William Wallace Smith ((1900-11-18)November 18, 1900 – (1989-08-04)August 4, 1989) was a grandson of Joseph Smith Jr. and Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Community of Christ),[1] from October 6, 1958, to April 5, 1978, when he retired to "emeritus" status.[2]

W. Wallace Smith
Photo of W. Wallace Smith
Prophet Emeritus
April 5, 1978 (1978-04-05) – August 4, 1989 (1989-08-04)
Prophet–President of the Church
October 6, 1958 (1958-10-06) – April 5, 1978 (1978-04-05)
PredecessorIsrael A. Smith
SuccessorWallace B. Smith
ReasonDoctrine of Lineal succession
End reasonGranted emeritus status
Counselor in the First Presidency
April 2, 1950 (1950-04-02) – October 8, 1958 (1958-10-08)
Called byIsrael A. Smith
PredecessorJohn F. Garver
SuccessorMaurice L. Draper
ReasonDeath of John F. Garver
End reasonBecame Prophet–President of the Church
Council of Twelve Apostles
April 7, 1947 (1947-04-07) – October 8, 1958 (1958-10-08)
Called byIsrael A. Smith
PredecessorJohn W. Rushton
SuccessorDonald O. Chesworth
ReasonHonorable release of Rushton
End reasonCalled as counselor in the First Presidency
Personal details
BornWilliam Wallace Smith
(1900-11-18)November 18, 1900
Lamoni, Iowa, U.S.
DiedAugust 4, 1989(1989-08-04) (aged 88)
Independence, Missouri, U.S.
Resting placeMound Grove Cemetery
39°6′41.20″N 94°25′34.78″W / 39.1114444°N 94.4263278°W / 39.1114444; -94.4263278
Alma materUniversity of Missouri
Spouse(s)Rosamund Bunnell Smith
Children2, including Wallace B. Smith
ParentsJoseph Smith III
WebsiteOur History: W. Wallace Smith

Biography

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W. Wallace Smith was born in Lamoni, Iowa, on November 18, 1900, to Joseph Smith III and his third wife Ada R. Clark.[3] Smith graduated from the University of Missouri in 1924. He entered the ministry of the RLDS Church in 1928 and was ordained an apostle and joined the Council of Twelve Apostles on April 7, 1947, after the honorable release of John W. Rushton.[4] On April 2, 1950, Smith was called as counselor to Israel A. Smith, his half brother, in the First Presidency, and was replaced in the Quorum of the Twelve by Donald O. Chesworth. Smith died in Independence, Missouri on August 4, 1989.[5]

President of the Church

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Smith was the third of his father's sons to succeed to the presidency of the church, assuming the presidency after the deaths of his brothers Frederick M. Smith and Israel A. Smith.[6]

Church Growth

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Following a 1960 worldwide missionary tour, W. Wallace Smith's tenure as church president saw substantial overseas growth in the church, especially in Africa, Latin America, and the Far East. Also during his administration, the church saw significant doctrinal and practical changes, characterized by vigorous efforts in ecumenism, liberalism and internationalization of the group's message.

The Independence Temple of Zion

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The building of temples is part of the overall tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. For several decades the idea of building of an "Independence Temple of Zion" had been part of RLDS Church tradition.[7] However, nothing specific had been said or done by the leadership of the RLDS Church for several decades.[6] In 1972, W. Wallace brought the concept to the forefront in a document that called for "defining the purpose and selecting the place for erecting a temple."[7][8]

Breaking with lineal succession

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In 1958, instead of calling Lynn Smith to replace his father in the office of Presiding Patriarch, W. Wallace Smith named Roy Cheville to the office, in a break with an RLDS traditional doctrine of lineal succession.[9]

The inter-relationship of the offices of President of the Church (also known as "Prophet-President") and Presiding Patriarch (also known a Presiding Evangelist) in the Smith family, and the doctrine of Lineal succession, of pre and post-reorganization in the Community of Christ:
 
Joseph Smith, Sr.
1771–1840
Presiding Patriarch
(1833–1840)
 
Hyrum Smith
1800–1844
Presiding Patriarch
(1841–1844)
 
Joseph Smith, Jr.
1805–1844
President of the Church
(1830–1844)
 
Emma Hale Smith
1804–1879
Elect Lady
 
William B. Smith
1811–1893
Presiding Patriarch
(1845)
 
Bertha Madison
1843–1896
 
Joseph Smith III
1832–1914
Prophet-President
(1860–1914)
Ada Clark
1871–1914
 
Alexander Hale Smith
1838–1909
Presiding Patriarch
(1897–1902)
 
Frederick M. Smith
1874–1946
Prophet–President
(1914–1946)
 
Israel A. Smith
1876–1958
Prophet–President
(1946–1958)

W. Wallace Smith
1900–1989
Prophet–President
(1958–1978)
 
Frederick A. Smith
1862–1954
Presiding Patriarch
(1913–1938)
 
Elbert A. Smith
1871–1959
Presiding Patriarch
(1938–1958)

Retirement

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Smith designated his son, Wallace B. Smith as his successor in 1976, and on April 5, 1978, he became the first president of the church to retire to "emeritus" status — all previous presidents had served until their deaths.[2] To ensure a smooth transition, W.W. Smith read a letter of resignation shortly before his son was ordained.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Questions and Answers on Church Name Change
  2. ^ a b W. Wallace, Smith. "Doctrine and Covenants: Appendix F". Doctrine and Covenants of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Independent RLDS / Restoration Branches. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  3. ^ Jones, Gracia. "Joseph Smith III". The Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "D&C 140 3-4a". Doctrine and Covenants of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Independent RLDS / Restoration Branches. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  5. ^ "D&C 142:1b-142:2". Doctrine and Covenants of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Independent RLDS / Restoration Branches. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Our History: W. Wallace Smith (1958-1978)". Official website of the Community of Christ. Community of Christ. Retrieved September 8, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ a b Steven C. Kellogg, "Temples of the Restoration," Saints Herald 118 (September 1971):10-12, 30-31; (October 1971):15-17, 48-49; (November 1971):18-20, 32-34.
  8. ^ W. Wallace, Smith. "D&C 150:8". Doctrine and Covenants of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Independent RLDS / Restoration Branches. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  9. ^ "D&C 151:1a and 2". Doctrine and Covenants of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Independent RLDS / Restoration Branches. Retrieved September 8, 2011.

Other sources

  • Richard P. Howard, The Church Through the Years, Herald House: 1992.
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Community of Christ titles
Preceded by
None
Prophet Emeritus
April 5, 1978–August 4, 1989
With: Wallace B. Smith
Succeeded by
N/A
Preceded by Prophet–President
October 6, 1958–April 5, 1978
Succeeded by
Preceded by Counselor in the First Presidency
April 2, 1950–October 8, 1958
Succeeded by
Preceded by
John W. Rushton
Council of Twelve Apostles
April 7, 1947–April 2, 1950
Succeeded by
Donald O. Chesworth