Frederick Madison Smith
Encyclopedia
Frederick Madison Smith generally known among his followers as "Freddie 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 Ph.D. in psychology from Clark University
in 1916, setting him apart as one of the most highly educated members of his church at the time.
Smith’s leadership was controversial. One biographer has called him “a man of paradox” and “one of the most controversial figures in Reorganization history.” 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
.”
, Illinois
, and baptized on July 20, 1883.
Summary of education:
On August 3, 1897, Smith married Alice Lyman Cobb (died May 4, 1926).
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.
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.
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.
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.
of the Church that led to a major loss in membership. Frederick M. Smith became the first president of the church to submit notice of resignation. However, he never ceased to be president of the church on account of the fact that the General Conference who he submitted his resignation to, rejected it.
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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
religious
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
leader and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and the third Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (renamed the Community of Christ
Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is an American-based international Christian church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace"...
in 2001), serving from 1915 until his death.
Smith's paternal grandfather was Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
, and his father was Joseph Smith III
Joseph Smith III
Joseph Smith III was the eldest surviving son of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and Emma Hale Smith...
, the first president after the Church's "Reorganization." The first graduate of Graceland University
Graceland University
Graceland is not ranked by U.S. News & World Report, being deemed a Tier 3 institution. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission as a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.-Housing System:...
, Fred M. earned a Ph.D. in psychology from Clark University
Clark University
Clark University is a private research university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts.Founded in 1887, it is the oldest educational institution founded as an all-graduate university. Clark now also educates undergraduates...
in 1916, setting him apart as one of the most highly educated members of his church at the time.
Smith’s leadership was controversial. One biographer has called him “a man of paradox” and “one of the most controversial figures in Reorganization history.” 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
Supreme Directional Control
The Supreme directional control controversy refers to a term commonly used within portions of the Latter Day Saint movement to describe a dispute between the primary leadership quorums of the Community of Christ , the movement's second largest denomination, that began in the 1920s and had...
.”
Biography
Fred M. was one of nine children of Joseph Smith III and his second wife, Bertha Madison Smith. He was born on Jan 21, 1874, at PlanoPlano, Illinois
Plano is a city in Kendall County, Illinois, United States near Aurora, with a population of 5,633 at the 2000 census. The city is rapidly growing with new subdivisions such as Lakewood Springs completed and several other developments under construction or in the planning stages. Former Speaker...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, and baptized on July 20, 1883.
Summary of education:
- 1895 educated at Iowa City Academy
- 1896 University of IowaUniversity of IowaThe University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
- 1898 B.A.Bachelor of ArtsA Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Graceland CollegeGraceland UniversityGraceland is not ranked by U.S. News & World Report, being deemed a Tier 3 institution. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission as a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.-Housing System:...
— the first graduate of this college - 1911 M.A.Master's degreeA master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from the University of KansasUniversity of KansasThe University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The... - 1916 Ph.D.Ph.D.A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from Clark UniversityClark UniversityClark University is a private research university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts.Founded in 1887, it is the oldest educational institution founded as an all-graduate university. Clark now also educates undergraduates...
On August 3, 1897, Smith married Alice Lyman Cobb (died May 4, 1926).
Succession to the Presidency
Fred M. Smith became a counselor in the RLDS Church’s First PresidencyFirst Presidency (Community of Christ)
The First Presidency of the Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is the church's highest-ranking priesthood quorum. It is composed of the president and two counselors, and they preside over the whole church under the principles of "theocratic...
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.
Zion and the Social Gospel
Smith was known for his interests in applying the principles of the newly emerging fields of sociologySociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and social welfare to the Church's thinking on the principles and doctrine of Zion. Smith was influenced by the contemporary Social Gospel
Social Gospel
The Social Gospel movement is a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that was most prominent in the early 20th century United States and Canada...
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.
In order to fulfill his vision, Smith initiated a number of ambitious programs, including the construction of the Auditorium
Auditorium (Community of Christ)
The Auditorium is a house of worship and office building located on the greater Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri...
, 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.
He also presided during the difficult depression years
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
which stalled or halted many of his projects, as the church faced issues of major financial debt.
Supreme Directional Control
He became embroiled in a controversy over Supreme Directional ControlSupreme Directional Control
The Supreme directional control controversy refers to a term commonly used within portions of the Latter Day Saint movement to describe a dispute between the primary leadership quorums of the Community of Christ , the movement's second largest denomination, that began in the 1920s and had...
of the Church that led to a major loss in membership. Frederick M. Smith became the first president of the church to submit notice of resignation. However, he never ceased to be president of the church on account of the fact that the General Conference who he submitted his resignation to, rejected it.
He died in 1946, and was succeeded by his brother, Israel Alexander Smith
Israel Alexander Smith
Israel Alexander Smith was the fourth son of Joseph Smith III and a grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Israel A. Smith succeeded his brother, Frederick M...
.
The Frederick Madison Smith Library is one of two libraries belonging to Graceland University
Graceland University
Graceland is not ranked by U.S. News & World Report, being deemed a Tier 3 institution. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission as a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.-Housing System:...
, and is located on their Lamoni campus. It opened in 1966.
External links
- Frederick Madison Smith at www.geocities.com (Biographical information)
- http://www.lamonistake.org/libertyhallhistory.html ("An Introduction to Liberty Hall, Home of Joseph Smith III - Lamoni, Iowa")
- Lupton Library at www.lib.utc.edu (Holdings of the Frederick Madison Smith Library, Graceland University)
- Graceland Home Page at www.graceland.edu (Graceland University)
- http://www.collegexpress.com/collegesearch/collegeDetail.asp?scid=1100775 (Information on Graceland University)