W. Grant McMurray

W. Grant McMurray (born July 12, 1947) was Prophet-President of Community of Christ from 1996 until 2004.<ref name=CCWM>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.

Biography

William Grant McMurray<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to parents who were members of the RLDS Church.<ref name = stack/> 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.<ref name = stack>Peggy Fletcher Stack, "RLDS Head Downplays His Role as a Prophet", Salt Lake Tribune, 1996-06-29, p. D1.</ref> 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.<ref name = stack/>

In 1973, McMurray began employment with the historical department of the RLDS Church.<ref name = stack/><ref name =Nieb/> 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.<ref name = stack/><ref name =Nieb/> 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.<ref name = stack/><ref name =Nieb/>

McMurray's presidency and legacy

McMurray became the president of the church in 1996.<ref name =Nieb>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1997, McMurray called upon the RLDS Church to transform itself by articulating a Christ-centered theology of peace.<ref name = CCWM/> In 2001, the church changed its name to Community of Christ,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> evoking the original name of the church "Church of Christ,"<ref>Joseph Smith (B. H. Roberts ed.). History of the Church 1:75–77</ref> affirming the centrality of Christ to the church, and commemorating the Latter Day Saint movement's long-held tradition of building up "Zionic communities".<ref name = CCWM/>

McMurray presided over the first ordination of a woman to the office of apostle in the Council of Twelve.<ref name =Nieb/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

McMurray's resignation

On November 29, 2004, McMurray resigned as president of the church.<ref name = MCRL>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><Ref>Peggy Fletcher Stack, "Head of former RLDS Church unexpectedly steps down", Salt Lake Tribune, December 3, 2004.</ref><ref name = moore>Carrie A. Moore, "Leader resigns presidency of ex-RLDS Church", Deseret News, December 3, 2004.</ref> McMurray's 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."<ref name = MCRL/> The letter also stated that he had recently been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease, but his health was not a motivating factor to his resignation.<ref name = MCRL/>

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."<ref name = moore/>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=coc>Stephen M. Veazey Template:Webarchive, cofchrist.org, accessed March 2, 2008.</ref>

See also

• Kenneth N. Robinson