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W. Wallace Smith
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W. Wallace Smith

American religious leader
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Also known as: William Wallace Smith
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Quick Facts
In full:
William Wallace Smith
Born:
Nov. 18, 1900, Lamoni, Iowa, U.S.
Died:
Aug. 4, 1989, Independence, Mo.
Also Known As:
William Wallace Smith
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W. Wallace Smith (born Nov. 18, 1900, Lamoni, Iowa, U.S.—died Aug. 4, 1989, Independence, Mo.) was an American religious leader who was president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1958 to 1978.

A grandson of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, and a son of Joseph Smith, first president of the Reorganized Church, he graduated from the University of Missouri (1924) and entered the ministry of the Reorganized Church in 1928. He was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1947–50) and was counselor to the president of the church from 1950 until he succeeded his half brother, Israel A. Smith, as president in 1958. Upon his retirement in 1978, he was succeeded as president by his son, Wallace B. Smith.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.