Wallace B. Smith
Encyclopedia
Wallace Bunnell Anthony Smith (born July 29, 1929) was Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ
), 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 father retired to emeritus
status. Wallace B. Smith is a great-grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr. (the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement
), and was a practicing ophthalmologist in the Independence, Missouri
area before accepting ordination to Community of Christ
's leadership.
Wallace B. Smith's presidency was notable for authorizing construction of the church's Temple
in Independence, Missouri
in 1990-1994, and for promoting at the same time a church conference vote on Thursday, April 5, 1984 which approved ordination of females to priesthood
offices: The first ordination took place on Sunday, November 17, 1985. Smith is also credited with being one of the first church leaders to formally propose a name-change for the church, at a Joint Council
retreat in 1994. At the subsequent World Conference
in 1996, the proposed name change (to "Community of Christ" from "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints") was not approved by a majority vote at that time, but conference approval did take place during the April, 2000 World Conference, four years after Smith's retirement as prophet-president of the church.
On September 19, 1995, Smith announced he was retiring as prophet, seer and revelator of the church, and he designated W. Grant McMurray
as his successor. Smith formally retired on Monday, April 15, 1996, at which time his successor McMurray was ordained in a ceremony at the RLDS Auditorium. Smith was designated "President Emeritus," as his father likewise had been designated in 1978 upon ordination of his son. Smith holds the position today.
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 April 5, 1978 through April 15, 1996. Son of President W. Wallace Smith
W. Wallace Smith
William Wallace Smith was a grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , from October 6, 1958 to April 5, 1978, when he retired to "emeritus" status....
, he was designated as his father's successor in 1976, and ordained church president in 1978 when his father retired to emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
status. Wallace B. Smith is a great-grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr. (the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement
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...
), and was a practicing ophthalmologist in the 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...
area before accepting ordination to Community of Christ
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"...
's leadership.
Wallace B. Smith's presidency was notable for authorizing construction of the church's Temple
Independence Temple
The Temple in Independence, Missouri, is a house of worship and education "dedicated to the pursuit of peace". It dominates the skyline of Independence, Missouri, USA, and has become the focal point of the headquarters of the Community of Christ...
in 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...
in 1990-1994, and for promoting at the same time a church conference vote on Thursday, April 5, 1984 which approved ordination of females to priesthood
Priesthood (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, priesthood is considered to be the power and authority of God, including the authority to act as a leader in the church and to perform ordinances, and the power to perform miracles. A body of priesthood holders is referred to as a quorum.Priesthood denotes elements...
offices: The first ordination took place on Sunday, November 17, 1985. Smith is also credited with being one of the first church leaders to formally propose a name-change for the church, at a Joint Council
World Church Leadership Council (Community of Christ)
The World Church Leadership Council is a leadership body of the Community of Christ. It encompasses the First Presidency, the Council of Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric. The group convenes at the church headquarters in the Independence temple...
retreat in 1994. At the subsequent 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...
in 1996, the proposed name change (to "Community of Christ" from "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints") was not approved by a majority vote at that time, but conference approval did take place during the April, 2000 World Conference, four years after Smith's retirement as prophet-president of the church.
On September 19, 1995, Smith announced he was retiring as prophet, seer and revelator of the church, and he designated W. Grant McMurray
W. Grant McMurray
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 changed its name to Community of...
as his successor. Smith formally retired on Monday, April 15, 1996, at which time his successor McMurray was ordained in a ceremony at the RLDS Auditorium. Smith was designated "President Emeritus," as his father likewise had been designated in 1978 upon ordination of his son. Smith holds the position today.
External links
- Community of Christ's online history of Wallace B. Smith
- Laurie Smith Monsees, The Temple: Dedicated to Peace, Herald House: 1993. ISBN 9780830906482