Dallin H. Oaks Named President of the Mormon {93 year old takes over from previous leader who died at 101}

New York times ^ | 14th October 2025 | Ruth Graham

[Cronos]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints named a former justice on the Utah Supreme Court, Dallin H. Oaks, as its next president on Tuesday.

“I accept with humility the responsibility that God has placed upon me,” Mr. Oaks said in brief remarks in Salt Lake City.

there was little mystery about Mr. Oaks’s ascent. The church’s approach to succession means the presidency goes to the longest-serving member of its top leadership body. Mr. Oaks, 93, has served on that body since 1984, and was selected by Mr. Nelson as one of his two formal counselors.

The announcement of Mr. Oaks’s ascent streamed online in 10 languages on Tuesday. Founded in the United States, the church has invested heavily in expanding globally. Almost a million converts have joined in just the last three years, with the fastest recent growth happening outside North America.

Mr. Oaks was born in Provo, Utah, in 1932.

Mr. Oaks graduated from Brigham Young University, the church’s flagship university, and then from law school at the University of Chicago, where he edited the law review. He served as a clerk under Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court, and was later considered for a seat on that court by President Ronald Reagan.

In 1970, church leaders invited Mr. Oaks to become Brigham Young’s president, a role for which he resigned a faculty position at the University of Chicago Law School. After leading Brigham Young for almost a decade, Mr. Oaks became a member of the Utah Supreme Court before he was again tapped for an important church leadership role.

This time the invitation was to join the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the church’s second-highest leadership body, a full-time role for the rest of one’s life that is both executive and spiritual.

[Cronos]

While impressive, I can't help but wonder if 93 is too old to lead a 17 million strong congregation

[irishjuggler]

93? Sure, why not... You don’t want a whippersnapper in a gig like that.

[alexander_busek]

His predecessor in office was 101 years old. Oaks comes with a lot of exciting new ideas and energy.

Looking forward to his pronouncements as "prophet, seer, and revelator."

Regards,

[Redmen4ever]

93-year old replaces 101-year old in a youth movement.

[faithhopecharity]

descending from 101 to just 93?

must be pandering to get the youth vote?

[pburiak]

He won because when he was debating his 85-year old opponent for the nomination, he promised not to exploit his rival’s youth and inexperience…

[faithhopecharity]

i saw what u did,
ha ha
good one!
the spirit of RWR lives here

[Steven Scharf]

Their protocol is to choose the next man in senority on the council (I assume unless that person is incapcitated).

[Steven Scharf]

Council = Quorum of the Twelve Apostles