The Journey of President Dallin H. Oaks
The call of President Dallin H. Oaks as the 18th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in October 2025 marked the culmination of a life defined by rigorous intellect, profound public service and unwavering faith, says the Church Newsroom. His journey, spanning law, academia and decades of apostolic service, offers a rich tapestry for any comprehensive look at modern religious leadership, the website says.
Early life, education and legal career
President Oaks has consistently balanced roles in law, education, and religion.
- 1932: Born in Provo, Utah, on August 12. (His lineage connects him to Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon.)
- 1954: Graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU).
- 1957: Graduated from the University of Chicago Law School.
- 1957–1958: Served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court, a highly sought-after position for top law graduates.
- 1971–1980: Served as the 8th president of BYU. During his tenure, he oversaw major institutional expansions, including the creation of the J. Reuben Clark Law School and the Graduate Business School.
- 1980–1984: Served as a Justice of the Utah Supreme Court. This was the peak of his secular legal career before his call to full-time Church service.
Transition to Full-Time Church Leadership
His transition from the highest levels of the judiciary to full-time religious service marked a profound shift in his life's focus.
- April 7, 1984: Sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during General Conference at age 51. He resigned his Supreme Court position to accept this calling, setting aside professional ambitions for a divine one.
- 1998: His first wife, June Dixon Oaks, passed away. They had been married for 46 years and raised six children.
- 2000: Married Kristen M. McMain.
Service in the First Presidency of the Church
Following decades as an Apostle, he moved into the Church's highest administrative council.
- January 2018: Set apart as First Counselor in the First Presidency under President Russell M. Nelson. He served in this capacity for nearly eight years.
- October 14, 2025: Formally sustained and set apart as the 18th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 93. He immediately announced his new counselors, Henry B. Eyring (First Counselor) and D. Todd Christofferson (Second Counselor).
President Oaks' life demonstrates a commitment to high achievement and leadership, first in the secular world and then as a senior leader in the Church.
The Transformative BYU Presidency (1971–1980)
Dallin H. Oaks served as the 8th president of Brigham Young University for nine years, a period of significant intellectual and physical development for the institution, according to Deseret News. “Drawing on his legal and academic background from the University of Chicago, President Oaks focused on elevating the university's academic standing while preserving its spiritual mission,” the website emphasized. His tenure was marked by a commitment to balancing "spiritual and secular knowledge."
Most notably, President Oaks was instrumental in establishing two flagship professional schools: the J. Reuben Clark Law School and the Graduate Business School (now the Marriott School of Business), according to the BYU website. According to the university’s website, these additions cemented BYU's role in producing graduates prepared for high-level professional careers. “He also oversaw continued campus expansion and stressed the importance of intellectual rigor and spiritual commitment among the faculty and student body.”
Legal and Constitutional philosophy
According to an interview conducted by David F. Levi for Judicature, as a former law professor and Justice of the Utah Supreme Court (1980–1984), President Oaks possesses a deeply rooted legal philosophy centered on the Rule of Law and the vital importance of the U.S. Constitution. “He regards the constitution as a divinely inspired document, outlining four key principles essential to liberty: popular sovereignty (power derived from the people), separation of powers, federalism (division of authority between state and federal government), and the Bill of Rights,” Levi said. “He often warns that a commitment to these foundational elements is necessary to sustain free institutions.”
Defense of Religious Liberty
A signature theme of President Oaks's public life has been the staunch defense of religious liberty. He argues that the free exercise of religion, guaranteed by the First Amendment, is the "basic civil liberty." According to Oaks, this freedom is crucial because it allows not only for the private belief in God but also for the public and organizational practice of faith, which undergirds charitable work and moral discourse in a society. Oaks said he has consistently sought to unify people of all faiths in defending the necessary space for religious institutions to govern their internal affairs and contribute to the common good without undue government interference.
Sources:
Church News
LDS Daily
BYU Daily Universe