When President Dallin H. Oaks was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984, he brought a sharp legal mind, a deep faith in Jesus Christ, and a relentless commitment to covenantal discipleship. Over the last four decades, his voice has been a consistent call for clarity, courage, and Christlike living. His teachings have challenged us to believe and to become. Here are twelve of his most important teachings, woven together into a vision of discipleship for our time.

Early in his ministry, President Oaks reminded us that discipleship begins with covenant identity: “We take upon us the name of Jesus Christ when we publicly declare our belief in Him, when we are baptized into His Church, and when we do the work of His kingdom.” Belonging to Christ is not a label, it is a way of life, a covenant to act in His name.

President Oaks has consistently defended the revealed plan of salvation. In 1993, he explained that God’s commandments to multiply, replenish, and exercise righteous stewardship over the earth are not peripheral—they are central to “God’s great plan of happiness.” This plan frames our mortal journey and gives eternal meaning to family life.

In one of his most quoted teachings, President Oaks declared, “To testify is to know and to declare. The gospel challenges us to be ‘converted,’ which requires us to do and to become.” Faith is not passive. Conversion is not merely intellectual assent. It is transformation through Christ’s power.

Few talks have influenced Latter-day Saint culture more than “Good, Better, Best.” President Oaks taught: “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.” In a world of endless options, covenant discipleship demands wise prioritization.

President Oaks’s legal training often surfaces in his concern for the vulnerable. “Children are highly vulnerable. We are commanded to protect them and to give them opportunities to develop faith in Jesus Christ.” To follow Christ is to defend and nurture those least able to defend themselves.

In our day of shifting cultural currents, President Oaks testified: “The Family Proclamation is a statement of eternal truth. It is a test for this generation.” His defense of the divine pattern of marriage and family continues to be one of the most cited and influential teachings of his ministry.

Discipleship is not built on grand moments but daily devotion: “We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, seemingly small things bring to pass great things.” Reading scripture, praying, serving quietly, these small acts, repeated over a lifetime, shape an eternal soul.

Priesthood, President Oaks reminds us, is not status but service: “The magnifying of the holy priesthood you hold is vital to the work of the Lord in your families and in your Church callings.” The real measure of priesthood is found in love, sacrifice, and Christlike leadership in the home and kingdom.

At the heart of the plan of salvation is repentance: “Because of God’s plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed by the process of repentance.” This cleansing is not cosmetic but transformative, unlocking the healing power of Christ’s Atonement in our lives.

Perhaps President Oaks’s most delicate teaching balances love and law: “We must try to keep both of the great commandments. To do so, we walk a fine line between law and love.” Disciples of Christ cannot pit truth against compassion. We must live in the tension of both, walking as Jesus walked.

President Oaks urged restraint and balance in civic engagement: “Constitutional government and the rule of law are fundamental to our inspired Constitution. In our political discussions, we should not be extreme or contentious. Our loyalty is first to the kingdom of God. We should seek to moderate and unify, not divide and polarize.” President Oaks’s call for moderation, civility, and unity came at a moment of intense polarization, giving prophetic perspective when emotions were high.

In one of his most recent doctrinally rich addresses, President Oaks declared: “That highest destination—exaltation in the celestial kingdom—is the focus of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” The take away? Our highest destiny is exaltation. This teaching roots all of his earlier emphasis on family, covenant, and discipleship in the ultimate aim of God’s plan: eternal life in His presence.

When we see these twelve teachings together, a pattern emerges. President Oaks’s message is  deeply consistent:

This vision challenges us, stretches us, and sometimes unsettles us. But that is precisely the point. As President Oaks has often reminded us, the gospel is not merely to make us feel comfortable, it is to make us holy. And holiness requires becoming like Christ.

President Oaks’s ministry has been one long invitation: to live up to the name we have taken upon us, to rejoice in God’s plan of happiness, and to walk the covenant path with courage, humility, and love. That path is narrow and demanding, but it is also the path of joy, light, and eternal belonging.

As you listen to general conference, note these themes and listen for new themes shared by the voice of God’s prophet on earth.

—Taylor
Learn Deeply. Live Meaningfully. Spread Light and Goodness!

PS: I’ve been heads down and quiet for a long time building new resources. I am excited to share those with you during the 2026 Old Testament study year! There is much more to look forward to!