In his October 2025 General Conference address, Elder Quentin L. Cook taught that while the Lord is hastening His work across the world, discipleship remains deeply personal: it is a covenant journey built on steady effort, not flawless performance. He emphasized that even as converts and longtime members feel inadequate or underprepared, the Lord invites all to progress along the covenant path with faith and patience.
A common misconception arises here: If I don’t understand everything or live flawlessly, am I really ready for temple covenants?
“You will at times feel inadequate about what you know… Gospel knowledge is a great blessing obtained incrementally over time, but it is not a saving ordinance.” – Quentin L. Cook
Common Criticism: “The gospel demands perfect knowledge or flawless obedience before temple covenants should be made.”
Some assume that deep doctrinal understanding or near-perfect obedience is required before progressing on the covenant path. This misconception can discourage converts, overwhelm returning members, and even stall lifelong Saints who worry they “don’t know enough” to be worthy of the temple. The result is hesitation, anxiety, and a distorted view of what God actually requires.
Fallacy at Work: All-or-Nothing Thinking
All-or-Nothing Thinking is the tendency to believe that unless something is done perfectly, it shouldn’t be done at all.
Applied here, it suggests that only those with comprehensive scriptural mastery or consistent flawless behavior should make or renew sacred covenants. It overlooks the reality that covenants are how disciples grow, not a reward for already having mastered the gospel. All-or-Nothing Thinking blinds disciples to the incremental nature of spiritual learning and the gift of repentance.
Elder Cook’s Correction: Covenants—not perfection—prepare us for exaltation.
Elder Cook teaches that receiving saving ordinances and entering temple covenants is essential for exaltation. Knowledge is a blessing, but it comes incrementally; covenants, not information, are what bind us to Christ. “Gospel knowledge is a great blessing obtained incrementally over time,” he explains, “but it is not a saving ordinance.”
In other words, disciples should not wait until they feel flawless to enter the temple or walk the covenant path. Temple preparation is an immediate goal because covenants anchor us to Christ’s grace, guide our growth, and open access to His power. Learning continues throughout our lives—and even beyond it.
Resolving this Fallacy: The belief that we must master the gospel before making covenants misunderstands the doctrine entirely. Exaltation is not achieved through intellectual mastery, but through the making and keeping of sacred covenants and relying on Christ’s Atonement. Elder Cook assures Saints that inadequacy is normal, learning is ongoing, and the Lord meets covenant-keepers where they are. The gospel is a path for imperfect people who are willing to progress.
Receiving the ordinances and covenants and living the commandments are essential… The gospel is not a test of knowledge.
Living Apologetics: Covenants as a Path for Imperfect Disciples
A common struggle—especially among new or returning members—is the feeling of not knowing enough to move forward. Some hesitate to prepare for the temple out of fear that they don’t understand everything yet. Others compare themselves to more seasoned members and feel inadequate by comparison.
Elder Cook reframes this: discipleship is not about arriving fully formed—it is about choosing the covenant path where Christ shapes us over time. Knowledge expands slowly. Spiritual confidence grows gradually. What saves us is not expertise, but commitment to Christ through sacred covenants.
Practical Apologetic Use:
- If someone says: “I don’t think I’m ready for the temple—I still have so much to learn.”
- You can respond: “Covenants are what help us grow into discipleship. Elder Cook teaches that knowledge comes incrementally, but covenants are essential now. The temple isn’t the finish line; it’s where Christ strengthens us along the way.”
Ways to Apply Today:
1️⃣ Take one step toward the temple. Study a temple-related chapter or talk with a leader about your next step.
2️⃣ Embrace incremental growth. Identify one gospel principle you want to understand better—then study it for just 10 minutes this week.
3️⃣ Release perfectionism. When feelings of inadequacy arise, remind yourself: “The gospel is not a test of knowledge.”
Keep This Talk With You
Elder Cook’s message is a reminder that the Lord’s hastening work does not require perfect Saints—only willing ones. As we set our hearts on the covenant path, we soon discover that Christ compensates for our shortcomings, strengthens our efforts, and teaches us line upon line. Temple covenants are not reserved for the doctrinally seasoned; they are the very means by which disciples become more like Him.
Just as early converts gathered with joy despite limited knowledge, modern Saints can move forward with confidence. The Lord has always worked through humble, learning disciples. He invites each of us—new, returning, or long standing—to progress one covenant at a time.
This week, try one small step:
- Identify one temple covenant you want to understand more deeply and read a related scripture or conference quote.
- Support a newer member by sharing a moment when you felt inadequate but kept moving forward.
- Choose one small act of obedience that will help you take a step toward the temple.
How will you walk the covenant path this week—even if you still feel like you’re learning as you go?
The Consider Conference series by FAIR offers an in-depth look at recent General Conference talks to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints navigate common questions, misunderstandings, and criticisms. Each post provides doctrinal insights, historical context, and practical ways to apply gospel principles in everyday conversations. Through this series, we hope to equip readers with faith-promoting resources that encourage thoughtful reflection, respectful dialogue, and a stronger foundation in gospel truths, fostering both personal conviction and meaningful discussions with others.
About the Author
One possible problem with this may be thinking that the ordinances will somehow save us while living an insincere life as a disciple of Jesus. Not to offend, but we all know some who attend and serve in the temple who are jerks. Are they really in a better position than the nonmember, possible nonchristian who lives authentically to the light and knowledge they have received and lead more Christlike life?