William Wallace Smith (November 18, 1900 – 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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Prophet Emeritus | |
| April 5, 1978 – August 4, 1989 | |
| Prophet–President of the Church | |
| October 6, 1958 – April 5, 1978 | |
| Predecessor | Israel A. Smith |
| Successor | Wallace B. Smith |
| Reason | Doctrine of Lineal succession |
| End reason | Granted emeritus status |
| Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| April 2, 1950 – October 8, 1958 | |
| Called by | Israel A. Smith |
| Predecessor | John F. Garver |
| Successor | Maurice L. Draper |
| Reason | Death of John F. Garver |
| End reason | Became Prophet–President of the Church |
| Council of Twelve Apostles | |
| April 7, 1947 – October 8, 1958 | |
| Called by | Israel A. Smith |
| Predecessor | John W. Rushton |
| Successor | Donald O. Chesworth |
| Reason | Honorable release of Rushton |
| End reason | Called as counselor in the First Presidency |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Wallace Smith November 18, 1900 Lamoni, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | August 4, 1989 (aged 88) Independence, Missouri, U.S. |
| Resting place | Mound Grove Cemetery 39°6′41.20″N 94°25′34.78″W / 39.1114444°N 94.4263278°W |
| Alma mater | University of Missouri |
| Spouse(s) | Rosamund Bunnell Smith |
| Children | 2, including Wallace B. Smith |
| Parents | Joseph Smith III |
| Website | Our History: W. Wallace Smith |
Biography
editW. 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
editSmith 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
editFollowing 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
editThe 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
editIn 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]
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Retirement
editSmith 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
edit
References
edit- ^ Questions and Answers on Church Name Change
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.