On Oct. 14, 2025, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that Dallin H. Oaks, 93, has been set apart as the faith’s 18th president and prophet, with Henry B. Eyring as first counselor and D. Todd Christofferson as second counselor; Jeffrey R. Holland was named president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The news had news outlets summarizing the succession norms, the reorganization of the First Presidency, and early themes from President Oaks’s remarks.
Here’s a sampling of news coverage and reactions :
Church Newsroom (official announcement): “President Oaks said, ‘I accept with humility the responsibility that God has placed upon me and commit my whole heart and soul to the service to which I’ve been called.’” Read more
USA TODAY reporter N’dea Yancey-Bragg: “The LDS Church, which has about 17.5 million members worldwide, announced Tuesday that Dallin H. Oaks will succeed Russell M. Nelson as its president.” Read more
Salt Lake Tribune religion writer Peggy Fletcher Stack: “Oaks told members, ‘We do not have the answers to all of the world’s problems,’ signaling humility as he assumes leadership.”
Read more
Deseret News journalist Tad Walch: “Who is President Dallin H. Oaks? A man shaped by loss, defined by resilience and warmth, with decades of service and a deep faith in Jesus Christ.” Read more
AP wire: “Dallin H. Oaks, a former Utah Supreme Court justice and longtime apostle, was selected to lead the Mormon church after the death of President Russell M. Nelson.” Read more
Patheos blogger and Latter-day Saint scholar Dan Peterson: “He’s a really good man; I’ve known him since even before his call as a mission president in Japan — where one of my sons served under him (and predicted his call to the Twelve) — let alone as a general authority and then as an apostle.” Read more
Beliefnet’s ChristNews Today: “Not surprisingly, President Oaks has evidenced an interest in the intersection between secular law and the religious sphere. ” Read more
Deseret News journalist Tad Walch: “On April 4, 1984, a call woke President Hinckley at home at 2:30 a.m. It changed the course of President Oaks’ life.” Read more
Watch: Announcement and analysis videos
• A Man of Action | President Dallin H. Oaks
• LDS Church announces Dallin H. Oaks as new president, prophet
• Decades of Service
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