John F. Garver
Encyclopedia
John Franklin Garver was an American
leader in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church).
Garver was born in Bristol
, Indiana
. He was educated at Graceland College. In 1912, Garver became a member of the Board of Trustees of Graceland College; he was also a leader of the RLDS Church in Lamoni
, Iowa
.
On 13 October 1922, RLDS Church president Frederick M. Smith appointed Garver as an apostle of the church and a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
. At this time, Garver moved to Independence
, Missouri
, where the headquarters of the RLDS Church had been moved to in 1915. He was elected as the president of the Board of Trustees for Graceland College in 1932.
Garver was a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles until April 1946, when new church president Israel A. Smith selected Garver and F. Henry Edwards
as his counselors in the church's First Presidency
. Garver served in this capacity until his death in Independence at the age of 71. He was succeeded in the First Presidency by W. Wallace Smith
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
leader in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church).
Garver was born in Bristol
Bristol, Indiana
Bristol is a town in Washington Township, Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,602 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Bristol is located at ....
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. He was educated at Graceland College. In 1912, Garver became a member of the Board of Trustees of Graceland College; he was also a leader of the RLDS Church in Lamoni
Lamoni, Iowa
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,444 people, 818 households, and 428 families residing in the city. The population density was 761.1 people per square mile . There were 904 housing units at an average density of 281.5 per square mile...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
.
On 13 October 1922, RLDS Church president Frederick M. Smith appointed Garver as an apostle of the church and a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Council of Twelve Apostles (Community of Christ)
In the Community of Christ, The Council of Twelve Apostles is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy. They are disciples who hold the priesthood office of Apostle, and are responsible for the evangelistic witness of the church...
. At this time, Garver moved to Independence
Independence, Missouri
Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, where the headquarters of the RLDS Church had been moved to in 1915. He was elected as the president of the Board of Trustees for Graceland College in 1932.
Garver was a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles until April 1946, when new church president Israel A. Smith selected Garver and F. Henry Edwards
F. Henry Edwards
Francis Henry Edwards was a British leader in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...
as his counselors in the church's First Presidency
First 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...
. Garver served in this capacity until his death in Independence at the age of 71. He was succeeded in the First Presidency by W. Wallace Smith
W. Wallace Smith
William Wallace Smith was a grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , from October 6, 1958 to April 5, 1978, when he retired to "emeritus" status....
.