Dallin Harris Oaks (born August 12, 1932) is an American religious leader and former jurist and educator who since 2018 has been the first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was called as a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984.
Students at the University of Chicago Law School created the Dallin H. Oaks Society to "increase awareness within the Law School community of the presence, beliefs, and concerns of law students who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". Oaks married June Dixon on June 24, 1952. She died from cancer on July 21, 1998.
Sponsored by BYU Studies — Richard Turley is the author of the biography of Dallin H. Oaks, In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks. How were you chosen to be the biographer of Dallin H. Oaks?
From 1985 to 2000, and again from 2005 to 2010, Oaks served as one of the advisors to the church's history department, where he served with Russell M. Nelson in this assignment during the latter time period. For several years Oaks was also closely involved with the church's public relations operations.
Oaks was born in Provo, Utah on August 12, 1932 to Stella Harris and Lloyd E. Oaks. Through his mother, he is a 2nd great-grand-nephew of one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, Martin Harris. He was given the name Dallin in honor of Utah artist Cyrus Dallin.
Dallin H. Oaks was sustained and set apart as first counselor in the First Presidency and president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, January 14, 2018.
May 3, 1984Sustained as a General Authority on April 7, 1984, during the Saturday morning session of general conference, President Oaks joined the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, but because of his judicial commitments, he was not ordained an apostle until May 3, 1984.
Kristen M. McMainOn 25 August 2000, he married Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple. Elder Oaks is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of The University of Chicago Law School (1957). He practiced law and taught law in Chicago.
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles convened a disciplinary council to hear the case and Lyman's explanation, after which he was immediately excommunicated. Lyman was rebaptized in 1954 at age 83, and his full priesthood blessings were restored posthumously in 1970....Richard R. LymanSpouse(s)Amy Brown Lyman20 more rows
Local clergy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve as volunteers, without pay. But “general authorities,” the top leaders in the church, serve full-time, have no other job, and receive the living allowance.
WriterLawyerJudgeClericUniversity teacherDallin H. Oaks/Professions
Dallin Harris Oaks (born August 12, 1932) is an American religious leader and former jurist and educator who since 2018 has been the first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was called as a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984.
John Willard YoungCalled byBrigham YoungEnd reasonCalled as Assistant Counselor in the First PresidencyLDS Church ApostleNovember 22, 1855 – February 12, 192437 more rows
Elder Oaks is a native of Provo, Utah, and was born August 12, 1932. He and his late wife, June Dixon Oaks, are the parents of six children. She died July 21, 1998. On August 25, 2000, he married Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of the University of Chicago Law School (1957).
Elder Oaks has been an officer or member of the board of many business, educational, and charitable organizations. He is the author or co-author of many books and articles on religious and legal subjects. In May 2013, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty awarded him the Canterbury Medal for “courage in the defense of religious liberty.”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks? Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles? CES (Church Education System) Symposium on the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History - 16 August 1985 - Brigham Young University?
Dallin Oaks married when he was just 19 years old (after his freshman year at BYU), and his wife was 17 or 18 (and, I think, had just graduated from Provo High). They had their first child less than 9 months later (I think around 8 or 8 and half months). I'm not saying they 'had to' get married, but ....
Speculation regularly arises, particularly at General Conference time, as to who may eventually ascend, by its death-defying ritual of musical chairs, to the presidency of the Mormon Church when Gordon B. Hinckley passes from the scene.
From Dr. Shades website at: http://www.connect-a.net/users/drshades/hofmann.htm
About 5 years ago, Dallin H. Oaks came to the Stake Conference in the Sugarhouse Utah Stake. Being the True Believing Mormon that I was, I showed up an hour early to get a cushy seat.
His behavior makes total sense, considering that he's received the second anointing. He's had his salvation and godhood sealed upon him, not just an opportunity or invitation, but according to doctrine, guaranteed - save he doesn't commit the unpardonable sin. Any other sins he commits cannot separate him from his inheritance with Christ.
Richard Turley: More than four years ago before he had become a member of the First Presidency, Elder Oaks invited me to his office one day and asked if I would consider writing his biography. He didn’t want me to answer immediately, I think because he didn’t want me to feel any pressure.
Richard Turley: At the time, Edward Levi, his longtime mentor and friend, was serving as U.S. Attorney General and did not specify what it was.
Richard Turley: Doubt can lead to questions that lead to revelation. If we handle doubt that way, it can be a blessing. Most of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants came in response to a question. So did the First Vision.
Richard Turley: President Nelson took the unprecedented step of interviewing all the living apostles and seeking their input before praying and selecting his counselors as he felt inspired to do.