Jenny Oaks Baker on her father, new President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - KSLTV.com
SALT LAKE CITY — “I love his integrity.”
That’s how Jenny Oaks Baker recently spoke of her father, President Dallin H. Oaks, age 93, who was ordained Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday.
The announcement was made on a live broadcast from Temple Square. At the same time, President Henry B. Eyring and President D. Todd Christofferson were named as counselors in the First Presidency. After the official announcement, President Oaks made a short announcement.
“I accept with humility the responsibility that God has placed upon me and commit my whole heart and soul to the service to which I’ve been called,” President Oaks said.
Baker said one of the qualities she admires about her father is his courage for speaking exactly as the Lord would have him.
“I think some people may think that my dad has a certain agenda where he wants to say certain things, but it’s just he’s saying what the Lord has inspired him to say.
“And his integrity is such that he has the courage to say exactly what the Lord would have him say, even if it will make him unpopular with certain people,” she said.
Baker also said how pleased she was that everyone watching General Conference witnessed her father’s tender heart when he spoke about his difficult early childhood.
“My father died when I was seven years old,” President Oaks said during General Conference. “So, my younger brother and sister and I were raised by a widowed mother. How she prayed for heavenly assistance in raising her children, and she was blessed!”
Family life with President Dallin H. Oaks
Jenny Oaks Baker is the youngest of six children. Her parents Dallin and June Dixon Oaks married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1952. She said has fond memories of family life.
“Every time we would be in the car, my parents would talk to me … my Dad would teach me different important things and always testify of Jesus Christ.”
“We learned to work hard,” Baker said. “We learned Dad’s mantra, ‘work first, play later.’ … Those dinner table teachings will stay with me forever and I’m so grateful for them.
In 1997, Baker’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. That diagnosis became another learning opportunity for the Oaks’ children.
“It was so sweet to see my Dad taking care of my Mom. My Mom was the center of our family, but my Dad so beautifully … entered that role.”
“I was the youngest, you know, when my Mom died. I was barely 23. And he really just stepped into the role of both parents for me.”
In 2000, President Oaks married Kristen McMain.
“I’m so grateful for Kristen, my Dad’s wife, who has also been a wonderful mother and grandmother to my children,” Baker said.
When asked what she wanted people to know about her father, especially as he steps into the role of a world religious leader, she again mentioned his capacity to love and his integrity.
“He’s incredibly loving. He is good and his integrity is unmatched. And he will be doing what the Lord would have him do. Like no matter what – my Dad will do what the Lord would have him do in any and all circumstances and he will wear himself out serving God and Jesus Christ.”
