Live by faith and not by fear, Elder Quentin L. Cook declared in his first address as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve.

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"In Second Timothy the Apostle Paul references the faith of Timothy's grandmother Lois and his mother, Eunice. Paul writes, 'For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind"' (2 Timothy 1:7).

Speaking Sunday morning, Elder Cook, who was sustained on Saturday morning as the newest apostle, said: "I cannot possibly articulate the kaleidoscope of feelings I have experienced since President Hinckley extended to me this call to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve late Thursday afternoon. My spirits have been buoyed, however, by the knowledge that President Hinckley is the prophet and that the membership of the Church will be praying for me and my family."

Expressing his feelings of inadequacy, Elder Cook recalled when he was first called as a General Authority in 1996. "Elder Maxwell reassured me then that the most important qualification for all of us serving in the kingdom is to be comfortable in bearing witness of the divinity of the Savior. A peace came over me at that time and has stayed with me because I love the Savior and have had spiritual experiences that allow me to testify of Him. I rejoice in the opportunity to bear witness of Jesus Christ in all the world notwithstanding my inadequacies."

After speaking of his gratitude for his wife, Mary, and family, friends and others who have blessed his life, Elder Cook related how he and his wife were at a stake conference in Vava'u in the Tongan Islands. Elder Cook spoke at the general session of the importance of following the prophet. Later, at a luncheon, he sat next to a distinguished elderly patriarch, who spoke of droughts on the island. The patriarch said fresh water travels down through the rock formations inside the mountains and comes up in a few spots in the sea. Young men with containers are directed to that spot in the sea by a wise elder. When the elder raises both arms to heaven, the young men know to dive deep for the fresh water.

"We live in a precarious time. The world is in desperate need of the fresh spring water, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We should listen intently to the prophet as we make choices."

Elder Cook related counsel he and his wife lived as they were rearing their children in the San Francisco Bay Area. Elder Harold B. Lee, then of the Quorum of the Twelve, advised parents to do the following:

• "Follow the prophet.

• "Create the true spirit of the gospel in our hearts and homes.

• "Be a light to those among whom we live.

• "Focus on the ordinances and principles taught in the temple."

As these principles were lived, faith increased, and fears decreased, Elder Cook said.

Continuing, he spoke of the need to have faith and not fear in sharing the gospel with others and in individual callings.

"It is our faith in Jesus Christ that sustains us at the crossroads of life's journey. It is the first principle of the gospel."