During the recent study of the Doctrine and Covenants, Paul Bennetts (co-instructor) handed out the attached document. It draws heavily on the work of Richard P. Howard in his two volume work The Church Through the Ages (Herald House Publishing).
1947: Section 140 (Israel A. Smith)
Released from the Council of Twelve:
John Rushton
Called to the Council of Twelve:
W. Wallace Smith
Notable Passage: The work of preparation and the perfection of my Saints go forward slowly, and Zionic conditions are no further away nor any closer than the spiritual condition of my people justifies; but my word shall not fail, neither will my promises, for the foundation of the Lord standeth sure.
1948: Section 141 (Israel A. Smith)
Released from the Council of Twelve:
G. G. Lewis (died)
Myron McConley
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Percy Farrow
Reed Holmes
Notable Passage: Seventy to relieve apostles in the “outlying areas” to allow them to work in regions closer to the center.
1950: Section 142 (Israel A. Smith)
Released from First Presidency:
John Garver
Called to First Presidency:
W. Wallace Smith
Released from the Council of Twelve:
W. Wallace Smith (called to First Presidency)
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Donald O. Chesworth
Notable Passage: Elders to be taught in preparation for a “greater endowment” of spiritual power…
“The hopes of my people and the goals of my church, while not yet fully realized, and at times seemingly distant, are closer to realization than many recognize. It is yet day when all can work. The night will come when for many of my people the opportunity to assist will have passed.”
1954: Section 143 (Israel A. Smith)
Released from the Council of Twelve:
??
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Donald V. Lents
Notable Passage: Increasing emphasis on missionary work and advancing the quorums of Seventy.
1958: Section 144 (Israel A. Smith)
((NOTE: This section was written by IAS in 1952 and placed in the hands of F. Henry Edwards. It was revealed at the time of IAS’ death on June 14, 1958 and approved by the conference of that year))
Called to Office of President of the High Priesthood
W. Wallace Smith
1958: Section 145 (W. Wallace Smith)
Called to the First Presidency:
F. Henry Edwards
Maurice L. Draper
Released as Presiding Patriarch:
Elbert A. Smith
Called to Presiding Patriarch:
Roy Cheville
Released from the Council of Twelve:
Paul Hanson
Daniel T. Williams
Edmond Gleazor
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Clifford Cole
Charles Neff
Others TBA
1960: Section 146 (W. Wallace Smith)
Called to the Council of Twelve
Cecil Ettinger
Duane Couey
1964: Section 147 (W. Wallace Smith)
Released from the Council of Twelve:
Roscoe Davey
Arthur Oakman
Charles Hield
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Russell Ralston
William Timms
Notable Passages: “Stewardship is the response of my people to the ministry of my Son and is required alike of all those who seek to build the kingdom….Repression of unnecessary wants is in harmony with the law of stewardship and becomes my people.”
“Instruction given in former years is applicable in principle to the needs of today. The demands of a growing church require that these principles shall be evaluated and subjected to further interpretation.”
1966: Section 148 (W. Wallace Smith)
Released from the First Presidency:
F. Henry Edwards
Called to the First Presidency:
Duane Couey
Released from the Council of Twelve:
Blair Jensen
Percy Farrow
Called to Council of Twelve:
Earl T. Higdon
Alan Tyree
Aleah Koury
Released from the Presiding Bishopric:
G. Leslie DeLapp
Henry Livingston
Called to Presiding Bishopric:
Walter Johnson
Francis E. Hansen
Harold W. Cackler
Notable Passage: The Twelve and First Presidency are called to work more closely together with the Twelve as a “second presidency.” The Twelve are challenged to reduce their work in the organized areas of the Stakes and spend more time pushing forward in the “new fields” at home and abroad.
1968: Section 149 (W. Wallace Smith)
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Howard S. Sheehy Jr.
Notable Passages: The office of bishop is a “necessary appendage” to the high priesthood to administer the temporalities and the Order of Bishops are to act in support of the leadership of the spiritual authorities.
The church is admonished to bring to the search for truth and service to people “all treasures of understanding I have opened for them elsewhere.” The leading quorums are commended for diligence in seeking more light and truth from all available resources. God’s glory is intelligence and he that “seeketh learning by study and faith will be rewarded…”
The church is reminded that the temple will soon be built and the shape and character of the building will conform to the “Ministries which will be carried out within its walls.” Money for this purpose should come from the consecration of surplus.
1968: Section 149A (W. Wallace Smith)
This section was an addendum from the prophet to the above section giving further clarification about the role of bishop and the meaning of “surplus” offerings to pay for the anticipated temple.
1972: Section 150 (W. Wallace Smith)
Released from the Council of Twelve:
Donald O. Chesworth
Called to the Council of Twelve:
John C. Stuart
Released from the Presiding Bishopric:
Walter N. Johnson (replaced as presiding bishop by Francis Hansen)
Called to the Presiding Bishopric:
Gene M. Hummel
Notable Passages: “These are portentous times. The lives of many are being sacrificed unnecessarily to the gods of war, greed and avarice. The land is being desecrated by the thoughtless waste of vital resources. You must be in the forefront of those who would mediate this needless destruction while there is yet day.”
Continue to raise funds for the temple
Bearing the burden of the sins of others (direct reference to the problem of what to do about members in India who were involved in polygamous relationships prior to coming into association with the church. The church is called to continue ministry to nations of people not yet aware of the joy of freedom from sin.
The church is reminded of the need for a spirit of unity and to “put aside petty differences.”
1974: Section 151 (W. Wallace Smith)
Released from Presiding Patriarch:
Roy Cheville (replaced by Reed Holmes)
Released from the Council of Twelve:
Reed M. Holmes
Cecil Ettinger
Earl Higdon
Called to the Council of Twelve:
William T. Higdon
Lloyd Hurshman
Paul W. Booth
Notable Passages: “Do not let pride of personal accomplishment turn you away from my purposes in you as brothers and sisters in Christ and objects of my creation….seek to be reconciled to one another. Let not your differences over procedures and program materials separate you and thus vitiate my influence for good in the world…”
Commended to be at the “forefront” of organizations and movements that recognize the worth of persons.
Heal the wounds that are sapping the strength of the church.
1976: Section 152 (W. Wallace Smith)
Called to Prophet and “President Designate”:
Wallace B. Smith
Released from the Council of Twelve:
Russell Ralston
Called to the Council of Twelve:
C. Eugene Austin
Notable Passage: “I God have not forsaken you nor have I changed in regard to the great and important work of the Restoration which I have called you to do. Neither have I turned from you my people. This is true, in spite of the fact that some of you have turned away from me and my purposes. Some of you have been led to inactivity, yea and even lulled to sleep by the spirit of carelessness and indifference. Some have been overcome by the grosser sins of the world – the spirit of revelry, wanton living, use of drugs, drinking, and fornication – and have fallen away. And still others have turned away for personal aggrandizement, rejecting my leadership because of trivial offenses. All who have done any of these things are counseled to repent….”
1978: Section 153 (Wallace B. Smith)
Ordained Prophet and President:
Wallace B. Smith
Designated President Emeritus:
W. Wallace Smith
Released from the First Presidency:
Maurice Draper (appointed as a consultant to the FP)
Called to First Presidency:
Duane Couey (see section 148)
Howard S. Sheehy
Released from the Council of Twelve:
William Timms
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Roy Schaefer
Phillip Caswell
Released from Presiding Bishopric:
Harold Cackler
Called to the Presiding Bishopric:
Ray McClaran
Notable Passages: “Let my word be preached to the bruised and broken hearted as well as those who are enmeshed in sin, longing to repent and follow me. Let the truths of my gospel be proclaimed as widely and as far as the dedication of the Saints, especially through the exercise of their temporal stewardship, will allow. My Spirit is reaching out to numerous souls, even now, and there are many who will respond if you, my people, will bear affirmative testimony of my love and my desires for all to come unto me.”
“Commit yourselves without reservation to the building of my kingdom.”
1980: Section 154 (Wallace B. Smith)
Released from Council of Twelve:
Clifford Cole
Donald Lents
Aleah Koury
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Kisuke Sekine
Everett Graffeo
Kenneth Robinson
Notable Passages: The Twelve are encouraged in the prosecution of their missionary work. The Presiding Bishops are counseled to seek new understanding of stewardship as a response to God’s love. Concepts (terms) of the law of temporalities should be redefined to meet the needs of an expanding church. The church as a whole is encouraged to give service without reservation and is reassured of the presence of God’s Spirit in the work.
1982: Section 155 (Wallace B. Smith)
Released as Presiding Patriarch:
Reed Holmes (replace by Duane Couey)
Called to the First Presidency:
Alan Tyree
Released from the Council of Twelve:
John C. Stuart
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Joe Serig
James Cable
Notable Passage: Know, O my people, the time for hesitation is past. The earth, my creation, groans for the liberating truths of my gospel which have been given for the salvation of the world. Test my words. Trust in my promises for they have been given for your assurance and will bear you up in times of doubt. Be not overly concerned with method as you go forth to witness in my name. There are many techniques for proclaiming my word which may be used as needs and circumstances dictate.”
1982: Section 156 (Wallace B. Smith)
Released from the Council of Twelve:
Charles Neff
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Geoffrey Spencer
Notable Passages:
Encouragement for the continuing work toward the building of a temple.
The temple shall be dedicated to peace, strengthening of faith and witness
Wholeness of body, mind and spirit
Leadership education for the priesthood
Healing and redeeming agent
The church priesthood admonished for failing to magnify their callings
Loss of spiritual power in the priesthood
Calling of women to the priesthood is in harmony with God’s will
Guidelines to be developed by spiritual authorities
Proceed with prayer and tenderness as we seek to understand the principles of calling and giftedness.
1988: Section 157 (Wallace B. Smith)
Released from the Council of Twelve:
Lloyd Hurshman
Roy Schaefer
Called to the Council of Twelve
Alex Kahtava
John Kirkpatrick
Released from the Presiding Bishopric:
Francis Hansen
Called to Presiding Bishopric
Norman Swails
Notable Passages:
Continue working toward the building of the temple but do not be vain about it.
The church is admonished to stop contending over interpretation of doctrine and scripture. Use the existing laws of the church to remedy differences.
The resistance on the part of some to accept direction from the prophet has diminished the spiritual strength of the church. God is not always going to strive with such individuals who “resist my word.”
1992: Section 158 (Wallace B. Smith)
Released from the First Presidency:
Alan Tyree
Called to the First Presidency:
Grant McMurray
Released from the Presiding Evangelist:
Duane Couey
Called to Presiding Evangelist:
Paul Booth
Released from Council of Twelve:
Paul Booth
William Higdon
Kisuke Sekine
Called to the Council of Twelve:
David Brock
Lawrence Tyree
Stephen Veazey
Released from Presiding Bishopric:
Gene Hummel
Ray McClaran
Called to the Presiding Bishopric:
Larry Norris
Dennis Piepergerdes
Notable Passage: “Look especially to the sacraments to enrich the spiritual life of the body. Seek for greater understanding of my purposes in these sacred rites and prepare to receive a renewed confirmation of my Spirit in your experiences of worship.”
1994: Section 159 (Wallace B. Smith)
Released from Presiding Evangelist:
Paul Booth
Called to Presiding Evangelist:
Everett Graffeo
Released from Council of Twelve:
Everett Graffeo
Geoffrey Spencer
C. Eugene Austin
Called to the Council of Twelve:
Danny Belrose
Dale Luffman
Kenneth McLaughlin
Notable Passages:
Sacrifices incurred in the building of the temple are commended. Rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s promises!
The church is encouraged in its careful study of the doctrine and faith of the church. Do not be hasty but continue in trust.
1996: Section 160 (Wallace B. Smith)
Called o the office of President-Prophet:
Grant McMurray
Released to the office of President Emeritus:
Wallace B. Smith
Six reasons presented by those who opposed the ordination of women (based on a survey of Presbyterians in 1920 reported by Samuel Burgess :
1) Scriptural evidence
2) Women’s “place in the home/family” would clash with the ordained role
3) Ordination of women would hurt the dignity of the office, causing male ministers to shirk their ministerial duties
4) Ordination of women would cause a schism in the church
5) Ordination of women would keep men away from church
6) Ordination of women would give rise to a “dangerous feminist movement.”
The reasons listed in support of the ordination of women:
1) Scriptural
2) The spirit of the age – enlightened liberal views
3) Civil equality being gained recently opens the door to religious equality
4) Women were the majority of church workers – why not honor their efforts in keeping with their value?
5) Remote areas would benefit from women’s ministry, especially important in the absence of male priesthood
6) Women could bring ministry to children in ways that may not be socially possible for men to do.
Schismatic Strains 1960s – 1990s:
Concerns of the 1960s and 1970s and beyond (from letters to the Herald):
1) Using a Bible other than the Inspired Version
2) National Council of Churches – felt to be led by communist sympathizers
3) Disagreements over the use of civil disobedience in the 60s
4) Introduction of Biblical scholarship and the loss of spirituality
5) “Downplaying” the Book of Mormon
6) Issues related to our claim of being a “one true church.”
7) Involvement of RLDS in ecumenical movements
8) Faith being undermined by intellectualism, humanism, modernism, evolution, communism and materialism.
9) Learning from non-RLDS Bible scholars not familiar with the Restoration, Book of Mormon, Inspired Version, D&C etc.
– Seminaries = cemeteries
10) Sentiments against the “position papers” and revision of church school curricula by the Religious Education department
11) Permitting polygamists from India to be baptized
12) Denunciation of theological positions taken in the “Presidential Papers” (1979).
13) Ordination of women
14) Priesthood accountability guidelines (1984-1990)
15) Condemnation of the temple location and design which clashed with traditional more apocalyptic beliefs that surrounded beliefs of some in the building of the temple as a signal of the second coming of Jesus to judge the world and establish Zion.
Mission Road - Community of Christ 