Questions & Answers
By Presidents Kenneth N. Robinson and Peter A. Judd
What circumstances led to Grant McMurray’s resignation?
Brother McMurray has indicated that he made some inappropriate
choices while encountering significant struggles in personal and family life.
These circumstances led him to resign from his position as president of the
Community of Christ and request release from priesthood office.
Will further details of the circumstances of his resignation
ever be revealed?
No. While we continue to uphold the highest ministerial
standards, it is our practice in such circumstances to respect the privacy and
confidentiality of individuals and families that may be involved, providing
space and opportunity for restoration and healing to occur, praying that peace
and healing of the spirit will come to them. Brother McMurray and his family
have asked for privacy in this matter, and we lift up their worth as persons
just as we would anyone who is dealing with a similar situation.
Several World Church officers are aware of the details—sufficient
to provide needed guidance and assistance, and to assure that correct procedures
are being followed. The Presiding Bishopric has assured us that Brother McMurray’s
resignation does not involve any financial irregularities, nor is it related in
any way to the budgetary challenges facing the church. Some people may try to
search out details, to speculate, and to participate in spreading rumors.
Speculation and rumor are destructive and to be discouraged.
Has someone been designated to succeed Grant McMurray as
president of the church?
It has been the practice of our church that each president has
the right, but not the requirement, to designate a successor. As indicated in
his letter Brother McMurray declined to designate a successor.
How will someone be chosen to become president of the church?
Ample guidance is provided in the Doctrine and Covenants, in the
"Letter of Instruction" (the Letter) shared with the church by Joseph
Smith III in the Saints Herald, March 13, 1912, and in established church
practice. The Letter, with commentary, can be found in Church History, Volume 6,
Chapter 15, page 557 and the following pages.
What is that guidance?
The First Presidency, in consultation with the Council of Twelve
Apostles, will adhere to sound church law and practice that make provisions for
a time such as this. We will be guided primarily by the Letter, which brings
together both instruction in the Doctrine and Covenants (D. and C. 43:1, 2;
87:3; 99:6; 104:11; 122:10a, b) and recognized church tradition up to that time.
The Letter is considered to be a long-standing, authoritative interpretation of
church law by the First Presidency in their role as "leading interpreters
of the law and revelations of God" (WCR 386). In addition we have
procedural documents prepared by various church leaders in the intervening years
that further elucidate some of the details.
The Letter, which was prepared by Joseph Smith III, addresses
directly such circumstances as a president’s death, incapacity, or
resignation. The Letter explains that the two remaining presidents continue as
the quorum of the First Presidency, the three being equal in authority in
matters of importance; t he remaining two are empowered to exercise all of the
authority of the First Presidency, and retain the rights of the First Presidency
to administer the affairs of the church, until a successor is chosen and the
quorum of the First Presidency is reorganized.
The Doctrine and Covenants and church procedures provide checks
and balances through the leading quorums and councils of the church to ensure
that all is done in order. The Council of Twelve as the "Second
Presidency" has the responsibility of assuring the church that there is no
disunity among the remaining presidents, that their decisions continue to
advance the church’s mission and ministry throughout the world during the time
prior to the selection and ordination of the next president, and that an
appropriate discernment and selection process is used.
With respect to the selection and ordination of the next president of the
church, the Council of Twelve also has the specific responsibility of bringing
the recommendation to the next World Conference of the church, of determining
the dates of the next World Conference, and of presiding over that portion of
the conference in which a recommendation is considered by the body.
Is there a time line for when a person will be named and sustained by the
World Conference?
We are hopeful that a person will be named in advance of the next World
Conference to allow the church time to give its prayerful support. We pledge to
the church our prayerful involvement in this process and ask members to support
us in prayer during this important time of discernment. We anticipate that the
World Conference delegates will give consideration to the call and through
common consent take action to approve the ordination of a new president for the
church.
Is there anything else you would like to tell the church?
We believe that the church’s authority and mission is not solely resident
in one person but in both the leadership and the body of believers. This is
where the divine purpose is lived out and accomplished. We affirm that our
church is centered in Jesus Christ and committed to building sacred community—Zion
for all people. During this challenging time we ask all disciples to be a people
of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit.
We want to express gratitude to Brother McMurray for his leadership and his
love for the church and its people. We express our gratitude to his family for
the additional burdens they carried as Brother McMurray gave so liberally of his
time and energy to the church. We know that God blessed Brother McMurray to lead
the church and bring inspired counsel, which is now included in the Doctrine and
Covenants. All of us have human frailties. The scriptures and our Restoration
history point to examples of God calling and working through individuals despite
their human weaknesses.
We want to end this question and answer time by asking each member to be
diligent in his or her discipleship. If we keep Jesus Christ at the center of
all we do, and pray faithfully for direction, we know that God will continue to
move in great power in our lives and in the mission of the church.
Official Statement from
The First Presidency
Resolution of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Letter of Resignation
Prayer of Blessing from the Presiding
Evangelist
Questions and Answers
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