President Oaks Forms New First Presidency: Eyring and Christofferson Called as Counselors After Historic Transition

Who’s in President Oaks’s First Presidency

President Henry B. Eyring, a familiar face in Church leadership for decades, will continue his service as a counselor, bringing deep institutional memory and a steady hand to executive deliberations. Joining him is President D. Todd Christofferson, who has served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since 2008 and is known for his careful, lawyerly approach to doctrine and public issues. Together, the trio signals continuity in tone and governance, with an emphasis on doctrinal clarity, disciplined administration, and pastoral outreach during a sensitive leadership change.

A Senior Apostle Steps Into the Center Seat

By tradition, the senior apostle becomes Church president after the funeral of his predecessor. That process moved swiftly this week: President Oaks was sustained and set apart on October 14, then immediately announced his counselors, ensuring members and leaders worldwide had clear direction for the work ahead. His long tenure—spanning service as a law professor, university president, Utah Supreme Court justice, and apostle—prepares him for a presidency likely to be methodical, legally informed, and focused on steady governance amid rapid global growth.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Date set apart: October 14, 2025

• 18th President of the Church: Dallin H. Oaks

• Counselors in the First Presidency: Henry B. Eyring, D. Todd Christofferson

• Leadership model: Seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

• Global membership: 17+ million

Early Signals: Continuity With Calibrations

In recent weeks, leaders emphasized that the Church would honor commitments already underway while calibrating the pace of new initiatives. Notably, the temple program—expanded dramatically in recent years—will emphasize completion and activation of projects in planning and construction before announcing additional locations. That approach reflects a pragmatic pivot: consolidating gains, easing logistical bottlenecks, and preparing congregations and temple districts for sustainable operation. Expect President Oaks’s First Presidency to pair spiritual priorities with careful sequencing of large-scale projects.

Governance Style: Doctrinal Clarity and Legal Precision

President Oaks’s public ministry has long highlighted themes of religious freedom, covenant discipleship, and moral agency. Observers anticipate a presidency that prizes precision—both in teaching and in administration. With President Eyring’s consensus-building leadership and President Christofferson’s emphasis on accountability and Christian discipleship, the First Presidency is positioned to address sensitive topics with sober clarity while extending pastoral care to a diverse, worldwide membership.

What This Means for Members Worldwide

The First Presidency guides everything from global missionary work and humanitarian response to curriculum, welfare, and temple operations. In the near term, members can expect:

• Stable leadership messaging: Clear, unified communication from the top as local leaders navigate the transition.

• Project follow-through: Focus on completing temples and strengthening congregations where growth is fastest.

• Religious freedom engagement: Continued participation in legal and civic arenas affecting worship, family life, and conscience.

• Pastoral emphasis: Teachings that invite personal conversion and covenant keeping, with special attention to youth and new members.

A Moment of Mourning—and Momentum

The new First Presidency steps forward just days after a tender farewell to President Nelson, whose tenure reshaped Church administration and accelerated global temple construction. The juxtaposition of grief and resolve has been palpable: memorial gratitude for a prophet’s life of decisive leadership followed by an orderly handoff that keeps the Church’s worldwide machinery humming. President Oaks’s first moves—swift organization, measured priorities—suggest a presidency intent on honoring momentum while ensuring that growth is manageable and mission-centered.

The Road Ahead

As the First Presidency settles into its work, attention will turn to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to fill new leadership assignments that ripple from yesterday’s changes. General authorities and local leaders will align plans to the new presidency’s cadence, while members look for familiar anchors: weekly worship, covenant living, and steady prophetic counsel. If the opening hours of this presidency are any indication, the guiding notes will be clarity, continuity, and careful stewardship—hallmarks of a seasoned leader stepping into history with the counselors he trusts by his side.