In "An evening with Elder Quentin L. Cook" of the Quorum of the Twelve, religious educators of the Church Educational System heard his counsel on the importance of their callings.

From the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Friday, Feb. 27, he spoke of responsibilities seminary and institute teachers have in "helping young people make good choices, strengthening their testimonies, helping them see foolishness in its true light, preparing the rising generation for missionary service, and nurturing those who return to make correct choices."

Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Quentin L. Cook

The program was broadcast via satellite in English throughout the world, with a rebroadcast translated into 24 languages on Friday, March 6. Some of the music for the event was provided by a choir of 25 sister missionaries serving in the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission.

Elder Cook spoke on two themes based on teaching objectives presented by Elder Harold B. Lee, then of the Quorum of the Twelve, in the 1950s. He added "two other themes that I feel have particular significance today in the light of changes over the last 50 years."

Of the first theme, Elder Cook said, "As gospel teachers, we have historically been effective at contrasting good and evil and that, of course, is significant and should never be abandoned. However, one of the challenges today is to help students understand choices which, while not inherently evil, are not the best choices that they can make."

He recited an explanation of the concept from his mission president, Elder Marion D. Hanks, who said, "Give first-class devotion to first-class causes, the first and most preeminent one being the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Elder Cook said that when he was a young man just beginning his law career he had an experience that illustrated the importance of making the best choices. Within a week, he attended the funerals of two acquaintances. Both had served missions. One, whom he called Steven, married a beautiful young woman and had been extremely successful in his career, amassing wealth and worldly possessions, but he had faltered in Church and family responsibilities. Outside of his grandchildren, most of those who attended his funeral in a non-denominational chapel at a cemetery were older people.

The other, whom he called Benjamin, also married a beautiful young woman, but struggled in his career and his family had a modest lifestyle. His family was faithful in the Church and he served in many callings, including patriarch. He had good relationships with his children and grandchildren and they were well educated, though the main emphasis was on the family and the Church. He had a large, joyful funeral where the Plan of Happiness was taught. Many of those in attendance were young people, including grandchildren and many who had received patriarchal blessings from him.

Elder Cook said that at that stage in his life, the funeral experiences impacted him. "I realized that the choices I was making would define my happiness in this life and the legacy I would leave. I also realized the eternal significance of the choices that were before me."

He told the educators, "Please understand I am not advocating in reciting the true account of Steven and Benjamin for less interest in goals relating to education or occupation. Quite the contrary. I believe our young people should do everything they can to advance their accomplishments in these two areas. What I am saying is that when goals relating to education and occupation are elevated to a position superior to the family and the Church, the unintended consequences can be significantly adverse."

Turning to the second theme he wanted to share with the educators, Elder Cook said, "Elder Lee noted that one objective was 'to set the stage for students to acquire a testimony of the reality of God and of the divinity of His work."

Elder Cook emphasized the importance of each individual having his or her own testimony and not relying on the testimonies of others. Individual testimonies should be fortified in the home, he said, but Church teachers should support that effort.

He added, "In homes where family scripture study, family home evening and family prayer are not held, you wonderful teachers will be a source of example, knowledge and spiritual strength that will allow the youth to avoid issues that would undermine their testimonies at the same time that you are building a doctrinal foundation for those testimonies."

Turning to themes he considers more significant today than 50 years ago, he cited two topics: foolishness and missionary work.

"You have a great challenge in helping the rising generation identify that which is foolish in today's world and make wise and appropriate decisions to avoid it," he said.

Foolishness often accompanies and leads to more serious transgressions," he continued. He referred particularly to 'the frivolous and immoral exhibitionism that is so prevalent in modern society," fueled by the conduct of some celebrities, sport and movie stars who "set examples that are at the very least decadent," and which is often portrayed in media as "merely fun and games."

He told the educators, "Foolishness in all its forms and the lack of wisdom it represents is a serious issue in our own day. You are in a unique position to help the rising generation see foolishness in its true light."

Of missionary work, Elder Cook said, "In the history of mankind no one has had the responsibility for assisting parents in preparing more missionaries or guiding more missionaries after they have returned than those of you I am talking to tonight. . . . You can assist the parents in seeing that thorough gospel knowledge is in place before a mission for those youth who will qualify themselves to participate."

On the other side, it is important to help returned missionaries. He said, "With approximately 30 percent of all returned missionaries who have served in this dispensation still in their twenties, I can't think of a more important responsibility that you have in preparing the rising generation for missionary service and nurturing those who return to make correct choices. Your challenge and opportunities are enormous."

ghill@desnews.com