Frederick Madison Smith (January 21, 1874 – March 20, 1946), generally known among his followers as "Fred M.", was an American religious leader and author and the third Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (renamed the Community of Christ in 2001), serving from 1915 until his death.
Smith's paternal grandfather was Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and his father was Joseph Smith III, the first president after the Church's "Reorganization." The first graduate of Graceland University, Fred M. earned a PhD in psychology from Clark University in 1916, setting him apart as one of the most highly educated members of his church at the time.[1]
Smith's leadership was controversial. One biographer has called him "a man of paradox"[2] and "one of the most controversial figures in Reorganization history."[3] His presidency saw the church initiate a series of major projects, but it was also marred by the controversy over what became known as "Supreme Directional Control."[4]
Fred M. was one of nine children of Joseph Smith III and his second wife, Bertha Madison Smith. He was born on January 21, 1874, at Plano, Illinois, and baptized on July 20, 1883.
On August 3, 1897, Smith married Alice Lyman Cobb (died May 4, 1926).
Succession to the presidencyEdit
Fred M. Smith became a counselor in the RLDS Church's First Presidency in 1902. As his father's health declined, Fred M. assumed greater and greater responsibilities in the management of the church and its auxiliary institutions. Joseph Smith III died on December 10, 1914, and Fred M. was ordained as the new Prophet-President the following spring on May 5, 1915.[5]
Zion and the social gospelEdit
Smith was known for his interests in applying the principles of the newly emerging fields of sociology and social welfare to the Church's thinking on the principles and doctrine of Zion. Smith was influenced by the contemporary Social Gospel movement, which endeavored to apply Christian ethics to societal problems, including social justice, health care, and care for the poor, for orphans, and the elderly. In broad terms, Smith felt the need to address these issues as part of the overall call to "build Zion." In this way he both embraced and modernized his grandfather Joseph Smith Jr.'s vision to build a literal city of Zion in Independence, Missouri.[6]
In order to fulfill his vision, Smith initiated a number of ambitious programs, including the construction of the Auditorium, expansion of the Independence Sanitarium (later known as Independence Regional Hospital), construction of an old-age home in Independence originally known as "Resthaven" (now "the Groves"), and a planned agricultural cooperative in Atherton, Missouri.
As part of his modernizing program, Smith was an early adopter of radio. In 1924, the RLDS Church's radio station, known as KFIX (later KLDS), became the first church-owned radio station in the United States to be licensed.[7]
He also presided during the difficult depression years which stalled or halted many of his projects, as the church faced issues of major financial debt.
Supreme directional controlEdit
He became embroiled in a controversy over Supreme Directional Control, regarding leadership and financial control of the church. The dispute led to a significant loss in membership due to the formation of splinter sects by those opposed to the policy. Smith became the first president of the church to submit a notice of resignation. However, the General Conference to which he submitted his resignation, refused to accept it.[8]
The Frederick Madison Smith Library is one of two libraries belonging to Graceland University, and is located on their Lamoni campus. It opened in 1966.
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Frederick Madison Smith January 21 1874 March 20 1946 generally known among his followers as Fred M was an American religious leader and author and the third Prophet President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints renamed the Community of Christ in 2001 serving from 1915 until his death Frederick M SmithProphet President of the ChurchMay 5 1915 1915 05 05 March 20 1946 1946 03 20 PredecessorJoseph Smith IIISuccessorIsrael A SmithReasonDoctrine of Lineal successionCounselor in the First PresidencyApril 18 1902 1902 04 18 May 5 1915 1915 05 05 Called byJoseph Smith IIIPredecessorWilliam W BlairSuccessorFloyd M McDowellReasonDeath of William W BlairEnd reasonBecame Prophet President of the ChurchPersonal detailsBornFrederick Madison Smith 1874 01 21 January 21 1874Plano Illinois U S DiedMarch 20 1946 1946 03 20 aged 72 Independence Missouri U S Resting placeMound Grove Cemetery39 06 43 31 N 94 25 37 05 W 39 1120306 N 94 4269583 W 39 1120306 94 4269583EducationBA Graceland CollegeMA University of KansasPhD Clark UniversitySpouse s Ruth Lyman Cobb SmithParentsJoseph Smith IIIBertha Madison SmithWebsiteFrederick M SmithFrederick M SmithSmith s paternal grandfather was Joseph Smith Jr the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement and his father was Joseph Smith III the first president after the Church s Reorganization The first graduate of Graceland University Fred M earned a PhD in psychology from Clark University in 1916 setting him apart as one of the most highly educated members of his church at the time 1 Smith s leadership was controversial One biographer has called him a man of paradox 2 and one of the most controversial figures in Reorganization history 3 His presidency saw the church initiate a series of major projects but it was also marred by the controversy over what became known as Supreme Directional Control 4 Contents 1 Biography 2 Succession to the presidency 3 Zion and the social gospel 4 Supreme directional control 5 References 6 External linksBiography EditFred M was one of nine children of Joseph Smith III and his second wife Bertha Madison Smith He was born on January 21 1874 at Plano Illinois and baptized on July 20 1883 Summary of education 1895 educated at Iowa City Academy 1896 University of Iowa 1898 BA from Graceland College the first graduate of this college 1911 MA from the University of Kansas 1916 PhD from Clark UniversityOn August 3 1897 Smith married Alice Lyman Cobb died May 4 1926 Succession to the presidency EditFred M Smith became a counselor in the RLDS Church s First Presidency in 1902 As his father s health declined Fred M assumed greater and greater responsibilities in the management of the church and its auxiliary institutions Joseph Smith III died on December 10 1914 and Fred M was ordained as the new Prophet President the following spring on May 5 1915 5 Zion and the social gospel EditSmith was known for his interests in applying the principles of the newly emerging fields of sociology and social welfare to the Church s thinking on the principles and doctrine of Zion Smith was influenced by the contemporary Social Gospel movement which endeavored to apply Christian ethics to societal problems including social justice health care and care for the poor for orphans and the elderly In broad terms Smith felt the need to address these issues as part of the overall call to build Zion In this way he both embraced and modernized his grandfather Joseph Smith Jr s vision to build a literal city of Zion in Independence Missouri 6 In order to fulfill his vision Smith initiated a number of ambitious programs including the construction of the Auditorium expansion of the Independence Sanitarium later known as Independence Regional Hospital construction of an old age home in Independence originally known as Resthaven now the Groves and a planned agricultural cooperative in Atherton Missouri As part of his modernizing program Smith was an early adopter of radio In 1924 the RLDS Church s radio station known as KFIX later KLDS became the first church owned radio station in the United States to be licensed 7 He also presided during the difficult depression years which stalled or halted many of his projects as the church faced issues of major financial debt Supreme directional control EditHe became embroiled in a controversy over Supreme Directional Control regarding leadership and financial control of the church The dispute led to a significant loss in membership due to the formation of splinter sects by those opposed to the policy Smith became the first president of the church to submit a notice of resignation However the General Conference to which he submitted his resignation refused to accept it 8 He died in 1946 and was succeeded by his brother Israel Alexander Smith The Frederick Madison Smith Library is one of two libraries belonging to Graceland University and is located on their Lamoni campus It opened in 1966 References Edit Edwards Our Legacy of Faith 207 Edwards The Chief 15 Edwards The Chief 9 Howard The Church through the Years 2 232 Edwards Our Legacy of Faith 313 Howlett at al Community of Christ 41 Edwards The Chief 182 Howard The Church Through the Years 2 227 Other sources Paul M Edwards Our Legacy of Faith A Brief History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Herald House 1991 Paul M Edwards The Chief An Administrative Biography of Fred M Smith Herald House 1988 Richard P Howard The Church Through the Years two volumes Herald House 1992 and 1993 David J Howlett Barbara B Walden and John C Hamer Community of Christ An Illustrated History Herald House 2010 External links EditFrederick Madison Smith at the Wayback Machine archived October 26 2009 at geocities com Biographical information An Introduction to Liberty Hall Home of Joseph Smith III Lamoni Iowa Lupton Library at lib utc edu Holdings of the Frederick Madison Smith Library Graceland University Graceland Home Page at graceland edu Graceland University http www collegexpress com college graceland university 1100775 details Information on Graceland University Community of Christ titlesPreceded byJoseph Smith III Prophet PresidentMay 5 1915 March 20 1946 Succeeded byIsrael A SmithPreceded byWilliam W Blair Counselor in the First PresidencyApril 18 1902 May 5 1915 Succeeded byFloyd M McDowell Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Frederick M Smith amp oldid 1115633796, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
