October 18, 2025, 6:00 AM (MDT)
In July 2022, President Dallin H. Oaks, then First Counselor in the First Presidency, traveled to Rome, Italy, to deliver the keynote address at the Notre Dame Religious Freedom Summit.
When asked to bless the food at the event’s luncheon, President Oaks included a portion of the Lord’s Prayer in his supplication to heaven. The prayer, recited just a few miles from the Vatican, was a tender and powerful expression of gratitude to the University of Notre Dame as a sponsoring organization and to the many Catholics in attendance.
The beautiful and thoughtful prayer of unity concluded with a distinctly Latter-day Saint petition that reflected love, respect, gratitude, and reverence.
For me, it was also a glimpse of the grace of the world’s religious leaders.
President Oaks was in Rome to speak on religious freedom. However, I was struck by the fact that in the interview he talked about religious freedom, not only for people of faith, but also for people of no faith.
“The only way to advance religious freedom around the world is for those who enjoy religious freedom to think about the situation of non-religious and non-believers who do not yet understand the importance of religious freedom in the countries in which they live, or who are unable to enjoy religious freedom,” he said. “We must think about the religious freedom of all of God’s children, or we will fall short of what our Heavenly Father expects of us.”
I shouldn’t have been surprised. As a lawyer, law professor, Utah Supreme Court judge, and apostle of Jesus Christ, President Oaks has spent his life defending the rights of all God’s children, including those who disagree with him.
Exactly one year ago in Charlottesville, Virginia, President Oaks called on religious leaders and organizations to come together to seek a peaceful resolution to the “painful conflict” between religious freedom and the right of LGBTQ individuals to live free from discrimination. In his remarks, he urged leaders to “care enough for each other that the freedoms and protections we seek are not just for ourselves.”
We need to live together in peace and mutual respect, he said.
And in February 2023, President Oaks spoke out again after the Church supported the Respect for Marriage Act, which would further codify same-sex marriage while providing necessary protections for religious expression. But this time his remarks were directed at Latter-day Saints. “We think it is necessary to clarify the church’s position on that new law,” he said.
He said the Respect for Marriage Act codified same-sex marriage in federal law, but also provided necessary protections for religious expression. “Including these protections in federal law was a huge step forward.”
I was shocked not only by what he said, but also why he said it.
His words were not politically motivated but meant to spread understanding. He said some Latter-day Saints have expressed concerns about the church’s support for the new law, and he wants to help them by clarifying the church’s position.
Like his other speeches, his words reflected love, respect, gratitude, and respect.
At this moment in history, it’s hard to think of a virtue we need more.
A look at the day’s headlines reveals the opposite. Will the Israel-Gaza ceasefire agreement hold? How long will the U.S. government shutdown last, as Republicans and Democrats appear no closer to a reopening deal? Why is the federal government deploying the National Guard to U.S. cities? Can Russia and Ukraine work together on peace negotiations?
President Oaks has repeatedly said that unity and cooperation are the answer.
“Our faith in divine inspiration gives Latter-day Saints a unique responsibility to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and constitutional principles wherever we live,” he said in April 2021 general conference. “We should trust in the Lord and be positive about the future of this country.”
Regarding “controversial issues,” he urged “aim for moderation and unification.”
I remember seeing President Oaks at the Notre Dame Religious Freedom Summit in Rome. He didn’t just give out his address and sneak out. He took the time to listen to the other presenters. And he spent time speaking with participants before and after the session.
Shortly after being set apart as the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Oaks devoted his “heart and soul to the ministry to which he was called.”
“There is much work to do, because our ministry is the ministry of all the children of God on earth. We pray for all, seek to serve all, invoke the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ on all who seek to serve the Lord, and seek to do so with worthiness, dedication, and optimism.”
In my own prayers, I continue to express my gratitude for a bold, united, and ever-kind prophet.
During this time of confusing and divisive headlines, I want to remember his tender prayer in Rome and look to him for clarity, direction, and hope.
— Sarah Jane Weaver is editor-in-chief of Church News.
