Elder Oaks was former Supreme Court candidate

Julia Jacobson JAC03001@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

Dallin H. Oaks, an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a front-runner for an appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981.

This information was released in relation to President Bush’s Supreme Court nominee John Robert’s confirmation. 

According to memorandum released by the National Archives, Dallin H. Oaks was a favorite for the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy in 1981, following the retirement of Justice Potter Stewart. At the time, Oaks was a Utah Supreme Court Justice.   

Prior to John Robert’s confirmation, several documents were released, one relating specifically to Dallin H. Oaks’ possible appointment. The possibility exits that Supreme Court and Church history could have been quite different than they have turned out to be.

Many students agree that Oaks’ nomination demonstrates the caliber of person he is. “Obviously he’s a man who is very good at what he does. I think it is awesome that the president recognized that he would do a good job in the Supreme Court,” said Emily Bee, a senior from Bear Lake, Idaho. 

During President Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign in 1980, he promised the appointment of the first woman to the Supreme Court, according to New York Times Online. Despite this promise, Oaks was still considered for the position. The vacancy was eventually filled by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.  

Other front-runners for the Supreme Court position, beside Oaks and O’Connor, included Robert Bork, Antonin Scalia and Anthony Kennedy. Both Scalia and Kennedy were later confirmed as members of the court.

However, despite not becoming a Supreme Court Justice, Oaks eventually filled what some would consider an even larger role, with his 1984 call to be an Apostle for the Church.

 “I think it’s cool to know Elder Oaks was nominated. It tells the world what kind of background and knowledge he has to fill that position. When you think about the rest of Quorum, he fits,” said Ranee Jenkins, a junior from Boise.