Dallin H Oaks

Dallin H Oaks Biography

Dallin Harris Oaks is a renowned American religious leader, jurist, and academic who has served as the first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 2018 to 2025. He was originally called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984 and is currently the president of the Quorum, noted for his extensive service and leadership within the church as well as his prior career in law and academia. Oaks is famous for his influential religious guidance, prominent church leadership roles, and notable contributions to legal education and jurisprudence.

Childhood

Dallin H Oaks was born on August 12, 1932, in Provo, Utah, to Lloyd E. Oaks and Stella Harris Oaks. He was the eldest of three children. His father, a trained ophthalmologist, tragically died of tuberculosis when Dallin was only seven years old, which proved to be a challenging time for the family. For a period, following his father’s death, Oaks and his siblings lived with their maternal grandparents on a farm near Payson, Utah. His mother, despite hardships, became a strong influence in his life, balancing responsibilities to raise her children and pursue her own education and career.

Education

Dallin H Oaks graduated from Brigham Young High School in 1950 and attended Brigham Young University (BYU), where he majored in accounting and graduated with high honors in 1954. He then earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1957, where he was editor-in-chief of the University of Chicago Law Review. His legal education was distinguished by a National Honor Scholarship, and following graduation, he clerked for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the United States Supreme Court, an exceptional opportunity that helped shape his legal career.

Career

Oaks had a multifaceted career spanning law, academia, and church service. After clerking for Chief Justice Earl Warren, he worked in corporate litigation before joining the University of Chicago as a law professor. In 1971, he became president of BYU, a position he held until 1980, during which time he oversaw significant institutional growth. Afterward, Oaks served as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court until 1984 when he was called to the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He later was sustained in the First Presidency as first counselor. Oaks has also been known for his leadership on the Public Broadcasting Service board and founding of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU.

Family Life

Dallin H Oaks married June Dixon in 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they had six children. He is a grandfather of 29 and a great-grandfather to more than sixty. Oaks has frequently emphasized the central role of family in religious life, often teaching the importance of eternal family bonds. His late wife passed away in 1998, and throughout his life, family has remained a significant and cherished part of his priorities and teachings.

Achievements

Among his numerous achievements, Oaks is celebrated for his scholarship in law, founding and developing BYU’s law school, serving as BYU president, and his tenure as a Utah Supreme Court justice. His ecclesiastical contributions include decades of service as an apostle and counselor in the First Presidency. He has been recognized for his legal intellect, leadership in religious education, and his role in guiding the doctrinal direction of the LDS Church.

Controversies

Despite a distinguished career, Oaks has been a figure in controversies, particularly around stances on social issues including LGBTQ+ topics. Some critics have accused him of promoting rhetoric perceived as discrimination or of stifling criticism towards church leadership by discouraging open dissent within the community. These controversies highlight tensions between religious doctrine and contemporary social values, positioning Oaks as a polarizing figure for some outside and inside the church.

Dallin H Oaks Summary

Dallin H Oaks is a prominent religious leader known for his extensive contributions to law, education, and the LDS Church. Born and raised in Utah, he overcame early family hardships to become an influential figure in both secular and religious realms. His leadership roles have spanned from academia to the highest levels of his church’s hierarchy, marked by a deep commitment to family values and justice. While celebrated for his many accomplishments, Oaks has also faced criticism related to his conservative views and leadership style. Nonetheless, his impact on his faith and the community endures as a defining legacy.