Belle S. Spafford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marion Isabelle Sims Smith Spafford (October 8, 1895 – February 2, 1982) was the ninth general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from April 6, 1945 until October 3, 1974. She served longer in this capacity than any woman in the history of the Relief Society. Spafford was also the second counselor to president Amy B. Lyman from 1942 to 1945. In 1974, Spafford was succeeded by Barbara B. Smith.

Born in in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, Spafford served under six presidents of the church, from Heber J. Grant to Spencer W. Kimball. During her tenure as president, the society grew from just over 100,000 members to more than one million spanning several dozen countries. Spafford oversaw the discontinuance of the Relief Society Magazine in 1970 and promoted the Ensign as the primary magazine for the women of the church.

Spafford was a member of the National Council of Women of the United States, and served as its president from 1968 to 1970. She was also a member of the American Regional Council of the International Council of Women.

Spafford attended both the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. She did work with special education instruction at BYU.

In 1921, Belle married Earl Spafford. They had two children, Earl and Mary. The Belle S. Spafford Endowed Chair in Social Work at the University of Utah is named in her honor. She authored two books: Women in Today's World and A Woman's Reach.

[edit] References

Janet Peterson and Connie Lewis, “Making a Difference for Women: Belle S. Spafford,” Ensign, Mar 2006, 44–50.
2004 Church Almanac published by Deseret Morning News, pg 122
Utah History Encyclopedia

[edit] External links

Nola Redd, Relief Society Presidents: Belle S. Spafford

v • d • e General presidents of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

E.H. Smith (1842–1844) • Snow (1866–1887) • Young (1888–1901) • B.W. Smith (1901–1910) • Wells (1910–1921) • Williams (1921–1928) • Robison (1928–1939) • Lyman (1939–1945) • Spafford (1945–1974) • B.B. Smith (1974–1984) • Winder (1984–1990) • Jack (1990–1997) • Smoot (1997–2002) • Parkin (2002–2007) • Beck (2007– )