Dallin H. Oaks

Dallin H. Oaks

1932 (93 years) Living

Hometown: Provo, Utah

Biography

Dallin H. Oaks is the eighteenth and current President of the LDS Church, having assumed the presidency in October 2025 following Russell M. Nelson’s death. Born in Provo, Utah, Oaks had a distinguished legal career before his call to church leadership, serving as president of Brigham Young University (1971-1980) and as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court (1980-1984).

Oaks earned his law degree from the University of Chicago, where he was editor of the law review and clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren. His legal background has influenced his approach to church leadership, with carefully worded statements and logical argumentation.

As an apostle since 1984, Oaks has been one of the most vocal church leaders on issues of religious liberty and opposition to same-sex marriage. His 1995 talk “Same-Gender Attraction” and subsequent statements have made him a lightning rod for criticism from LGBTQ+ members and advocates. He has also been outspoken about the dangers of pornography and the importance of the traditional family.

Oaks has emphasized that some church teachings and practices can change through revelation, while core doctrines remain constant. He has defended the church’s right to maintain its positions on social issues while showing some moderation on LGBTQ+ issues in recent years.

As president, he continues the global emphasis and temple-building program of his predecessors.

Served Under

Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:

Spencer W. Kimball
Spencer W. Kimball
Ezra Taft Benson
Ezra Taft Benson
Howard W. Hunter
Howard W. Hunter
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley
Thomas S. Monson
Thomas S. Monson
Russell M. Nelson
Russell M. Nelson

Apostles Who Served During This Presidency

Apostles who served under this leader during their presidency:

Jeffrey R. Holland
Jeffrey R. Holland 1940–2025 (85 years)
Henry B. Eyring
Henry B. Eyring 1933 (92 years)
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Dieter F. Uchtdorf 1940 (85 years)
David A. Bednar
David A. Bednar 1952 (73 years)
Quentin L. Cook
Quentin L. Cook 1940 (85 years)
D. Todd Christofferson
D. Todd Christofferson 1945 (81 years)
Neil L. Andersen
Neil L. Andersen 1951 (74 years)
Ronald A. Rasband
Ronald A. Rasband 1951 (74 years)
Gary E. Stevenson
Gary E. Stevenson 1955 (70 years)
Dale G. Renlund
Dale G. Renlund 1952 (73 years)
Gerrit W. Gong
Gerrit W. Gong 1953 (72 years)
Ulisses Soares
Ulisses Soares 1958 (67 years)
Patrick Kearon
Patrick Kearon 1961 (64 years)
Gérald Caussé
Gérald Caussé 1963 (62 years)

Wives (2)

Dallin H. Oaks is a celestial polygamist with 2 wives. Note these are sequential marriages — each previous spouse died before the next marriage, meaning no simultaneous living plural marriages.

2 wives · Lifespan: 1932–present

June Dixon
1952–1998 (46 yrs)
Kristen Meredith McMain
2000–present (26 yrs)
1932 (born) 1956 1980 2004 2026 (now)
Wife Ongoing

6 children from 1 wives · Lifespan: 1932–present

June Dixon
6 children
1932 (born) 1956 1980 2004 2026 (now)
Wife Child born

2 wives · Ages at marriage

Her age His age Teenage bride (<18)
#NameBornDiedMarriedHer AgeHis AgeAge DiffChildren
1
June Dixon
Feb 3, 1932Jul 21, 1998 Jun 24, 1952 201916
2
Kristen Meredith McMain
Nov 22, 1940● Aug 25, 2000 596890

Children (6)

With June Dixon  (6 children)

  1. Sharmon Oaks (b. Mar 30, 1953)
  2. Cheri Lynn Oaks (b. Mar 6, 1954)
  3. Lloyd Dixon Oaks (b. Jan 1, 1957)
  4. Dallin Dixon Oaks (b. Aug 12, 1960)
  5. TruAnn Oaks (b. Apr 12, 1962)
  6. Jenny June Oaks (b. May 27, 1975)

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”The event that focused anti-Mormon hostilities and led directly to the Martyrdom was the action of Mayor Joseph Smith and the city council in closing a newly established opposition newspaper in Nauvoo. Mormon historians— including Elder B. H. Roberts—had conceded that this action was illegal, but as a young law professor pursuing original research, I was pleased to find a legal basis for this action in the Illinois law of 1844... We should judge the actions of our predecessors on the basis of the laws and commandments and circumstances of their day, not ours.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, Joseph, the Man and the Prophet, April 1996 | wasmormon.org “Be prepared for circumstances that may be painful and contrary to your personal interest and comfort where you must keep confidences, even if someone calls you a liar. It requires a sophisticated analysis of the circumstances and a finely tuned conscience to distinguish between the situation where you are obliged by duty to speak and the situation where you are obliged by duty, commandment, or covenant to remain silent.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Gospel Teachings About Lying," September 12, 1993 | wasmormon.org “We must not lie, but we are free to tell less than we know when we have no duty to disclose... One is not a liar when one remains silent in a circumstance in which there is no duty to disclose.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Gospel Teachings About Lying," September 12, 1993 | wasmormon.org Scholars have concluded that the Nauvoo City Council acted legally to destroy copies of the newspaper but may have exceeded its authority by destroying the press itself. * Dallin H. Oaks, “The Suppression of the Nauvoo Expositor,” Utah Law Review, vol. 9, no. 4 (Winter 1965), 862–903. - LDS Website: Church History Topics: Nauvoo Expositor | wasmormon.org “Trust in the Lord is a familiar and true teaching... the best principle we can use when our efforts to learn or our attempts to find comfort encounter obstacles in matters not yet revealed or not adopted as the official doctrine of the Church. That same principle applies to unanswered questions about sealings in the next life or desired readjustments because of events or transgressions in mortality. There is so much we do not know that our only sure reliance is to trust in the Lord and His love for His children.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, “Trust in the Lord”, October 2019 | wasmormon.org “[A woman] was contemplating a temple marriage to a man whose eternal companion had died. She would be a second wife. She asked this question: would she be able to have her own house in the next life, or would she have to live with her husband and his first wife? I just told her to trust the Lord... You should be worried about whether you will get to [kingdom of glory]. Concentrate on that. If you get there, all of it will be more wonderful than you can imagine.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, “Trust in the Lord”, October 2019 | wasmormon.org “The legality of the council's action in suppressing the Expositor depends upon the nature of the charges in the Expositor... some of the charges involve facts that are essentially undisputed... Politics. The Expositor's general complaints about the union of the authority of church and state in Nauvoo were essentially true... Religion. The same can be said of the Expositor's charges that Joseph Smith was teaching false religious doctrines, notably polygamy. Morality.... Whether the charges were true or false, they were malicious, scandalous, and defamatory.” - Dallin H. Oaks, “The Suppression of the Nauvoo Expositor,” Utah Law Review, Vol. 9, No. 4, 1965 | wasmormon.org “Young women, please understand that if you dress immodestly, you are magnifying this problem by becoming pornography to some of the men who see you.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, Quote from Pornography Talk at General Conference, April 2005, Photo: Becket Fund for Religious Liberty Canterbury Medal Dinner in New York City, 16 May 2013 | wasmormon.org “Young women, please understand that if you dress immodestly, you are magnifying this problem by becoming pornography to some of the men who see you.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, General Conference April 2005 | wasmormon.org “There will be small defects in any mortal structure or any mortal life but we should never lose sight of the wonderful all encompassing plan and doctrine of the Lord's Church by their fruits not by the occasional fruit fly.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Boise Rescue," Boise, Idaho Devotional, June 13, 2015 | wasmormon.org “Modern apostles are called to be witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world (D&C 107:23). This is not to witness of a personal manifestation. To witness of the name is to witness of the plan, the work or mission, such as the atonement and the authority or priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which an apostle who holds the keys is uniquely responsible to do. Of course, apostles are also witnesses of Christ just like all members of the Church who have the gift of the Holy Ghost.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Boise Rescue," Boise, Idaho Devotional, June 13, 2015 | wasmormon.org “We need to define the difference between doubts and questions. Questions, when asked with a sincere desire to increase one's understanding and faith, are to be encouraged. Such questions, questions we call them, are asked with the real intent of better understanding and more fully obeying the will of the Lord. Questions are very different from doubts.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Boise Rescue," Boise, Idaho Devotional, June 13, 2015 | wasmormon.org When you follow false prophets, when you start toward apostasy, you are on the wrong side. - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Boise Rescue," Boise, Idaho Devotional, June 13, 2015 | wasmormon.org "Not everything that’s true is useful" - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, PBS documentary The Mormons, 2007 | wasmormon.org “The Lord’s commandments are of two types: permanent, like the doctrine of Christ, and temporary. Temporary commandments are those necessary for the needs of the Lord’s Church or the faithful in temporary circumstances, but to be set aside when the need has passed. Though only temporary, when still in force these commandments were given to be obeyed.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, October 2024 General Conference | wasmormon.org "Secular evidence can neither prove nor disprove the authenticity of the Book of Mormon." - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, On The Historicity of the Book of Mormon, 1993 | wasmormon.org “Honest investigators will conclude that there are so many evidences that the Book of Mormon is an ancient text that they cannot confidently resolve the question against its authenticity, despite some unanswered questions that seem to support the negative determination.... It is our position that secular evidence can neither prove nor disprove the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. Its authenticity depends, as it says, on a witness of the Holy Spirit.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, On The Historicity of the Book of Mormon, 1993 | wasmormon.org “Truth surely exists as an absolute, but our use of truth should be disciplined by other values. For example, it is wrong to make statements of fact out of an evil motive, even if the statements are true. It is wrong to threaten to reveal embarrassing facts unless money is paid, even if the facts are true. We call that crime blackmail... Just as the principle of justice must be constrained by the principle of mercy, so must the use of truth be disciplined by the principle of love. The use of truth should also be constrained by the principle of unity.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, February 1987 Ensign | wasmormon.org “Throughout our history we have had members who have criticized the Church and its leaders. Church disciplinary action against such members has been rare or nonexistent... This counsel will be anathema to some... Those who reject the authority of the scriptures or our latter-day prophets cannot be expected to agree with what I have said. Those who see freedom or truth as absolutely overriding principles in all human actions cannot be expected to be persuaded by the scriptures” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, February 1987 Ensign | wasmormon.org “Criticism is particularly objectionable when it is directed toward Church authorities, general or local. Jude condemns those who ‘speak evil of dignities.’ Evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed is in a class by itself. It is one thing to depreciate a person who exercises corporate power or even government power. It is quite another thing to criticize or depreciate a person for the performance of an office to which he or she has been called of God. It does not matter that the criticism is true.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, February 1987 Ensign | wasmormon.org There are at least five different procedures a Church member can follow in addressing differences with Church leaders: 1. Overlook the difference; 2. Reserve judgment and postpone any action; 3. Take up differences privately with the leader involved; 4. Communicate with the Church officer who has the power to correct or release the person thought to be in error or transgression; 5. Pray for the resolution of the problem. - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, February 1987 Ensign | wasmormon.org The Announced Cody Wyoming Temple received approval but was later redacted "It's a lot easier to build temples, than it is to fill temples." - Dallin H. Oaks "It's a lot easier to build temples, than it is to fill temples." - Dallin H. Oaks, Church News Video 2024 | wasmormon.org “We exchanged expressions of joy, and I walked back to the hillside. I sat down on the pile of dirt we had been moving and beckoned to my sons. As I told them that all worthy male members of the Church could now be ordained to the priesthood, I wept for joy. That is the scene etched in my memory of this unforgettable announcement 40 years ago — sitting on a pile of dirt and weeping as I told my sons of this divine revelation.” - President Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle On The Lifting of the Priesthood Ban at 'Be One' Celebration, June 1, 2018 | wasmormon.org/same-sex/ “I've never had an experience like that [a miraculous experience with an angel], and I don't know anyone among the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve who had that kind of experience.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle Bellevue South Stake Fireside January 23rd, 2016 | wasmormon.org As I read, I discovered the ways the church harmed those like me, from excommunication to the conversion therapy led at BYU by Dallin Oaks. As I kept reading I saw more and more that I was in a very very dark religious group. - Grace's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/gracefoster25/ "Each year The Church spends about $40 million on welfare, humanitarian and other LDS Church-sponsored projects around the world and has done so for more than 30 years." - LDS Apostle, Dallin H. Oaks, 2016, University of Oxford | wasmormon.org "We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties." - Dallin H. Oaks, The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood, April 2014, General Conference | wasmormon.org "We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be?" Dallin H. Oaks - As quoted in the Worldwide Relief Society Devotional and Testimony Meeting by J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency “The restriction on the ordination and temple blessings of persons of African ancestry — almost invisible to me as I grew up in Utah — was a frequent subject of my conversations in my life in Chicago and Washington, D.C.” - President Dallin H. Oaks, 2018 'Be One' Celebration, 40 Years Since Priesthood Ban | wasmormon.org “Institutionally, the Church reacted swiftly to the revelation on the priesthood. Ordinations and temple recommends came immediately. The reasons that had been given to try to explain the prior restrictions on members of African ancestry — even those previously voiced by revered Church leaders — were promptly and publicly disavowed.” - President Dallin H. Oaks, 2018 'Be One' Celebration, 40 Years Since Priesthood Ban | wasmormon.org “Some, in their personal lives, continued the attitudes of racism that have been painful to so many throughout the world, including the past 40 years. Others have wanted to look back, concentrating attention on re-examining the past, including seeking reasons for the now-outdated restrictions... To concern ourselves with what has not been revealed or with past explanations by those who were operating with limited understanding can only result in speculation and frustration. To all who have such concerns, we extend our love and this special invitation. Let us all look forward.” - President Dallin H. Oaks, 2018 'Be One' Celebration, 40 Years Since Priesthood Ban | wasmormon.org “We have no professionally trained and salaried clergy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” - Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS Apostle, General Conference 2012 Received $124,022 "living allowance" paychecks in 2012 | wasmormon.org “Another way to seek a testimony seems astonishing when compared with the methods of obtaining other knowledge. We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it... testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.” - LDS Apostle, Dallin H. Oaks - General Conference April 2008 | wasmormon.org "We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it… testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them." - LDS Apostle, Dallin H. Oaks - General Conference April 2008 | wasmormon.org "The church doesn't seek apologies, and we don't give them." Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency | wasmormon.org "The history of the church is not to seek apologies or to give them. We sometimes look back on issues and say, 'Maybe that was counterproductive for what we wish to achieve,' but we look forward and not backward." Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency | wasmormon.org "I’m not aware that the word ‘apology’ appears anywhere in the scriptures — Bible or Book of Mormon. The word ‘apology’ contains a lot of connotations in it, and a lot of significance." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency | wasmormon.org "I would like to hear a little more musket fire from this temple of learning, especially on the subject of our fundamental doctrine and policies on the family." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, 2017 | wasmormon.org Are you referring to reasons given even by general authorities? "Sure. I'm referring to reasons given by general authorities and reasons elaborated upon that reason by others. The whole set of reasons seemed to me to be unnecessary risk taking. My experience with this was to say, I don't know whether this is commanded in the Pearl of Great Price. I'm not positive about that commandment in relation to this. I put my faith on the president of the church whom I sustain as the prophet. When he tells me that this is what the church does, then I'll go with that. Let's don't make the mistake that's been made in the past, here and in other areas, trying to put reasons to revelation. The reasons turn out to be man-made to a great extent. The revelations are what we sustain as the will of the Lord and that's where safety lies." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, AP interview. Provo Daily Herald June 5, 1988 | wasmormon.org Did you feel differently about the issue before the revelation was given? "I decided a long time ago, 1961 or 2, that there's no way to talk about it in terms of doctrine, or policy, practice, procedure. All of those words just led you to reaffirm your prejudice, whichever it was. The only fair, just way to think about it is to reaffirm your faith in the prophet, and he says you don't do it now, so you don't do it now. And if he says tomorrow that you do do it, then you do it." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, AP interview. Provo Daily Herald June 5, 1988 | wasmormon.org It appears that prior to 1978, there was a lack of unanimity among the brethren regarding the origin and efficacy of the policy, We understand 10 of the Council of the Twelve voted in 1969 to lift the ban as an administrative procedure, but the plan was overturned by Harold B. Lee. "That's a new one to me." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, AP interview. Provo Daily Herald June 5, 1988 | wasmormon.org As much as any doctrine the church has espoused, or controversy the church has been embroiled in, this one seems to stand out. Church members seemed to have less to go on to get a grasp of the issue. Can you address why this was the case, and what can be learned from it? "If you read the scriptures with this question in mind, 'Why did the Lord command this or why did he command that,' you find that in less than one in a hundred commands was any reason given. It's not the pattern of the Lord to give reasons. We can put reason to revelation. We can put reasons to commandments. When we do we're on our own. Some people put reasons to the one we're talking about here, and they turned out to be spectacularly wrong. There is a lesson in that. The lesson I've drawn from that, I decided a long time ago that I had faith in the command and I had no faith in the reasons that had been suggested for it. I decided that 25 years ago, so it was very easy for me when it was changed." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, AP interview. Provo Daily Herald June 5, 1988 | wasmormon.org Was the ban on ordaining blacks to the priesthood a matter of policy or doctrine? "I don't know that it's possible to distinguish between policy and doctrine in a church that believes in continuing revelation and sustains its leader as a prophet... I'm not sure I could justify the difference in doctrine and policy in the fact that before 1978 a person could not hold the priesthood and after 1978 they could hold the priesthood." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, AP interview. Provo Daily Herald June 5 1988 | wasmormon.org "My duty as a member of the Council of the Twelve is to protect what is most unique about the LDS church, namely the authority of priesthood, testimony regarding the restoration of the gospel, and the divine mission of the Savior. Everything else may be sacrificed in order to maintain the integrity of those essential facts. Thus, if Mormon Enigma reveals information that is detrimental to the reputation of Joseph Smith, then it is necessary to try to limit its influence and that of its authors." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS Apostle, First Counselor in First Presidency | wasmormon.org "The Respect for Marriage Act included valuable provisions to assure that no federal or state laws could be used to harm the religious or conscience rights of faith-based institutions or their members. In the end, the total law ensures that religious organizations, religious schools and their staff do not have to perform or host same-sex marriages or celebrations. It protects the tax-exempt status of religious organizations. It protects the grants, licenses, contracts and accreditation of religious schools." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency | wasmormon.org "The Respect for Marriage Act did restate same-sex marriage as the law of the land, but ... the focus of the Church’s efforts was not on same-sex marriage, but on ensuring the act contained the necessary protections for religious freedom." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency | wasmormon.org Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said that each year The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spends about $40 million on welfare, humanitarian and other LDS Church-sponsored projects around the world and has done so for more than 30 years. "Our nation is held together not just by law and its enforcement, but by voluntary obedience to the unenforceable and by widespread adherence to norms of right and wrong, such as the vital principle of honesty." - Elder Dallin H Oaks Submitted Testimony to Senate Finance Committee Hearing October 18, 2011 "We are grateful for charitable deductions, which encourage donations to churches and other charities. The effect of this tax benefit is built into the financing of charitable enterprises that are vital to our nation, and it is a significant and wise support of the private sector. The charitable deduction should remain unimpaired, not just for religions and their unique role but for the benefit of the entire private sector of our nation." Elder Dallin H Oaks' submitted Testimony Senate Finance Committee Hearing October 18, 2011 "It’s wrong to criticize leaders of the Church, even if the criticism is true." Elder Dallin H Oaks, Church leader and Mormon Apostle After being ordered to cease and decist misstating filings and settling for $5M. "We reached resolution with the SEC. We affirm our commitment to comply with the law, regret mistakes made, and now consider this matter closed." 2023 First Presidency: Russell M Nelson, Dallin H Oaks, Henry B Eyring - wasmormon.org After whistleblower report states church amassed $100 Billion Fund: "Claims being currently circulated are based on a narrow perspective and limited information. The Church complies with all applicable law governing our donations, investments, taxes, and reserves. We continue to welcome the opportunity to work with officials to address questions they may have." – 2019 First Presidency: Russell M Nelson, Dallin H Oaks, Henry B Eyring - wasmormon.org "the matter is closed" First Presidency: Russell M Nelson, Dallin H Oaks, Henry B Eyring We reached resolution with the SEC. We affirm our commitment to comply with the law, regret mistakes made, and now consider this matter closed. - First Presidency: Russell M Nelson, Dallin H Oaks, Henry B Eyring Dallin H. Oaks