Summarized by Kent Larsen

RLDS Church To Change First Presidency
(World View: ArchbishopTo Priests:No Gambling)
Salt Lake Tribune (AP) 11Mar00 N5
Compiled by Peggy Fletcher Stack

INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI -- The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is expected to fill a coming vacancy in its First Presidency in its upcoming World Conference in April. The vacancy occurs because Howard S. Sheehy, Jr., a member of the First Presidency for 22 years, is retiring. RLDS Church president W. Grant McMurray announced Thursday, March 9th that he is recommending that Peter A. Judd, currently secretary to the Council of Twelve Apostles, replace Sheehy.

McMurray also announced other recommendations on Thursday. He proposed that Danny A. Belrose, a member of the Council of Twelve replace Everett S. Graffeo as the Church's presiding evangelist. Graffeo is also retiring. To replace Judd as secretary for the Council of Twelve, McMurray recommended Bunda C. Chibwe of Zambia, and to replace Belrose as a member of the Council of Twelve, he proposed Leonard M. Young, who has been president of the Quorum of High Priests.