Elder Quentin L. Cook on united family efforts

Elder Quentin L. Cook (born September 8, 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"When a man and woman are sealed in the temple, they enter the holy order of matrimony in the new and everlasting covenant, an order of the priesthood. (See D&C 131:1–4.) Together they obtain and receive priesthood blessings and power to direct the affairs of their family. Women and men have unique roles as outlined in 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World,' (Ensign, May 2017, 145) but their stewardships are equal in value and importance. They have equal power to receive revelation for their family. When they work together in love and righteousness, their decisions are heaven blessed.

"Those who seek to know the will of the Lord as individuals and for their families must strive for righteousness, meekness, kindness, and love. Humility and love are the hallmark of those who seek the Lord’s will, especially for their families."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Great Love for Our Father’s Children," General Conference April 2019
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Elder Cook discusses the ideal scenario of a man and woman, sealed together in the temple, and striving to direct their family through joint and united revelation. The "equal power" of each partner to receive revelation is key to the process. This also implies equal responsibility to seek that revelation, equal need to live worthily of receiving it, and equal acceptance of the joint process in recognizing the gifts and contributions of one another.

The responsibility to live in "righteousness, meekness, kindness, and love" as well as humility are so key to establishing that kind of ideal companionship. We will all be blessed as we make efforts to develop those characteristics.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)