Wallace B. Smith - Misplaced Pages

Leader of the RLDS Church (1978–1996)

Wallace B. Smith

Prophet Emeritus

April 15, 1996 (1996-04-15) – September 22, 2023 (2023-09-22)

Prophet–President of the Church

April 5, 1978 (1978-04-05) – April 15, 1996 (1996-04-15)

Predecessor

W. Wallace Smith

Successor

W. Grant McMurray

Reason

Designated successor by W. Wallace Smith

End reason

Granted emeritus status

Prophet and President Designate

1976 (1976) – April 5, 1978 (1978-04-05)

Called by

W. Wallace Smith

Predecessor

none

Reason

To assist the Prophet-President

End reason

Became Prophet–President of the Church

Personal details

Born

Wallace Bunnell Anthony Smith
(1929-07-29)July 29, 1929
Independence, MO, U.S.

Died

September 22, 2023(2023-09-22) (aged 94)
Lee's Summit, Missouri, U.S.

Residence

Independence Missouri

Spouse(s)

Anne Smith

Children

Parents

W. Wallace Smith
Rosamund Bunnell Smith

Biography portal

Wallace Bunnell Smith (July 29, 1929 – September 22, 2023) was an American who was Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) (Community of Christ), from April 5, 1978, through April 15, 1996. The son of 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 was a great-grandson of Joseph Smith (founder of the Latter Day Saint movement), and was a practicing ophthalmologist in the Independence, Missouri, area before accepting ordination to RLDS leadership.

As president, Smith authorized construction of the church’s temple in Independence, Missouri, which occurred from 1990 to 1994. His presidency also promoted a church conference vote on April 5, 1984, which approved ordination of women to priesthood offices: The first ordination took place on November 17, 1985. Smith is 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, but conference approval did take place during the April 2000 World Conference, four years after Smith's retirement as the church's prophet-president.

On September 19, 1995, Smith announced he was retiring as prophet, seer and revelator of the church, and designated W. Grant McMurray as his successor. Smith formally retired on 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.

Wallace B. Smith died on September 22, 2023, at the age of 94.

References

Book of Doctrine and Covenants (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House) 152:1a.
Kahtava, Alex (January 2010). "Wallace B. Smith Honored". Community of Christ News. Community of Christ. Archived from the original on July 21, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
Vanel 2010, p. 219n62.
"2 Women Ordained to RLDS Priesthood". Deseret News. November 19, 1985. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
"Wallace B. Smith (1929 – 2023)". Wheat & Tares. Retrieved September 25, 2023.

Sources

Vanel, Chrystal (2010). "The History of the RLDS Church/Community of Christ in France". John Whitmer Historical Association Journal. 30: 206–221. JSTOR 43200480.

External links

Community of Christ's online history of Wallace B. Smith

Community of Christ titles
Preceded byW. Wallace Smith	President Emeritus April 15, 1996 – September 22, 2023 With: W. Wallace Smith	Succeeded byN/A
Preceded byW. Wallace Smith	Prophet–President April 5, 1978 – April 15, 1996	Succeeded byW. Grant McMurray

Prophet-Presidents of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Community of Christ)

Pre-succession crisis

President	J. Smith Jr. (1830–44)

Post reorganization

Prophet-Presidents	J. Smith III (1860–1914) F.M. Smith (1915–46) I.A. Smith (1946–58) W.W. Smith (1958–78) W.B. Smith (1978–96) McMurray (1996–2005) Veazey (2005–)

v t e Community of Christ
Major people	Joseph Smith Emma Smith David Whitmer Alpheus Cutler William Smith Lyman Wight Joseph Smith III Frederick M. Smith Israel A. Smith Charles D. Neff W. Wallace Smith Wallace B. Smith W. Grant McMurray Stephen M. Veazey Sidney Rigdon
History	First Vision Amboy Conference Lineal succession Supreme Directional Control
Major beliefs	All are Called Concept of Zion God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit Peace Priesthood Prophetic leadership Salvation Worth of all persons
Sacred texts	Bible King James Version Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine and covenants
Worship	Auditorium Community of Christ Sings Daily Prayer for Peace Sacraments Temples (Independence, Kirtland)
Organization	Children's Peace Pavilion Seminary World Conference Field organization
Leadership	Prophet-President List First Presidency Council of Twelve Apostles Presiding Bishop World Church Leadership Council Standing High Council Presiding Evangelist
Other	Comparison with Latter-day Saints Graceland University Harmony (organization) Herald Herald House Harvest Hills International Peace Award
Historic Sites	Joseph Smith Mansion House Liberty Hall Nauvoo House Plano Stone Church Red Brick Store Stone Church

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