June 14, 2008

	The Miller-Eccles Study Group Next Meeting: June 14, 2008 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Steve & Daryl Eccles home 624 Mossycup Oak Dr. Plano, TX 75025 972.527.0590 Speaker: E. Gary Smith Subject: Lost Legacy: The Mormon Office of Presiding Patriarch Joseph Smith, Jr. appointed his father as the first Presiding Patriarch in 1833. He remained in this calling until 1840 when the office passed to his brother, Hyrum Smith. After Hyrum Smith’s death, there were seven additional Presiding Patriarchs in the Church until the October General Conference in 1979 when N. Eldon Tanner announced that due to “because of the large increase in the number of stake patriarchs and the availability of patriarchal service throughout the world, we now designate Elder Eldred G. Smith as a Patriarch Emeritus, which means that he is honorably relieved – not released – of all duties and responsibilities pertaining to the office of Patriarch to the Church.” Joseph F. Smith was actually set apart as President of the Church by the Presiding Patriarch to the Church on Nov. 30, 1847. The Patriarch, John Smith, was President Smith’s half brother. This evening’s discussion will be on the history of this Priesthood office and the history of the individuals who were called to this unique office. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Gary Smith resides in Utah and is currently practicing law in Southern California. He, along with Irene Bates, authored the book “Lost Legacy: The Mormon Office of Presiding Patriarch” which was published by the University of Illinois Press in 1996. Gary has written articles that have appeared in the Journal of Mormon History and served on the Board of the Mormon History Association. He served a mission in England. ANNOUNCEMENT: As always, this group is funded by contributions from those who attend our meetings. Our only expense is the airfare to bring our speakers in. Please help by inviting others who are interested in Church History to our meetings. The Miller-Eccles Study Group is a 501( c ) ( 3 ) organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Joseph Smith, Sr.

Hyram Smith

To assure an open and frank discussion, we request that our meetings not be recorded.

CALENDAR 2007

To be announced

SUPPORT FOR THE MILLER ECCLES STUDY GROUP

The Miller Eccles Study Group is supported by the donations of those who attend. We suggest a donation of $10 per person. For students and recent graduates, we suggest $5.00 per person. For those for whom these donations are a burden, please contribute what you can. The principal costs are transportation, lodging, and related expenses.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Miller-Eccles Study Group seeks to encourage LDS gospel scholarship, enlightenment and understanding, with an emphasis in history. To this end, qualified speakers are invited to address the group on related subjects. Our format then allows for the kind of in-depth question and discussion that other local forums and activities are unable to accommodate. We aim to provide opportunities for honest inquiry and expression in an open, accepting environment of good fellowship. In such an atmosphere negativism and destructive criticism do not easily flourish. Instead, the exhilaration, upliftment, and unity amid diversity that the gospel affords can be fostered.