OpenTube

Did Dallin H. Oaks’s Address Challenge Christian Nationalism?

Benjamin Park, Historian

15,194 views

Dallin H. Oaks called for peacemaking, constitutional principles, and political compromise at Washington National Cathedral. What does his address reveal about Mormon history and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ approach to American politics? Historian Benjamin Park examines Oaks’ account of early Latter-day Saint theocracy, religious freedom, and the long path toward pluralism.
The speech offers a striking case for living with people whose beliefs differ from our own. It also leaves difficult questions about how those principles work in practice. This analysis explores Oaks’ preference for legislative compromise, the 2015 Utah Compromise, his remarks in relation to Christian nationalism, and the church’s Idaho ballot measure letter issued the same week.

Video of Oaks’s Address: https://www.youtube.com/live/e6-VRFOv...

Text of Oaks’s Address: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist....

Newsletter link for giveaway: https://benjaminpark.kit.com/e8e78e2331
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Instagram: Instagram: benjaminparkhistorian
TikTok: TikTok: benjaminparkhistorian

Books:
American Zion: https://amzn.to/4j8Ms16
Kingdom of Nauvoo: https://amzn.to/4cmigxw

Video Chapters:
00:00 Oaks in Washington
02:01 The Central Question
03:53 Mormon History
07:52 Minority Rights
08:47 Support the Channel
09:48 Constitution Principles
11:52 Compromise Rules
13:54 Oaks’ Conservatism
16:59 Courts or Legislation
19:08 Utah Compromise
21:53 Speech Strengths
23:44 Missing Specifics
24:42 Idaho Letter
28:33 Pluralism in Practice
30:13 Final Takeaways

#DallinHOaks #MormonHistory #ReligiousFreedom #ChristianNationalism

About This Channel:
Welcome to the channel! I’m Dr. Benjamin Park—historian, author, professor, and unapologetic history geek. If you're tired of hearing that everything is unprecedented or nothing like this has ever happened before, you're in the right place. This channel dives into the complex (and fascinating) intersections of American religion, politics, and culture. I bring history out of the ivory tower and into real-world conversations—making it relevant, accessible, and even a little fun. Expect weekly deep dives, quick takes on current events, book recommendations, and sharp insights from the past to help us understand our present. From Mormon history to the abolitionist movement and beyond, let’s unpack how we got here—and where we might be going. Subscribe and geek out with me on the power of the past.

This channel participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Views expressed on this channel are those of the presenter and not his employer.

20 Comments

@Starbasekolob 13 days ago

The LDS commitment to pluralism, liberty and equality for all over dominance of one makes me hopeful.

@ExmoRaymo 13 days ago

Although I will acknowledge Dallin Oaks was an accomplished attorney; we should also keep in mind that two generations of attorneys have graduated and retired since he last argued a case or presided in a court room. Even The entire Supreme Court of the US has turned over since his call as a general authority.

@ANCIENT.ROOTS3000 12 days ago

Another amazing point John Stewart made to cox was him discussing the power imbalance. How can I compromise be a true compromise when one person has to coincide something as big as personal safety and freedoms in the face of massive corporations and organizations. I loved the way John Stewart handled the discussion.

@aBrewster29 13 days ago

It was a good address, but much like one speed limit sign on a long freeway. It’s hard for me to foresee much impact without the message being repeated often.

@tatohead 13 days ago

Joseph Smith in the 1841 ordinance on religious freedom for Nauvoo: “Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Latter-Day Saints, Quakers, Episcopalians, Universalists, Unitarians, Mohammedans [Muslims], and all other religious sects, and denominations, whatever, shall have free toleration, and equal privileges, in this city.” THIS is what Latter-Day Saints believe.

@beesharp9503 13 days ago

I absolutely love these videos, it’s the exact kind of intersection of politics/religion/humanity I crave conversation about.

Thank you for your diligence in this kind of coverage.

Only halfway through but had to pause and comment on the “pre- Newt Gingrich” line because it made me cackle.

May edit my comment when I finish the video if any other lines get me like that one.

@WVS-KFD 13 days ago

I really saw it as a productive address. Thanks for going into it.

@Mike-r4z8v 13 days ago

Thank you!

@HenryThomas-vc2wy 13 days ago

Had no idea he was chairman of PBS

@jaycastro8360 13 days ago

Fantastic video!! Thank you Professor Benjamin park!! Always love from the West ✌️

@GeorgeEvans-h2w 12 days ago

I watched the 2021 speech from the University of Virginia several times, and found it to be a great speech 5 years ago. This is also a great speech, and it contained some of the same material, but seemed to me, reminiscent of a certain Chamberlain speech in 1938, less the paper to wave. I was very pleased to see this video, because it addressed my frustration, and it mirrored my thoughts.

I am a 70 year old Canadian, and deeply resent the hostile rhetoric from the US administration, that is supported and enabled, by many Utah politicians, supporters, and so called, "Christian Nationalists". For me this has gone way past a desire to get along, and work together. You can't work out a compromise with people who can't be trusted and set on destruction. This is an International Church, but seems focused on the US, at the expense of the rest of the world.

I also agree with your comments about the Idaho Prop 1 issue. The current abortion laws in that state, are much stricter than the Church's guidelines, which I support. This Area church position, appears to be very hard line. This letter, is very divisive, and is going to push some members towards the hardliners, and others out of the church. My wife worked with victims of sexual, and physical abuse, and is furious with the letter. She and I would walk out, if it was read in our ward.
Hardly seems like a compromise to me. After 40 years of membership, and leadership, we feel far more distant than ever.

Conference is a few days away, and I am going to be very suspicious, to hear from speakers I don't know if I can trust. I know I don't want to hear anything from the 4 Elders that signed that letter, ever again. The churches actions do not promote unity. I am craving clear direction, and it seems the Church is moving in a direction away from compromise, and that may be more than I can tolerate.

@ashton2893-u3y 13 days ago (edited)

Anytime anyone calls for "unity" they always seem to really mean they are currently in a position of power, and that others should be adopting their viewpoint. Leaders don't preach unity if they are in a minority position.
If you ask members of each side if they're ready for peace, both will say yes. But as soon as you ask them if they're willing to give anything up or make concessions, you rapidly find that what they really mean is they want the other side to surrender. And when one side is asking for human rights, the other side the calling for genocide of the other, the middle ground always seems to be a return to a status quo with "at least we didn't murder you all"

@lindsayyoung7686 13 days ago

Excellent. Loved the points you made.

@TheBardintheLabyrinth 12 days ago

The Utah compromise feels more like a failure especially in the face of people like Laurie Lee Hall

@brooklynwilkinson461 2 days ago

Another banger by Benjamin Park, Historian! A very fair if not generous assesment of Oak's address. Well done. I'd be interested to hear more about the specific ways the church's stance has formed and evolved concerning transgender rights.

@MadiMcDowell-s6j 13 days ago (edited)

I think the Prop 1 letter is a lot more coercive than it seems on the surface. Yes, it’s not explicitly dictating how Idaho members should vote, but if ‘The Church’ opposes it, it’s implying that individuals, as part of ‘The Church’ should oppose it and that those in favor of Prop 1 are not aligned with the church’s teachings. It would be different if the letter encouraged members to prayerfully consider how to use their vote in November. And you’re right in saying that the church can’t enforce votes, but it can take away people’s temple recommends for supporting a teaching opposed by the church, keep people out of callings, socially ostracize them, or even revoke the membership of those who support Prop 1 and speak out against the church’s interference. Unfortunately, it largely depends on what an individual’s congregation and local leadership is like. People on social media have bishops who refused to read the letter, and some have very vindictive bishops who punish congregants for any kind of disagreement.

Thank you for another great video!

@poisontango 13 days ago

I would be very interested in videos on the roundtable and on a history of LDS beliefs about abortion and ensoulment!

@sheldonjackson383 13 days ago

Balanced and fair commentary. 👏🏻
President Oaks is a ‘legal master’. In has address he walked a fine balance between current pluralistic compromise and LDS theocratic ideals.
I would categorize President Oaks as a ‘Classical Liberal’ rather than as a moderate conservative.
(Im certain that he misspoke regarding the ‘200 years’ comment), thank you for not reading nefarious intent into it.

@sketchygetchey8299 13 days ago

Totally off topic, but I’ve to the National Cathedral of America, and I just absolutely love the look of it! Interior and exterior!

@pijohnso 13 days ago

Idaho has lost a third of its ob-gyns. Women with pregnancy complications have to be shipped out of state. If the leadership who signed the letter had prevailed on a woman to sign the letter, she would be seen by many as a traitor to her gender. And now Nevada. So infuriating.