President Dallin H. Oaks on God's loving kindness to His children

President Dallin H. Oaks (born August 12, 1932) served as president of BYU from 1971-1980.  He was then appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and resigned when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He became President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and also 1st Counselor in the First Presidency in January 2018.

"I am sure you are familiar with our great hymn 'Dearest Children, God Is Near You.' Here is the first verse we all have sung and believed:

"Dearest children, God is near you,
Watching o’er you day and night,
And delights to own and bless you,
If you strive to do what’s right. (Hymns, no. 96.)

"There are two teachings in that verse: First, our Heavenly Father is near us and watches over us day and night. Think of it! God loves us, He is near to us, and He watches over us. Second, He delights to bless us as we 'strive to do what’s right.' What comfort in the midst of our anxieties and difficulties!

"Yes, young women, you are blessed and you are wonderful, but you are like all of Heavenly Father’s children in your need to 'strive to do what’s right.'"

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Parents and Children," General Conference October 2018
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President Oaks addressed a good portion of his talk in the women's session of general conference to the young girls in the audience. In this excerpt he encouraged them to be faithful and trust in a loving Heavenly Father, who would in return care for them:

I have always loved the tender message of that hymn "Dearest Children, God Is Near You." It expresses a level of faith and belief that often is more common in the dear children than in the more "seasoned" adults. There is certainly much to ponder in the Savior's admonition that we must "become as little children" (Matthew 18:3) in order to receive His blessings.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)