W. Wallace Smith
| 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, United States |
| Died | August 4, 1989 (aged 88) Independence, Missouri, United States |
| 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 |
Wallace B. Smith Rosalee Smith Elser |
| Parents |
Joseph Smith III Ada R. Clark |
| Website | Our History: W |
William Wallace Smith (November 18, 1900—August 4, 1989 (aged 88)) was a grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now known as the Community of Christ), from October 6, 1958 to April 5, 1978, when he retired to "emeritus" status.
W. Wallace Smith was born in Lamoni, Iowa on November 18, 1900 to Joseph Smith III and his third wife Ada R. Clark. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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