Dallin Harris Oaks (born August 12, 1932) is an American jurist, academic, and religious leader known for his decades of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Through his journey—from a challenging childhood to the heights of legal scholarship and ecclesiastical leadership—his life offers lessons in faith, commitment, resilience, and integrity.
In this post, we explore his early years, education, professional and church journey, personal life, key contributions, and then address frequently asked questions.
Bio Data
- Full Name: Dallin Harris Oaks
- Born: August 12, 1932
- Age: 93 years (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Provo, Utah, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Jurist, Religious Leader, Former University President
- Religion: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
- Parents: Lloyd E. Oaks (father), Stella Harris Oaks (mother)
- Spouse: June Dixon Oaks (deceased), Kristen M. McMain Oaks (current wife)
- Children: Six children
- Net Worth: Not publicly disclosed
Early Life & Family Background
Dallin H. Oaks was born in Provo, Utah, on August 12, 1932, to Lloyd E. Oaks and Stella Harris Oaks. He was the oldest of three children.
When he was about 7 or 8 years old, his father died of tuberculosis, leaving his mother to raise the family amid emotional and financial hardship. During that time, the children lived for a period with their maternal grandparents near Payson, Utah, while their mother recovered and reorganized.
Oaks later recalled having difficulty focusing at school during those grieving years. However, he gradually found his footing with the help of supportive teachers and his mother’s encouragement, returning to live with her in Vernal, Utah, when she took a teaching position.
In his youth, he also worked from a young age—for example, in radio repair and as a radio announcer—developing technical skills, earning a Federal Communications Commission operator’s license even before turning sixteen. These experiences gave him early responsibility and self-reliance.
Education & Early Career
Oaks attended Brigham Young University (BYU), graduating in 1954 with a degree in accounting. He then pursued legal studies at the University of Chicago Law School, obtaining his JD in 1957, where he served as editor-in-chief of the University of Chicago Law Review.
After graduation, he served as a law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court (1957–1958). He then entered private practice at the prestigious law firm Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, specializing in corporate litigation.
A few years later, in 1961, Oaks transitioned to academia, returning to the University of Chicago as a law professor. He served in various roles such as associate and acting dean and was deeply involved in legal scholarship.
Leadership in Education & the Judiciary
In 1971, after the resignation of BYU’s prior president, Oaks was selected to be the eighth president of Brigham Young University. As university president (1971–1980), he oversaw the founding of the J. Reuben Clark Law School and the Graduate Business School, and managed growth and institutional changes. He also endeavored to promote equality of opportunity, instituting policies to address gender salary disparities and oversight on church-sponsored scholarships.
In 1980, Oaks resigned from BYU and was appointed to the Utah Supreme Court as a justice, a position he held until 1984. During his judicial tenure, his name was occasionally floated as a possible nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, though this never came to fruition.
His judicial service concluded when he accepted his calling as an apostle in the LDS Church in 1984.
Church Service & Leadership
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
On April 7, 1984, Dallin H. Oaks was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was ordained on May 3, 1984, after finalizing his judicial obligations. As an apostle, he undertook advisory, doctrinal, and administrative responsibilities within the church.
First Presidency & Later Roles
In January 2018, Russell M. Nelson became President of the Church. As the second-most senior apostle, Oaks was selected as first counselor in the First Presidency, and simultaneously became president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. During this period, M. Russell Ballard served as acting president of the Quorum.
In his role as first counselor, Oaks also served as vice chairman of the Church Educational System (CES) board and has delivered addresses at major church events, such as the “Be One” commemoration, highlighting the 40th anniversary of the 1978 revelation extending priesthood and temple blessings irrespective of race.
Throughout his church career, he has spoken frequently on doctrine, law, morality, religious freedom, and the interplay between secular truths and spiritual truths.
Personal Life & Family
Oaks married June Dixon (of Spanish Fork, Utah) while at BYU. Together they had six children. June passed away on July 21, 1998.
In August 2000, he married Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple.
He is known to have maintained a prolific writing habit, with personal journals, letters, speeches, and doctrinal writings preserved and used by biographers to reflect both his public and private persona.
Contributions, Awards & Legacy
- Awards & Honors: Oaks earned Eagle Scout designation (1947) and later the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (1984). He was named “Judge of the Year” by the Utah State Bar (1984).
- He was conferred honorary degrees and awarded recognitions such as the Canterbury Medal for his defense of religious liberty and the Pillar of the Valley Award.
- Authorship & Influence: He has authored or co-authored numerous books, articles, and talks on religious doctrine, law, ethics, and leadership.
- His biography, In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks by Richard E. Turley Jr., draws heavily on his personal journals, private autobiography, and correspondence to present a fuller portrait beyond his public addresses. This biography aims to humanize a figure often perceived as stern, revealing his humor, personal reflections, and growth.
- His dual expertise in law and doctrine has shaped how he approaches questions of religious freedom, civil and moral law, and institutional governance.
Oaks stands today as one of the most senior and experienced leaders in the LDS Church.
FAQs about Dallin H. Oaks
What does the “H” in Dallin H. Oaks stand for?
It stands for Harris, which is Stella Oaks’s maiden name (his mother’s line).
Was Dallin H. Oaks ever a U.S. Supreme Court justice?
No. Although he clerked for Chief Justice Earl Warren and was occasionally mentioned as a possible nominee, he never served on the U.S. Supreme Court.
When was he called as an apostle?
He was sustained April 7, 1984, and ordained May 3, 1984.
When did he join the First Presidency?
He was called as first counselor in January 2018 when Russell M. Nelson became President of the Church.
How many children does he have?
He and his first wife, June Dixon Oaks, had six children.
What is his educational background?
He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from BYU (1954) and a JD from University of Chicago Law School (1957).
What is the significance of his biography by Richard Turley?
The biography In the Hands of the Lord offers rare access to his journals, letters, and personal reflections, helping readers see both the public figure and the private man.
Conclusion
Dallin H. Oaks’s life is a compelling testament to perseverance, faith, and service. From a boy dealing with personal loss to a respected jurist and spiritual leader, his journey shows that character is built in the crucible of trials. His contributions in law, education, ethics, and religious leadership have left an indelible mark.
If you’re interested in deeper insights, In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks is a recommended read. His story encourages us to blend intellect and spirituality, to act with integrity, and to lead humbly.
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