Church Leader Attends 85th Family Reunion as New Prophet

For 85 years, the Olsen family has gathered in Joe's Valley, a remote corner of Central Utah, to celebrate their shared roots. This July 4th, President Dallin H. Oaks showed up for his usual spot at the reunion, but this time as the newest prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Oaks has missed only a handful of the biennial reunions since childhood. His commitment to the tradition speaks volumes in an era when extended family gatherings often fade as generations scatter across the country.

During the gathering, he shared a message that echoed his October 2025 conference talk about families. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a family-oriented church, and that doesn't just mean that we pull together as a family in our life on earth," he told relatives gathered around him.

He spoke about how everyone born on Earth is part of a spiritual family, with the world created as a place for growth and learning. The ability to choose right from wrong and grow closer to God happens best within family connections, he explained.

Sister Kristen M. Oaks joined him for the celebration, where he chatted with young relatives like Georgia Olsen. The informal setting allowed for personal conversations that reinforced his teachings about family bonds extending beyond mortality.

Why This Inspires

In a world where busyness often pushes family reunions to the bottom of priority lists, watching a global religious leader protect space for his own family gathering sends a powerful message. President Oaks didn't cancel because of his new responsibilities. He showed up because connection matters more than convenience.

The 85-year streak represents countless decisions by multiple generations to keep showing up for each other. It's a reminder that the traditions we protect today become the memories that anchor future generations.

Family reunions can feel like a relic of simpler times, yet they offer something our digital age desperately needs: face-to-face time with people who share our history and roots. President Oaks's attendance proves that no job is too important to skip what truly matters.