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The humble, lowly birth of an innocent baby who would become the innocent, saving sacrifice for all men, women and children is the cause for merry celebration this week by 2.5 billion Christians around the world.
Since Latter-day Saints believe Jesus Christ leads his church today through a prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks, Christmas can be a good time to briefly review what that prophet said about the Savior of the world in 2025.
President Oaks acted in three different roles this year — counselor to a prophet, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during an apostolic interregnum and, finally, church president. This article is structured to reflect his teachings in each role.
Counselor to a prophet
President Oaks spent almost 10 months in 2025 serving as first counselor to President Russell M. Nelson in the First Presidency. In two social media posts early in 2025, he laid a clear course for the church to increase its emphasis on Christ and on Easter.
On Jan. 2, he declared that, “The prophets and teachings of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affirm that Jesus Christ came forth out of the grave and lives today as a resurrected Being.”
He further said the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is “the most glorious event in history” and should be matched by emphasis on the celebration of Easter.
On Feb. 16, he issued a four-minute video.
“Redemption through Jesus Christ is the central message of the prophets of all ages,” he said.
For Latter-day Saints, redemption means that Christ has provided freedom from the effects of the Fall, which are physical death and spiritual death. Through his Atonement, all will be resurrected, and all who accept Christ and take his name and follow him can overcome personal sin.
“The books of the New Testament teach that our Savior’s suffering and his bloodshed atone for our sins,” President Oaks said, “and that his resurrection assures that all who have ever lived on this earth will also be resurrected.”
In April general conference, President Oaks said that, beyond erasing sins and resurrection, God provided other gifts to protect his children. He listed several:
- The Light or Spirit of Christ.
- A cluster of divine directions embodied in commandments, ordinances and covenants.
- The manifestations and gift of the Holy Ghost.
“Our part in this divine plan is to trust in God and seek and use these divine helps, most notably the Atonement of his Beloved Son, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I pray that we will teach and live these principles.”
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
President Nelson’s death on Sept. 27 triggered an apostolic interregnum, dissolving the First Presidency. President Oaks led the church as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 17 days.
During that time, he presided over the October general conference, which he decided to conduct as planned.
He closed the conference with a talk on the family-centered gospel of Jesus Christ.
He called Christ “the Only Begotten Son of God, our Eternal Father” and invited all people “to follow the covenant path that leads to a heavenly family reunion.”
“Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our ultimate role model,” President Oaks said. “We will be blessed if we model our lives after his teachings and self-sacrifice. Following Christ and giving ourselves in service to one another is the best remedy for the selfishness and individualism that now seem to be so common.”
Church president
On Oct. 14, President Oaks was set apart, ordained and introduced as the church’s 18th prophet and president.
“Christ is the way,” he said in an interview released that day. He added, “Trust in the Lord. Come and enjoy his blessings with us.”
In November, he posted a Christmas message on social media accounts.
“He opened the eyes of the blind, made the deaf to hear, healed all manner of afflictions and raised the dead,” President Oaks wrote.
This week, he posted a video with a Christmas message.
“Merry Christmas to each of us!” he said. “May we all feel God’s love for us and show that love toward our neighbors during this special season.”
Merry Christmas. I look forward to sharing more ChurchBeat with you in 2026.
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