LDS Apostle Quentin Cook Warns Young Adults Against Online Anonymity
The 86-year-old leader urged young members to reveal their identities and act as examples during difficult times.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
Quentin L. Cook, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, warned on Sunday that remaining anonymous online poses spiritual dangers. Speaking at a devotional event, Cook described online anonymity as a tool that can lead to terrible consequences for those who use it to hide their true nature.
Cook addressed the audience, which included young adult Latter-day Saints, via a stream from Brigham Young University-Hawaii. He advised members to act as a light on a hill rather than hiding in the darkness of anonymity. He stated that using a hidden identity to say unkind or cruel things is the opposite of letting one's light shine.
The 86-year-old leader encouraged young people to avoid camouflage in their digital and physical interactions. He noted that many individuals face storms in their lives and that young adults can serve as beacons through their example. Cook emphasized that being visible is essential for members to be an example of a committed disciple of Jesus Christ during toxic times.
Cook referenced historical examples to illustrate the danger of hidden identities. He recounted a conversation with a Jewish friend about the Holocaust, where the friend noted the importance of not hiding one's identity. The friend pointed to the masked Ku Klux Klan in the early 1900s, which committed evil against Jews, Blacks, Catholics, and immigrants. Cook also mentioned a mob that painted its faces to hide its identity when it tarred and feathered church founder Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon.
The apostle cautioned that putting on a false face is a serious sign of danger. He described anonymity as one of the adversary's tools used to get people to do things they should not do. Cook urged members to steer clear of anonymity in both online and in-person settings and to act as peacemakers.
This message aligns with previous guidance from church leadership regarding civility. In a 2023 General Conference address, then- President Russell M. Nelson expressed concern over the prevalence of vulgarity and faultfinding. Nelson noted that many influencers and politicians believe it is acceptable to condemn and malign those who disagree with them. The church's General Handbook also condemns threatening, bullying, degrading, or violent language and images online.
