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Lineal succession (Mormonism)
Encyclopedia
Lineal succession was a doctrine, largely abandoned in many denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement
, whereby certain key church positions are held by right of inheritance
. Most frequently the offices connected with lineal succession are those of the President of the Church
and the Presiding Patriarch
.
, President of the First Presidency
, President of the High Priesthood, and Trustee
-in-Trust
for the Church. At the time of Joseph's assassination in 1844, most Latter Day Saints agreed that his brother, Hyrum Smith
, would have been chosen successor, had he not also been assassinated. Another likely successor was Samuel Harrison Smith
, another brother, who died under questionable circumstances less than one month later. A few asserted that the remaining Smith brother, William, should become Church President, and William for a time made that claim and gathered a small faction of followers around him.
Many Latter Day Saints believed that a son of Joseph Smith Jr. should be the successor to the church presidency. Several prominent leaders asserted that a patriarchal blessing
given to the eldest son, Joseph Smith III
, designated the boy to succeed his father. However, at the time of his father's death, Joseph III was only 11 years old.
As a result, many leaders arose who either argued against lineal succession or suggested that the Church would have to wait for Joseph Smith III to mature. The largest group, led by Brigham Young
, were proponents of a system whereby the senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
would succeed to the Church Presidency. This system of Apostolic succession continues in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Other Latter Day Saints living in the Midwest continued to support lineal succession and in 1860, they invited Joseph Smith III to become President of what would later be called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, known today as Community of Christ
. This Church continued to appoint Presidents who were patrilineal descendants of Joseph Smith, Jr. until 1996, when President Wallace B. Smith
(a great-grandson of the Latter Day Saint founder) designated W. Grant McMurray
(who was not a descendant) as his successor. Abandonment outside of lineal succession was a factor that caused a recent schism and foundation of several small Latter Day Saint churches, including the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
, which accepted Frederick Niels Larsen, a grandson of Frederick M. Smith through his daughter Lois, as its Prophet-President.
of the Church should be transmitted by lineal succession. Ordained December 18, 1833, the first Presiding Patriarch, Joseph Smith, Sr.
, was the father of the founding prophet. On his death bed, Joseph Sr. appointed his eldest living son, Hyrum Smith
, Presiding Patriarch "by right" of inheritance. When Hyrum was assassinated in 1844, his youngest brother, the Apostle William Smith became Presiding Patriarch. William broke with Brigham Young
, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
, who was acting as President of the Church in Nauvoo
, Illinois
, in part over the office. William asserted that the Presiding Patriarch's title was "Patriarch over the Church" and Young argued for the less grand "Patriarch to the Church." William was later excommunicated by Young's faction which became The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. William then joined with James J. Strang, a rival claimant for the church presidency. Breaking with the Strangites, William eventually joined his nephew, Joseph Smith III
, and the Reorganization
. William petitioned Joseph III to restore him to the office of Presiding Patriarch of the RLDS church, but the re-appointment never occurred.
After William's death, Joseph Smith III reinstituted the office of Presiding Patriarch, calling his brother Alexander Hale Smith
to fill the office. Thereafter the office of Presiding Patriarch in the RLDS church remained within the Smith family and was passed by lineal succession until 1958. In that year, Church President W. Wallace Smith
ended the tradition by calling Roy Cheville
to be Presiding Patriarch. Today, Presiding Patriarchs of what is now the Community of Christ
church are known as "Presiding Evangelists."
After William Smith was excommunicated by Brigham Young, "Uncle" John Smith
(brother of Joseph Smith, Sr.
) was called by Young to be Presiding Patriarch of the LDS Church. This group was the largest faction of Latter Day Saints and soon after relocated to the Salt Lake Valley
in what is now Utah
. After the death of Uncle John Smith, another John Smith
became Presiding Patriarch of the LDS church in Utah. This John Smith was the son of Hyrum and Jerusha Smith. Thereafter, the majority of the Presiding Patriarchs of the LDS Church were descendants of Hyrum, in keeping with the tradition of lineal succession. The LDS Church ceased to sustain Presiding Patriarchs in its hierarchy after 1979.
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...
, whereby certain key church positions are held by right of inheritance
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual. It has long played an important role in human societies...
. Most frequently the offices connected with lineal succession are those of the President of the Church
President of the Church (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. It was the office held by Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the movement, and the office assumed by many of Smith's claimed successors, such as Brigham Young, Joseph Smith III,...
and the Presiding Patriarch
Presiding Patriarch (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Presiding Patriarch is a church-wide leadership office within the priesthood...
.
The office of Church President
During his lifetime Joseph Smith Jr. held the offices of Prophet, President of the ChurchPresident of the Church (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. It was the office held by Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the movement, and the office assumed by many of Smith's claimed successors, such as Brigham Young, Joseph Smith III,...
, President of the First Presidency
First Presidency
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the First Presidency was the highest governing body in the Latter Day Saint church established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1832, and is the highest governing body of several modern Latter Day Saint denominations...
, President of the High Priesthood, and Trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
-in-Trust
Trust law
In common law legal systems, a trust is a relationship whereby property is held by one party for the benefit of another...
for the Church. At the time of Joseph's assassination in 1844, most Latter Day Saints agreed that his brother, Hyrum Smith
Hyrum Smith
Hyrum Smith was an American religious leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the original church of the Latter Day Saint movement. He was the older brother of the movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr....
, would have been chosen successor, had he not also been assassinated. Another likely successor was Samuel Harrison Smith
Samuel Harrison Smith
Samuel Harrison Smith was one of the younger brothers of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Samuel was a leader in his own right and a successful missionary. Smith is commonly regarded as the first Latter Day Saint missionary following the organization of the Church of...
, another brother, who died under questionable circumstances less than one month later. A few asserted that the remaining Smith brother, William, should become Church President, and William for a time made that claim and gathered a small faction of followers around him.
Many Latter Day Saints believed that a son of Joseph Smith Jr. should be the successor to the church presidency. Several prominent leaders asserted that a patriarchal blessing
Patriarchal blessing
In the Latter Day Saint movement, a patriarchal blessing is a blessing or ordinance given by a patriarch to a church member. Patriarchal blessings are modeled after the blessing given by Jacob to each of his sons prior to his death...
given to the eldest son, 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...
, designated the boy to succeed his father. However, at the time of his father's death, Joseph III was only 11 years old.
As a result, many leaders arose who either argued against lineal succession or suggested that the Church would have to wait for Joseph Smith III to mature. The largest group, led by Brigham Young
Brigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
, were proponents of a system whereby the senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy...
would succeed to the Church Presidency. This system of Apostolic succession continues in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Other Latter Day Saints living in the Midwest continued to support lineal succession and in 1860, they invited Joseph Smith III to become President of what would later be called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, known today as 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"...
. This Church continued to appoint Presidents who were patrilineal descendants of Joseph Smith, Jr. until 1996, when President Wallace B. Smith
Wallace B. Smith
Wallace Bunnell Anthony Smith was Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , from April 5, 1978 through April 15, 1996. Son of President W. Wallace Smith, he was designated as his father's successor in 1976, and ordained church president in 1978 when his...
(a great-grandson of the Latter Day Saint founder) designated W. Grant McMurray
W. Grant McMurray
William Grant McMurray was Prophet-President of the Community of Christ from 1996 until 2004. 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 changed its name to Community of...
(who was not a descendant) as his successor. Abandonment outside of lineal succession was a factor that caused a recent schism and foundation of several small Latter Day Saint churches, including the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement. The president of the church is Frederick Niels Larsen, a direct descendant of Joseph Smith, Jr....
, which accepted Frederick Niels Larsen, a grandson of Frederick M. Smith through his daughter Lois, as its Prophet-President.
The office of Presiding Patriarch
Most Latter Day Saints originally believed that the Presiding PatriarchPresiding Patriarch (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Presiding Patriarch is a church-wide leadership office within the priesthood...
of the Church should be transmitted by lineal succession. Ordained December 18, 1833, the first Presiding Patriarch, Joseph Smith, Sr.
Joseph Smith, Sr.
Joseph Smith, Sr. was the father of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Joseph Sr. was also one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, which Mormons believe was translated by Joseph Jr. from the Golden Plates. In 1833 Joseph Sr...
, was the father of the founding prophet. On his death bed, Joseph Sr. appointed his eldest living son, Hyrum Smith
Hyrum Smith
Hyrum Smith was an American religious leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the original church of the Latter Day Saint movement. He was the older brother of the movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr....
, Presiding Patriarch "by right" of inheritance. When Hyrum was assassinated in 1844, his youngest brother, the Apostle William Smith became Presiding Patriarch. William broke with Brigham Young
Brigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In general, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve is the most senior Apostle in the church, aside from the President of the Church...
, who was acting as President of the Church in Nauvoo
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the population was just 1,063 at the 2000 census, and despite being difficult to reach due to its location in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its...
, 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,...
, in part over the office. William asserted that the Presiding Patriarch's title was "Patriarch over the Church" and Young argued for the less grand "Patriarch to the Church." William was later excommunicated by Young's faction which became The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. William then joined with James J. Strang, a rival claimant for the church presidency. Breaking with the Strangites, William eventually joined his nephew, 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...
, and the Reorganization
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"...
. William petitioned Joseph III to restore him to the office of Presiding Patriarch of the RLDS church, but the re-appointment never occurred.
After William's death, Joseph Smith III reinstituted the office of Presiding Patriarch, calling his brother Alexander Hale Smith
Alexander Hale Smith
Alexander Hale Smith was the third surviving son of Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith. Alexander was born in Far West, Missouri and eventually became a senior leader of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints . Alexander served as an apostle and as Presiding Patriarch of...
to fill the office. Thereafter the office of Presiding Patriarch in the RLDS church remained within the Smith family and was passed by lineal succession until 1958. In that year, Church President 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....
ended the tradition by calling Roy Cheville
Roy Cheville
Roy A. Cheville was a religious leader, theologian and educator in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Community of Christ, as it is known today. Cheville graduated from Graceland University in 1921 with an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts and religious education...
to be Presiding Patriarch. Today, Presiding Patriarchs of what is now 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"...
church are known as "Presiding Evangelists."
After William Smith was excommunicated by Brigham Young, "Uncle" John Smith
John Smith (1781-1854)
John Smith , known as Uncle John, was an early leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
(brother of Joseph Smith, Sr.
Joseph Smith, Sr.
Joseph Smith, Sr. was the father of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Joseph Sr. was also one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, which Mormons believe was translated by Joseph Jr. from the Golden Plates. In 1833 Joseph Sr...
) was called by Young to be Presiding Patriarch of the LDS Church. This group was the largest faction of Latter Day Saints and soon after relocated to the Salt Lake Valley
Salt Lake Valley
Salt Lake Valley is a valley in Salt Lake County in the north-central portion of the U.S. state of Utah. It contains Salt Lake City and many of its suburbs, notably West Valley City, Murray, Sandy, and West Jordan; its total population is 1,029,655 as of 2010...
in what is now Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. After the death of Uncle John Smith, another John Smith
John Smith (1832-1911)
John Smith , was the fifth Presiding Patriarch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . His father was Hyrum Smith, the older brother of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of Mormonism....
became Presiding Patriarch of the LDS church in Utah. This John Smith was the son of Hyrum and Jerusha Smith. Thereafter, the majority of the Presiding Patriarchs of the LDS Church were descendants of Hyrum, in keeping with the tradition of lineal succession. The LDS Church ceased to sustain Presiding Patriarchs in its hierarchy after 1979.