President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited members to overcome personal struggles and doubts by drawing closer to Jesus Christ during the October 2026 general conference. Speaking at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, the 94-year-old leader urged listeners to act on gospel truths and share them with others to navigate a world hungry for the Savior's teachings.
Overcoming Doubt and Uncertainty
During the morning session on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, President Oaks addressed the challenges of faith in a modern world. He acknowledged that individuals often face present or future concerns, struggles, or doubts. He stated that the way to overcome these difficulties is to get closer to Jesus Christ, keep the commandments, and remain true to covenants made with God.
President Oaks noted that resolving conflicts between evolving scientific understanding and sometimes incomplete religious teachings can be a lengthy process. He suggested that navigating these tensions can ultimately help build faith and strengthen humility. He encouraged members not to let secular learning limit their spiritual horizons, noting that God expects people to learn through both scientific and spiritual methods.
The Path of Daily Faith
The prophet emphasized that strong faith requires more than just a strong desire to believe. He defined true faith as a daily effort involving prayer and scriptural learning, one step at a time. To protect and strengthen themselves, he suggested that members should renew their covenants weekly by partaking of the sacrament, living according to those covenants, and regularly attending the temple.
A Universal Message
Addressing the scope of the gospel, President Oaks testified that the Church of Jesus Christ is defined by its name, representing the restored fulness of His doctrine and authority in the latter days. He asserted that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for all, stating that the Lord will eventually bring forth inspired teachings in various nations for the benefit of all people. This includes revelations to the seed of Abraham and accounts of the resurrected Lord's visit to the lost tribes of Israel.
Call to Action
In his second address, delivered at the conclusion of the Sunday afternoon session on Oct. 4, 2026, President Oaks invited the global audience to study and act upon the principles shared during the conference. He expressed hope that the messages and the Spirit of the Lord would inspire members to focus their learning and unite their testimonies on the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Father's plan for eternal joy.
Temple Celebration Invitation
President Oaks concluded his remarks with a blessing of peace and contentment. He also extended an invitation for the public to participate, either in person or virtually, in the upcoming Salt Lake Temple Celebration. This event is scheduled to begin on April 5, 2027, marking the first time the temple doors will open to the public since 1893.
New Video Series Premiere
As part of his concluding remarks, the prophet announced a new video series titled "Dedicate." The series is intended to explore the Salt Lake Temple renovation through the eyes of young adults. The first episode is scheduled to premiere worldwide in multiple languages following the general conference sessions. New episodes of the series will be released every Sunday at 8 a.m. through Nov. 1.
