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President Dallin H. Oaks: ‘Where Will This Lead?’

First counselor in the First Presidency

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the priesthood sess

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the priesthood session of the 189th Annual General Conference on April 6, 2019.


President Dallin H. Oaks: ‘Where Will This Lead?’

First counselor in the First Presidency

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the priesthood sess

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the priesthood session of the 189th Annual General Conference on April 6, 2019.

Notable quotes:

"Where the consequences are immediate and serious, we cannot afford to do nothing."
"Every (worldly) label . . . is temporary or trivial in eternal terms."
"We make better choices/decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead."

Summary points:

Today’s choices will impact the eternities.Don’t hesitate to warn others of dangerous choices.All are children of God and enjoy the potential of eternal life.

Talk summary:

The present and the future will be happier by remaining conscious of the future.

"As we make current decisions, we should always be asking, 'Where will this lead?'"

When one see threats "creeping up on persons or things we love," there is a choice to speak up or remain silent. "Where the consequences are immediate and serious, we cannot afford to do nothing. We must sound appropriate warnings or support appropriate preventive efforts while there is still time."

When making decisions, always take the long view. "What is the effect on our future of the decisions we make in the present? Remember the importance of getting an education, studying the gospel, renewing our covenants by partaking of the sacrament and attending the temple."

Every person is a child of God with a potential destiny of eternal life.

"Every other label, even including occupation, race, physical characteristics or honors, is temporary or trivial in eternal terms. Don’t choose to label yourselves or think of yourselves in terms that put a limit on a goal for which you might strive."

Church leaders have no desire but to speak what is true and encourage others to follow a pathway to eternal life.

"We make countless choices in life, some large and some seemingly small. Looking back, we can see what a great difference some of our choices made in our lives. We make better choices/decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead. As we do, we will be following President Russell M. Nelson’s counsel to begin with the end in mind."

In the news:

President Oaks gave a devotional for young married adults in Chicago in February, talking about trials and how to tackle faith-threatening questions.In October 2018, President Oaks visited Church members in Florida with Elder David A. Bednar after Hurricane Michael.On Dec. 9, 2018, President Oaks dedicated the Barranquilla Colombia Temple, accompanied by Elder Ulisses Soares.During October 2018 general conference, President Oaks talked about understanding eternal truths taught in the plan of salvation. He also spoke to mothers and young women during the general women’s session.

About the speaker:

President Dallin H. Oaks was called to be an apostle for the Church in 1984.As a young man, President Oaks obtained a radiotelephone operator’s license and later worked as a radio announcer and engineer.President Oaks was a law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court and later served as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court until his call to apostleship in 1984.

Recently on social:

In an Instagram post on Feb. 4, 2019, President Oaks shared his thoughts with young couples about raising the next generation and promised them that Heavenly Father will help them in their efforts.

President Oaks visited areas of the United States impacted by hurricanes last year. In a post about his experience, he writes, “What a different world it would be if brotherly and sisterly love and unselfish assistance could transcend all boundaries of nation, creed, and color...Such love would not erase all differences of opinion and action, but it would encourage each of us to focus our opposition on inappropriate actions rather than on actors.”

President Oaks testified on Twitter of how we are all children of God.

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