Elder Cook dedicates Moses Lake Washington Temple

MOSES LAKE, Washington — Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Moses Lake Washington Temple — the third of three houses of the Lord dedicated during a historic day on Sunday, Sept. 17.

The Moses Lake Washington Temple is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 182nd dedicated house of the Lord. Also on Sunday — the first time three temples were dedicated on the same day — the Brasília Brazil Temple was dedicated by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve, and the Bentonville Arkansas Temple was dedicated by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

“The temple is a blessing and a gift and prepares us to rejoice in what the Savior has done for us,” Elder Cook said.

While previously a General Authority Seventy, Elder Cook served as president of the Church’s North America Northwest Area, which included Washington state. In addition to visiting many stakes in that area, he also participated with President Gordon B. Hinckley at the dedication of the Columbia River Washington Temple, in Richland, on Nov. 18, 2001, and also during the open house prior to the dedication.

Attendees line up to enter the dedication ceremony on the grounds of the Moses Lake Washington Temple in Moses Lake, Washington, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

During the Columbia River Washington Temple open house, he noticed a group of visitors from the Moses Lake School Board. The school district had released-time seminary, and officials were aware of those who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the families’ support and involvement.

The school board members “had come to realize the incredible importance of the [Latter-day Saint] students and the support their parents had given to education. The board felt that coming to the temple open house was a way of saying ‘thank you’ and showing respect,” Elder Cook said. “They went on to say that they had not expected to be so impressed and affected.”

Elder Cook noted that the Moses Lake Washington Temple open house had a similar impact on people.

“There was a powerful, spiritual feeling that touched the neighbors and community leaders from all five stakes in this temple district,” he said.

Attendees of the temple dedication arrive early at the Moses Lake Washington Temple in Moses Lake, Washington, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

Elder Cook reiterated President Russell M. Nelson’s invitation and promise from the October 2018 general conference to increase time spent in the temple.

“Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater,” President Nelson said. “I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in your future and in that of your family. If you have reasonable access to a temple, I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord — to be in His holy house — then keep that appointment with exactness and joy.

“I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracle He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples. …

“Building and maintaining temples may not change your life, but spending your time in the temple surely will,” President Nelson promised.

Elder Cook was accompanied by his wife, Sister Mary Cook; Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s North America West Area, and his wife, Sister Yvonne Bragg; and Elder Shayne M. Bowen, also a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Lynette Bowen.

From left, Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s North America West Area, and his wife, Sister Yvonne Bragg; Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook; and Elder Shayne M. Bowen, General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Lynette Bowen, pose on the grounds of the Moses Lake Washington Temple in Moses Lake, Wa., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.