Dallin H. Oaks

Dallin H. Oaks, born on August twelfth, nineteen thirty-two, is a prominent American religious leader and former jurist, currently serving as the eighteenth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). His leadership journey within the church began in nineteen eighty-four when he was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. From two thousand eighteen to two thousand twenty-five, he held the esteemed position of first counselor in the church's First Presidency.

Raised in Provo and Vernal, Utah, Oaks pursued his education at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he initially studied accounting. He later attended the University of Chicago Law School, earning recognition as the editor-in-chief of the University of Chicago Law Review. After graduating in nineteen fifty-seven, he gained invaluable experience as a law clerk for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court before embarking on a three-year stint in private practice at Kirkland & Ellis.

In nineteen seventy-one, Oaks took on the role of president of BYU, succeeding Ernest L. Wilkinson, and served in this capacity until nineteen eighty. His judicial career began when he was appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, a position he held until his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Throughout his distinguished career, Oaks was considered for nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court on two occasions. In nineteen seventy-five, President Gerald Ford considered him for the position, ultimately nominating John Paul Stevens instead. Later, in nineteen eighty-one, President Ronald Reagan also considered Oaks, but nominated Sandra Day O'Connor instead.