The new organizational structure of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints faces its most significant challenges in the next few years.
Departing from tradition, the church will have a president and prophet not clearly descended from the blood lineage of Joseph Smith Jr., founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from which the RLDS Church is an offshoot.The RLDS Church has been headquartered in Independence, Mo., ever since the larger body of Saints followed Smith's successor, Brigham Young, to the Salt Lake Valley as members of the LDS Church.
W. Grant McMurray has been named by the current president/
prophet, Wallace Bennett Smith, to take over leadership of the organization starting in 1996, pending approval by common consent of the membership at the church's world conference.
"Our world conference places a tremendous emphasis on common consent," said church historian Mark A. Scherer, speaking to an audience gathered at Brigham Young University Thursday evening.
"My perception is that the torch is being passed to a new generation while remembering the strength, the courage and the wisdom of those in the past. Grant will lead us into the future."
Scherer said the new organization faces risks different from those encountered by the early members of the church, "not plodding across frozen lakes or to Far West or a Haun's Mill Massacre." Rather the risks now include ordination of women in the priesthood, open communion and baptism of those who've been involved with polygamy - such as in India.
Scherer said the church is moving from its characterization by many as a "hostile sect" or "splinter group" to a mainstream religious organization with a quarter million members in 38 nations.
The church historian, along with Ronald E. Romig, the archivist for the Reorganized Church, outlined the succession of its president/
prophets beginning with Joseph Smith III.
"We all know both of our movements took divergent paths following the assassinations of Joseph and Hyrum Smith," said Scherer.
Scherer said Joseph Smith III, then 27, had already faced several traumatic events in his life as the son of Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma.
His father had been jailed and eventually killed by mobs, the family had been forced to flee Kirtland, Ohio, and the Saints were evacuated from Nauvoo, Ill.
The founders of the RLDS Church felt it was important, said Scherer, to "continue with the lineage of Joseph Smith."
Although reluctant at first, Joseph Smith III agreed in 1860 to accept "the mantle of prophetic leadership" after numerous occurrences "both spiritual and secular," he said.
Joseph Smith III named his son, Frederick Madison Smith.
"F.M." as he was known, selected Israel Alexander Smith to serve as the third president followed by William Wallace Smith.
William Wallace Smith chose Wallace Bennett Smith before his death. Wallace B. Smith has now designated his successor - the 47-year-old McMurray.