SECTION
148
The
revelation given through President W. Wallace Smith at Independence,
Missouri, April 18, 1966, was accompanied by this preparatory
statement:
“During
the last inter-Conference period I have given continuing
consideration to the condition of the councils and quorums and orders
of the church. This has been done hoping that I would receive light
on matters of grave importance to the future of the church. In this I
have sought earnestly for divine guidance and also that I might have
wisdom to rightly conduct the affairs entrusted into my care. This
has been done through personal meditation and prayer.
“On
one of these occasions after retiring I was awakened and made aware
that I would again have the responsibility of communicating the will
of the Lord to his people.
“Believing
that such inspiration and direction have been given me, I present the
following as the word of the Lord to us and ask the consideration and
action of the members of the Conference upon the matters thus
presented.”
The
revelation was considered by the various quorums and councils of the
church, and by the General Conference, and was endorsed by them and
ordered to be published in the Doctrine and Covenants.
To
the Councils and Quorums and Orders of the Church and to the General
Conference:
1. My
servant F. Henry Edwards has served my church long and well in the
capacity of a missionary elder, an apostle and, with his apostleship
being extended in presidency, as a counselor to the President of the
High Priesthood and the church. He is now honorably released from the
Presidency and from the heavy responsibilities which he has borne
nobly and well. Thus relieved of presiding he should find
satisfaction in pursuing his talents of writing and teaching without
the heavy administrative requirements which have been placed upon him
in recent years. As a high priest he is free to minister through his
apostolic witness to the church as his health and circumstances
permit and opportunities develop.
2. To
fill the vacancy thus created Duane E. Couey is called from the ranks
of the Council of Twelve to become a member of the Quorum of the
First Presidency and a counselor to the President of the High
Priesthood and the church. In this capacity his apostolic witness is
extended in presidency and his ordination should take place as soon
as practicable.
The
following changes in the personnel of the Council of Twelve are
presented after careful and prayerful consideration and with the
confirmation of the spirit of inspiration:
3. My
servants D. Blair Jensen and Percy E. Farrow have each made a
significant contribution to my work through their ministry in many
fields of labor. The last twenty years of Apostle Jensen’s ministry
have been given as a member of the Council of Twelve. Apostle Farrow
has served as a seventy, President of Seventy, and for the past
eighteen years as a member of the Council of Twelve. The time has
come when they should be honorably released from the council and be
left free to serve as high priests in those fields of ministry which
later may be designated for them by the appropriate councils and
quorums involved.
4. To
fill the places thus left vacant by the brethren relieved of their
responsibility in the Council of Twelve, Earl T. Higdon, Alan D.
Tyree, and Aleah G. Koury are called to be apostles in my church.
They should be ordained as special witnesses as soon as practicable
and be given assignments commensurate with their abilities and
devotion.
I
have also given the matter of the reorganization of the Presiding
Bishopric a great deal of careful and prayerful consideration.
5. My
servant G. Leslie Delapp, having given service to the church over a
long period of time in the capacity of Presiding Bishop, should be
honorably released from the onerous responsibilities he has been
carrying, though he may act as a traveling bishop and in other
capacities, counseling and advising on the law of temporalities in
relation to spiritual purposes in harmony with his successor and the
First Presidency. He has served the church and his fellowmen with a
high degree of skill, evident devotion, great distinction, and at
times with a great deal of personal sacrifice on the part of himself
and family. He is commended for his good work.
6.
Henry L. Livingston should be relieved of his responsibilities as a
counselor to the Presiding Bishop. My servant has given many years of
service to my Cause through the church in a variety of capacities and
places, in all of which he has performed nobly. I commend him for the
kindness and goodness which he displays in so many ways. He is called
and, if willing, should be ordained to the office of patriarch to act
as a spiritual father to the Saints.
7.
Walter N. Johnson should be chosen and ordained as Presiding Bishop
to serve in this capacity for a time.
8. To
assist him as counselors and to serve as members of the Presiding
Bishopric my servants Francis E. Hansen and Harold W. Cackler are
called and should be ordained and set apart in their places.
The
spirit of the Lord prompts me to say further:
9a.
The hastening time is at hand when the principles of stewardship
accounting and Zionic procedures must be applied more fully than
hitherto. This should be done with care to avoid the appearance of a
desire by the Saints to take what does not rightly belong to them.
But if they will move with assurance under the direction of those who
are knowledgeable, capable, and dedicated, my purposes can be
achieved more fully even now.
9b. In
this the Presidency, Twelve, and Bishopric each has a part to play
according to their several callings. But others of my priesthood who
are prepared are also to be enlisted so that their skills may be
applied to the work which is entrusted to all.
10a.
To more fully effect the unity of my church, the Presidency and
Council of Twelve should be associated more closely in their mutual
endeavors. The members of the Council of Twelve are commended for
their desire to work diligently to accomplish my purposes.
10b.
They should continue to exercise their calling as the “second
presidency” in harmony with their primary responsibility in new
fields. As such second presidency, the council should share with the
First Presidency in reviewing and determining policies of church
administration, but at the same time should recognize that the burden
of the care of the church is laid upon him who is called to preside
over the high priesthood of the church and on those who are called to
be his counselors.
10c.
As the members of the Council of Twelve withdraw from detailed
administration in organized areas, responsibility to carry on the
work in stakes and regions will fall more heavily upon those who have
been chosen for this purpose. Their work is necessary and they should
be honored in their places, each working with each to perfect my
kingdom.
10d.
Thus freed from detailed administrative duties, the Council of Twelve
can give more attention to their primary work of pushing the work
into new fields at home and abroad. To this the Council should give
major attention even though some apostles may be assigned to general
supervision of the work in organized areas and to church-wide
functions.
10e.
In this manner the power of the testimonies of those who are called
as special witnesses in my church will add spiritual depth and
meaning to my work, both in reviewing and determining principles and
procedures in spiritual and temporal realms and in redemptive
evangelism at home and abroad.
Your
servant in Christ,
W.
Wallace Smith
President
of the Church
Independence,
Missouri
April
18, 1966
