Elder Quentin L. Cook on demonstrating love and unity through service

Elder Quentin L. Cook (b. 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"The Savior also emphasized love and unity and declared that we would be known as His disciples if we have love one to another. In the face of the eternity-shaping Atonement He was about to undertake, such a commandment requires our obedience. We manifest our love for God when we keep His commandments and serve His children. We don't fully comprehend the Atonement, but we can spend our lives trying to be more loving and kind, regardless of the adversity we face.

"The Savior's charge to His disciples to love one another—and the dramatic and powerful way He taught this principle at the Last Supper—is one of the most poignant and beautiful episodes from the last days of His mortal life.

"He was not teaching a simple class in ethical behavior. This was the Son of God pleading with His Apostles and all disciples who would come after them to remember and follow this most central of His teachings. How we relate and interact with each other is a measure of our willingness to follow Jesus Christ."

- Quentin L. Cook, "We Follow Jesus Christ," Ensign, May 2010, p. 83
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This is one of the keys to the Savior's message: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35.)  Elder Cook teaches that we show our love for God by how we serve one another, and how we keep His commandments. The Savior set the example by serving as He approached the greatest challenge of mortality; and so "we can spend our lives trying to be more loving and kind, regardless of the adversity we face." What a beautiful challenge.