This year marks the 100-year anniversary of BYU Education Week, a time dedicated to increasing participants' faith and knowledge through classes that cover a plethora of subjects.
As part of Education Week, Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered an address on the importance of heeding modern-day prophets.
While there has always been opposition, Elder Cook noted that we live in a day when skeptics are “louder, more contentious and less tolerant than at any time” during his life.
“In this intense, social media-fueled world, many seem more concerned about being mocked than about being judged by God.”
As we follow the prophets' counsel, we will be given protection and immunity against the evils of our day, Elder Cook promised.
Elder Cook focused his remarks on doctrine that has been revealed by different prophets who have served in the last 100 years. He taught how each revelation was relevant at the time it was given but also how it continues to bless our lives and the Church today.
Beginning in the 1920s with President Heber J. Grant, Elder Cook discussed President Grant's inspiration to make keeping the Word of Wisdom a requirement for receiving a temple recommend.
At a time when cigarettes and alcohol were glamorized, members were blessed to avoid unknown health risks. We continue to benefit from this revelation.
“The terrible health results from both smoking and alcohol use are now clearly established by science … Adherence to prophetic revelation has brought safety and peace.”
Elder Cook reminded us of President David O. McKay's emphasis made on intentionally creating time to have family home evening each week. As we choose to heed President McKay's counsel, it will provide protection against the deterioration of the family unit.
“He powerfully taught the need to strengthen families and not to seek status and wealth at the expense of righteous family cohesion.”
Another example, and one of the most well known, was the revelation given to President Spencer W. Kimball in 1978, now known as Official Declaration 2, which extended priesthood ordination to all worthy, male members of the Church and temple blessings to all worthy Latter-day Saints.
“Not enough can possibly be said about this revelation on the priesthood which has blessed and protected both individuals and the Church. It is even more important today than when it was received.”
President Russell M. Nelson, the current president of the Church, has also shared doctrine that, when heeded, will bless us and continue to bless future generations, Elder Cook said.
Elder Cook discussed his belief that the revelation to implement a home-centered, Church-supported religious observance may be among the most important revelations in its ability to provide us with protection and immunity.
“I believe future generations will be blessed by this revelation and that it will be a seminal instrument in helping to build faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
When followed, the counsel given by past and present prophets will provide us with the strength to resist temptation, Elder Cook testified.
Quoting President Nelson, Elder Cook again urged us to heed the words of the prophets: “You may not always understand every declaration of a living prophet. But when you know a prophet is a prophet, you can approach the Lord in humility and faith and ask for your witness about whatever His prophet has proclaimed.”
