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Latter-day Saints Sustain Dallin H. Oaks as Church President in Solemn Assembly

The formal sustaining vote completes the church’s leadership transition.

Church President Dallin H. Oaks speaks during the Sunday morning session of the 196th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on April 5, 2026.
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Latter-day Saints give a sustaining vote during the solemn assembly as part of the Saturday morning session of the 196th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
Conferencegoers join The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in singing a congregational hymn during the Saturday morning session of the 196th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

Overview

  • The Church, which opened general conference on Saturday with an eight‑minute solemn assembly, recorded a near‑unanimous sustaining of President Dallin H. Oaks by quorums in the 20,000‑seat Conference Center and by millions watching worldwide.
  • Following Saturday’s business, leaders announced two new apostles — Gérald Caussé and Clark G. Gilbert — along with eight new General Authority Seventies, seven Seventies to receive emeritus status on August 1, and a new Primary general presidency led by Rosemary K. Chibota.
  • The First Presidency’s 2025 statistical report listed 17,887,212 members worldwide, 385,490 convert baptisms, more stakes and congregations, 78,596 full‑time missionaries, and 204 temples operating with 172 more announced or under construction.
  • In his first full conference address as prophet on Sunday morning, President Oaks taught that the Resurrection stands at the center of belief and urged members to act as peacemakers who love adversaries and avoid harsh words.
  • Deseret News reported that, if recent growth rates continued, total membership likely topped 18 million in early 2026, signaling continued global expansion not yet reflected in the year‑end report.