Quentin L. Cook - Religious Freedom Library

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Quentin L. Cook married Mary Gaddie on November 30, 1962. They are the parents of three children and have eleven grandchildren.

He is a native of Logan, Utah, received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Utah State University, with honors, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Stanford University. Utah State University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

He has served the Church as a full-time missionary in the British Mission and as a bishop, stake president in the San Francisco California Stake, Regional Representative, and Area Authority in the North America West Area.

Elder Cook previously served in the Area Presidency in the Philippines, as president of the Pacific Islands and the North America Northwest Areas, and as Executive Director of the Missionary Department.

At the time of his call to be a General Authority of the Church, he was vice chairman of Sutter Health System. He had previously served as president and chief executive officer of a California healthcare system. Prior to that, he was a business lawyer and managing partner of a San Francisco Bay Area law firm. He also served on the governing boards of a number of civic and business-related corporations.

Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary Of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Quentin L. Cook

Parliament in the Palace of Westminster, London, England – Dec 6, 2023

The Impact of Religious Freedom on Public Morality

There is no better demonstration of the great benefits associated with religious liberty than for devoted members of various faiths who feel accountable to God to model principles of integrity, morality, service, and love. As others see the goodness of individuals and families—goodness that is founded in strong faith and character—they will be much more likely to speak up in defense of the religious freedoms that allow us to be who we are.

Quentin L. Cook

University of Oxford Pembroke College Quill Project – Oct 23, 2019

The Importance of Religious Freedom

People of faith must be at the forefront in protecting religious freedom-a freedom from which many other essential freedoms emanate. Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are both the heart and the foundation of representative democracy. Freedom to believe in private and to exercise belief and speech in the public square are essential to protecting inalienable rights.

Quentin L. Cook

“Religious Freedom, the Secular State, and Conscientious Objection” Conference Guatemala City, Guatemala – Mar 7, 2018

Defend Divinely Inspired Freedoms 2018

Quentin L. Cook

J. Reuben Clark Law Society’s 2018 Annual Conference – Feb 16, 2018

Defend Divinely Inspired Freedoms

…people of faith must be at the forefront in protecting religious freedom—a freedom from which many other essential freedoms emanate. Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are both the heart and the foundation of representative democracy. Freedom to believe in private and to exercise belief and speech in the public square are essential to protecting inalienable rights.

Quentin L. Cook

JRCLS St. Thomas More Society Symposium – Nov 3, 2017

Religious Liberty Lecture

My purpose today is to review the progression of basic principles that have established religious liberty as part of essential or inalienable rights—the fundamental right of each individual to live according to his or her faith and beliefs—and as a corollary, to protect the religious institutions that provide the essential framework for the promulgation of faith and belief.

Quentin L. Cook

Notre Dame Sydney School of Law , Australia – May 27, 2015

Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of Bondage

Our challenge is to avoid bondage of any kind, help the Lord gather His elect, and sacrifice for the rising generation.

Quentin L. Cook

General Conference – Oct 1, 2013

How to Defend Religious Freedom

I challenge you to work with people of other faiths to improve the moral fabric of the world and to protect religious freedom.

Quentin L. Cook

New Era--adapted from December 2011 commencement address at BYU-Idaho – Oct 1, 2012

How to Defend Religious Freedom

Quentin L. Cook

Adapted from a December 2011 commencement address at BYU–Idaho, “The Restoration of Morality and Religious Freedom.” – Oct 1, 2012

The Restoration of Morality and Religious Freedom

My purpose today is to challenge you to work with people of other faiths to improve the moral fabric of this nation and the world and to protect religious freedom. In order to do this, you need to understand and comprehend “things which have been” with particular emphasis on certain knowledge and events which were precursors to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and still need to be protected.

Quentin L. Cook

Brigham Young University-Idaho Commencement – Dec 16, 2011

Restoring Morality and Religious Freedom

In this so-called Mormon Moment, where there is more attention being paid to the Church and its members, we will need to be the best examples we can possibly be.

Quentin L. Cook

Brigham Young University - Idaho Commencement – Dec 16, 2011

Let There Be Light!

In our increasingly unrighteous world, it is essential that values based on religious belief be part of the public discourse.

Quentin L. Cook

General Conference – Oct 1, 2010

LDS Lawyers and the Public Square

In this heartfelt address, Elder Quentin L. Cook expresses profound gratitude for the legal community, weaving personal anecdotes and familial influences into reflections on the value of legal education. Emphasizing the importance of religious freedom, he calls on lawyers to actively engage in public discourse, advocating for righteous principles while upholding their faith.

Quentin L. Cook

J. Reuben Clark Law Society Fireside – Mar 13, 2009