‘God Loves the People of the Islands of the Sea,’ Says Elder Cook

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Updated May 29, 2024

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminded attendees at a special conference in the Marshall Islands that “God loves the people of the islands of the sea.”

The statement from the Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during final meeting of his ministry tour of Australia, Fiji, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands May 19-26, encapsulated his teachings in the Church’s Pacific Area.

Marshall Islands

Elder Cook spoke during a special stake conference of the Church held in Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, testifying of Jesus Christ and God’s love for His children.

Elder Cook recalled that as a new General Authority of the Church in 1996, he was assigned to serve in the Philippines Area Presidency, and the Marshall Islands was then a part of that Area.

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“I came to Majuro every year and spent time here. I learned to love the people and to love the isles of the sea,” Elder Cook explained.

Elder Cook cited scripture as he reminded the Church members in the Marshall Islands that they should never forget that their Father in Heaven is aware of them.

“In the very first verse of the Doctrine and Covenants, it says simply: ‘Verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together,’” he said. “The Lord loves the people who live on the islands of the seas.”

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“I am so grateful to be here,” he said, adding that he was also grateful to represent the Savior, Jesus Christ, before such a faithful and dedicated people. “I am an Apostle, and one of my responsibilities is to testify of Jesus Christ.

“I testify to you that He lives, that He is divine, that He is our Savior and our Redeemer. We can have the assurance of eternal life because of Jesus Christ.”

Elder Peter F. Meurs, General Authority Seventy and Pacific Area President, who with his wife, Maxine, accompanied Elder Cook, said that focusing on simple things gives us the ability to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ.

“The first thing we can do is offer our prayers as families and individuals,” Elder Meurs said. “We can ask in faith for ourselves and seek His blessings. We can also pray for each other.”

He noted that as people perform service for others, their faith in the Savior will also grow. “In the gospel of Jesus Christ, we all have opportunities to serve. We serve when we minister to each other, and we are called to sustain one another.

“As we do so, we become more united,” Elder Meurs said.

He said, “Each week we can prepare for the sacrament through daily repentance. Then as we participate, we remember the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and feel of His healing and redeeming power.

“With His continuing help all of us can return to Heavenly Father and enjoy eternal family associations,” Elder Meurs said.

Learn more in this related Church News article Missionaries hear promises, strong testimony from Elder Cook across the Pacific Area

Elder Meurs said that “in the Pacific Area, we are blessed to have 10 operating temples, with 10 more announced. Temples are coming closer to us, and a great way to show the Lord that we are ready for a temple is for us to see our priesthood leader and make sure we have a current recommend for us to attend the temple.”

Kiribati

“Be a light everywhere,” said Elder Cook told a gathering of more than 3,000 people on the Pacific island of Tarawa in Kiribati on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

“Be an example of Jesus Christ, helping the communities where we live,” the Apostle said during an outdoor evening devotional at the Moroni High School campus attended by Latter-day Saints and friends of the Church.

Previously, Elder Cook had visited Fiji, where he addressed students and faculty during a special devotional at the Church College Fiji and missionaries serving in the Suva Fiji Mission.
Elder Cook was accompanied on his visit to Kiribati of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and Elder Meurs, and his wife, Maxine.

Pacific Newsroom Elder Cook Encourages Fiji Students and Missionaries to Emulate the Savior

Dignitaries attending the evening devotional included Tetiro Semilota Mate Moaniba, The Honourable Chief Justice of Kiribati; Sarai Lindauer, First Secretary of the New Zealand High Commission in Kiribati; Tabera Tenieu, Church of Christ, Kiribati; Reina Timau, Kiribati Protestant Church; and Pastor Kanta Randolf, Kiribati — Church of God of Prophesy.

“I testify to you in all humility that [Jesus Christ] lives. He guides His Church. We are His disciples,” Elder Cook said.

He encouraged Latter-day Saints to “be temple-worthy people and to reach out with love and kindness to all the people on this island, cultivating love and kindness and belonging.”

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Elder Cook also encouraged the Saints to increase unity. He read Paul’s words from the Bible: “‘Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).’”

“That is what we want for everybody.  We want everybody to be united,” Elder Cook said. “We can be one. We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. We can be united, particularly as we worship the Savior and try to be one with Him.”

Inviting listeners to “build Zion in your hearts and in your homes,” he said to make their homes a place “where we study the scriptures, “where we pray together” and “where there is love and unity.”

Speaking to parents, Elder Cook emphasized “treating our children with kindness.”

“Guide your families toward the Savior that your families will be blessed,” he said. “And in the world where there is no peace, you will have personal peace. The reward of righteousness is peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.”

Arriving in Kiribati earlier that day, Elder Cook’s first appointment was meeting with the students of Moroni High School, who eagerly lined up along the roadside to welcome him.

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Addressing the students during a school devotional, Elder Cook reminded them that they “are a great young generation.”

He encouraged them to “gain knowledge” both “practical” and “eternal” and challenged them to “keep God’s commandments,” avoid the diversions of the world, and “stay true to the faith.”

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Elder Cook read Alma 37:35 from the Book of Mormon,“‘O, remember, my son, and  learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.”

He counseled students to “not delay” their service as missionaries for Jesus Christ. “A mission will prepare you to be kind fathers and mothers, and leaders in every aspect of your life.”

“Your life will be blessed. You will be protected,” he promised.

Elder Meurs spoke about a legendary All Black rugby player Sid Going.

“He chose to leave his rugby career to serve his mission first for the Lord,” Elder Meurs said. “His remarkable missionary experience changed his life. He had a great testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ.”

“The opportunity exists for you to serve the Lord as disciples of Jesus Christ and share the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said. “That will have a great impact on your whole life.”

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Learn more in this related Church News article Grow up to be ‘goodly parents,’ Elder Cook tells youth in Fiji and Kiribati