October 16, 2025, 7:45 PM MDT
In a video interview released Thursday, Oct. 16, President Dallin H. Oaks answered questions from journalist Jane Clayson Johnson about his new role as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church released this interview two days after President Oaks introduced President Henry B. Eyring and President D. Todd Christofferson as first and second counselors, respectively, in the First Presidency.
President Oaks said in an interview that the Savior is both an example for all to follow and a Savior for all who turn to Him. He read Mosiah 3:17.
“Jesus Christ is the way,” he said before reading the teachings of King Benjamin in the book of Mosiah. “No other name shall be given, nor any other way or means by which salvation may come to the children of men, except through the name of Christ the Lord Almighty.”
President Eyring added that following the Savior can help bring the calm that many seek during difficult times and situations.
“Come and see. Come and find the peace that is hard to find in the world around you,” he said.
President Christofferson said Jesus Christ has the power to accomplish all the promises of prophets throughout the ages.
President Christofferson said, “To me, the fact of the Lord’s resurrection is evidence of His ability to fulfill all His promises.” “It is proof of who God is. And remember that God volunteered to be our Savior from a time before the earth existed.”
The three spoke to Clayson Johnson about the growing number of people being baptized as members of the Church. They also discussed messages of hope and direction for youth and young adults in the church today. They discussed the role of women in the church. And they spoke directly to those who currently feel unwelcome or on the outskirts of the church.
forever family
President Oaks said the Church spoke about the family in general conference to “outline the destiny of the children of God.”
“Her destiny culminates in her eternal family, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. However, for reasons that God understands but we do not, we are not given much information about her.”
President Oaks said that God’s purpose is clear, apart from parts of the plan that are not yet fully revealed.
“The purpose of earthly life,” he said, “is to prepare us for our heavenly destiny within the institution of the family.” “And, as I said in The Family Manifesto, we are blessed when we take them for granted, when we seek to find our place within God’s plan rather than trying to rewrite it.”
President Kristofferson also pointed to the declaration again, saying the principles outlined in it are “true for families of one or 12, and that is the path to happiness.”
church growth
Citing numbers mentioned by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in a recent general conference message, Clayson Johnson asked what has led to nearly 900,000 people joining the Church over the past three years.
President Oaks said the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to draw God’s children to the truth.
“It is a gospel of happiness and growth, it is information about the purpose of life, and those who subscribe to its doctrine find that it makes their lives happier and more meaningful, that they are more resilient to the hardships that we all experience in this life, and that they are more able to serve their fellowmen and raise their children.”
President Eyring added that more people will come to the Church for a place that offers hope they can’t find anywhere else.
“The growth of the church will accelerate. When the missionaries come to know the gospel of Jesus Christ, they will see hope.”
President Christofferson said the late President Russell M. Nelson repeatedly taught about Israeli rallies taking place on both sides of the veil.
“I see the Lord moving across the earth and His Spirit affecting people’s lives,” he said.
“I believe that’s what we’re seeing,” he said. “The Lord will make things happen. We can perhaps help on the fringes, but the Lord is working in His own power.”
For youth and young adults
President Oaks’ fundamental message to the youth and young adults of the Church was to remember who they come from.
“You have a Heavenly Father who loves you. He has a plan for you, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the place to be. It explains life’s purpose, tasks, and activities, and guides you along what is called the Covenant Path to your heavenly destiny. Trust in the Lord. Come and enjoy His blessings with us.”
President Eyring said he is optimistic about the future and encouraged youth and young adults to find that same optimism by trusting and serving God.
“I promise them a bright future, and I think it’s already emerging,” he said. “They can be optimistic if they trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and become His servants as best they can.”
President Christofferson said people identified as Millennials and Generation Z need to rely on the Spirit and use technology for good in these “unique times.”
“There is no substitute for the Holy Spirit,” he said. “No technology, no other means, no source can replace the Spirit. … As the President (Oaks) said, return to the Lord. Jesus Christ is always the answer. He has been the answer from the beginning.”
He also encouraged the emerging generation to master technology for the betterment of the church and furtherance of God’s purpose.
“With this tool that no other generation has had, we can move forward faster, make more progress, and accomplish more of the Lord’s work faster and faster.”
women of the church
President Oaks previously spoke about the role his mother and grandmother played in his upbringing. In this interview with Clayson Johnson, he said that his mother taught him that “women can do almost everything that men can do, and often better.”
She said the church has strived to create better practices and policies to maximize women’s gifts and contributions.
“We have not always used wisely the great qualifications and power of the daughters of God,” he said.
Some of these adjustments will come from the highest levels of church leadership and organization, such as making leaders of the church’s organizational presidency members of the executive council.
“We still have work to do,” Oakes said, “but our lives are much better than they were 10 years ago.”
President Eyring added that leadership in the Church is about service.
“And women do it in amazing ways,” he said.
President Eyring also noted that the day the new President of the Church was announced was the second anniversary of his wife’s death. He said he misses being with her and counseling her because “she understood what was important.”
President Christofferson said counseling together means listening to and considering the perspectives of the men and women who participate together.
“When you integrate both perspectives, you get a better perspective. You get closer to God’s perspective,” he said.
President Oaks said that as spiritual daughters of God, women can receive God’s blessings throughout their lives.
“You have a Heavenly Father who loves you and created you so that you could return to live with your heavenly parents and enjoy the greatest blessings God has for His daughters,” he said.
the outstretched arms of the lord
Members of the First Presidency called on those who feel out of place in the Church or on the outskirts of the Church to focus on the Savior as they navigate life’s challenges.
“We are all children of God,” President Oaks said. “God loves them and He has a plan for them wherever they are on the path to their divine destiny.”
President Eyring said the arms of Christ are outstretched in mercy and love, regardless of the choices individuals make that lead them away from the Church and the covenant path.
“When any of us feels at our limits, we cannot be so far away that the Savior will not reach out to us,” President Eyring said. “My encouragement to them is just to pray, so they can come back from behind and feel included.”
President Christofferson added another invitation to turn to Christ and participate in service.
“You can’t always wait from the sideline to be invited,” he said. “Please come forward and contribute whatever you can to the body of Christ. Everyone is valuable. Every contribution is valuable.”
Follow the First Presidency
President Oaks and his new counselors released their first video of the First Presidency on social media on Tuesday, October 14th. You can follow their videos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube using the links below.
Chairman Dallin H. Oaks
President Henry B. Eyring
President D. Todd Christofferson
