Israel Alexander Smith

February 2, 1876 (age 82)

Plano, Illinois , United States

In 1881, he moved with his family to Lamoni, Iowa, the site of a growing colony of Latter Day Saints of the Reorganization. From 1911 to 1913 he served as a Republican in the Iowa House of Representatives. 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. In 1925, Israel was released from the Presiding Bishopric. Meanwhile, Supreme Directional Control and other changes related to Frederick"s leadership precipitated a schism. 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 World War II, saw further expansion of the Church overseas. In 1952, he toured branches of the Church in Europe. Smith died in a car accident on June 14, 1958 while driving north along United States. Highway 69 from Independence, Missouri to Lamoni, Iowa. After his death, the First Presidency continued to function, composed of the two counselors West. and F. Henry Edwards until a World Conference of the church confirmed West. as his brother"s successor later that fall.

Israel Alexander Smith

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politician

Background

Smith was born in Plano, Illinois on February 2, 1876, the third son and fourth child of Joseph Smith III and his second wife Bertha Madison.

Education

He attended Graceland College from 1898 to 1900 and later received a Bachelor of Arts in law from Lincoln-Jefferson University of Hammond, Indiana.

Career

In 1881, he moved with his family to Lamoni, Iowa, the site of a growing colony of Latter Day Saints of the Reorganization. From 1911 to 1913 he served as a Republican in the Iowa House of Representatives. 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. In 1925, Israel was released from the Presiding Bishopric.

Meanwhile, Supreme Directional Control and other changes related to Frederick"s leadership precipitated a schism. 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 World War II, saw further expansion of the Church overseas. In 1952, he toured branches of the Church in Europe.

Smith died in a car accident on June 14, 1958 while driving north along United States. Highway 69 from Independence, Missouri to Lamoni, Iowa.

After his death, the First Presidency continued to function, composed of the two counselors West. and F. Henry Edwards until a World Conference of the church confirmed West. as his brother"s successor later that fall.

Achievements

Israel Alexander Smith has been listed as a reputable lawyer by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member 34th General Assembly Iowa, 1911-1912, Constitutional Convention Missouri, 1943-1944. Trustee State History Society Missouri Latter Day Saint (non-Morman) (president Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since 1946).

Connections

Married Nina Grenawalt, March 14, 1908. Children: Joseph Perrine, Don Carlos.

Father:: Joseph Smith
Mother:: Bertha (Madison) Smith
Spouse:: Nina Grenawalt
child:: Don Carlos Smith
child:: Joseph Perrine Smith

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