Elder Quentin L. Cook was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 6, 2007. Born on Sep. 8, 1940, in Logan, Utah, he served as a young full-time missionary in the British Mission where he and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland served as companions.

He married Mary Gaddie on Nov. 30, 1962. They are the parents of three children and have 11 grandchildren. Elder Cook graduated from Utah State University in 1963 and Stanford Law School in 1966.

When Elder Cook was called as a general authority of the Church, he was vice chairman of Sutter Health System. He has served in the area presidency in the Philippines, as president of the Pacific Islands and North America Northwest areas, and as executive director of the Missionary Department.

In honor of his 83rd birthday today, here are nine quotes from Elder Cook in the past year.

1. Bringing people to Jesus Christ

Brigham Young University faculty and staff gather in the BYU Marriott Center for the University Conference on Monday, Aug. 29, 2023.

Brigham Young University

“Almost everything we do in the Church is to bring people to Jesus Christ and the blessings that are promised.”

— BYU’s annual University Conference, Aug. 28, 2023

2. Missionary purpose

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at the Seminar for New Mission Leaders at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah on June 22, 2023.

Cody Bell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Our missionary purpose is not just one of the 88 keys on a piano that is occasionally played. It is a major chord in a compelling melody that needs to be played continuously every day if we are to remain in harmony with our purpose as set forth in the doctrine of Christ.”

— Seminar for New Mission Leaders, June 22, 2023

3. Gathering Israel

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Saturday morning session of the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 1, 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Those who accept the gospel of Jesus Christ regardless of lineage become part of gathered Israel. With that gathering and the numerous temples built and announced, we are in a unique position to gather Israel on both sides of the veil as never before under the Father’s plan.”

— “Safely Gathered Home,” April 2023 general conference

4. A promise to missionaries

Elder Quentin L. Cook waves to the missionaries before his devotional at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Adam Fondren, for the Deseret News

“Everybody that you love will be blessed because you are serving as an emissary of Jesus Christ. It will bless your parents and your siblings. It will bless your future spouse, and it will bless your children and your grandchildren.”

— Provo Missionary Training Center devotional, March 14, 2023

5. Do not despair

Elder Quentin L. Cook of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, greets attendees after a member devotional in Lusaka, Zambia on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

“Do not despair. Love and care for those that are near and dear to you, and let the Lord’s work go forward.”

— Message in Zambia, Feb. 25, 2023

6. Faith in the Savior answers tough questions

Elder Quentin L. Cook of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, greets members after a meeting in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

“When we speak of ‘faith,’ we speak of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And when you have faith in the Savior, the tough questions are already answered. The questions that are really significant are answered by having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

— Ministering in Madagascar, Feb. 19, 2023

7. Avoid bondage

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, participate in the BYU–Hawaii graduation ceremony in Laie, Hawaii, on Dec. 9, 2022.

Camille Jovenes, BYU–Hawaii

“[G]ospel truths are often rejected or distorted to make them intellectually more appealing or compatible with current cultural trends and intellectual philosophies. If we are not careful, we can be captured by these trends and place ourselves in intellectual bondage.”

— BYU–Hawaii commencement, Dec. 9, 2022

8. Gratitude and humility

From left to right, President Benson L. Porter, president of the Provo Missionary Training Center; his wife, Sister Kerry L. Porter, Sister Mary Cook; and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make their rounds around the Provo Missionary Training Center to greet sick missionaries in Provo, Utah, on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022.

Deseret News archives

“We live in a self-centered age. It has never been more important to be grateful and humble. Those who possess these attributes express appreciation for their blessings as they follow the Savior’s example.”

— Message at Provo Missionary Training Center, Nov. 24, 2022

9. Be true to God

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 192nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Oct. 2, 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“We all need to seek our own testimony of Jesus Christ, bridle our passions, repent of our sins, and be true to God and His work.”

— “Be True to God and His Work,” October 2022 general conference