Wallace B. Smith

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Wallace Bunnell Smith (born July 29, 1929) was Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ), from 1978–1996. Son of President W. Wallace Smith, he was designated as his father's successor in 1976, and ordained church president on April 5, 1978 when the elder Smith retired to emeritus status. Wallace B. Smith is a great-grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and was a practicing ophthalmologist in the Independence, Missouri area.

Wallace B. Smith's presidency was notable for the construction of the church's temple and headquarters in Independence, Missouri, 1990-1994, and for overseeing a church vote on April 5, 1984, approving ordination of women to the church's priesthood offices: The first such ordination took place on November 17, 1985. He is credited with first proposing the name adopted by the church at a Joint Council retreat in 1994. At the following World Conference this proposed name change was not approved, however, action was not again taken to adopt the new name until the 2000 World Conference, which was after his retirement.

On September 19, 1995, Smith announced he was retiring, designated W. Grant McMurray as his successor, and retired in 1996. Smith was then named "President Emeritus" as his father had been before him; he continues to hold this position today.

[edit] References

• Richard P. Howard, The Church Through the Years, Herald House: 1992.
• Laurie Smith Monsees, The Temple: Dedicated to Peace, Herald House: 1993.