President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2022 general conference. He spoke of helping the poor and distressed — not just what the Church is doing but what is being done worldwide. The following is a summary of what he said.
President Oaks’ conference talk summary
Giving to those in need — the poor and distressed — is a principle in all Abrahamic religions, and in others as well.
Recently, the Church of Jesus Christ reported for the first time the extent of its humanitarian work worldwide; 2021 expenditures for those in need in 188 countries totaled $906 million, with members also volunteering over 6 million hours of labor. This is beyond what Latter-day Saints do in callings, in member-to-member service and individually with innumerable charitable organizations.
“The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort.”
With partners worldwide, the Church shares the common goal of relieving suffering. “All of this is part of God’s work for His children.”
Jesus Christ is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). “By this, all the children of God are enlightened to serve Him and one another to the best of their knowledge and ability.”
God inspires many organizations and individuals to do much good, and more Church members should recognize and support the good done by others.
“I testify of Jesus Christ, whose light and Spirit guides all the children of God in helping the poor and distressed throughout the world.”
Notable quotes from President Oaks’ conference talk
“The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort.”
“God inspires many organizations and individuals to do much good. … More of us should be recognizing the good done by others and supporting it as we have the time and means to do so.”
“I testify of Jesus Christ, whose light and Spirit guides all of the children of God in helping the poor and distressed throughout the world”
See the full text of President Oaks’ talk: ‘Helping the Poor and Distressed’
Who is President Oaks?
- President Dallin H. Oaks was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984 and as the first counselor in the First Presidency in January 2018. This year, he became the 19th latter-day Apostle to reach the age of 90.
- President Oaks was a law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren at the U.S. Supreme Court and served as a Utah Supreme Court justice until his call to apostleship in 1984.
- As president of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1980, he oversaw the creation of the J. Reuben Clark Law School and the graduate business school.
- President Oaks and his late wife, Sister June Dixon Oaks, are the parents of six children. She died July 21, 1998. On Aug. 25, 2000, he married Sister Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple.
What has President Oaks done recently?
- During the April 2022 general conference, he emphasized that the Church’s policies and doctrines are evidence of God’s saving love for His children.
- President Oaks asks BYU: ‘How are we measuring up’ to President Kimball’s 1975 call to be ‘unique,’ ‘special’?
- In honor of his 90th birthday, President Oaks shares 12 lessons learned through the decades
- President Oaks calls on young adults to ‘stand fast with love’ in proclaiming truth
- Offering a historic address in Rome, Italy, President Oaks calls for a global effort to ‘defend and advance’ religious freedom
- Why does religious liberty matter? ‘Consider where society would be … if we did not have religious freedom,’ says President Oaks
