W. Grant McMurray

W. Grant McMurray (born July 12, 1947) was Prophet-President of Community of Christ from 1996 until 2004.[1] He was the first non-descendant of Joseph Smith to head the church, and under his administration, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church) changed its name to Community of Christ.

W. Grant McMurray
Prophet–President of the Church
April 15, 1996 (1996-04-15) – November 29, 2004 (2004-11-29)
PredecessorWallace B. Smith
SuccessorStephen M. Veazey
ReasonDesignated successor by Wallace B. Smith
End reasonResigned for personal and family matters
Counselor in the First Presidency
April 5, 1992 (1992-04-05) – April 15, 1996 (1996-04-15)
Called byWallace B. Smith
PredecessorAlan D. Tyree
SuccessorKenneth N. Robinson
Reasonrelease of Alan D. Tyree
End reasonBecame Prophet–President of the Church
Personal details
BornWilliam Grant McMurray
EducationBachelor of arts
Master of divinity
Alma materGraceland University
University of Missouri–Kansas City
Saint Paul School of Theology
Spouse(s)Joyce Lorance McMurray

Biography

William Grant McMurray[2] was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to parents who were members of the RLDS Church.[3] He lived in Toronto until his teenage years, when his family moved to Independence, Missouri, where his mother accepted employment at the church headquarters of the RLDS Church.[3] He attended Graceland College and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri, where he earned a master's degree in theology, making McMurray the first president of the RLDS Church who was trained at a seminary.[3]

In 1973, McMurray began employment with the historical department of the RLDS Church.[3][4] In 1982, he became the church's World Church Secretary, and in 1992, he became a member of the First Presidency as a counselor to church president Wallace B. Smith.[3][4] In 1995, Smith announced his retirement and named McMurray as his successor; it was the first time that a non-descendant of church-founder Joseph Smith had been named to head the church.[3][4]

McMurray's presidency and legacy

McMurray became the president of the church in 1996.[4]

In 1997, McMurray called upon what was RLDS Church to transform itself by articulating a Christ-centered theology of peace.[1] In 2001, the church changed its name to Community of Christ,[5] evoking the original name of the church "Church of Christ,"[6] affirming the centrality of Christ to the church, and commemorating the Latter Day Saint movement's long-held tradition of building up "Zionic communities".[1]

McMurray presided over the first ordination of a woman to the office of apostle in the Council of Twelve.[4] He also led the Community of Christ to a closer fraternal (but not doctrinal) relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, building both friendly relations and collaborative historical efforts.[7]

McMurray's resignation

On November 29, 2004, McMurray resigned as president of the church.[8][9][10][11] McMurray resignation letter stated, "However, along the way I have made some inappropriate choices, and the circumstances of my life are now such that I cannot continue to effectively lead the church. I deeply regret the difficulties that this causes for the church I love."[8] The letter also later stated that he had recently been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease but his health was not a motivating factor to his resignation.[8]

When later interviewed regarding his resignation letter, McMurray stated "Beyond that, it's an entirely personal and family matter and the letter says what I felt I needed to say."[11]

A joint council of church leaders led by the Council of Twelve Apostles announced in March 2005 the name of Stephen M. Veazey as Prophet-President designate.[12] Veazey had been serving as president of the Council of Twelve. Delegates elected to a special World Conference of the church approved Veazey and he was ordained to the presidency on June 3, 2005.[13]

See also

References
  1. "Our History - W. Grant McMurray". Community of Christ. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  2. http://iagenweb.org/boards/decatur/biographies/index.cgi?read=584291
  3. Peggy Fletcher Stack, "RLDS Head Downplays His Role as a Prophet", Salt Lake Tribune, 1996-06-29, p. D1.
  4. Niebuhr, Gustav (12 May 1996). "New Leader For Church That Shares Mormon Roots". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  5. Niebuhr, Gustav (31 July 2001). "Split-Off From Mormons Assumes a New Name". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  6. Joseph Smith (B. H. Roberts ed.). History of the Church 1:75–77
  7. Stahle, Shaun D (29 June 2002). "'We share an important slice in history' Leaders, members of two faiths honor Joseph and Hyrum Smith". Salt Lake City, Utah: Church News (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  8. "Community Of Christ Leader Steps Down" (PDF). Sunstone Education Foundation, Inc. December 2004. p. 1.
  9. McMurray, W. Grant (29 November 2004). "Letter of Resignation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  10. Peggy Fletcher Stack, "Head of former RLDS Church unexpectedly steps down", Salt Lake Tribune, December 3, 2004.
  11. Carrie A. Moore, "Leader resigns presidency of ex-RLDS Church", Deseret News, December 3, 2004.
  12. "Community of Christ selects new president". INDEPENDENCE, Mo. Associated Press. 7 March 2005. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  13. Stephen M. Veazey Archived 2008-05-13 at Archive.today, cofchrist.org, accessed March 2, 2008.


Community of Christ titles
Preceded by
Wallace B. Smith		 Prophet–President
1996–2004		 Succeeded by
Stephen M. Veazey
Preceded by
Alan D. Tyree		 Counselor in the First Presidency
April 5, 1992–April 15, 1996 April 5, 1992—April 15, 1996		 Succeeded by
Kenneth N. Robinson
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