The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced yesterday afternoon that Dallin Harris Oaks was sustained and set apart that morning as the 18th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The announcement was made during a live broadcast from Salt Lake City about 2 ½ weeks after the passing of Russell M. Nelson, who served as the Church’s president from 2018 until his passing. President Dallin Harris Oaks has ties to Vernal that he has often mentioned as an important place following difficult years in his childhood. His father died in 1940 when he was just 7 years old and his mother suffered an emotional breakdown as she pursued further education to support her children as a widow. From his book ‘Life’s Lessons Learned’, President Oaks shared about that time: “In August 1942, Mother being much improved, our little family was ready to function unassisted, and we moved to Vernal, Utah, where Mother had obtained a teaching position at Uintah High School. There I was blessed with a stable home and family environment with the guidance of my marvelous mother. I was also blessed with a great fifth-grade teacher, Miss Pearl Schaefer, who was mature and loving. Through a wise combination of confidence and challenge, she put me back on the path of learning and gave me many happy memories.” Referring to himself and his mother, Oaks concluded that, “Given love and opportunity, every child and adult can recover” and encouraged “all who know this and have the capacity to help others should assist as they can.” It was also during his time in Vernal that President Oaks was introduced to working in radio. He swept floors at the age of 12 at a radio repair shop and during his early high school years was an announcer on KJAM, Vernal’s first radio station that was housed in the basement of the Hotel Vernal. KJAM eventually became KVEL, now owned by Evans Family Media. He continued to work in radio after his family moved to Provo while still in high school. President Dallin H. Oaks is now 93-years-old and serving as the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
PHOTO CREDIT: https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2025/10/14/president-dallin-h-oaks-inside-life-faith-ministry/
