| Israel A. Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith circa 1920 | |
| Prophet–President | |
| April 9, 1946 (1946-04-09) – June 14, 1958 (1958-06-14) | |
| Predecessor | Frederick M. Smith |
| Successor | W. Wallace Smith |
| Reason | Death ofFrederick M. Smith |
| Counselor in theFirst Presidency | |
| October 1938 – June 14, 1958 (1958-06-14) | |
| Called by | Frederick M. Smith |
| Predecessor | Floyd M. McDowell |
| Successor | John F. Garver F. Henry Edwards |
| Reason | Resignation ofFloyd M. McDowell |
| Second counselor in thePresiding Bishopric | |
| 1920 – 1925 | |
| Called by | Frederick M. Smith |
| General Assembly of Iowa | |
| In office | |
| 1911 – 1913 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Israel Alexander Smith (1876-02-02)February 2, 1876 Plano, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | June 14, 1958(1958-06-14) (aged 82) Lamoni, Iowa, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Car accident |
| Resting place | Mound Grove Cemetery 39°6′42.71″N94°25′36.51″W / 39.1118639°N 94.4268083°W /39.1118639; -94.4268083 |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Spouse(s) | Nina MarieGrenawalt Smith |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | Joseph Smith III EmmelineGriswold Smith |
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Israel Alexander Smith (February 2, 1876 – June 14, 1958) was the fourth son ofJoseph Smith III and a grandson ofJoseph Smith Jr., the founder of theLatter Day Saint movement. Israel A. Smith succeeded his brother,Frederick M. Smith, asProphet-President of theReorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Community of Christ) on April 9, 1946.
Smith was born inPlano, Illinois, on February 2, 1876, the third son and fourth child ofJoseph Smith III and his second wife Bertha Madison. In 1881, he moved with his family toLamoni, Iowa, the site of a growing colony of Latter Day Saints of the Reorganization. He attendedGraceland College from 1898 to 1900 and later received aB.A. in law from Lincoln-Jefferson University ofHammond,Indiana. From 1911 to 1913 he served as aRepublican in theIowa House of Representatives.[1]
Smith's brother, Frederick, became Prophet-President in 1914. Smith became a counselor in thePresiding Bishopric in 1920. In 1922, many believed that Smith would be called to fill a vacancy in theFirst Presidency, but Frederick instead called Floyd M. McDowell. Frederick also introduced the concept of "Supreme Directional Control" regarding authority over leadership and finances, 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 includingOtto Fetting renounced the Reorganization and joined with theChurch 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 theFirst 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 ofWorld War II, saw further expansion of the Church overseas. In 1950, Smith went on aPacific tour, visiting members of the Church inHawaii,Australia,New Zealand andTahiti. In 1952, he toured branches of the Church inEurope.
Smith died in a car accident on June 14, 1958, while driving north alongU.S. Highway 69 fromIndependence, Missouri, to Lamoni, Iowa. After his death, the First Presidency continued to function, composed of the two counselorsW. Wallace Smith andF. Henry Edwards until aWorld Conference of the church confirmed W. Wallace Smith as his brother's successor later that fall.
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