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Scholars & SaintsAuthor: UVA Mormon Studies
Scholars & Saints is the official podcast of the University of Virginias Mormon Studies program, housed in the Department of Religious Studies. Scholars & Saints is a venue of public scholarship that promotes respectful dialogue about Latter Day Saint traditions among laypersons and academics. Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The Latter-day Saint Legal Tradition (feat. Nathan Oman)
Episode 1
Wednesday, 1 April, 2026
Perhaps no religion has had a more contentious or complex relationship with American law than Mormonism: from 19th century debates over polygamy to questions of church affiliated states. So how has Mormonism, particularly the Latter-day Saint tradition, negotiated the Western legal tradition within its own belief systems? And what is the Latter-day Saint legal tradition, whether explicit or implicit, that's emerged from these engagements?These are just a few of the many gripping questions William & Mary Law Schools' Rita Anne Rollins Professor of Law Nathan Oman asks in his 2026 book Living Oracles: Law and the Latter-day Saint Tradition. Professor Oman joins host Nicholas Shrum to kick off the newest season of Scholars & Saints through a comparative analysis and historical engagement of Latter-day Saint legal perspectives. Their conversation explores 19th and 20th century church courts, the evolving view of a divinely inspired U.S. Constitution, religious vs. secular views of marriage, and so much more. To learn more about Professor Nathan Oman, visit his faculty webpage.
