East Europe members continue living the gospel, Elder Cook says

Despite unique challenges, conflict and war in Eastern Europe, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continue to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, said Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Cook visited Europe Oct. 18 through Oct. 30 — addressing Latter-day Saints first in Kazakhstan (including a meeting with Russian leaders in Eurasian Area), and then in Ukraine. They also participated in other member, missionary and leadership meetings in the Church’s Europe Central, Eurasian and Europe North areas.

Joining him in the meetings were Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé and Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy.

Elder Cook found that across Europe, at a time when great challenges exist, members continue to meet regularly and partake of the sacrament, youth programs continue, family history work is taking place and temples — including the Kyiv Ukraine Temple — are busy. In addition, members and missionaries are doing missionary work, and baptisms are occurring at higher rates than before the conflict.

“These are faithful, loyal members of their respective countries,” said Elder Cook.

Members of the Almaty Branch in Kazakhstan meet with Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Mary Cook; Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé and Sister Valérie Caussé; and Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy and Sister Mônica Godoy on Oct. 22, 2023.

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In a series of meetings in Almaty, Kazakhstan; Izmir, Turkey; and Uzhhorod, Ukraine — some of which were broadcast to other European locations — the leaders spoke of God’s love for all His children.

Elder Cook asked members to strive for unity.

“I love the Savior’s pleading intercessory prayer on our behalf,” he taught. “It occurred in literally the closing hours of His mortal life as recorded in the Gospel of John.”

That prayer, the Savior’s petition to His Father, directed followers of Christ — including Latter-day Saints — to be one. “That they may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. …”

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, center, Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, right, and Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy meet with Church leaders in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, on Oct. 28, 2023.

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In the following verse the Savior continues, “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:21-22).

Elder Cook continued, saying that oneness is what Christ prayed for prior to His betrayal and crucifixion.

“We can be determined not to let the world’s wickedness, contentions and divisions invade the sanctity of our united effort to follow and worship the Savior in our homes and families. While we cannot control others, we can achieve the peace that comes from personal righteousness,” he promised.

Despite challenges, “the gospel is the solution,” added Bishop Caussé. “In the gospel they will find solace and inner peace.”

Elder Godoy said that Latter-day Saints “are united in gospel principles” and are serving one another and in their communities. “They were just ready to receive instruction on what they need to do to serve the Lord.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, center right; Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, left; Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy, center left; and Elder Alexey V. Samaykin, an Area Seventy and president of the Eurasian Area, meet with Church leaders from the Eurasian Area in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Oct. 21, 2023.

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In addition, the Church is doing humanitarian work in countries across Europe.

Some of the greatest challenges are occurring in Ukraine — where Elder Cook, Bishop Caussé and Elder Godoy met with Church leaders from Ukraine in the western city of Uzhhorod.

“It was wonderful to see how Elder Cook ministered to the members,” said Bishop Caussé.