President Oaks Envisions BYU as 'Great University of the Lord' in 150th Anniversary Address

In his first devotional as church president, Dallin H. Oaks reaffirms BYU's prophetic destiny and calls for combining secular and spiritual learning.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In his first devotional address as the newly called president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dallin H. Oaks spoke to a packed Marriott Center at Brigham Young University. Recognizing BYU's 150th anniversary, Oaks declared it is the university's destiny to become 'the great university of the Lord' through the consecration and leadership of the BYU community. Oaks emphasized the importance of combining secular and spiritual learning, mirroring the teachings of past prophets, and urged students to overcome doubts by drawing closer to Jesus Christ.

Why it matters

Oaks' address as the new church president reaffirms BYU's unique prophetic role and mission within the LDS Church. As the university celebrates its sesquicentennial, Oaks' vision for BYU to become 'the great university of the Lord' sets high expectations for the institution's future direction and leadership.

The details

In his first devotional as church president, Dallin H. Oaks greeted the thousands of BYU students, faculty, and others present, acknowledging he had spoken to many BYU audiences before, but never as the leader of the church. Oaks recognized BYU's 150th anniversary and noted he was president of the university when it celebrated its 100th. He invited listeners to consider what they and the university have become in pursuing past prophets' 'prophetic challenges.' Oaks declared it is BYU's destiny to become 'the great university of the Lord' through the consecration and leadership of the BYU community, not in the world's way but in the Lord's way. He also spoke of the importance of combining secular and spiritual learning, mirroring the teachings of past prophets like Spencer W. Kimball.

  • BYU is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026.
  • Oaks was president of BYU from 1971-1980, when the university celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The players

Dallin H. Oaks

The recently called president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who previously served as president of Brigham Young University from 1971-1980.

Spencer W. Kimball

A late president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who delivered a 'historic second century address' at BYU when the university celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Jeffrey R. Holland

A member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who shared a conversation with Oaks about BYU students' 'spiritual obligation' and the university's past half-century.

Brigham Young University

A private university owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“It is the destiny of Brigham Young University to become what past and present prophets knew it could become. 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.”

— Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Deseret.com)

“These are children of God. We are to teach them for eternity — 'education for eternity' was a phrase that we used.”

— Jeffrey R. Holland, Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Deseret.com)

The takeaway

Oaks' vision for BYU to become 'the great university of the Lord' through combining secular and spiritual learning underscores the university's unique prophetic role and mission within the LDS Church. As BYU celebrates its 150th anniversary, this address sets high expectations for the institution's future direction and leadership.