New LDS Church President Oaks Calls Members to Be Peacemakers at April 2026 General Conference
President Dallin H. Oaks, newly sustained as the 18th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, urged members to love their adversaries and avoid contention during the April 2026 General Conference in Salt Lake City. The conference, held April 4-5, was the first since Oaks was called following the death of President Russell M. Nelson in September 2025.
President Dallin H. Oaks opened the April 2026 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a direct call to peacemaking, telling members worldwide to love their adversaries and stop using harsh language in personal relationships.
The conference, held April 4-5 in Salt Lake City, was the 196th Annual General Conference and the first since Oaks was sustained as the church's 18th president. He was called following the death of President Russell M. Nelson on September 27, 2025.
In his Sunday morning address, titled "Alive in Christ," Oaks drew on Jesus Christ's command to love enemies. "Today we might say that we are commanded to love our adversaries," he told the congregation. "All mortals are beloved children of God."
He urged followers to "forgo contention and use the language and methods of peacemakers," including in family relationships. He acknowledged that balancing personal values with love for those who hold different beliefs is not easy, but said following Christ requires seeking to live peaceably with all.
The conference began with a solemn assembly, a practice reserved for the first conference after a new church president is called. Members sustained Oaks with President Henry B. Eyring as first counselor and President D. Todd Christofferson as second counselor in the First Presidency.
Thirty-two church leaders delivered messages during the four general sessions. Other themes included the significance of Christ's Atonement and Resurrection, the importance of eternal marriage, and the role of faith in daily life.
Eight new General Authority Seventies were sustained, and a new Primary general presidency was announced, set to begin service on August 1. Seven General Authority Seventies received emeritus status on the same date.
All 34 talks from the conference are available in English on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the Gospel Library app. Spanish, Portuguese, and French versions were published the Friday following the conference.
