President Dallin H. Oaks has completed his first year as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marked by international ministry and significant organizational changes. According to a report published October 11, his tenure included temple dedications in Idaho and Brazil, as well as historic missionary and leadership announcements.
President Oaks was set apart as the 18th President of the Church on Oct. 14, 2025, following the death of President Russell M. Nelson on Sept. 27, 2025. During his first year, he dedicated the Burley Idaho Temple on Jan. 11, 2026, and the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple on Aug. 16, 2026. The Brazil dedication served as his first international temple dedication and ministry as Church President. Additionally, the Church announced new temple construction in Portland, Maine; Marysville, Washington; and Otavalo, Ecuador.
The Church reported historic missionary milestones during this period. On Nov. 21, 2025, the minimum age for female missionaries was lowered from 19 to 18. By Sept. 16, 2026, the worldwide missionary force surpassed 90,000 members, reaching a milestone driven by a cohort of more than 30,000 young women. The Church also announced the creation of 55 new missions on Oct. 24, 2025, bringing the total to 506 missions worldwide.
Leadership changes included the calling of Elder Gérald Caussé to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Nov. 6, 2025, and Elder Clark G. Gilbert on Feb. 12, 2026. Regarding meeting structures, the Church announced a new Sunday schedule on March 30, which became effective Sept. 6. This schedule includes one hour for sacrament meeting and 25 minutes each for Sunday School, Relief Society, elders quorum, Young Women, and Aaronic Priesthood quorum meetings held during the second hour.
Other significant developments included the opening of a new 250,000-square-foot Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake City on May 27, 2026. Additionally, the Church announced the Salt Lake Temple Celebration theme, "Rejoice in Christ," with an open house scheduled for April 5 through Oct. 1, 2027. To support women and children, the Church has invested a total of $184 million over three years through the Caring for Women and Children Initiative Consortium.
