Meet Dallin H. Oaks: The New 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ – What This Means for the Faithful

On October 14, 2025, Dallin Harris Oaks was officially announced as the 18th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The announcement took place during a live broadcast from Salt Lake City, Utah. Earlier that day, he was sustained and set apart in a special ceremony.

In this church, the prophet is chosen through a spiritual process. When a prophet passes away, the First Presidency is dissolved. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles steps in, led by the longest-serving Apostle. They confirm the new prophet through divine revelation and priesthood authority. Find out more about the selection process here.

President Oaks, now 93 years old, takes over from President Russell M. Nelson, who died on September 27, 2025. Alongside President Oaks, he has appointed Henry B. Eyring and D. Todd Christofferson as his First and Second Counselors, respectively. Jeffrey R. Holland, previously serving as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will now lead that group.

President Oaks has a long history in church leadership. He has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since May 1984. Before that, he served as the president of Brigham Young University and as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. Learn more about President Oaks here.

President Eyring has been a counselor to previous church leaders since 2008. He also served as president of Ricks College and taught at Stanford. More info about President Eyring can be found here.

President Christofferson joined the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 2008. His background includes law, where he was involved in significant roles at NationsBank and Commerce Union Bank. He also engaged in community service. Read more about President Christofferson here.

President Holland also has an extensive background in education. He served as the ninth president of Brigham Young University and has been deeply involved in educational initiatives throughout his career. Discover more about President Holland here.

This leadership transition comes at a significant time for the church, which has over 17 million members worldwide. As society evolves, many members are expressing their reactions on social media, often highlighting their hopes for the new presidency’s direction and vision.

In recent surveys, a notable 65% of church members expressed optimism about the future leadership. Experts in religious studies suggest that such transitions can either unify or divide a community, depending on how leaders address contemporary issues and member concerns.

The new leadership team appears well-prepared to adapt to today’s challenges while maintaining core values, a balancing act many religious organizations face today.

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