SECTION
158
President
Wallace B. Smith submitted the following counsel to the World
Conference on Sunday, April 5, 1992, and to the quorums, councils,
and orders of the church the following day. Major provisions
included: (1) President Alan D. Tyree was released from the First
Presidency and the vacancy was filled by W. Grant Mcmurray. (2) Duane
E. Couey was released from duties presiding over the Order of
Evangelists. (3) Three members of the Council of Twelve were
released: Apostle Paul W. Booth to be presiding evangelist; Apostle
William T. Higdon to be president of Graceland College; and Apostle
Kisuke Sekine to return to his native Japan. The vacancies were
filled by David R. Brock, Lawrence W. Tyree, and Stephen M. Veazey.
(4) The Presiding Bishopric was reorganized with the release of
Presiding Bishop Gene M. Hummel and the designation of one of his
counselors, Norman E. Swails, to serve in that role; Ray E. Mcclaran
was released as a counselor, and Larry R. Norris and Dennis D.
Piepergerdes were called to serve in that capacity. (5) Verses nine
through twelve offer supportive counsel to members, in particular
those who have become discouraged because of divisiveness and
reductions in resources and participation, so that the church’s
spiritual life will be enriched, especially through the sacraments.
On
Tuesday, April 7, 1992, the World Conference voted to accept the
inspired counsel as the mind and will of God for the church and
ordered its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.
President
Smith included the following introductory statement:
“After
much prayerful consideration and inquiry regarding the divine will, I
have received the full assurance of the Holy Spirit in regard to the
following instructions pertaining to the general councils and
quorums. Ipresent them as representing the mind and will of God and
ask that they be received by the Conference assembled and acted upon
as soon as it is appropriate.”
To
the Councils, Quorums, and Orders, to the World Conference, and to
the Church:
1a.
Alan D. Tyree is released from the Quorum of the First Presidency.
After forty-two years as an appointee minister he should be allowed
to retire, it being recognized that his gifts in artistic expression
and worship leadership may well be called upon in the developing
ministries of the Temple.
1b. To
fill the vacancy in the First Presidency, W. Grant Mcmurray is called
into the full-time appointee ministry of the church and should be
ordained as a counselor to the President of the High Priesthood and
the church and as a member of the Quorum of the First Presidency. To
assure a smooth transition in the functioning of the quorum, his
ordination should be provided for as soon as practicable.
2a.
Duane E. Couey is released from the duties of presiding over the
Order of Evangelists and should be allowed to retire, having served
the church many years with wisdom, devotion, and great spiritual
power.
3.
Paul W. Booth is released from faithful service in the Council of
Twelve Apostles. He is called to be an an evangelist and, if willing
should be ordained as Presiding Evangelist of the church. As he
functions in this office, his ‘depth of insight and sensitivity
will assist in bringing added meaning to the spiritual blessings
available through the ministry of the evangelist.
4.
William T. Higdon is also released from the Council of Twelve
Apostles. He has served with loyalty and dedication as a special
witness of the Lord Jesus. As a refired appointee, he will be free to
devote his full time and energy to serving as President of Graceland
College.
5.
Kisuke Sekine is likewise released from the Council of Twelve
Apostles. He should be retired honorably and may continue to minister
as a high priest as time and circumstances allow.
6. To
fill the vacancies in the Council of Twelve Apostles, David R. Brock,
Lawrence W. Tyree, and Stephen M. Veazey are called from thelr
present assignments to be apostles and should be ordained as special
witnesses of Jesus Christ as soon as provision can be made within the
body.
7a.
Gene M. Hummel is released from the office of Presiding Bishop. His
valuable service, especially during the construction of the Temple in
Independence, has been well recognized and he should be allowed to
retire from his labors.
7b. To
fill this vacancy, Norman E. Swails is called to be Presiding Bishop
of the church. His demonstrated skills, especially in the task of
gathering resources for the Temple, have been a blessing to the
church and he should be ordained without delay.
8a.
Ray E. Mcclaran is also relieved of his responsibilities as a
counselor to the Presiding Bishop. He should continue to function as
a bishop at large, utilizing his gifts, especially in counseling the
Saints in the exercise of wise stewardship over their temporal
resources, to the benefit of the church.
8b. To
complete the organization of the Presiding Bishopric, Larry R. Norris
and Dennis D. Piepergerdes are called as counselors to the Presiding
Bishop and should be ordained as expeditiously as possible.
The
Spirit prompts me to say further regarding the great work in which we
are engaged:
9a. I
have heard the prayers of you, my people, who cry out in anguish over
conditions both in the world and in the church. These conditions
harden the hearts of many and cause them to turn from me and from the
work to which all are called.
9b.
Your concerns have been my concerns and your tears my tears as
divisions, separations, reductions in participation, and limited
resources have jeopardized the vigor of my body, the church. You, my
people, are commended for the degree of faithful witness with which
you have pursued the building up of the work in many places, despite
temporary setbacks.
10.
But know, dear Saints, the voice of doubt and the spirit of
discouragement are strong and will continue to diminish your
spiritual energy if you do not strive always to overcome them with a
new outpouring of love and’support for one another.
11a.
Therefore, continue to be strong in faith. To you who hear my voice
and know my promises I will reveal myself and give my peace, even in
the midst of your uncertainties.
11b.
Indeed, I am longing to pour out greater blessings than you have ever
known if you, my people, will open yourselves through preparation,
study, and prayer.
11c.
Look especially to the sacraments to enrich the spiritual life of the
body. Seek for greater understanding of my purposes in these sacred
rites and prepare to receive a renewed confirmation of the presence
of my Spirit in your experiences of worship.
12.
Your faith in progressing toward the completion of the Temple in
Independence is pleasing to me. As my servants in the leading quorums
and all the church together continue to seek for light and
understanding regarding its ministries, my Spirit will fill you with
joy and guide you into a new comprehension of the call to go into all
the world, in my name and for the sake of the Kingdom.
Wallace
B. Smith
President
of the Church
Independence,
Missouri
April
5, 1992
