W. Grant McMurray
Encyclopedia
William Grant McMurray was Prophet-President of the Community of Christ
from 1996 until 2004. He was the first non-descendant of Joseph Smith
to head the church, and under his administration, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church) changed its name to Community of Christ.
, Ontario, Canada, to parents who were members of the RLDS Church. He lived in Toronto until his teenage years, when his family moved to Independence, Missouri
, United States where his mother accepted employment at the church headquarters of the RLDS Church. He attended Graceland College and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri
, where he earned a master's degree in theology, making McMurray the first president of the RLDS Church who was trained at a seminary.
In 1973, McMurray began employment with the historical department of the RLDS Church. In 1982, he became the church's World Church Secretary, and in 1992, he became member of the First Presidency
as a counselor to church president Wallace B. Smith
. In 1995, Smith announced his retirement and named McMurray as his successor; it was the first time that a non-descendant of church-founder Joseph Smith
had been named to head the church.
In 1997, McMurray called upon what was RLDS Church to transform itself by articulating a Christ-centered theology of peace. In 2001, the church changed its name to Community of Christ, evoking the original name of the church "Church of Christ," affirming the centrality of Christ to the church, and commemorating the Latter Day Saint movement's
long-held tradition of building up Zionic communities
.”
McMurray presided over the first ordination of a woman to the office of Apostle in the Council of Twelve
. He also led the Community of Christ to a closer relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, building both friendly relations and collaborative historical efforts.
choices, and the circumstances of my life are now such that I cannot continue to effectively lead the church. I deeply regret the difficulties that this causes for the church I love". The letter also later stated that he had recently been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease
but his health was not a motivating factor to his resignation.
When later interviewed regarding his resignation letter, McMurray stated “Beyond that, it's an entirely personal and family matter and the letter says what I felt I needed to say."
A joint council of church leaders led by the Council of Twelve Apostles announced in March 2005 the name of Stephen M. Veazey
as Prophet-President designate. Veazey had been serving as president of the Council of Twelve. Delegates elected to a special World Conference
of the church approved Veazey and he was ordained to the presidency on June 3, 2005.
Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is an American-based international Christian church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace"...
from 1996 until 2004. He was the first non-descendant of Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was founder of what later became known as the Latter Day Saint movement or Mormons.Joseph Smith may also refer to:-Latter Day Saints:* Joseph Smith, Sr. , father of Joseph Smith...
to head the church, and under his administration, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church) changed its name to Community of Christ.
Biography
McMurray was born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario, Canada, to parents who were members of the RLDS Church. He lived in Toronto until his teenage years, when his family moved to Independence, Missouri
Independence, Missouri
Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
, United States where his mother accepted employment at the church headquarters of the RLDS Church. He attended Graceland College and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, where he earned a master's degree in theology, making McMurray the first president of the RLDS Church who was trained at a seminary.
In 1973, McMurray began employment with the historical department of the RLDS Church. In 1982, he became the church's World Church Secretary, and in 1992, he became member of the First Presidency
First Presidency (Community of Christ)
The First Presidency of the Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is the church's highest-ranking priesthood quorum. It is composed of the president and two counselors, and they preside over the whole church under the principles of "theocratic...
as a counselor to church president Wallace B. Smith
Wallace B. Smith
Wallace Bunnell Anthony Smith was Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , from April 5, 1978 through April 15, 1996. Son of President W. Wallace Smith, he was designated as his father's successor in 1976, and ordained church president in 1978 when his...
. In 1995, Smith announced his retirement and named McMurray as his successor; it was the first time that a non-descendant of church-founder Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was founder of what later became known as the Latter Day Saint movement or Mormons.Joseph Smith may also refer to:-Latter Day Saints:* Joseph Smith, Sr. , father of Joseph Smith...
had been named to head the church.
McMurray's presidency and legacy
McMurray became the president of the church in 1996.In 1997, McMurray called upon what was RLDS Church to transform itself by articulating a Christ-centered theology of peace. In 2001, the church changed its name to Community of Christ, evoking the original name of the church "Church of Christ," affirming the centrality of Christ to the church, and commemorating the Latter Day Saint movement's
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
long-held tradition of building up Zionic communities
Zion (Latter Day Saints)
Within the Latter Day Saint movement, Zion is often used to connote a utopian association of the righteous. This association would practice a form of communitarian economics called the United Order meant to ensure that all members maintained an acceptable quality of life, class distinctions were...
.”
McMurray presided over the first ordination of a woman to the office of Apostle in the Council of Twelve
Council of Twelve Apostles (Community of Christ)
In the Community of Christ, The Council of Twelve Apostles is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy. They are disciples who hold the priesthood office of Apostle, and are responsible for the evangelistic witness of the church...
. He also led the Community of Christ to a closer relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, building both friendly relations and collaborative historical efforts.
McMurray's resignation
On November 29, 2004, McMurray resigned as president of the church. McMurray resignation letter stated "However, along the way I have made some inappropriatechoices, and the circumstances of my life are now such that I cannot continue to effectively lead the church. I deeply regret the difficulties that this causes for the church I love". The letter also later stated that he had recently been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
but his health was not a motivating factor to his resignation.
When later interviewed regarding his resignation letter, McMurray stated “Beyond that, it's an entirely personal and family matter and the letter says what I felt I needed to say."
A joint council of church leaders led by the Council of Twelve Apostles announced in March 2005 the name of Stephen M. Veazey
Stephen M. Veazey
Stephen Mark Veazey is the current Prophet-President of the Community of Christ, headquartered in Independence, Missouri. Veazey's name was presented to the church in March 2005 by a joint council of church leaders led by the Council of Twelve Apostles, as the next Prophet-President...
as Prophet-President designate. Veazey had been serving as president of the Council of Twelve. Delegates elected to a special World Conference
World Conference (Community of Christ)
World Conference is the highest legislative body in the Community of Christ and is empowered to act for the entire church. It operates according to a principle known as "common consent" and is presided over by the First Presidency...
of the church approved Veazey and he was ordained to the presidency on June 3, 2005.
See also
- Kenneth N. RobinsonKenneth N. RobinsonKenneth N. Robinson was a member of the First Presidency of the Community of Christ from 1996 to 2007. Robinson was also an apostle and a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles of the church from 1980 to 1996....