COME...LISTEN TO A PROPHET'S VOICE
- Elder Denny Blodgett
- 5 hours ago
- 7 min read
We had a visitor from Salt Lake this week, which was a special and unique event in that there are only 12 Apostles of the Church with about 500 missions worldwide. So, having an Apostle come and visit our mission was an awesome experience. Elder Quentin L. Cook, ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve in 2007, visited our mission, along with Elder Michael T. Ringwood, who is currently one of the presidents of the Quorum of Seventy. They both spoke to us on Tuesday as Senior Couple Missionaries and then on Thursday with 550 missionaries of the West, East, and North Missions here in Accra. It was a site to behold. I have a few pictures below. 550 missionaries singing very loud and with enthusiasm brought shivers to my spine. Needless to say, Elder Cook and Elder Ringwood's talks were very inspiring, and we all had an experience we won’t forget.
We believe our Church is organized the way the Savior organized His church when he was on the earth…..with apostles and prophets leading the saints and overseeing the organization and management of the church. Dallin H. Oaks is the current President of the Church and the Prophet. He has two counselors in the First Presidency and then a Quorum of men that we sustain as Apostles of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The next group of leadership is in the Quorums of Seventy. There are typically about 100 active General Authority Seventies, comprising the First and Second Quorums of Seventy. These are full-time positions. In addition, there are 10 additional quorums of Area Seventies throughout the world. As of October 2025, there were approximately 335 Area Seventies serving worldwide…..which are not all full-time positions. Their role is to oversee the broader area in which they live and act as “especial witnesses” of Christ and help the Quorum of Twelve in administering the affairs of the church worldwide. I’ve tried to show a chart of the leadership of the church as of a few months ago below.
These 12 apostles of our church are tremendous men that travel around the world to visit as many of the members as they possibly can. When they speak, their messages are powerful and inspiring. But they are not like many of the evangelical ministers worldwide that have huge followings and ministries. Their messages often focus on quiet discipleship…..simple, steady faith in Jesus Christ. In many of the countries they visit, there could be thousands of people that come to see them speak…..but I noticed this last week that they are humble and loving and very much down-to-earth servants of God. The members that come to see them are very reverent and respectful and it may be the only time in their lives that they will be in the presence of an Apostle. They teach simple doctrines…..things we hear over and over again…..but very important in our desire to be more like our Savior. Elder Cook shared his feelings about the recent passing of President Nelson and his former young missionary companion of over 65 years ago, Jeffrey R. Holland. It was very tender. He was with Elder Holland at the very end of his life and after giving him a blessing Elder Holland said, “well, I guess it is time for me to go”. Elder Cook talked about prayer in our lives and listening to the still small voice of the spirit. One reason why these Apostles are powerful witnesses of Christ is because they have learned to listen…..to the Savior, to the Spirit, and to the needs of others. Their strength comes from not only what they say publicly, but from their quiet devotion privately.
Learning to listen to the spirit is a lesson I was reminded of again…..and I guess we could all learn. We may not travel the world or speak in conferences to large groups of people, but we can develop the same kind of quiet faith in our own lives. We can make our homes places where the Spirit is welcome. We can pause during difficult times and ask, “what would the Savior want me to do right now?” We can trust that even small acts of discipleship matter to the Lord. Sometimes we might feel that our efforts are small or unnoticed. But the gospel teaches that the Lord values consistent, humble faith. The quiet disciple…..the one who keeps trying, keeps praying, and keeps following Christ…..is precious to Him and that is all that matters.
I was moved and inspired and touched by the spirit as I listened to Elder Cook. Elder D. Todd Christofferson, currently 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency, was here one year ago this month…..so Ghana has been blessed to have these two apostles visit here in a 12 month period of time. Elder Cook did share some data to the group of full-time young missionaries. He said, “ there are about 550 people here today in this congregation. Last month…..just in January…..the West and East and North Missions, brought 560 new converts into the church through the waters of baptism”. He said, “think about that. You taught and baptized enough people to create two Wards in one month. In the last year, you have baptized over 6,000 people…..that is enough to create two stakes”. Everyone took notice of what he had just said. That may be one of the reasons why Ghana has seen two Apostles in the last year…..the work here and in Western Africa is on fire. During his stay in Western Africa, Elder Cook will visit several countries and speak to thousands of members of the church. At his tender age of 85, these Brethren are walking miracles. The Lord is with them, and their purpose is to be a witness of Christ and they are doing exactly that.
The pictures below are mostly of the meetings held with the entire mission and Elder Cook. It was a fun week and very inspirational. Elder Cook also sat down with the President of Ghana as the Government leaders are very friendly with the church and appreciate all the work that not only the missionaries are doing, but also the humanitarian projects the church is involved in all over the country, as well as other western African countries. I love the Church and all that we are doing throughout the world.
I am grateful to be on a mission and a personal, set-apart representative of Him. I love putting on my badge every morning as it means something very personal to me. I am thankful for prophets and apostles that lead and guide this Church. I am thankful to have the knowledge I have that Christ lives, that He leads His church, and that if we try and live a good life and follow the Savior…..to try the best we can to stay on the covenant path…..more blessings than we can even imagine will be a part of our lives now…..and in the years to come.
Elder Cook ended his testimony with an Apostolic blessing...."I bless you that now..... or in the future.....your mission will bless everyone you now love and will ever love". His Apostolic Witness..... "I know His voice. I know His face". Words cannot describe the feeling I had when I heard those words.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Cook standing by Elder Ojediran of the Africa West Area Presidency
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY AND QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. ELDER CLARK GILBERT HAS NOW FILLED THE VACANCY LEFT BY THE PASSING OF JEFFREY R. HOLLAND.
It was an exciting day on the Temple grounds and at the Stake Center. This was the first day of Elder Cook's meetings.....just the employees and Senior Couples.
These people were performing a traditional Ghanaian dance for a dignitary.
We stood in reverence as he departed. This was the first meeting held on Tuesday with the employees in the Area Offices and the Senior Couples.
This is Elder Cook approaching our Missionaries for a picture.
The Mission Leaders are on the stand....President and Sister Campbell are on the far right.
Final departing words to the Mission Leaders.
Elder Cook and the President of Ghana.....John Mahama. The government appreciates all the humanitarian projects the church has done here in Ghana and all over Western Africa.
Sister and Elder Kaaen.....along with my companion. They go home in May and this Mission will surely miss all that they do.....We basically hang out with the Kaaen's in the office every day.
Sisters George, Padi and Stambuli. Elders Mothusi, Rungo, and Munyui. Sisters Larson and Onwuka.....all waiting for Elder Cook.
The anticipation was exciting for these missionaries who have never been in the presence of one of the Lord's apostles.
Jill prepared 160 lunches for the missionaries to take with them after the meeting with Elder Cook so they could get on the Tros and drive home. Elder Kaaen and Elders Carter and Pandacheko were a big help. The East and North Missions were also on the grounds so it was very crowded with 550 missionaries.
Elder Osobi trying to figure out something Sister Blodgett knows the answer to.....it is probably something to do with clothing. They are always asking for shirts or sandals.
This is the cute chapel in Swedru where we attended a Zone Council meeting with 24 Elders. It is about a two hour drive out towards more of the "bush" country and the people do not speak as much english.
I love the rain here.....it comes down hard, smells good, and then in an hour the sun is out again.
This "badge" means something to me. I put it on everyday and people on the street or at the market know my name.....they call me "Elder". They don't necessarily know what church I belong to..... but they know I am a man of God and they are very respectful and kind.
Elder and Sister Cook listening to the missionaries singing.....led by Sister Campbell.
When these missionaries sing, it brings goose bumps to my spine. This video does not do it justice as to how loud and enthusiastically they sing.
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