Elder Quentin L. Cook on being a saint in a world of evil

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

"The word saint in Greek denotes 'set apart, separate, [and] holy' (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 3:1249). If we are to be Saints in our day, we need to separate ourselves from evil conduct and destructive pursuits that are prevalent in the world.

"We are bombarded with visual images of violence and immorality. Inappropriate music and pornography are increasingly tolerated. The use of drugs and alcohol is rampant. There is less emphasis on honesty and character. Individual rights are demanded, but duties, responsibilities, and obligations are neglected. There has been a coarsening of dialogue and increased exposure to that which is base and vulgar. The adversary has been relentless in his efforts to undermine the plan of happiness. If we separate ourselves from this worldly conduct, we will have the Spirit in our lives and experience the joy of being worthy Latter-day Saints.

"As Saints, we also need to avoid the worship of worldly gods. President Hinckley has expressed the desire that 'everyone might have some of the good things of life' but has cautioned, 'It is the obsession with riches that cankers and destroys' (Ensign, Mar. 1990, 4-5)....

"If we are to be worthy Saints, we should minister to others and adhere to the Savior's admonition to love God and our fellowmen.

"Separation from the evils of the world needs to be accompanied by holiness. A Saint loves the Savior and follows Him in holiness and devotion. Evidence of this kind of holiness and devotion is exemplified by consecration and sacrifice....

"Saints who respond to the Savior's message will not be led astray by distracting and destructive pursuits and will be prepared to make appropriate sacrifices."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Are You a Saint?", Ensign, Nov. 2003, pp. 95-96
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Striving to be a "saint" in a world that is full of evil is not an easy task. Elder Cook clarifies the meaning and explains the process.

He goes on to enumerate some of the challenges we face in today's world:

• Bombardment by visual images of violence and immorality
• Increasing tolerance for inappropriate music and pornography
• Rampant use of drugs and alcohol
• Declining emphasis on honesty and character
• Sense of entitlement for personal rights, without corresponding attention to responsibilities and duties
• Coarsening of dialogue, more expression of things base and vulgar

Elder Cook believes that it is only when "we separate ourselves from this worldly conduct" that "we will have the Spirit in our lives and experience the joy of being worthy Latter-day Saints."  That is quite a challenge.

Of course, there is more involved than just avoiding evil.  There are many positive things we must do to accomplish this.

• We must worship God and not worldly gods.
• We must minister and serve, showing love for God and our fellowmen.
• We must develop lives of holiness as we show our love for the Savior by our devotion to His cause.
• We must demonstrate consecration and sacrifice

Then the promise is sure: "Saints who respond to the Savior's message will not be led astray by distracting and destructive pursuits and will be prepared to make appropriate sacrifices."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
September 8, 2015