Quentin L. Cook

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Quentin L. Cook is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was sustained on October 6, 2007, filling the vacancy left by Henry B. Eyring's call to serve in the First Presidency. He had been serving in the Presidency of the Seventy since August 1, 2007. Since April 5, 1998, he had served In the First Quorum of the Seventy. He was called to serve in the Second Quorum of the Seventy on April 6, 1996. Prior to that he was an Area Authority and regional representative.

He was born on September 8, 1940, in Logan, Utah, and although born and raised in Logan, Elder Cook spent 27 years living and working in northern California. He spent a number of years working as a managing partner at Carr, McClellan, Ingersoll, Thompson & Horn, a law firm in the San Francisco area. He then went on to serve as CEO of a California healthcare system and vice chairman of Sutter Health System.

In 1960, Elder Cook was called to serve as a full-time missionary in the British Mission. One of his companions was Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. After returning from his mission, Elder Cook went on to earn a bachelor's degree in political science from Utah State University in 1963 and then a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Stanford University. Later, Utah State University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Elder Cook met his wife, Mary Gaddie Cook, while in high school. After his return from his mission to England, they were married and together they raised their three children.

Cook served as executive director of the Missionary Department, where he was managed the Church's missionary program. It was in February 2007, while he was serving in this capacity, that four missionaries in Nigeria were abducted. Elder Cook played an important and notable role, coordinating with local Nigerian leaders to facilitate the release of the four Elders.

Elder Cook has pioneer heritage; he is a great, great-grandson of Church apostle Heber C. Kimball and a great-grandson of David Patten Kimball, who was one of the three young men who carried handcart pioneers over the Sweetwater River.[1] [2]

Apostleship

Elder Quentin L. Cook traveled to Asia for a 10-day ministry that included the Asia North Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The last leg of his journey was to Tokyo and Osaka.

Because Christians comprise only 1% of Japan, Elder Cook said interfaith collaboration with the Shinto and Buddhist faiths, among others, are essential. “We can’t do it just with the Christian faiths,” Elder Cook said. “We’ve got to do it with faiths that are historically significant. And they’re wonderful faiths. To have a strong relationship with them helps to have friendships and unity and collaboration in a way that builds each other and strengthens each other. And they appreciate it deeply to have that kind of relationship.”[3]

He also visited South Korea. On Sunday, September 8, 2024, the Elder Cook and his wife, Mary, spent time with South Korea Supreme Court Justice Youngjoon Kwon and his wife, Yeonshin Lee. The Kwons are Latter-day Saints. He served as an Area Seventy for three years before being confirmed as a Supreme Court justice (a six-year term) in 2023. He was interviewed the following day with Euinjoong Hwang of the news outlet Asia Today. He set aside time to honor the earliest members of the Church in Japan and Korea.[4]

Elder and Sister Cook spoke to young adults in a worldwide devotional for young adults held on November 19, 2023. The Cooks and Elder Clark G. Gilbert and his wife, Sister Christine Gilbert, answered questions representing what is most important to today’s Latter-day Saint young adults.[5]

Elder Cook was part of a coalition of charity, Parliamentary, academic, and faith partners that joined together to organize a series of events in the United Kingdom, focusing on the theme of how women and youth are leading worldwide interfaith peace-building efforts. Hundreds of delegates gathered in London, Birmingham and Manchester on 3-6 July, 2022 to join the international conference “Preventing Violence, Promoting Freedom of Belief,” supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Cook participated in an event hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, at the UK Parliament, on 5 July. He also met with Fiona Bruce MP, the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy, together with government ministers from across the globe. He was accompanied to England by his wife, Mary.[6]

President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, and Elder Cook returned to where they served as young missionaries when they ministered to missionaries and Latter-day Saints in Great Britain in October 2021.[7]

Temples dedicated by Elder Cook

Quito Ecuador Temple · Moses Lake Washington Temple

Quotes from Elder Cook

"Comparing [our] blessings [with others] is almost certain to drive out joy. We cannot be grateful and envious at the same time. If we truly want to have the Spirit of the Lord and experience joy and happiness, we should rejoice in our blessings and be grateful. The need for civility in society has never been more important. The foundation of kindness and civility begins in our homes." October 1996 General Conference, "Rejoice!"

“Much of what we accomplish in the church is due to the selfless service of women.” April 2011 General Conference, "LDS Women Are Incredible!"

“We live in a self-centered age. It has never been more important to be grateful and humble. Those who possess these attributes express appreciation for their blessings as they follow the Savior’s example.” Message at Provo Missionary Training Center, November 24, 2022