Dallin H. Oaks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dallin H. Oaks |
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Oaks speaking in Salt Lake City in 2023
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| 18th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | |
| October 14, 2025 | |
| Predecessor | Russell M. Nelson |
| President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| January 14, 2018 – October 14, 2025 | |
| Predecessor | Russell M. Nelson |
| Successor | Jeffrey R. Holland |
| End reason | Became President of the Church |
| First Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| January 14, 2018 – September 27, 2025 | |
| Called by | Russell M. Nelson |
| Predecessor | Henry B. Eyring |
| Successor | Henry B. Eyring |
| End reason | Death of Russell M. Nelson |
| LDS Church Apostle | |
| May 3, 1984 | |
| Called by | Spencer W. Kimball |
| Reason | Death of Mark E. Petersen |
| Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| May 3, 1984 – January 14, 2018 | |
| Called by | Spencer W. Kimball |
| End reason | Called as First Counselor in the First Presidency |
| Justice of the Utah Supreme Court | |
| In office 1980–1984 |
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| Preceded by | D. Frank Wilkins |
| Succeeded by | Michael D. Zimmerman |
| 8th President of Brigham Young University | |
| In office August 1971 – August 1980 |
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| Preceded by | Ernest L. Wilkinson |
| Succeeded by | Jeffrey R. Holland |
| Military career | |
| 1949–1954 | |
| Service/branch | United States National Guard |
| Unit | Utah National Guard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dallin Harris Oaks August 12, 1932 Provo, Utah, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University (BS) University of Chicago (JD) |
| Occupation | Lawyer, judge |
| Spouse(s) |
June Dixon
(m. 1952; died 1998)Kristen Meredith McMain
(m. 2000) |
| Children | 6 |
| Awards | Canterbury Medal (2013) Distinguished Eagle Scout (1984) |
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Dallin Harris Oaks (born August 12, 1932) is an American religious leader who is the 18th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Before becoming a full-time church leader, he had a successful career as a lawyer, law professor, university president, and judge.
He was called as a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984. From 2018 to 2025, he served as the first counselor in the church's First Presidency.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Dallin H. Oaks was born in Provo, Utah. His father, Lloyd Oaks, died from tuberculosis when Dallin was just seven years old. This was a very difficult time for his family. His mother, Stella, worked hard to support her three children. She became a teacher and was the first woman to serve on the Provo City Council.
For a while, Dallin and his siblings lived with their grandparents. He learned to be responsible at a young age. He got his first job at a radio repair shop when he was twelve. As a teenager, he worked as an announcer for a local radio station. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
After high school, Oaks attended Brigham Young University (BYU), where he studied accounting. During his junior year, he married June Dixon. Because he was in the Utah National Guard during the Korean War, he did not serve a mission for the church. After graduating from BYU, he went to the University of Chicago Law School, where he was a top student and editor of the school's Law Review.
A Career in Law and Education
Oaks had a distinguished career in both law and education before his call to full-time church service.
Lawyer and Professor
After graduating from law school, Oaks had the important job of a law clerk for Chief Justice Earl Warren at the U.S. Supreme Court. He then worked at a law firm in Chicago.
In 1961, he returned to the University of Chicago as a professor of law. He was a respected teacher and legal scholar for ten years.
President of BYU
In 1971, Oaks became the eighth president of Brigham Young University. He served as president for nine years. During his leadership, he helped start the J. Reuben Clark Law School and the Graduate Business School, which is now the Marriott School of Business.
President Oaks was popular with students and teachers. He worked to improve the university and create a positive learning environment. He also served as the chairman of the board for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) for five years.
Utah Supreme Court Justice
After leaving BYU in 1980, Oaks was appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court. This is the highest court in the state of Utah. He served as a judge for four years. During his career, he was twice considered for nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Service in the LDS Church
Dallin H. Oaks has served in many leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life.
Call to be an Apostle
On April 7, 1984, Dallin H. Oaks was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In the LDS Church, apostles are special witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world. He resigned from his position as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court to accept this lifelong calling to serve the church. At age 51, he was the youngest apostle at the time.
Worldwide Ministry
As an apostle, President Oaks has traveled the world to teach church members and strengthen their faith. From 2002 to 2004, he lived in the Philippines and served as the president of the church's Philippines Area. He has given many speeches on topics like faith, family, and religious freedom.
First Presidency
In January 2018, when Russell M. Nelson became the president of the church, he asked President Oaks to serve as his First Counselor in the First Presidency. The First Presidency is the highest leadership body in the church. President Oaks served in this role until President Nelson's death in 2025.
President of the Church
On October 14, 2025, Dallin H. Oaks became the 18th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He chose Henry B. Eyring to be his First Counselor and D. Todd Christofferson as his Second Counselor.
Personal Life
Dallin H. Oaks married June Dixon in 1952. They were married for 46 years and had six children. June passed away from cancer in 1998. Their daughter, Jenny Oaks Baker, is a well-known violinist.
In 2000, President Oaks married Kristen Meredith McMain in the Salt Lake Temple.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his life, President Oaks has received many awards for his service and leadership.
- He received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America in 1984.
- He was named "Judge of the Year" by the Utah State Bar in 1984.
- He received the Canterbury Medal in 2013 for his work defending religious freedom.
See also
In Spanish: Dallin H. Oaks para niños
- Council on the Disposition of the Tithes
- Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees
- List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Chief Justice)
