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Independence, Missouri December 3, 2004
The president of the Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, the second-largest grouping in the Mormon religion, has
resigned, citing "inappropriate choices" in his personal life.
After serving in the post for eight years, W. Grant McMurray's resignation
is unprecedented in the church's 174-year history.
In his November 29 letter, he said that for "several
years I have struggled with personal and family issues that have impacted
my ability to function unreservedly in my office and calling".
In an allusion to personal failings, he wrote: "I
have made some inappropriate choices, and the circumstances of my life
are now such that I cannot continue to effectively lead the church."
Mr McMurray also asked that the church release him from the lay priesthood
of the faith.
He also broke with tradition, which requires that the president select
his successor, with the consent of other senior leaders and the general
membership.
"On the matter of succession in presidency,
our tradition anticipates that I would designate a successor. In my
present situation, I do not feel it is appropriate to do so,"
he wrote.
The Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known
as the Community of Christ, is the second largest of the Latter-day
Saint faiths, often referred to as Mormons.
With its headquarters in Independence, Missouri, it is independent of
the larger Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the US state
of Utah.
Both churches trace their origins to the 19th century religious leader
Joseph Smith.
They split in the mid-19th century after disagreeing over who should
succeed Mr Smith following his murder in 1844.
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At the same time the Mormon Tabernacle choir has cancelled its tour
of Scandinavia next summer because of threats from terrorism.
An Associated Press report says:
The tour was first changed to England, Scotland
and Wales, with a stopover in Paris. But that, too, was deemed too dangerous
and now the choir will visit cities in northern California, Oregon,
Washington, Nevada and Idaho.
The church has an extensive security network that constantly monitors
the global situation, especially as it could affect the 60,000 Mormon
missionaries serving in more than 150 countries.
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