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This
revelation addressed the need for changes in the presiding leadership
of the church. Apostles Holmes, Ettinger, and Higdon were released
from the Council of Twelve. Roy A. Cheville was succeeded by Reed M.
Holmes as Presiding Patriarch.
Vacancies
were filled by William T. Higdon, serving as President of Graceland
College at the time of his call, Lloyd B. Hurshman and Paul W. Booth,
both of whom had served in field assignments and in church-wide
functions as Director of Administrative Services and Director of
Program Planning.
The
church was admonished to explore differences over procedure and
program materials in the spirit of reconciliation.
The
Conference approved the revelation on April 3, 1974, after supporting
action was reported by quorums, councils, and orders.
To
the Councils and Quorums and Orders of the Church and to the World
Conference:
After
serious and prayerful consideration and in the spirit of inspiration
and wisdom I bring the following word regarding changes in the
general leadership of the church as well as counsel and advice to the
membership as a whole.
1a.
Roy A. Cheville, who has served as Presiding Patriarch for the past
sixteen years, is relieved of this responsibility and should be given
the honor of superannuation and the title of Presiding Patriarch
Emeritus to the church.
1b.
Thus in retirement he can make his contribution but in a less
demanding way and without the stress of presiding authority in the
order or assignment to the field.
2.
Reed M. Holmes, having served acceptably as an apostle—an especial
witness—for many years, is called and, if willing, will become the
Presiding Patriarch, assuming the duties and responsibilities of that
office as soon as arrangement for his ordination can be made and
consummated.
3a.
Cecil R. Ettinger, having prepared himself educationally and
spiritually, has served as an apostle and has contributed much to the
progress of the church in this capacity.
3b.
His apostolic witness is to be extended as a high priest in the Order
of Melchisedec with specific responsibilities assigned and adjusted
from time to time by the presidency of the high priesthood.
4a.
Earl T. Higdon responded to the call to become an apostle and serve
with his brethren in the Council of Twelve knowing that his
contribution in that capacity would be limited in time.
4b.
The time has come for him to be relieved of the arduous tasks imposed
on him by the demands of travel and administrative detail. He will be
given the honor of retirement in due time without further specific
assignment.
To
fill the vacancies thus created I am—under what I interpret as the
direction of the Holy Spirit—calling upon the following brethren to
accept positions in the Council of Twelve as apostles and especial
witnesses of their Lord Jesus Christ, under whose leadership and
guidance we all have our commission and derive our authority.
5a.
Elder William T. Higdon has the demonstrated capacity to be an
especial witness to peoples throughout the world regardless of color,
race, or creed. For this and other significant reasons he is called
to become an apostle and is to be ordained and set apart to that
office.
5b.
The call was made known at a previous time but, because of
circumstances having such far-reaching importance to the youth of the
church in his capacity as president of Graceland College, it was
withheld from consideration. His ordination is now timely and should
be consummated and arrangements made to relieve him of his duties at
the college as expeditiously as possible.
6.
Elder Lloyd B. Hurshman is called to be an apostle. He will extend
his outreach to a wider circle of influence as he makes his
contribution, continuing in various ways now assigned to him but with
the added authority bestowed upon him by ordination and setting apart
as an apostle in these latter days.
7.
Elder Paul W. Booth has demonstrated his ability to serve the church
in various capacities. He is now called to be an apostle. He will be
ordained and set apart to that office that he may make his
contribution in concert with his brethren as a member of the Council
of Twelve.
I have
strong feelings regarding the future of the work which according to
the word of God “has been entrusted to all.” Those feelings can
be articulated under the influence of my heavenly Father as direction
to the church.
8a. Do
not let pride of personal accomplishment turn you away from my
purposes in you as brothers and sisters in Christ and objects of my
creation. You are called apart to do the will of your heavenly Father
in whose name you serve.
8b.
Seek to be reconciled one with another. Let not your differences over
procedures and program materials separate you and thus vitiate my
influence for good in the world which is torn asunder by the
devastating powers of evil.
9. You
who are my disciples must be found continuing in the forefront of
those organizations and movements which are recognizing the worth of
persons and are committed to bringing the ministry of my Son to bear
on their lives.
10.
Working together to this end will promote unity, resolve conflicts,
relieve tensions between individuals, and heal the wounds which have
been sapping the strength of the church, spiritually and materially.
This you must do in the spirit of love and compassion as revealed in
my Son during his journey in your midst.
In
the spirit of humility but with the authority of my office and the
confirmation of the power of God motivating my action I submit this
document to the church through its councils, quorums, orders, and
delegates for consideration and final action.
Your
servant in Christ,
W.
Wallace Smith
President
of the Church
Independence,
Missouri
April
1, 1974
