Wallace B. Smith

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)
PredecessorW. Wallace Smith
SuccessorW. Grant McMurray
ReasonDesignated successor by W. Wallace Smith
End reasonGranted emeritus status
Prophet and President Designate [1]
1976 (1976) – April 5, 1978 (1978-04-05)
Called byW. Wallace Smith
Predecessornone
ReasonTo assist the Prophet-President
End reasonBecame Prophet–President of the Church
Personal details
BornWallace Bunnell Anthony Smith
(1929-07-29)July 29, 1929
Independence, MO, U.S.
DiedSeptember 22, 2023(2023-09-22) (aged 94)
Lee's Summit, Missouri, U.S.
ResidenceIndependence Missouri
Spouse(s)Anne Smith[2]
Children3
ParentsW. Wallace Smith
Rosamund Bunnell Smith

Wallace Bunnell Smith[3] (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.[4] 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.[5]

  1. ^ Book of Doctrine and Covenants (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House) 152:1a.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Vanel 2010, p. 219n62.
  4. ^ "2 Women Ordained to RLDS Priesthood". Deseret News. November 19, 1985. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  5. ^ "Wallace B. Smith (1929 – 2023)". Wheat & Tares. Retrieved September 25, 2023.