On Tuesday February 10, 2026, Dallin H. Oaks, Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke to the students and faculty of Brigham Young University in the Marriott Center. The address was titled “Coming Closer to Jesus Christ.” It was his first public address since being called as Prophet. President Oaks opened his address by expressing love from the Lord and by testifying of His desire to bring each of His children back into His presence. He also expressed his emphatic belief in the divine destiny of BYU: “With the consecration and leadership of this community, BYU will become the great university of the Lord, not in the world’s way but in the Lord’s way.”
The central theme of President Oaks’ message was an urgent call to come closer to Jesus Christ by living specific principles of the Gospel. Having the mantle of prophet pass to him, he felt the weight of responsibility of being the Lord’s mouthpiece. He also felt the weight of worry for members losing activity in the Church.
With these worries on his mind, President Oaks made reference to a warning given by President Russell M. Nelson in the April 2018 General Conference: “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” President Oaks added to this warning with his own: “You live in a season where the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many.”
This prophetic message comes during a time of darkness in the latter-days, particularly for church members. Accusatory claims, hateful rhetoric, and violent actions taken against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members are becoming increasingly common. Such latter-day difficulties may leave faithful church members with questions and doubts. “Whatever those doubts,” President Oaks stated, “the way to overcome them is to get closer to our Savior Jesus Christ.” He then went on to share four impressions to help BYU students and church members to come closer to Jesus Christ: 1) Strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, 2) increase our humility, 3) seek help from others, and 4) be patient.
Strengthen our Faith
President Oaks invited members to develop their faith in God and in the mission of His son, Jesus Christ. He elaborated that strong faith requires “more than a strong desire;” it requires a daily effort to try, supplemented by study of the scriptures and communion with the Lord in prayer. Doing so will increase commitment to the principles of the first article of faith, namely faith in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
Increase our Humility
In his address, President Oaks spoke extensively on the topic of humility. Citing prophets, scriptures, and personal experience, he voiced the need for latter-day saints to follow the Lord’s commandant to be humble. Humility will help members “overcome questions about the Lord’s doctrine” and “more clearly hear the Lord’s voice.” Further, he stated that “humility prepares us for our appointed meeting with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” President Oaks then urged members to choose to be among the five wise and “humble” virgins of the New Testament parable. In referencing the parable of the ten virgins, President Oaks has contributed to the ongoing encouragement of church leadership to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
As part of his teaching on humility, President Oaks also spoke of two methods for gaining knowledge: the disclosures of man through the scientific method and truths disclosed by spiritual sources. Teaching that ultimately there is no conflict between the two methods, he nonetheless felt the need to warn: “never let your secular learning limit your horizons. […] Humility, faith, and trust in the Lord are remedies for wavering.”
Seek Help from Others
As a way to seek help from others, President Oaks emphasized the importance of faithful friends in combating the deceptions of the latter-days. He stated that “an abundance of speculation and false information in podcasts and on social media surround us. […] Don’t be persuaded by false or inaccurate information. Discuss your concerns with faithful well-informed friends and always take those concerns to the Lord.” As an example, President Oaks referred to the lack of revealed knowledge regarding the spirit world and premortal existence. He said that this lack of knowledge can be harmful if members rely on the beliefs of others that go beyond what God has chosen to reveal. To combat this spiritual danger, he encouraged members to “seek friends and associates who are striving to follow the Lord with whom you can feel the Spirit and reinforce your faith. Surround yourself with people who believe.” He also encouraged weekly sacrament participation and Temple attendance, promising protection and strength.
Be Patient
The concluding invitation that President Oaks shared with his audience was to be patient with themselves, with others, and with the Lord. “We are all a work in progress,” he said. “We are all in different places on what President Nelson called the Covenant path.” He again encouraged listeners to hold onto the principles of the first article of faith, even as other things are uncertain: “While you wait, wait upon the Lord, which includes trusting in His timing as well as His promises.”
Coming Closer to Jesus Christ
President Oaks’ ended his message bearing testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ, the teachings of the restored Church, and truths of the principles he shared in the Marriott Center that day. Amidst the backdrop of an increasingly dark world, his was the message of light and of hope. Within his first address as President of the Church—an address full of prophetic teachings, counsels, and warnings—one message is clear: coming closer to Jesus Christ is the solution to the growing darkness. BYU students and individuals throughout the world would be wise to follow the words of the living prophet by strengthening their faith, increasing their humility, seeking help from others, and being patient.
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