1. Follow the prophet.

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

3. Be a light to those among whom we live.

4. Focus on the ordinances and principles taught in the temple. (See D&C 115:5; Harold B. Lee, “Your Light to Be a Standard unto the Nations,” Ensign, Aug. 1973, 3–4.)"

Quentin L. Cook, "Live by Faith and Not by Fear," General Conference, 7 October 2007

11/13/08
"Regardless of our trials, with the abundance we have today, we would be ungrateful if we did not appreciate our blessings. Despite the obvious nature of the hardships the pioneers were experiencing, President Brigham Young talked about the significance of gratitude. He stated, 'I do not know of any, excepting the unpardonable sin, that is greater than the sin of ingratitude.'" - Quentin L. Cook, "Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time," General Conference, October 2008

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12/31/09
“It has been suggested that what happens in a certain city stays in a certain city. I like the sign posted in Sevier County, Utah, which states, ‘What happens in Sevier County . . . you can share with your friends!!!’ When we realize that we are accountable to God, we see how foolish rationalizations can be. Those who rationalize remind us of little children who cover their eyes, convinced that if they can’t see us, we can’t see them. I would suggest that if we think about giving an accounting of our actions to the Savior, our rationalizations will be seen in their true light.” – Quentin L. Cook, “Stewardship—a Sacred Trust,” Ensign, November 2009

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8/25/10
"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 (CR) May 2010

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9/15/10
"Freedom and light have never been easy to attain or maintain. Since the War in Heaven, the forces of evil have used every means possible to destroy agency and extinguish light. The assault on moral principles and religious freedom has never been stronger.

"As Latter-day Saints, we need to do our best to preserve light and protect our families and communities from this assault on morality and religious freedom." - Quentin L. Cook, "Let There Be Light!" Ensign (CR) October 2010

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11/8/11
Among the most frequently asked questions of Church leaders are, Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people? Why are those who are righteous and in the Lord’s service not immune from such tragedies?

While we do not know all the answers, we do know important principles that allow us to face tragedies with faith and confidence that there is a bright future planned for each of us. Some of the most important principles are:

First, we have a Father in Heaven, who knows and loves us personally and understands our suffering perfectly.

Second, His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer, whose Atonement not only provides for salvation and exaltation but also will compensate for all the unfairness of life.

Third, the Father’s plan of happiness for His children includes not only a premortal and mortal life but also an eternal life as well, including a great and glorious reunion with those we have lost. All wrongs will be righted, and we will see with perfect clarity and faultless perspective and understanding. - Quentin L. Cook, "The Songs They Could Not Sing," Ensign (CR) October 2011

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1/24/12
Sometimes, …great blessings come to those who are faithful. We should be grateful for all the tender mercies that come into our lives. We are unaware of hosts of blessings that we receive from day to day. It is extremely important that we have a spirit of gratitude in our hearts. - Quentin L. Cook, "The Songs They Could Not Sing," Ensign (CR) October 2011

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4/13/12
The message, ministry, and Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior, are our essential family curriculum. No scripture characterizes our faith better than 2 Nephi 25:26: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” - Quentin L. Cook, "In Tune With the Music of Faith," Ensign (CR) May 2012

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10/9/12
Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment. The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment. When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance. Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined. - Quentin L. Cook, "Can Ye Feel So Now?" Ensign (CR) November 2012

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1/9/13
One of your greatest protections against making bad choices is to not put on any mask of anonymity. If you ever find yourself wanting to do so, please know it is a serious sign of danger and one of the adversary’s tools to get you to do something you should not do. One of the reasons we advise missionaries to dress conservatively and the elders to be clean shaven is so that there will be no question as to who they are and how they should act. Some will question: Isn’t that just superficial? I don’t think so. Think about how dress and adornment is described in the Book of Mormon by the prophet Moroni, who equated pride with the wearing of “very fine apparel.” He associated the pride manifested by the wearing of “very fine apparel” with “strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities” (Mormon 8:36). I am particularly concerned that in our day our manner of dress and adornment can be an indication of rebellion or lack of adherence to moral standards and negatively impact the moral standards of others. - Quentin L. Cook, "What E’er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part: Avoid Wearing Masks That Hide Identity," CES Devotional for Young Adults • March 4, 2012 • Brigham Young University–Idaho

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2/2/13
What does it mean to be a Saint? In the Lord’s Church, the members are Latter-day Saints, and they attempt to emulate the Savior, follow His teachings, and receive saving ordinances in order to live in the celestial kingdom with God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ (see 2 Nephi 9:18). The Savior said, “This is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do” (3 Nephi 27:21). - Quentin L. Cook, "Are You a Latter-day Saint?" New Era, December 2009

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4/21/14
The doctrine of the family in relation to family history and temple work is clear. The Lord in initial revelatory instructions referred to “baptism for your dead.” Our doctrinal obligation is to our own ancestors. This is because the celestial organization of heaven is based on families. The First Presidency has encouraged members, especially youth and young single adults, to emphasize family history work and ordinances for their own family names or the names of ancestors of their ward and stake members. We need to be connected to both our roots and branches. The thought of being associated in the eternal realm is indeed glorious. - Quentin L. Cook, “Roots and Branches,” Ensign (CR) May 2014

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6/13/14
What a great time to be alive. This is the last dispensation, and we can feel the hastening of the work of salvation in every area where a saving ordinance is involved. We now have temples across much of the world to provide these saving ordinances. Attending the temple for spiritual renewal, peace, safety, and direction in our lives is also a great blessing. - Quentin L. Cook, “Roots and Branches,” Ensign (CR) May 2014

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6/21/14
An ever-present danger to the family is the onslaught of evil forces that seem to come from every direction. While our primary effort must be to seek light and truth, we would be wise to black out from our homes the lethal bombs that destroy spiritual development and growth. Pornography, in particular, is a weapon of mass moral destruction. Its impact is at the forefront in eroding moral values. Some TV programs and Internet sites are equally lethal. These evil forces remove light and hope from the world. The level of decadence is accelerating. If we do not black out evil from our homes and lives, do not be surprised if devastating moral explosions shatter the peace which is the reward for righteous living. Our responsibility is to be in the world but not of the world. - Quentin L. Cook, “Let There Be Light!” Ensign (CR) November 2010

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10/20/14
During the ministry of President Thomas S. Monson, he has often taught that decisions determine destiny. In that spirit my counsel tonight is to rise above any rationalizations that prevent us from making righteous decisions, especially with respect to serving Jesus Christ. In Isaiah we are taught we must “refuse the evil, and choose the good.” - Quentin L. Cook, “Choose Wisely,” Ensign (CR) November 2014

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4/18/15
Our ability to stand firm and true and follow the Savior despite the vicissitudes of life is greatly strengthened by righteous families and Christ-centered unity in our wards and branches. - Quentin L. Cook, “The Lord is My Light,” Ensign (CR) April 2015

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10/18/15
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, honoring the Sabbath is a form of righteousness that will bless and strengthen families, connect us with our Creator, and increase happiness. The Sabbath can help separate us from that which is frivolous, inappropriate, or immoral. It allows us to be in the world but not of the world. - Quentin L. Cook, "Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times,” Ensign (CR) November 2015

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4/28/16
The Lord has prospered our people and provided the resources and prophetic guidance so we can be valiant in attending to our temple responsibilities for both the living and the dead. - Quentin L. Cook, "See Yourself in the Temple,” Ensign (CR) May 2016

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10/15/16
Let us determine to always be in His service. While seeking knowledge, we need to avoid the philosophies of men that lessen our commitment to the Savior. We must see sin in its true light and accept the Savior’s Atonement through repentance. We need to avoid looking beyond the mark and focus on Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, and follow His doctrine. – Quentin L. Cook, “Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus,” Ensign (CR) November 2016

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12/10/16
We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development. We also know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. It is also true that every cloud we see doesn’t result in rain. Regardless of the challenges, trials, and hardships we endure, the reassuring doctrine of the Atonement wrought by Jesus Christ includes Alma’s teaching that the Savior would take upon Him our infirmities and “succor his people according to their infirmities.” – Quentin L. Cook, “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time,” Ensign (CR) November 2008