Reactions to Oaks as new LDS leader and new First Presidency

Might the family proclamation be canonized?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is once again led by a president-prophet.

Here are a few reactions from scholars and everyday members to Tuesday’s ascension of former Utah Supreme Court Justice Dallin H. Oaks to the top spot — plus the installment of fellow apostles Henry B. Eyring and D. Todd Christofferson, also a lawyer, as his counselors in a newly minted First Presidency:

“His conservatism is most conspicuously evident in his continued pronouncements about the dangers of homosexuality, transgender rights and what he sees as the decline of the ‘right’ kind of family. I expect we will see more of that in his presidency, and perhaps even the canonization of the 1995 family proclamation.”

— Jana Riess, columnist, Religion News Service.

“Unity is a top priority for Oaks and other senior church leaders. They will do everything they can to prevent schisms of various sorts in the church.”

— Patrick Mason, Mormon studies and peace scholar, Utah State University.

“Two attorneys amid increasing constitutional challenges. If it’s not already clear why they’ve been called, it will be soon enough.”

— Caden Vance, Brigham Young University student.

“President Oaks has been one of the most influential and consequential LDS apostles for quite some time, so I expect his presidency to be a culmination of trends already in motion rather than a redirection.”

— Benjamin Park, Latter-day Saint historian, Sam Houston State University.

“With President Dallin H. Oaks now at the helm of the LDS Church, we can anticipate a continuation, and possible intensification, of the institution’s social conservatism, particularly around issues of family structure, gender (LGBTQIA+) and religious freedom.”

— Brittany Romanello, cultural anthropologist and ethnographer, University of Arkansas.

“The Lord knew the world we’d be living in, and he prepared President Oaks for this moment. His calling is not by chance but by divine timing.”

— Raelie Madrid, Latter-day Saint.

“[Oaks] strongly believes that the church only flourishes in a culture and environment that is broadly compatible with its values. Rather than seeking to adapt the church to those shifting values, he seeks to shape society to reflect the values of the church. This is not a matter of theocratic rule, but a democracy that is friendly toward religious interests and culture. Fairness for all was a major slogan and initiative he undertook.”

— Taylor Petrey, religion scholar, Kalamazoo College.

“I feel like [Eyring is] very, very sweet and so soft-spoken and like the emotional part of the First Presidency.”

– Richie T. Steadman, podcast host, “The Cultural Hall.”