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Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Mary G. Cook, visited Sydney in May 2024.
Accompanied by Elder Taniela B. Wakolo of the Pacific Area Presidency, and Sister Anita Wakolo, the couple met with members and friends of the Church in Sydney over the weekend of 18-19 May.
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Elder Quentin L. Cook of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Taniela B. Wakolo at a Sydney conference in May 2024.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.At a conference in the Sydney suburb of Fairfield, Elder Cook said, “I love being with people united in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love diversity where there is unity in worshipping Jesus Christ. I love the Saviour. I feel close to Him.”
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Elder Cook addresses church members and friends at a conference in Sydney in May 2024.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Cook promised personal peace to those who follow Jesus Christ more fully, even in a world where there is not peace. He taught how living prophets attuned to each generation’s challenges, help us to truly worship God and keep our focus on Him. Some examples he shared included:
- The prophet Heber J. Grant taught the Word of Wisdom at a time when smoking and alcohol was stylish and elite, and people were unaware of its harm.
- The prophet David O. McKay taught, “No success can compensate for failure in the home,” in a time when people sought titles and job importance over family.
- The prophet Spencer W. Kimball taught unity with diversity through a revelation on the priesthood for all worthy males regardless of race.
- President Gordon B. Hinckley taught divine principles through The Family: A Proclamation to the World in a time before the family was under attack.
- President Thomas S. Monson taught about ministering and caring for those in need through his own life’s example.
Elder Cook continued, “And our prophet today, Russell M. Nelson, taught us to build sanctuaries of faith in family-focused homes.
“I know from directly working with President Nelson that he has received direct guidance from the Lord.”
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Sydney Latter-day Saints and friends gather to hear Elder Quentin L. Cook speak in Sydney, May 2024.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Sister Mary Cook said, “The important thing is to keep the important thing the important thing. . . When there is no peace on earth, where do we look for peace? We look to our Saviour. We can have our peace in a world of chaos.”
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Young adults listen to timely messages from Elder Quentin L. Cook at Sydney devotional in May 2024.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Later that evening, Elder Cook cautioned young adults, “In your generation, the world is going away from many things that are important.”
When his older brother’s unanticipated invitation to serve a Church mission during wartime was met with resistance by their father, he and his brother discussed three questions that would determine his following through:
First, “Is Jesus Christ divine?” Second, “Was Joseph Smith a prophet of God?” And third, “Is the Book of Mormon the word of God?”
Elder Cook said, “I realized the answer to those three questions would determine almost everything I did in my life. That night I had a special experience that I knew these things are true.”
He continued, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ is essential, and we need to understand that. The Atonement of Jesus Christ captures what the Lord wants to accomplish for each one of us.”
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Elder Quentin L. Cook speaks in Sydney, May 2024.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Sister Cook said, “The Lord will do His work. Be patient. Pray always. Wonderful things will happen if you leave it in the Lord’s hands.”
Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, of the Pacific Area Presidency, also in attendance, said, “Always remember who you are. Remember you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
Speaking of his personal conversion, Elder Wakolo said, “I didn’t understand or believe in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ as one who married a Church member. For many years I turned against this book. I am so grateful to be taught by the Holy Ghost. Now it is a book I cannot leave.”
At another Sydney conference earlier in the day, in Penrith, Elder Wakolo said, “The sacrament is an important ordinance for all of us.
"Before Jesus Christ went to the Garden of Gethsemane, He instituted the sacrament. In effect, He was saying, ‘I am about to leave you, remember my body and my blood.’ As the Resurrected Lord, again, in effect, he was saying, ‘I am here, remember my body and my blood. I am about to leave you again, remember my body and my blood.' Of all choices, the most important choice is to follow Jesus Christ.”
Elder and Sister Cook will also visit Fiji, Kiribati, and Marshall Islands during this trip to the South Pacific.