Skip to main content
Intellect

Missionary work is lifeblood of church, says Elder Quentin L. Cook

This generation is "on the threshold of the most significant missionary success to date," Elder Quentin L. Cook, executive director of the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said this week.

Addressing the regular devotional assembly at Brigham Young University, Elder Cook cited a recent Gallup Poll that said 46 percent of Americans view members of The Church of Jesus Christ unfavorably.

However, he urged students not to become discouraged because missionary work is hard, referencing Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, who said, "I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?"

As people become more and more consumed by the pursuit of material wealth and worldly objectives, Elder Cook said, it is our challenge to share the joys of the gospel with those around us so that they can find peace and happiness and exaltation.

"Peace in this life," he said, "does not come from merely pursuing worldly objectives."

With this in mind, he posed the question, "How can we be effective missionaries?"

Echoing President David O. McKay’s mantra, "Every member a missionary," Elder Cook said we first must be a missionary all our lives. It is then necessary to "overcome feelings of hesitancy or inadequacy." Though all who attempt missionary work feel weak in some way, faith and obedience will prevail despite our inadequacies.

Finally, Elder Cook told students to always "be a good example and take every opportunity to share the gospel." Missionary work is an essential doctrine in the Savior's teachings, and in the Church it is divinely appointed and the lifeblood of the church, he said.

"Missionary work is not just one of the 88 keys on a piano that is occasionally played; it is a major chord in a compelling melody that needs to be played continuously throughout our lives if we are to remain in harmony with our commitment to Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ," Elder Cook concluded.

Writer: Alexis Plowman

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Forum: Where else but BYU?

June 06, 2023
While BYU provides excellent, affordable academic and professional training, its deeper purpose is much more ambitious, said mechanical engineering professor Brent Webb in Tuesday’s forum. Webb explained how BYU’s combined focus on faith and study uniquely helps students develop their divine potential.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Cougar Quinoa: BYU, Washington State University release new quinoa varieties to address global food security, nutrition

June 01, 2023
Scientists at Brigham Young University and Washington State University have developed a version of the protein-rich quinoa plant that can survive and thrive in the often-harsh growing conditions of Rwanda and other African countries.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU team using wearable nanocomposite sensor and AI to create prescription-like system for chronic back pain

May 24, 2023
To find effective therapies for chronic low back pain, and to help curb opioid addiction, the NIH created the Back Pain Consortium Research Program. BYU is one of 10 major universities (along with Harvard, Ohio State and the University of Utah) tapped to help with this effort, and new work from researchers here has led to a system to prescribe patient-specific back pain remedies like doctors would prescribe medication.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=