President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2023 general conference on God’s plan for His children and on the kingdoms of glory available to them. The following is a summary of what he said.
President Oaks’ talk summary
The fullness of the doctrine of Christ teaches that Heavenly Father loves His children so much that He wants all to live in a kingdom of glory forever — more specifically, to live with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, eternally.
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”
With limited exceptions, all of God’s children will ultimately inherit one of three kingdoms of glory — celestial, terrestrial or telestial — according to the desires manifested through their choices.
The celestial kingdom has its own three degrees of glory, the highest being exaltation — dwelling in the presence of God and Christ forever.
“Under that loving plan there are multiple kingdoms — many mansions — so that all of God’s children will inherit a kingdom of glory whose laws they can comfortably ‘abide.’”
The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts — what one has done. It is based on the final effect of one’s acts — what one has become.
“We have a loving Heavenly Father who will see that we receive every blessing and every advantage that our own desires and choices allow.”
Notable quotes
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”
“Under that loving plan, there are multiple kingdoms — many mansions — so that all of God’s children will inherit a kingdom of glory whose laws they can comfortably ‘abide.’”
“We have a loving Heavenly Father who will see that we receive every blessing and every advantage that our own desires and choices allow.”
See the full text of President Oaks’s talk: ‘Kingdoms of Glory’
Who is President Oaks?
- President Dallin H. Oaks was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984 and as the first counselor in the First Presidency in January 2018. This year, he became the 19th latter-day Apostle to reach the age of 90.
- President Oaks was a law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren at the U.S. Supreme Court and served as a Utah Supreme Court justice until his call to apostleship in 1984.
- As president of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1980, he oversaw the creation of the J. Reuben Clark Law School and the graduate business school.
- President Oaks and his late wife, Sister June Dixon Oaks, are the parents of six children. She died July 21, 1998. On Aug. 25, 2000, he married Sister Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple.
What has President Oaks done recently?
- During the April 2023 general conference, he spoke of the teachings of Jesus Christ, saying: “We believe in Christ. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we worship Him and follow His teachings in the scriptures.”
- President Dallin H. Oaks dedicates the Richmond Virginia Temple on May 7, saying ‘Jesus Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone.’
- “‘Combine and apply both law and love,”’ President and Sister Oaks encouraged young adults in a May 2023 worldwide devotional.
- President Oaks emphasizes the role of Jesus Christ in the plan of salvation in his message at the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 23.
- Aug. 12 was President Oaks’ 91st birthday. Read nine of his quotes from the past year.
- On behalf of the First Presidency, President Oaks announced a new biography, “Joseph the Prophet,” at Joseph Smith Papers Conference on Sept. 15.
Read more of President Oaks’ general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.