Israel A. Smith

Israel Alexander Smith (February 2 1876–June 14 1958) was the third son of Joseph Smith III and a grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Israel A. Smith succeeded his brother, Frederick M. Smith, as Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now known as the Community of Christ) in 1946.

Smith was born in Plano, Illinois on February 2, 1876, the third son and fourth child of Joseph Smith III and Bertha Madison Smith. In 1881, he moved with his family to Lamoni, Iowa, the site of a growing colony of Latter Day Saints of the Reorganization. He attended Graceland College from 1898 to 1900 and later received a B.A. in law from Lincoln-Jefferson University of Hammond, Indiana. From 1911 to 1913 he served as a Republican representative to the Iowa state legislature.

Smith's brother, Frederick, became Prophet-President in 1914. Smith became a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric in 1920. In 1922, many believed that Smith would be called to fill a vacancy in the First Presidency, but Frederick instead called Floyd M. McDowell. Frederick also introduced the concept of "Supreme Directional Control," which Israel opposed as contrary to the teachings of their father, Joseph Smith III. In 1925, Israel was released from the Presiding Bishopric.

Meanwhile, Supreme Directional Control and other changes related to Frederick's leadership precipitated a schism. Many members including Otto Fetting renounced the Reorganization and joined with the Church of Christ (Temple Lot).

From 1929 to 1940, Israel served as the church's general secretary and in 1940, he was finally called to fill a vacancy as First Counselor in the First Presidency. Frederick also designated Israel as his successor at this time. In 1946, upon Frederick's death, Israel became Prophet-President of the Church.

The end of World War II, saw further expansion of the Church overseas. In 1950, Smith went on a Pacific tour, visiting members of the Church in Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti. In 1952, he toured branches of the Church in Europe.

Smith died in a car accident on June 14, 1958 while driving north along U.S. Highway 69 from Independence, Missouri to Lamoni, Iowa. After his death, the First Presidecy continued to function, composed of the two counselors W. Wallace Smith and F. Henry Edwards until a General Conference of the Church confirmed W. Wallace Smith as his brother's successor later that fall.

References

*Norma Derry Hiles, "Gentle Monarch: The Presidency of Israel A. Smith", Herald House: 1991.
*Richard P. Howard, "The Church Through the Years," Herald House: 1992.