W. Wallace Smith

W. Wallace Smith (1900 1989) was Prophet and President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ), from 1958–1978. He was the son of President Joseph Smith III and grandson of President Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. W. Wallace Smith was the third of his father's sons to succeed to the presidency of the church, taking his place after the deaths of his brothers Frederick M. Smith and Israel A. Smith.

W. Wallace Smith's tenure as church president saw substantial overseas growth in the church, especially in Africa, Latin America, and the Far East.

Smith designated his son, Wallace B. Smith as his successor in 1976, and in 1978 he became the first president of the church to retire to "emeritus" status — all previous presidents had served until their deaths.

References

• Richard P. Howard, The Church Through the Years, Herald House: 1992.