Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was 15 years old when his older brother, Joe Cook, faced a choice between medical school and serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After discussing the matter, the brothers felt the decision should depend on three questions—questions Elder Cook would later call “keystones of faith”:
- Is Jesus Christ divine?
- Is the Book of Mormon the word of God?
- Is Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration?
The brothers decided if all three answers were yes, a mission couldn’t wait—not even for medical school.
That night, young Quentin prayed “fervently and with real intent,” and the Holy Ghost confirmed each truth in an “undeniably powerful way.” It was a “seminal” testimony-strengthening experience that has shaped every major decision of his life, the Apostle recalled.
Speaking to missionaries at a Sept. 1 devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center, Elder Cook taught that “true conversion is the result of the conscious acceptance of the will of God, and we can be guided in our actions by the Holy Ghost.”
Visit the Church News to read more about Elder Cook’s message to missionaries.
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