Key Takeaways
- Elder Quentin L. Cook and Elder Clark G. Gilbert delivered a historic broadcast from Hyde Park Chapel, London, on May 24, 2026, reaching members across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
- Elder Cook emphasized personal peace through Jesus Christ, encouraged building Zion in the home, and urged believers to be “a light on the hill” by living Christ‑centered lives.
- He shared personal memories of his missionary service in England, his mother’s love for early Church history, and counsel from President Harold B. Lee to create sanctuaries of faith.
- Elder Gilbert bore testimony of the Savior’s living reality, highlighted titles such as “the Lamb of God” and “the King of kings,” and stressed that the Apostles’ unique calling is to witness Christ worldwide.
- Listeners described feeling anchored in Christ’s Atonement, inspired to cultivate spiritual homes, and comforted by the promise that Jesus Christ actively comforts and forgives.
- The combined message offered a clear invitation: strengthen faith, foster Christ‑focused households, and let simple acts of kindness become lights that dispel uncertainty.
Overview of the Historic Broadcast
On Sunday, May 24, 2026, Elder Quentin L. Cook and Elder Clark G. Gilbert, both members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, addressed thousands of Latter‑day Saints and friends throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland via a special broadcast originating from Hyde Park Chapel in London. The event was described as historic because it linked a single chapel venue with countless homes across the region, allowing a unified message to reach a diverse audience. Church Newsroom coverage noted that the Apostles’ invitation was to “strengthen faith in Jesus Christ to find peace in an uncertain world.” The setting—Hyde Park Chapel, a place with deep historical ties to the Church in Britain—added a sense of continuity and reverence to the proceedings.
Elder Cook’s Message of Peace and Zion
Elder Cook opened his remarks by invoking an apostolic blessing of personal peace, spiritual strength, and greater confidence in the Savior, declaring, “In a world where there is no peace, I invoke a blessing upon you, that you will have personal peace because of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.” He then turned to the concept of building Zion, urging listeners to make their homes sanctuaries of faith centered on Christ. Echoing the timeless counsel to be “a light on the hill,” he encouraged members to let their lives reflect gospel principles so that others might see Christ’s light through their example. The call to build Zion was not merely aspirational; it was presented as a practical response to the turmoil, division, and unrest evident in contemporary society.
Elder Cook’s Personal Reflections and Practical Counsel
Drawing from his own life, Elder Cook spoke warmly of his missionary service in England as a young man, expressing deep appreciation for the people of the U.K. and Ireland. He credited his mother’s love for early Church history in Britain with instilling a lifelong affection for the region and strengthening his faith in Jesus Christ. He recalled counsel he once received from the late President Harold B. Lee, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, to “build Zion” by creating homes that are sanctuaries of faith and to be a “light on the hill” by staying anchored in Christ’s teachings. To achieve this, Elder Cook highlighted prayer, diligent scripture study, acts of kindness, and steadfast devotion to the gospel as sources of spiritual refuge. He further noted that temple worship and covenant living provide enduring spiritual strength, an eternal perspective, and the peace that sustains believers amid uncertainty.
Elder Gilbert’s Witness of the Living Christ
Elder Clark G. Gilbert followed with a powerful testimony of the Savior’s divine mission and living reality. He emphasized that the singular, unique calling of an Apostle is “to be a witness to the name of Jesus Christ in all the world.” Reflecting on the days preceding his call to the apostleship, Elder Gilbert described heightened spiritual impressions, including a strengthened testimony of prophetic revelation and a keen sense of the Lord’s guidance over His Church. He referenced “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” enumerating titles such as “the Lamb of God” and “the King of kings,” but affirmed that the most significant title for him is found in the document’s own heading: “The Living Christ.” He testified unequivocally, “Jesus Christ lives. He leads this Church today. He is our Savior. He is active in the lives of all of us.” Elder Gilbert added that through Christ, all may be forgiven of their sins, and when life feels difficult or unfair, the Savior will come to comfort and uplift the faithful.
Reactions from Attendees Across the UK and Ireland
The broadcast prompted heartfelt responses from viewers who felt personally touched by the Apostles’ words. Bethany Couper, watching from her home in Glasgow, Scotland, said she sensed Elder Cook’s and Elder Gilbert’s love for the Savior and for Church members, leaving her with the conviction that “the Savior and His Atonement can become our anchor in times of turmoil and uncertainty.” Madison Saville, a young adult living in London far from her family, remarked that Elder Cook’s invitation to “build Zion” resonated deeply, noting the importance of cultivating the Spirit in one’s home during challenging times. Ray Gunapala in Dublin, Ireland, described Elder Gilbert’s testimony as “deeply powerful, reassuring, and comforting,” and appreciated Elder Cook’s call to be a “light on the hill” in a troubled world. He concluded that, despite the surrounding uncertainty and noise, faith in Jesus Christ brings both peace and purpose, and that even simple acts of goodness and quiet example can become lights to others.
Synthesis and Application of the Apostles’ Counsel
Together, the messages of Elders Cook and Gilbert offered a cohesive response to the prevalent sense of instability: they urged listeners to ground their lives in Jesus Christ, to make their homes centers of faith and service, and to let their outward actions reflect the light of the Savior. Elder Cook’s focus on building Zion and being a light complemented Elder Gilbert’s emphasis on bearing witness to the Living Christ, reinforcing the idea that personal discipleship and public testimony are intertwined. The practical steps highlighted—prayer, scripture study, kindness, temple attendance, and covenant keeping—serve as tools to forge spiritual refuge and to extend that refuge to others. Listeners’ testimonies illustrated that these teachings were not abstract ideals but actionable guidance that fostered peace, purpose, and a sense of belonging. As the broadcast concluded, the Apostles’ unified invitation remained clear: strengthen faith in Jesus Christ, nurture Christ‑centered homes, and become lights that dispel the darkness of an uncertain world.