing is available to all.”
See the full text of Elder Cook’s talk: ‘Be True to God and His Work’
Who is Elder Cook?
- Elder Quentin L. Cook was sustained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Oct. 6, 2007. He is a great-great-grandson of Heber C. Kimball, who was among the first missionaries to preach the gospel in this dispensation outside North America.
- He married Mary Gaddie on Nov. 30, 1962, in the Logan Utah Temple. They are the parents of three children.
- Elder Cook was Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s mission companion in summer 1962 during their full-time mission service in the British Isles.
- Elder Cook worked as an attorney and business executive in California, including as vice chairman of Sutter/California Healthcare System — a California health care company with 25 hospitals and more than 26,000 employees — at the time of his calling as a General Authority Seventy in 1996.
What has Elder Cook done recently?
- During the April 2022 general conference, he outlined how true conversion includes sharing the gospel.
- 2022 Sharing the Gospel broadcast: Invitations from Elder Bednar, Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Cook to ‘love, share, invite’
- Recalling their roots in Cache Valley, Utah, Elder Cook and Elder Stevenson break ground for second temple in the area
- NYC interfaith commission tours Church headquarters, participates in BYU’s religious freedom review with Elder Cook
- What Elder Cook and New York religious leaders say about religious liberty
- Elder Cook, Europe leaders participate in U.K. conference on preventing violence, promoting religious freedom
- Elder Cook at BYU Education Week: Give heed to the words of the Prophets
- Elder Cook addresses Ukrainian Latter-day Saints: ‘We are aware of the incredible challenges you are facing’
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