President Dallin H. Oaks was born on August 12, 1932, in Provo, Utah. Before he was called as an apostle, he served as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court. He married June Dixon on June 24, 1952, and together they had six children. After June passed away on July 21, 1998, President Oaks met Kristen M. McMain. The two were married on August 25, 2000.
President Oaks's motto is "Work first, play later." To celebrate this incredible apostle, here are some of our favorite photos of our beloved President Oaks:
You can also learn more about his life in the biography, In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H Oaks.
President Oaks as an infant. Image from Deseret News.
President Oaks and his family. Image from Facebook.
President Oaks and his father in 1939. His dad died when President Oaks was seven. Image from Facebook.
President Oaks as a young man. Image from Facebook.
President Oaks worked as a radio announcer at KOVO when he was a student. Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
► You may also like: The powerful lesson President Oaks learned when priesthood blessings didn't heal his father
President Oaks and his mother, Stella; brother, Merrill; and sister, Evelyn. Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
President Oaks and June Dixon at their wedding day. Image from Deseret News.
Image from BYU Magazine.
President Oaks as the president of Brigham Young University attending his daughter's graduation. Image from Deseret News.
► You may also like: The lesson about praying with real intent President Oaks taught nearly 30 years ago
President Oaks demonstrates his prowess at driving a tractor at BYU's 700-acre farm near Spanish Fork. Image from Deseret News.
President Oaks dressed as BYU mascot Cosmo the Cougar during a 1978 basketball game. Image from Deseret News.
President Oaks pushes his daughter in a backyard swing. Image from Deseret News.
President Oaks riding in a horseless carriage at the 1975 Centennial Founder's Day. Image from Deseret News.
► You may also like: 3 beautiful memories from President Oaks that helped him after the passing of his wife June
President Oaks and his family. Image from Deseret News.
President Oaks served as the Justice of the Utah Supreme Court. Image from Deseret News.
President Oaks, President Hinckley, and their wives in China. Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Image from Deseret News.
Image from Deseret News.
Image from Getty Images.
► You may also like: How President Oaks's daughters helped him find his wife Kristen
Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
President Oaks and Kristen Oaks at BYU-Hawaii's commencement ceremony. Image from Facebook.
Image from Facebook.
President Oaks and his grandson, Dallin, who earned an Eagle Scout award. Image from Facebook.
► You may also like: Sister Oaks shares what it was like being single in the church for 60 years
President Oaks and Kristen Oaks in Japan. Image from Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
President Oaks and his wife laugh while visiting Saints in Chicago. Image from Facebook.
Image from Facebook.
President Oaks and his wife at their thanksgiving dinner during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image from Facebook.
President Oaks and his wife speak at a conference for young adults in August 2021.
President Oaks and his wife Kirsten read a book of family stories. Image from Facebook.
“In The Hands of The Lord”
Most important, we witness his willingness to set aside that career in favor of a higher responsibility. In 1984, when President Gordon B. Hinckley extended the call to the apostleship, Dallin H. Oaks replied, "My life is in the hands of the Lord, and my career is in the hands of His servants." His lifetime of dedication to the Lord's work gives truth to his words and offers inspiration and faith to all who read his story. Available at Deseret Book stores and deseretbook.com.