Wallace B. Smith

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Wallace Bunnell Anthony Smith (born July 29, 1929 ) was the President of the Fellowship of Christ from April 5, 1978 to April 15, 1996. He is the son of W. Wallace Smith and was named in 1976 as his successor. He was ordained as President of the Church in 1978, at which time his father retired. Wallace B. Smith is a third generation descendant of Joseph Smith . He was a practicing ophthalmologist in Independence before assuming leadership positions in the Church.

Smith's presidency is notable for the construction of the Independence Temple . This was built from 1990 to 1994. His presidency is also noteworthy because it was the first church conference allowed to ordain women to the priesthood. The conference was on April 5, 1984, and the first woman ordained to the priesthood was on November 17, 1985. Smith is also held responsible for changing the name of the Church. He was one of the first Church leaders to propose a name change to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Communion of Christ . He suggested this at a meeting of Church leaders. At the following world conference in 1996 in the auditorium , the proposal was rejected by a majority of the members. However, the proposal was approved at the next world conference in 2000.

On September 19, 1995, Smith announced that he was stepping down from his position as a prophet, seer, and revelator of the Church. He named W. Grant McMurray to succeed him. Smith officially resigned on April 15, 1996. At this point, McMurray was ordained as the new president in the auditorium . Smith was referred to as a "President Emeritus," as was his father. Smith holds that title to this day.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Book of Doctrine and Covenants (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House) 152: 1a.
  2. ↑ 2 Women Ordained to RLDS Priesthood . Deseret News . November 19, 1985. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  3. ↑ Alex Kahtava: Wallace B. Smith Honored . Community of Christ. January 2010. Accessed July 31, 2014.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Smith, Wallace B.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Smith, Wallace Bunnell Anthony (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION fifth president of the communion of Christ
DATE OF BIRTH July 29, 1929