President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C., according to a September 8 statement.
The event, titled "Faith, Freedom and the Common Good," explored the relationship between religious faith and American democracy. President Oaks spoke on faith, religious liberty, and the United States Constitution on the eve of Constitution Day.
The program was presented by the Washington National Cathedral in partnership with the Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University. The free event was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. EDT in the cathedral's nave and was available online via livestream. In-person passes for the event had reached capacity.
President Oaks has written and spoken extensively regarding constitutional principles, religious freedom, and the importance of faith within civic life. Prior to his 1984 call as an Apostle, he served as a professor of law at the University of Chicago and as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court.
In addition to his teachings on constitutional principles and religious liberty, President Oaks has frequently advocated for increased understanding and civility across differences. Earlier this year, he encouraged followers of Jesus Christ to act as peacemakers in their communities, homes, and public discourse by forgoing contention.
