President Dallin H. Oaks celebrated his 94th birthday on Aug. 12, 2026, marking his first birthday since being named President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 14, 2025. He celebrated the milestone with family in Utah on the evening of Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.
Family Birthday Celebrations
President Oaks marked the occasion with his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks, his children, and their spouses. According to Church News, photos released by the Church show the family gathering in Utah to celebrate the milestone.
A Distinguished Career
The 94-year-old leader has held several high-ranking positions within the Church. He was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 1984 and subsequently served as first counselor in the First Presidency beginning in January 2018. He was sustained as the 18th President of the Church in October 2025.
Before his ecclesiastical leadership, President Oaks had a distinguished legal and academic career. He graduated in accounting from Brigham Young University and earned a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School. His professional background includes clerking for Chief Justice Earl Warren at the U.S. Supreme Court, serving as the president of BYU from 1971 until 1980, and serving on the Utah Supreme Court until his call to the Apostleship.
Teachings on Peace and Family
In recent months, President Oaks has focused his teachings on the importance of the family unit and the necessity of peacemaking. During the April 5, 2026, session of the 196th Annual General Conference, he urged followers to avoid contention.
"As followers of Christ, let us follow Him by forgoing contention and by using the language and methods of peacemakers," President Oaks said during the session titled "Alive in Christ." He further instructed members to avoid what is "harsh and hateful" in their families and personal relationships.
The Centrality of Family
President Oaks has frequently emphasized that the family is central to the gospel. On July 12, 2026, he shared a social media post stating that as people follow Jesus Christ, their homes can become places of faith, love, and belonging. He noted that the family is the ideal environment to learn essential values such as kindness, forgiveness, self-control, and the importance of honest work.
During a family reunion in Joe’s Valley, Utah, on July 4, 2026, President Oaks addressed the descendants of Abinadi and Hannah Seely Olsen. He remarked that the Church is a family-oriented organization, noting that people began as spirit children of heavenly parents and that the world was created for their benefit.
Spiritual Destiny and Duty
The President has also addressed the spiritual purpose of mortal life and the role of the gospel in child-rearing. In an interview on Oct. 15, 2025, he described the gospel as a way to make life more significant and resistant to mortal difficulties. He stated that the purpose of mortal life is to prepare individuals for a "heavenly destiny in a family organization."
In his teachings during the June 20, 2026, Seminar for New Mission Leaders in Provo, Utah, he stated that marriage and children are a sacred duty and part of God's plan. He emphasized that knowledge of God's plan provides a unique perspective on these roles.
Personal Background
President Oaks' personal history includes significant family transitions. He and his first wife, June Dixon, married in 1952 after meeting while attending Brigham Young University. Together, they had six children. Sister Dixon died of cancer in 1998. President Oaks later married Kristen M. McCain in 2000.
Military Service
In addition to his judicial and academic roles, President Oaks has served in the military. His service includes time in the Utah National Guard, the Illinois National Guard, and the Army Reserve.
