On the night of April 6, 1984, in an Arizona restaurant, a phone call interrupted a dinner meeting for Judge Dallin H. Oaks. The voice on the other end was President Gordon B. Hinckley, a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His message was direct and would alter the course of Judge Oaks’ life: “The Lord has called you to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.”

The public announcement followed the next day during General Conference. At 51, Dallin H. Oaks was not retiring from a distinguished career; he was embarking on a new ministry founded on faith and lifelong service.

Early Life and Early Trials

Dallin Harris Oaks was born in Provo, Utah, on August 12, 1932, to Lloyd E. and Stella Harris Oaks. His childhood was marked by profound loss when, at the age of seven, his father, an ophthalmologist, died of tuberculosis.

Suddenly a young widow, Stella Oaks faced the immense challenge of raising three children alone. To manage financially, she sent the children to live temporarily with her parents on their farm in Payson. This separation deeply affected young Dallin, who later recalled struggling in school and feeling like “the dumbest boy in the world” in the aftermath of his father’s death.

However, Stella’s resilience was a guiding light. She returned to college, became a teacher, and was later elected as the first woman to serve on the Provo City Council. Her example of courage and determination left an indelible mark on her son.

“I was blessed with an extraordinary mother,” President Oaks later wrote. “She was surely one of the many noble women who have lived in the latter days… She gave me a lot of responsibility and freedom. She encouraged me to work.”

Faith also became his anchor. Upon learning his father had passed, he knelt in prayer, pleading for the news to be untrue. His grandfather comforted him, promising to be a father figure. Through this hardship, President Oaks never lost his faith in God. Years later, he reflected on the experience, saying, “The Savior reminds us that faith, no matter how great, cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him who holds that power… He chooses the proper time for things to happen.”

Youth: From Radio Waves to Family Ties

President Oaks’ first job was sweeping floors at a radio-repair shop, but it led to an unexpected passion. Fascinated by electronics, he earned his radio-telephone license before he turned sixteen and soon worked as an announcer and technician for local radio stations.

This skill played a key role in his life. While broadcasting a basketball game as a freshman at Brigham Young University (BYU), he met June Dixon, a high school student. Their friendship grew into a loving partnership, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1952. Together, they raised six children. June remained his cherished companion until her passing in 1998. In 2000, President Oaks married Kristen McMain, who continues to serve alongside him.

During the Korean War, he served in the Utah and Illinois National Guard. He pursued his education with diligence, graduating with high honors in accounting from BYU in 1954. He then earned a full scholarship to the prestigious University of Chicago Law School, where he distinguished himself as editor-in-chief of the University of Chicago Law Review and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1957.

A Distinguished Legal and Academic Career

Upon graduation, President Oaks accepted a highly sought-after clerkship with Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court. This experience in Washington, D.C., provided him with an invaluable perspective on the nation’s highest court.

He then joined the prominent Chicago law firm of Kirkland & Ellis before transitioning to academia in 1961 as a professor at his alma mater, the University of Chicago Law School. During his years there, he also served as associate dean and acting dean.

Despite his demanding career, he remained devoted to his Church responsibilities. He accepted a call to serve as a stake mission president in Chicago, a volunteer role requiring nearly forty hours per month. He later testified that by prioritizing the Lord’s work, he received “uncommon and even miraculous blessings.”

Leadership at BYU and on the National Stage

In 1971, at the age of 38, Dallin H. Oaks was invited to become the president of Brigham Young University. Though initially hesitant to leave his thriving career in Chicago, he accepted the call after receiving spiritual confirmation.

His nine-year tenure was transformative. He oversaw the establishment of the J. Reuben Clark Law School and the Graduate School of Management, significantly enhancing BYU’s academic reputation. Throughout his presidency, he made family a non-negotiable priority, always striving to be home for dinner. His national influence grew when he served as chairman of the board for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) from 1979 to 1984.

Justice of the Utah Supreme Court

In 1980, President Oaks stepped down from BYU to accept an appointment from Governor Scott M. Matheson as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. He found deep professional satisfaction in this role, later saying, “I had the pleasure of returning to the upper level of the practice of law. And I loved the work. I could never imagine anything I would enjoy more.”

His legal acumen earned him national recognition. On two separate occasions, in 1975 and 1981, he was considered for nomination to the United States Supreme Court—a testament to the respect he commanded in the legal community.

The Call to Apostolic Service

After three and a half years on the Utah Supreme Court, the life-changing phone call came from President Gordon B. Hinckley. The next day, his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was announced to the Church. On May 3, 1984, he was ordained an Apostle, alongside Dr. Russell M. Nelson, beginning a lifelong association in the Lord’s ministry.

In accepting this call, President Oaks set aside one of the most respected positions in the legal profession to dedicate his life to full-time Church service. His decision was guided by a simple, profound statement of faith: “My life is in the hands of the Lord, and my career is in the hands of His servants.”

A Global Ministry

As an Apostle, President Oaks became known for his doctrinal clarity and principled teachings on topics such as religious freedom, moral agency, and the family. His ministry took him across the world, including overseeing Church areas in the Philippines and the Pacific, where he emphasized honoring the diverse cultures of a global Church. He has also offered pointed and compassionate counsel to young adults, encouraging them to build relationships on commitment and eternal principles.

A Legacy of Faith and Service

In January 2018, Elder Oaks was set apart as First Counselor to President Russell M. Nelson in the First Presidency, where they served together leading the Church until September 2024. Their ministry focused on helping members worldwide learn to “hear Him.”

The life of President Dallin H. Oaks is a powerful example of how professional excellence and unwavering faith can coexist. From a boy who endured loss to a nationally respected jurist and a global spiritual leader, his journey reflects a life of preparation. As he once noted, “I felt that the Lord was preparing me for some special service… and I hoped to have the wisdom to recognize the opportunity when the call came, and the courage to accept it.”

Today, President Oaks is honored by millions as a model of integrity, intellect, and steadfast devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.