From the Supreme Court to the Apostleship | Dallin H. Oaks: A Higher Calling

Scripture Central: LDS Come Follow Me & Church History · Oct 21, 2026 · 3m

In 1984, Justice Dallin H. Oaks of the Utah Supreme Court was prayerfully wrestling with his dream of serving on the U.S. Supreme Court—a goal he had nearly attained twice in previous years. But spiritual confirmation never came. Then, on April 6th, President Gordon B. Hinckley called to inform him that he had been chosen as a new member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Oaks was shocked, yet willingly relinquished his earthly ambitions to answer God’s call. In his first apostolic message, he pledged to devote “his whole heart, might, mind, and strength” to the responsibilities…