Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kristen Meredith McMain Oaks |
| Birth | October 15, 1947, United States |
| Residence | Salt Lake City, Utah, USA |
| Education | BA in English (University of Utah, c. 1969); MA in Special Education (University of Utah, c. 1971); EdD in Curriculum & Instruction (Brigham Young University, 1980s) |
| Languages | English, Japanese |
| Church Service | Full-time mission in Japan (early 1970s); training auxiliaries in the Philippines (2002–2004); frequent devotional speaker |
| Occupations | Educator, curriculum specialist, publishing consultant, author |
| Notable Works | A Single Voice (2008); The Testimony Glove (2010); My Home Can Be a Holy Place (2012); Trust in His Promises (2018) |
| Known For | Advocacy for single adults in faith communities; educational leadership; global church service |
| Marital Status | Married to Dallin H. Oaks (August 25, 2000) |
| Children | Step-mother to six adult children; no biological children |
| Extended Family | 29 grandchildren and 60+ great-grandchildren (as of 2021) |
Early Life and Education
Born in 1947, Kristen Meredith McMain grew up in a home where faith and learning were daily bread. In the early 1970s, she accepted a full-time missionary call to Japan, acquiring not only language skills but also a global outlook that would later shape her educational and church service. By the close of that decade, she had assembled a powerful academic toolkit: a BA in English and an MA in Special Education, both from the University of Utah, followed by an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction at BYU in the 1980s. Her scholarly bent was practical and people-centered—instructional design, literacy, and learning for diverse learners.
Fifty-Two Years Single: A Voice for Those in the Waiting
Kristen remained single until age 52. Those years were not an intermission but a proving ground that honed her empathy and leadership. She transformed personal experience into public ministry, eventually writing and speaking for single adults who, like her, navigated complex expectations within faith communities. Her 2008 book, A Single Voice: The Unexpected Life Is No Less a Life, distills decades of lived wisdom into principles of purpose, patience, and covenant-centered hope.
Marriage to Dallin H. Oaks and a Blended Family
On August 25, 2000, Kristen married Dallin H. Oaks—then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—becoming a partner in his global ministry and a stepmother to six adult children. The union, at her 52 and his 68, brought together two seasoned hearts and two expansive worlds. Kristen has spoken candidly about the humility and humor required to knit a blended family together, crediting faith, open communication, and the goodwill of Dallin’s children.
Stepchildren and Family Snapshot
| Name | Relationship | Birth (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martha Sharmon Oaks Ward | Stepdaughter | c. 1954 | Married to Jack D. Ward; based in Rockford, Illinois; focused on family and community service. |
| Cheri Lynn Oaks Christensen | Stepdaughter | c. 1956 | Married to Alan Christensen; active in church auxiliaries. |
| Margaret “Meg” Oaks | Stepdaughter | c. 1960 | Low public profile; steady presence at family gatherings. |
| Elizabeth “Jenny” Oaks Baker | Stepdaughter | Nov 28, 1975 | Renowned violinist; married to Justin Baker; publicly praises Kristen as a step-mom and grandmother. |
| Dallin D. Oaks | Stepson | c. 1965 | BYU linguistics professor specializing in Native American languages; married with children. |
| Douglas Oaks | Stepson | c. 1968 | Business/law professional; married; known for an adventurous streak. |
- Grandchildren: 29
- Great-grandchildren: 60+ (as of 2021)
Kristen’s role is both tender and practical—attending births and blessings, graduations and temple days—quiet stitches in a broad family tapestry.
Professional Work in Education and Publishing
Kristen’s career spans classrooms, boardrooms, and international corridors. After teaching special education, she consulted in publishing during the 1990s, including international outreach for a major Latter-day Saint publisher. Her EdD focus on curriculum and instruction proved invaluable for adapting educational materials across cultures and languages. This skillset later served her well in church assignments and global training efforts.
Global Church Service: Philippines (2002–2004) and Beyond
From 2002 to 2004, Kristen accompanied President Oaks during his leadership assignment in the Philippines. She helped train women’s and children’s auxiliaries, adapting curricula for local needs, climates, and cultures. She would later speak at devotionals worldwide, often reminding audiences that “we are not alone and we need each other”—a succinct credo forged in far-flung chapels and crowded cultural halls.
Publications: Themes That Thread Through a Life
| Year | Title | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | A Single Voice | Lived faith, purpose, and hope for single adults |
| 2010 | The Testimony Glove | Tools for teaching children core beliefs |
| 2012 | My Home Can Be a Holy Place | Intentional spiritual practices in family life |
| 2018 | Trust in His Promises | Encouragement for women facing trials |
These books echo her signature themes: covenant identity, resilience, the sanctity of home, and the dignity of every life path.
Selected Talks and Media
- May 21, 2023: Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults (with Dallin H. Oaks), on divine help and family.
- April 23, 2024: Conversation featuring reflections on the Philippines (2002–2004).
- April 2024: Participation in the Urdaneta Philippines Temple dedication.
- June 17, 2025: “The 4 TruthS Every LDS Single Needs to Find Happiness” summary talk released online.
- July 13, 2025: Address to European members on unity and service.
- August 30–September 1, 2025: Utah Area YSA conference keynote; messages distilled into “5 truths” that resonated widely.
Her delivery blends humor with steel-thread convictions—a velvet glove over a well-ordered map.
Recent Activities (2024–2025)
The mid-2020s have kept Kristen in motion:
- April 2024: Appeared at the Urdaneta Philippines Temple dedication, reflecting on earlier years of service in the country (2002–2004).
- May 2024: Participated in a Face to Face event centered on temple covenants and blessings for youth.
- July 13, 2025: Addressed European Saints on unity and service, emphasizing that spiritual growth is a community effort.
- August 30, 2025: Keynote at a Utah Area Young Single Adult Conference; shared “5 truths” for navigating single life and discipleship.
- September 1, 2025: Coverage highlighted her encouraging, relatable counsel and the enthusiastic response of attendees.
Across these dates, her message remains consistent: discipleship is a daily walk; step by step, a life becomes a hymn.
Financial Snapshot
Kristen’s financial life is straightforward. As the wife of a senior church leader, she and President Oaks live simply in Salt Lake City, supported by a modest stipend typical for such roles, along with royalties from her books and any retirement resources from previous educational work. No public personal net worth is disclosed, aligning with a lifestyle that emphasizes stewardship over display.
Timeline Highlights
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Oct 15, 1947 | Born in the United States |
| Early 1970s | Full-time mission to Japan |
| c. 1969–1971 | BA (English) and MA (Special Education), University of Utah |
| 1980s | EdD in Curriculum & Instruction, BYU |
| 1990s | Consultant in international publishing |
| Aug 25, 2000 | Married Dallin H. Oaks in the Salt Lake Temple |
| 2002–2004 | Training church auxiliaries in the Philippines |
| 2008–2018 | Four books published on faith, home, and single life |
| 2024–2025 | Youth devotionals, temple events, and global addresses |
FAQ
When was Kristen Meredith McMain Oaks born?
She was born on October 15, 1947.
Did she serve a mission?
Yes, she served a full-time mission in Japan in the early 1970s and speaks Japanese.
When did she marry Dallin H. Oaks?
They married on August 25, 2000, in the Salt Lake Temple.
Does she have children?
She has no biological children; she is a stepmother to six adult children and participates actively in the extended family.
What are her primary books?
Her notable books include A Single Voice (2008), The Testimony Glove (2010), My Home Can Be a Holy Place (2012), and Trust in His Promises (2018).
Where has she served internationally?
Most prominently in the Philippines from 2002 to 2004, helping train church auxiliaries.
What themes does she emphasize in talks?
Resilience, covenant identity, inclusion of single adults, the power of home-centered worship, and steady discipleship.
How large is the Oaks family today?
As of 2021, the extended family includes 29 grandchildren and more than 60 great-grandchildren.
