Experts skeptical an Oaks presidency will bring major changeA longtime prominent voice in the church, Oaks joined the Quorum of the Twelve in 1984 around the same time as Nelson. “I suspect that Oaks has had a fairly strong hand in leadership through Nelson’s presidency,” Bowman said. The move reversed a decision that was devastating and confusing to gay and lesbian church members who had been buoyed in previous years by church leaders’ calls for more love and understanding for LGBTQ+ members. Oaks’ presidency could be stylistically differentWell known for dry sermons and speeches that appeal more to reason than emotion, Oaks brings a jurist’s sensibility to his work. “That really, I think, alarmed Nelson, and it alarmed Oaks,” Bowman said.