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Video: What the ‘Forgotten Man’ painting means to President Oaks

The painting by Maynard Dixon hangs in President Oaks’ office in the Church Administration Building as an important reminder

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President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, poses for a portrait by “Forgotten Man,” a painting by Maynard Dixon, in his office in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News


Video: What the ‘Forgotten Man’ painting means to President Oaks

The painting by Maynard Dixon hangs in President Oaks’ office in the Church Administration Building as an important reminder

merlin_2933309.jpg

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, poses for a portrait by “Forgotten Man,” a painting by Maynard Dixon, in his office in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

When President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, was serving as president of Brigham Young University (1971-80), there was a painting in the school’s collection that he says “spoke to my heart.”

“Forgotten Man” by Maynard Dixon depicts a man down on his luck and sitting on the ground as others walk around him. 

“And yet, you see the sun shining on his head,” President Oaks said in a Church News video titled “The Forgotten Man.” “His Heavenly Father knows he’s there.”

President Oaks has a copy of the painting that hangs in his office at the Church Office Building. 

“And it speaks to me and reminds me of things that I need to remember,” he said.

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