Dallin H. Oaks(b. 1932)

Dallin Harris Oaks (born 1932) is an American religious leader, author, and former jurist who currently serves as the 18th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called into the holy apostleship in 1984. Prior to his call as Church President, he served as First Counselor in the Church’s First Presidency from 2018 to 2025.

Born in Provo, Utah, Oaks earned his law degree from the University of Chicago, where he later served as a professor and interim dean. He served as a law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren and as president of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1980. He also served as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court.

His teachings emphasize the compatibility of faith and reason, the importance of priesthood blessings alongside medical science, and the practical application of gospel principles. He has spoken extensively on religious freedom and the relationship between science and religion.

Quotations by Dallin H. Oaks

The use of medical science is not at odds with our prayers of faith and our reliance on priesthood blessings. When a person requested a priesthood blessing, Brigham Young would ask, “Have you used any remedies?” To those who said no because “we wish the Elders to lay hands upon us, and we have faith that we shall be healed,” President Young replied: “That is very inconsistent according to my faith. If we are sick, and ask the Lord to heal us, and to do all for us that is necessary to be done, according to my understanding of the Gospel of salvation, I might as well ask the Lord to cause my wheat and corn to grow, without my plowing the ground and casting in the seed. It appears consistent to me to apply every remedy that comes within the range of my knowledge, and then to ask my Father in Heaven … to sanctify that application to the healing of my body.”