W. Wallace Smith, Former RLDS Church Leader, Dies

W. Wallace Smith, former president and prophet of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, died Friday. He was 88.

Smith was the grandson of Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the RLDS, and the father of Wallace B. Smith, the current president of the church, which has about 1,000 congregations and 240,000 members.

The Reorganized Church, which settled in Independence, was formed when the Mormons split into several factions, the largest of which followed Brigham Young to Salt Lake City, Utah, after religious persecution in 1844.

The Mormon Church’s First Presidency in Salt Lake City sent condolences to Smith’s family “and the entire Reorganized Church. We know their faith will sustain them during this time of sorrow.”

Born Nov. 18, 1900 in Lamoni, Iowa, Smith became a minister in 1947 when he was ordained as a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles.

In 1950, he became a member of the Quorum of the First Presidency, the leading administrative organ of the church, and traveled widely through the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea and Europe.

He was ordained the fifth president of the RLDS church in October, 1958, and became president-emeritus in 1978, replaced as president by his son.

In his 20-year tenure as president, Smith expanded the church into other cultures and countries. It was established in 15 countries when he took over, and congregations opened in 20 more countries.

In addition to his son, Smith is survived by a daughter, Rosalee Smith Elser. His wife, Rosamond Bunnell Smith, died in August, 1986.

The church said his body will lie in state at the RLDS Auditorium in Independence for public viewing on Tuesday. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday.