Big changes just happened. If you haven't been keeping a close eye on Salt Lake City lately, the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints looks a lot different than it did just a few months ago. In September 2025, Russell M. Nelson passed away at the age of 101. He was a powerhouse—a heart surgeon who lived to be a centurion and announced hundreds of temples. But now, the mantle has officially passed.
Dallin H. Oaks is the new leader of the LDS Church.
He was set apart as the 18th President and Prophet on October 14, 2025. At 93 years old, he isn't exactly a "new face" to the 17 million members of the faith. He has been an apostle since 1984. But being the man at the very top is a different ballgame.
People often have these rigid ideas about who the leader of the LDS church is supposed to be. They imagine a corporate CEO or a distant mystic. Honestly, President Oaks is kind of a blend of a high-court judge and a grandfather who really, really cares about the Constitution. He doesn't just talk about faith; he talks about the law, religious freedom, and the "weightier matters" of the soul with a precision that comes from years on the bench.
The Jurist in the Prophetic Seat
To understand the current leader of the LDS church, you have to look at his resume. It’s intimidating. Before he was a full-time religious leader, he was a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. He was a law professor at the University of Chicago. He even clerked for Chief Justice Earl Warren at the U.S. Supreme Court.
This legal background defines his style. He’s precise. He’s logical. When he speaks, he isn't just "winging it" with emotional stories. He builds an argument. You can see this in how he approaches the "First Presidency," which is the top governing body of the church.
Right now, his team consists of:
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- Henry B. Eyring: First Counselor (a legendary educator and long-time leader).
- D. Todd Christofferson: Second Counselor (called to this role in October 2025).
It’s a group that values order. If Russell M. Nelson was the "innovator" who accelerated temple building and changed the name of the church in the public eye, Dallin H. Oaks is likely to be the "consolidator." He’s the guy who ensures the foundation is airtight.
Why Seniority Matters So Much
A lot of people ask, "Why didn't they pick someone younger?"
Well, that’s not how it works. The LDS Church follows a strict system of seniority. When a president dies, the longest-serving member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the next president. Period. No campaigning. No backroom deals. No "election night" drama.
This system is designed to prevent power struggles. It’s also why President Oaks, despite his age, was the inevitable successor. He has been "in training" for this for over 40 years. Think about that. Most people retire after 40 years in a career. He just got a promotion.
A Season of Loss and Transition
The end of 2025 was actually pretty heavy for the church. Not only did President Nelson pass away, but another high-ranking leader, Jeffrey R. Holland, died on December 27, 2025.
Because of these deaths, the leadership structure shifted again just days ago. On January 8, 2026, Dieter F. Uchtdorf was named the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Uchtdorf is a fan favorite—a former Lufthansa pilot with a gift for storytelling. Having him in a key leadership spot provides a balance to Oaks' more "jurist" vibes.
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It’s a fascinating dynamic. You have the law-focused President Oaks at the helm, supported by the steady Henry B. Eyring and the energetic Dieter F. Uchtdorf. It feels like a leadership "dream team" for a church trying to navigate a world that is becoming increasingly polarized.
Addressing the Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong? They think the leader of the LDS church is a lone wolf.
Actually, they don't make big moves without "unanimity" in the Quorum of the Twelve. President Oaks might be the Prophet, but he’s part of a council. If they aren't all on the same page, the decision waits. This is why the church moves slowly on some things and lightning-fast on others.
Another misconception is that the leader is just a figurehead.
President Oaks is actively involved in the church’s massive humanitarian efforts. We’re talking about billions of dollars in aid. He’s also overseeing a massive real estate portfolio and the construction of hundreds of temples globally. He isn't just sitting in an office reading scriptures; he’s running a global organization with more moving parts than most Fortune 500 companies.
What to Expect From the "Oaks Era"
If you’ve listened to President Oaks over the last decade, you’ve heard a consistent theme: Religious Liberty.
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He is deeply concerned about the rights of people of faith to practice their religion without government overreach. Expect the church to be very vocal about legal protections for religious organizations in the coming years.
He also leans heavily into "traditional family values." While the church has made some small shifts in how it interacts with the LGBTQ+ community—like supporting the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022 with specific religious protections—President Oaks remains a firm defender of traditional marriage. He doesn't sugarcoat it. Whether you agree with him or not, you always know where he stands.
Actionable Insights for Observing the Transition
If you are following the church or just curious about how global religions handle succession, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch the April 2026 General Conference: This will be the first major world-wide meeting where President Oaks will fully lay out his vision for the next few years.
- Temple Dedications: President Oaks recently dedicated the Burley Idaho Temple in January 2026. This was his first dedication as President. Watch where he goes next—it usually signals which geographic areas the church is prioritizing for growth.
- The "Acting" Roles: Pay attention to Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s role. As the Acting President of the Twelve, he handles the day-to-day "boots on the ground" leadership of the apostles.
- New Apostles: There are vacancies and shifts happening. For example, Gérald Caussé was called to the Quorum of the Twelve in late 2025. These "new" guys are the ones who will lead the church 20 years from now.
The leader of the LDS church isn't just a man; it’s an office. Right now, Dallin H. Oaks is filling that office with a focus on law, clarity, and religious freedom. It’s a transition that marks the end of the "Nelson era" and the beginning of something much more focused on the legal and structural durability of the faith.
To stay updated, you can follow the official Church Newsroom or watch the live streams of the General Conference sessions every six months. These are the primary ways the leadership communicates directly with the world without the filter of outside media. Seeing the "common consent" process in action, where members raise their hands to sustain the new leadership, is a unique ritual that hasn't changed in nearly two centuries.