Wallace Smith Era

Section 145 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 3 minutesPresident W. Wallace Smith introduced the following revelation to the General Conference of 1958 with an explanatory document which said, in part: Since it became apparent that the burden of its prophetic leadership would be mine, I have given additional prayerful consideration to the needs of the church, and have sought earnestly for light with such…

Section 146 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 2 minutesAt the opening of the first business session at the Amboy Centennial Conference of 1960, President W. Wallace Smith presented a revelation received by him, introducing it as follows: Having made the needs of the church a matter of almost constant thought every waking hour for many months I engaged in prayer as is my custom…

Section 147 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 3 minutesPresident W. Wallace Smith received a revelation for the church March 11, 1964, and presented it to the World Conference with the following introductory statement: With the needs of the church constantly before me I have made these matters the burden of my prayers. In seeking the will of my heavenly Father as a guide to the…

Section 148 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 5 minutesThe revelation given through President W. Wallace Smith at Independence, Missouri, April 18, 1966, was accompanied by this preparatory statement: During the last inter-Conference period I have given continuing consideration to the condition of the councils and quorums and orders of the church. This has been done hoping that I would receive light on matters of grave…

Section 149 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 4 minutesRevelation given through W. Wallace Smith, prophet and seer to the church, April 1, 1968. A vacancy had existed in the Council of Twelve since 1964. The call of D. E. Couey to the First Presidency and the honorable release of two members of the Council in 1966 resulted in four vacancies in that body,…

Section 149A (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 3 minutesRevelation given through W. Wallace Smith, prophet and seer, on April 5, 1968. During the consideration of Section 149 by the quorums, councils, and orders, certain questions of interpretation arose regarding the role of the bishop and the nature of the financial support to be given to the construction of the temple. An explanatory statement…

Section 150 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 5 minutesOn April 14, 1972, the World Conference adopted this message given through W. Wallace Smith “as embodying the word of God to the church at this time, authorizing the ordinations called for and directing its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants in its appropriate place.” It provides for one change in the Council of Twelve and the…

Section 151 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 4 minutesThis revelation addressed the need for changes in the presiding leadership of the church. Apostles Holmes, Ettinger, and Higdon were released from the Council of Twelve. Roy A. Cheville was succeeded by Reed M. Holmes as Presiding Patriarch. Vacancies were filled by William T. Higdon, serving as President of Graceland College at the time of his call, Lloyd B….

Section 152 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 4 minutesProvisions in the document submitted to the 1976 World Conference set a new precedent in the procedures for presidential succession in the church. In respect to this matter President W. Wallace Smith wrote in his transmittal letter as follows: In spite of the precedent which up to now has seen the president of the church remain…

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