Project Zion is pleased to repost this interview that Josh and Brittany had with President-Emeritus Wallace B. Smith as part of our series to honor the life and ministry of “Wally B.” Listen to Wally’s story of going into medicine, serving in the military in aviation medicine under the doctor draft law, and taking up his own practice in medicine. Listen as he relates his dad’s presidency up to the time of him being called as president-designate when he prepared by taking courses with St. Paul’s seminary. The emphasis he brought to the church in the eighties was having the “faith to grow.” Listen to what led up to the ordination of women, the fallout that brought, building the temple, the revelatory process for him, and the decision to name a successor outside of the Smith family. Also, listen to hear his thoughts on the direction the church has taken since he left office.

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The transcript posted here is from the original airing of the episode and does not include the special request for stories.  For that reason, the time stamps on the transcript do not match the actual times in the audio version posted here.


If you have a Wally B story you'd like to share, please send it to projectzionpodcast@gmail.com no later than Friday, October 6th.  

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Intro and Outro music used with permission:

“For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org

“The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).

All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.

NOTE: The series that make up the Project Zion Podcast explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Project Zion Podcast is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.