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President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dallin H. Oaks gives the Tuesday devotional on campus at Brigham Young University in a full Marriott Center gathering on Feb. 10, 2026.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dallin H. Oaks gives the Tuesday devotional on campus at Brigham Young University in a full Marriott Center gathering on Feb. 10, 2026.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dallin H. Oaks gives the Tuesday devotional on campus at Brigham Young University in a full Marriott Center gathering on Feb. 10, 2026.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dallin H. Oaks gives the Tuesday devotional on campus at Brigham Young University in a full Marriott Center gathering on Feb. 10, 2026.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dallin H. Oaks gives the Tuesday devotional on campus at Brigham Young University in a full Marriott Center gathering on Feb. 10, 2026.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dallin H. Oaks gives the Tuesday devotional on campus at Brigham Young University in a full Marriott Center gathering on Feb. 10, 2026.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dallin H. Oaks gives the Tuesday devotional on campus at Brigham Young University in a full Marriott Center gathering on Feb. 10, 2026.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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With his hands clasped together and raised, President Dallin H. Oaks did a slow 360-degree turn from center stage at the Marriott Center on Tuesday to acknowledge attendees in every section of the capacity crowd of 18,324. 

He was met with eager waves from thousands of Brigham Young University students who arrived well before the devotional’s 11 a.m. start time to witness Oaks give his first public address as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Many campuses have arenas like this, (where people) line up for basketball games,” BYU President Shane Reese said. “And I will point out that today, we lined up to hear a prophet of God speak.”

Oaks addressed BYU students and church members worldwide in a message that aired in remote gatherings across BYU campuses in Provo, Idaho and Hawaii, and was broadcast on various streaming platforms. 

He said a major concern of church leaders is individuals who are losing their faith in the church and referenced counsel from late President Russell M. Nelson, who said that surviving spiritually requires the “constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” Oaks challenged members to overcome doubts by strengthening their faith in Jesus Christ.

“Many obstacles lie ahead,” he said. “The distractions will be many. Even active members may sometimes have concerns about some historical, doctrinal or social issues connected with the Church. I want to help all our members overcome present or future doubts. Whatever those doubts, the way to overcome them is to get closer to our Savior Jesus Christ.”

Oaks offered four ways that church members can grow closer to Christ:

• “Strengthen our faith in Him.”
• “Increase our humility.”
• “Seek help from others.”
• “Be patient.”

He focused much of his time on the second suggestion — humility — and how being humble can help individuals receive personal revelation.

As a first year professor at the University of Chicago Law School, Oaks was tasked with substitute teaching a course subject he had little experience in. He said he worked hard on the course and felt like congratulating himself for his efforts, until feedback from a student knocked him down a peg.

“He said, ‘Mr. Oaks, I was in that class you taught for Professor (so and so), and I must tell you I was really impressed. You will make a good teacher, some day,'” Oaks said.

“Why did that experience help me? I was overly confident in my abilities as a teacher and that student provided a perspective that has blessed me to this day.”

Oaks implored church members to be willing to be teachable and seek knowledge not just from science but from God and personal revelation.

“God has not told us all that he knows,” Oaks said. “We believe in continuous revelation. Be patient. Keep humble and balanced in all things. Humility, faith and trust in the Lord are the remedies for wavering.” 

Oaks expressed his concern for those who have fallen away from the teachings of the gospel, mentioning return missionaries who become inactive and youth who express little desire to one day be married or have children.

He told church followers not to be persuaded by false information on social media and podcasts and to surround themselves with people who share belief in God. 

“Seek friends and associates who are striving to follow the Lord, with whom you can feel the Spirit and reinforce your faith,” Oaks said.

The president’s remarks came during BYU’s 150th anniversary, a fact Oaks mentioned by way of noting he was the school’s president at its 100th anniversary in 1976.

He spoke briefly to BYU students directly, telling them he believes the destiny of the school is to “become the great university of the Lord — not in the world’s way but in the Lord’s way,” through consecration and community leadership.