Elder Quentin L. Cook
April 2012 General Conference
What it’s about:
Elder
Cook spoke about how we can move faithfully in a forward direction, doing what we
need be doing in order to keep our lives in line with God’s will. He even took this beyond an individual need
to “be in tune” with God’s will, and counseled us regarding what we can do to
help our families to grow strong and full of faith.
Quotes:
“Finally,
there are those who are in tune with the music of faith. You know who you are.
You love the Lord and His gospel and continuously try to live and share His
message, especially with your families. You are in harmony with the promptings
of the Spirit, have awakened to the power of God’s word, have religious
observance in your homes, and diligently try to live Christlike lives as His
disciples.”
“Our
great desire is to raise our children in truth and righteousness. One principle
that will help us accomplish this is to avoid being overly judgmental about
conduct that is foolish or unwise but not sinful. […]it [is] important to
distinguish between youthful mistakes which should be corrected and sins that
require chastening and repentance. Where there is lack of wisdom, our children
need instruction. Where there is sin, repentance is essential.”
“Religious
observance in the home blesses our families. Example is particularly important.
What we are speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say. […]Mothers
and fathers praying with children may be more important than any other example.”
“The
essential doctrine of agency requires that a testimony of the restored gospel
be based on faith rather than just external or scientific proof. Obsessive
focus on things not yet fully revealed, such as how the virgin birth or the
Resurrection of the Savior could have occurred or exactly how Joseph Smith
translated our scriptures, will not be efficacious or yield spiritual progress.
These are matters of faith. Ultimately, Moroni’s counsel to read and ponder and
then ask God in all sincerity of heart, with real intent, to confirm scriptural
truths by the witness of the Spirit is the answer. In addition, when we inculcate
into our lives scriptural imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with
the Spirit and taste of His goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and
especially peace.”
What it means to me:
I was drawn in by how
Elder cook delivered a simple message that addressed everyone’s circumstances
and where they are in their journey down, around, away from, or returning to
the narrow path of righteousness. The
quotes above were all just really good and contained clear council that I felt
was good to note. Though nothing really
reached out and shook my soul about this talk, it did testify to me that Heavenly Father has not made things
terribly complicated in regards to what we need to do to return to Him and live
with our families for eternity.
