PROVO, Utah – The way to overcome all questions and concerns related to the Church, whether historical, doctrinal or social, is to draw close to the Savior Jesus Christ, President Dallin H. Oaks has declared.
“Time and time again, God has taught us that He is the Way,” President Oaks said in a devotional address at Brigham Young University on Tuesday, February 10.
He said the decline in faith and activity in the restored church is of great concern to Christian church leaders. “Young and old, we love you, and so does the Lord,” President Oaks said. “God is lovingly pursuing each of you. Keep his commandments and be faithful to the covenants made by many to guide you along the covenant path.”
Students, faculty, staff, community representatives and leaders packed the 19,000-seat Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, for a late-night devotion. Students lined up starting at 6:30 a.m. and stretching all the way to the Provo Missionary Training Center. The walls and seats of the Marriott Center roared as the approximately 20,000 voices in the audience began the rally by singing, “Thank You, O Prophet, God, for Us.”
President Oaks’ remarks, which he said apply to “all who follow the words of the prophets,” were also streamed to BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii and Ensign College campuses, and broadcast on BYUtv.org and ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The event marked the first time the new President of the Church spoke at a devotional since his appointment as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 14, 2025.
He was accompanied by his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks, as well as Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of Church Education, and his wife, Sister Christine Gilbert. and BYU President C. Shane Reese and his wife, Sister Wendy Reese.
Introducing the theme, President Oaks briefly said that he felt the “heavy weight of responsibility” to bear the mantle of a prophet. “As a prophetic leader, I pray for what Heavenly Father wants for each of us: to be active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to move forward on the covenant path to eternity. We need each other’s prayers,” President Oaks told the audience. “I feel the positive effects of your prayers. I appreciate you and I love you.”
President Oaks began his message by emphasizing the warnings of his predecessor, the late President Russell M. Nelson. “It would be impossible to live spiritually without the guidance, guidance, comfort, and constant influence of the Holy Spirit” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Life,” April 2018 general conference).
President Oaks added, “One of the many reasons you need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is because you live in a time when the Adversary has become so effective in concealing the truth, and without the Holy Spirit you will be deceived. There will be many obstacles ahead. There will be many distractions.”
President Oaks said his desire is to help all Latter-day Saints overcome their current or future doubts. He then shared four impressions he had about how to approach the Savior.
First, strengthen your faith in the Lord.
Second, it increases humility.
Third, ask others for help.
Fourth, be patient.
1. Focus on faith in Jesus Christ
President Oaks encouraged them to develop faith in the mission of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
President Oaks taught that “strong faith requires more than strong desires.” “That means taking one step at a time each day in prayer and scripture study.”
Individuals can strengthen their commitment to the principles found in the first article of faith. The principle states: “We believe in God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.”
These principles “anchor our faith in God and anchor us in the truths of the gospel and the Savior’s example of service to our fellowmen,” President Oaks said.
2. Develop humility
Humble people can hear the voice of the Lord more clearly, President Oaks said.
President Ezra Taft Benson taught that “humility is responsive to God’s will, the fear of his judgment, and the needs of those around us” (“Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989). President Oaks added: “There is humility involved in focusing on the needs of others.”
Quoting President Spencer W. Kimball, President Oaks said humility is “teachability” and never controversy. It is repentant, forgiving, and does not compete for popularity or notoriety.
“Humility is one of the powerful commandments given to guide us on our earthly journey. It prepares us for our appointed encounter with our Savior and Deliverer, Jesus Christ. Be careful not to get distracted.” “Remember the Lord’s parable of the ten virgins. We want to be among the five humble people allowed before the Lord.”
There are two ways to gain the necessary knowledge, President Oaks said. The scientific method and the spiritual method, which relies on scripture, inspired teachings, and personal revelation.
“There is ultimately no contradiction between knowledge gained through these different methods, because God, our Almighty and Eternal Father, knows all truth and invites us to learn in both ways,” President Oaks said.
To those who are unbalanced by the evidence of a seeming contradiction between the two methods, the late Elder Richard L. Evans of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “There may be some seeming contradictions. Don’t worry. Eternity is long. I have great respect for learning, academic endeavor, and the atmosphere of a university. But remember this: at the end of the day, science is true, final, and factual: humans have just discovered some things that God already knows and controls the order of the universe. We must remain humble and balanced in all things. ”
President Oaks added, “Trust in the Lord is especially necessary for all who unduly discount the commandments of God and the teachings of the prophets in light of the latest discoveries and wisdom of men.”
3. Ask other knowledgeable believers for help.
Association with trusted people, local members of the Church, and faithful friends can also bring individuals closer to the Savior, President Oaks continued.
“We are surrounded by speculation and misinformation on podcasts and on social media. Some may protest or question the truth of Church doctrine without knowing or even understanding the full extent of the doctrine.
“Don’t be persuaded by false or inaccurate information. Discuss your concerns with faithful and knowledgeable friends and always keep them in the Lord,” President Oaks advised.
President Oaks told the audience to strive to follow the Lord and seek out friends and companions with whom you can feel the Spirit.
“Protect yourself by renewing your covenants by partaking of the sacrament each week and continually striving to live according to those sacred covenants. Endowed people should also include regular temple attendance. In short, stay on the covenant path. These simple practices will protect and strengthen you,” he said.
4. Please be patient
“We are all works in progress. … We need to be patient with each other and sometimes with ourselves,” President Oaks said.
Overcoming doubts and resolving conflicts between evolving scientific understanding and sometimes imperfect religious teachings can be a long process. “Even if there are other uncertainties, hold fast to the first article of faith, and as you wait, look to the Lord. This includes trusting in His timing and His promises,” President Oaks encouraged.
