Belle S. Spafford
Belle S. Spafford | |
---|---|
9th Relief Society General President | |
April 6, 1945[1] – October 3, 1974 | |
Called by | Heber J. Grant |
Predecessor | Amy Brown Lyman |
Successor | Barbara B. Smith |
Reason | Lyman requested to be released |
End reason | Honorable released |
Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency | |
1942 – 1945 | |
Called by | Amy Brown Lyman |
Predecessor | Donna D. Sorensen |
Successor | Gertrude R. Garff |
Personal details | |
Born |
Marion Isabelle Sims October 8, 1895 Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States |
Died |
February 2, 1982 86) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | (aged
Resting place |
Redwood Memorial Cemetery 40°37′57″N 111°56′21.84″W / 40.63250°N 111.9394000°W |
Spouse(s) | W. Earl Spafford |
Children | 2 |
Parents |
John Gibson Smith Hester Sims |
Marion Isabelle Sims Smith Spafford (October 8, 1895 – February 2, 1982) was the ninth Relief Society General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), serving from April 6, 1945 until October 3, 1974. She served longer in this capacity than any other woman in the history of the Relief Society. Spafford served as the president of the National Council of women in 1968–1972 and traveled and spoke both nationally and internationally in that position. She served locally in a variety of positions and capacities, including editor of the Relief Society Magazine, founder of the LDS Church's social services program, and board of trustees member in the LDS School System. In all of her activities, Spafford consistently spoke of the rights and responsibilities of women.
Biography
Born on October 8, 1895 in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, to John Gibson Smith and Hester Sims, Marion Isabelle Sims Smith was youngest of seven children. Little is known about her childhood, other than her father died when her mother was still pregnant with her.[2] She went to the Latter-day Saints University and Normal School at the University of Utah.[3] Spafford went on to teach in Salt Lake City Schools.[3]
In 1921, Belle married W. Earl Spafford, whom she met at BYU.[2] They had two children, Earl and Mary, and nine grandchildren.[4]
Prior to her calling as Relief Society general president, Spafford served on several stake Relief Society boards.[3] She was then called to the General board and also named editor of the Relief Society Magazine.[3] In 1942, Spafford was appointed the second counselor to Relief Society President Amy B. Lyman, replacing Doona D. Sorensen.[5] She served as second councilor until her calling as Relief Society General President in 1945.[3]
Spafford served under six LDS Church presidents, 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 also oversaw the construction of the world headquarters building for the Relief Society.[6]
Spafford was one of the founders of the LDS Church's social services program, the program that is today LDS Family Services.[7] She was also instrumental in organizing the women's musical group the "singing mothers". Although there had been local chapters of the singing mothers since the 1930s, under the direction of Spafford a large chorus was founded from the groups in 1940.[8] The group would grow to a 300-member chorus that, under the direction of the Relief Society led by Spafford, would tour the United States and Great Britain.[8]
Spafford was a member of the National Council of Women of the United States. She served on the board for several years and was appointed president of the organization in 1968.[9] Spafford served for two years as president until 1970, and was the first appointed Mormon Council president.[9] She was also a member of the American Regional Council of the International Council of Women. In the late 1970s, Spafford was a vocal opponent of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment.[10]
As General Relief Society President and president of the National Council of Women, Spafford spoke at innumerable gatherings, meetings, and forums including BYU's Education Week.[11] During her time as Relief Society President and National Council of Women President, Spafford became a notable national and international speaker, speaking as close to home as Idaho, and as far away as New York and even Paris and Vienna.[12][13]
Although she was often held up as an ideal example in the women's rights movements of the 1970s, Spafford was cautious in both her words and actions to not fully support or endorse the movement. In 1972 she stated that "Anything that gets out of control becomes a hazard, whether it's fire, flood, or women's lib".[14] She went on to say that "we want to preserve the nobility, dignity, and femininity of women; there's a danger of some of that being lost. But I think we have too many common-sense women for that to happen."[14] Spafford supported many of the movement's causese such as equal pay for equal work and non-discrimination in hiring practices when both individuals were equally qualified. She was not a supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, but rather believed that the same results could be achieved through work at the local and state levels.[12]
Despite being heavily involved with both the Relief Society and the National Council of Women, Spafford was an active participant in her local community as well. She did work with special education instruction at BYU as a special instructor of remedial work.[3] In 1968, Spafford was appointed to the board of trustees of the LDS church school system, becoming the first woman on the board.[9] She continued to be an active member of her community until her death on February 2, 1982.[7]
Legacy
Spafford was released from her calling as Relief Society General President in 1974 after serving for almost 30 years in that position, the longest term of service as president of the Relief Society in the history of the church.[15] She was succeeded by Barbara Smith.[15] Spafford received the BYU Distinguished Service award in 1951, and was granted an honorary doctor of humanities degree in 1956.[3] She was also honored by the University of Utah Alumni Association in 1967 and received an honorary doctor's degree from the university as well.[16][17] Spafford was named "Woman of the Year" by BYU in 1970, and at presentation ceremony was honored by BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson for her "many services to the university, her state, her church and nation".[18] She was honored by the university against in 1973 with the BYU Emeritus Club Award.[17] Spafford often stressed the importance of learning from life's experiences, saying that "It is not what comes to us by way of experience but how we meet the difficulty that counts."[19] The Belle S. Spafford Endowed Chair in Social Work at the University of Utah is named in her honor. She authored two books and co-authored one other:A Centenary of Relief Society, Women in Today's World, and A Woman's Reach.[6][20][21] Spafford Co-authored A Centenary of Relief Society as part of the Relief Society General Board.[22] Women in Today's World was published in 1971, and A Woman's Reach was published in 1975.[20][21]
Publications
Articles
- "Raising Funds for Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 24 (3): 151–153. August 1937.
- "Apostle Melvin Joseph Ballard". Relief Society Magazine. 26 (8): 513–514. August 1939.
- "Kate M. Barker". Relief Society Magazine. 27 (2): 81–83. February 1940.
- "Ann Parkinson Nibley". Relief Society Magazine. 29 (2): 87–89. February 1942.
- "Magazine Promotion Work". Relief Society Magazine. 30 (8): 494–496. August 1943.
- "A Visit to the Hawaiian Islands". Relief Society Magazine. 31 (8): 423–424. August 1944.
- "Magazine Promotion Work". Relief Society Magazine. 31 (8): 423–424. August 1944.
- "Vera White Pohlman General Secretary-Treasurer". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (5): 275–277. May 1945.
- "Amy Brown Lyman". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (5): 269–271. May 1945.
- "Relief Society Women Receive at the White House". Relief Society Magazine. 33 (11): 723–728. November 1946.
- "The New Year". Relief Society Magazine. 34 (1): 3. January 1947.
- "New Years Greetings". Relief Society Magazine. 33 (1): 3. January 1947.
- "Compassionate Service The Fundamental Work of Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 34 (3): 147–150. March 1947.
- "Relief Society An Aid To Bishops". Relief Society Magazine. 34 (5): 306–308. May 1947.
- "A Visit to the Hawaiian Islands". Relief Society Magazine. 34 (8): 516–524. August 1947.
- "Joy in Full Measure". Relief Society Magazine. 35 (11): 724–726. November 1948.
- "The Spirit of the Gospel, the Soul of Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 36 (2): 148–150, 209. February 1949.
- "Woman's Role as Homemaker". Relief Society Magazine. 36 (11): 724–727. May 1949.
- "As For Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord". Relief Society Magazine. 37 (11): 719–722. November 1950.
- "If You Live Up to Your Privileges". Relief Society Magazine. 38 (11): 723–726. November 1951.
- "Announcement of Relief Society Building Site". Relief Society Magazine. 39 (11): 717–718. November 1952.
- "For After Much Tribulation Come the Blessings". Relief Society Magazine. 39 (11): 724–728. November 1952.
- "National Council of Women". Relief Society Magazine. 40 (4): 216–219. April 1953.
- "Testimony, the First Responsibility of Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 40 (11): 716–719. November 1953.
- "The International Council of Women Conference at Helsinki, Finland". Relief Society Magazine. 41 (10): 648–654. March 1954.
- "The Greatness of Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 41 (11): 716–720. November 1954.
- "The Rewards of Service in Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 42 (11): 718–722. November 1955.
- "The Mission of Womankind". Relief Society Magazine. 45 (11): 716–720. November 1958.
- "How Can We Effectively Delegate Responsibility?". Relief Society Magazine. 46 (8): 501–505. March 1959.
- "The Strength of Prayer". Relief Society Magazine. 46 (11): 716–721. November 1959.
- "In Memoraim - President Amy Brown Lyman". Relief Society Magazine. 47 (1): 3–5. January 1960.
- "International Singing Mothers Concert Tour". Relief Society Magazine. 48 (5): 284–292. May 1961.
- "Home - The Place of Peace; the Shelter". Relief Society Magazine. 48 (11): 716–721. November 1961.
- "White House Conference on Aging". Relief Society Magazine. 48 (8): 504–507. November 1961.
- "Search the Scriptures, for in Them Ye Think Ye Have Eternal Life". Relief Society Magazine. 49 (11): 796–801. November 1962.
- "Birthday Greetings to President David O. McKay". Relief Society Magazine. 50 (9): 644–646. September 1963.
- "The Divinity Within Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 50 (11): 807. November 1963.
- "Home, The Child Training Center". Relief Society Magazine. 51 (11): 804–809. November 1964.
- "The Blessings of Experience". Relief Society Magazine. 52 (11): 804–807. November 1965.
- "International Council of Women Conference". Relief Society Magazine. 53 (9): 647. September 1966.
- "Woman Ennobled". Relief Society Magazine. 53 (11): 804–810. November 1966.
- "Relief Socity Centennial Memorial Bell Tower". Relief Society Magazine. 54 (1): 14–18. January 1967.
- "The Role of Relief Society in the Welfare Program". Relief Society Magazine. 54 (8): 564–568. August 1967.
- "Those Who Endureth to the End". Relief Society Magazine. 54 (11): 804–809. November 1967.
- "Standard of Performance in Visiting Teaching". Relief Society Magazine. 54 (5): 347–350. November 1967.
- "The National Council of Women Observes its 80th Anniversary". Relief Society Magazine. 55 (7): 484–486. July 1968.
- "Our Rights Versus Our Responsibilities". Relief Society Magazine. 55 (11): 806–811. November 1968.
- "We Lived After the Manner of Happiness". Relief Society Magazine. 56 (3): 170–172. March 1969.
- "If It's Right We Can Do It". Relief Society Magazine. 56 (11): 804–809. November 1969.
- "In Memoriam - President David Oman McKay". Relief Society Magazine. 57 (2): 165–167. February 1970.
- "Report - 19th Plenary Conference of the International Council of Women". Relief Society Magazine. 57 (8): 564–569. November 1970.
- "We Lived After the Manner of Happiness". Relief Society Magazine. 57 (11): 803–807. November 1970.
Relief Society Conference
- "Union Meeting Suggestions". Relief Society Magazine. 23 (11): 701–702. November 1936.
- "The Strength of the Stake Board". Relief Society Magazine. 25 (11): 741–742. November 1938.
- "The Home Stretch in Membership". Relief Society Magazine. 28 (11): 761–762. November 1941.
- "Report and Official Instructions". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (12): 725–729. December 1945.
- "A Relief Society Building to be Erected". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (12): 751–753. December 1945.
- "Tribute to Sister Louise Y. Robison". Relief Society Magazine. 34 (1): 46–47. January 1947.
- "Report and Official Instructions". Relief Society Magazine. 34 (1): 43–46. January 1947.
- "Report and Official Instructions". Relief Society Magazine. 36 (12): 807–810. December 1949.
Editorials
- "Mother's Day". Relief Society Magazine. 27 (5): 351–352. May 1940.
- "Sacrament Meetings". Relief Society Magazine. 29 (6): 401–402. June 1942.
- "Where Have We Fasted?". Relief Society Magazine. 29 (7): 476–477. July 1942.
- "Where Have We Fasted?". Relief Society Magazine. 29 (8): 550–551. August 1942.
- "The Relief Society Educational Season". Relief Society Magazine. 29 (9): 638–639, 641. September 1942.
- "The Development of New Leaders". Relief Society Magazine. 29 (10): 706–707. October 1942.
- "The Development of New Leaders". Relief Society Magazine. 29 (11): 779. November 1942.
- "Relief Society Passes Membership Goal". Relief Society Magazine. 29 (3): 197. November 1942.
- "Christmas in 1942". Relief Society Magazine. 29 (12): 852–853. December 1942.
- "Spiritual Strength Through Sabbath Observance". Relief Society Magazine. 30 (2): 112–113. February 1943.
- "Our Liberty and Responsibilities". Relief Society Magazine. 30 (2): 112–113. December 1943.
- "The Y. W. M. I. A. Observes Its Diamond Jubilee". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (1): 31. January 1945.
- "Honesty". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (2): 88–89. February 1945.
- "Relief Society Achievements 1944–45". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (5): 280. May 1945.
- "Honesty". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (5): 280. May 1945.
- "President Heber J. Grant". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (6): 346–347. June 1945.
- "The New First Presidency". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (7): 414–415. July 1945.
- "Regular Weekly Relief Society Meetings Begin for 1945–46 Season". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (9): 536–537. September 1945.
- "116th Semi-Annual Church Conference". Relief Society Magazine. 32 (12): 758–759. December 1945.
- "Memorial Days". Relief Society Magazine. 37 (5): 314–315. May 1950.
- "A Message to Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 39 (3): 176–177. March 1952.
- "Present Day Need for Nurses". Relief Society Magazine. 39 (8): 520–521. August 1952.
- "Feed My Sheep". Relief Society Magazine. 45 (3): 174. March 1958.
- "Feed My Sheep". Relief Society Magazine. 46 (1): 32–33. January 1959.
- "A Relief Society History Making Event". Relief Society Magazine. 53 (6): 410–411. June 1966.
- "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow". Relief Society Magazine. 54 (3): 182–183. March 1967.
- "The Future of Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 55 (5): 338. May 1968.
- "Music in Relief Society". Relief Society Magazine. 56 (3): 180. May 1969.
References
- ↑ Ludlow, Daniel H, ed. (1992). "Appendix 1: Biographical Register of General Church Officers". Encyclopedia of Mormonism. New York: Macmillan Publishing. p. 1648. ISBN 0-02-879602-0. OCLC 24502140.
- 1 2 "Belle Spafford". ldswomenofgod.com. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Belle Spafford to Speak at 'Y' Devotional". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. 7 April 1972. p. 4. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ↑ Pauley, Gay (1 July 1964). "Lighter Hearts for Singing Women". Eureka Humboldt Standard. Eureka, California. p. 4. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Belle S. Spafford Named Counselor". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. Ogden, Utah. 19 November 1942. p. 8. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- 1 2 "University Will Honor Six Alumni". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. 14 February 1967. p. 35. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- 1 2 "Belle Smith Spafford, Mormon Relief Official". The New York Times. New York. February 4, 1982. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- 1 2 Pauley, Gay (27 June 1964). "The Woman's View: Mothers Should Sing, She Says". The Daily Times. New Philadelphia, Ohio. p. 4. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Belle S. Spafford Council President". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. 18 October 1968. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Full Time Wives, Mothers Upheld by Mormon Leader". Playground Daily News. Fort Walton Beach, Florida. 21 July 1974. p. 8. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ↑ "2000 Visitors at 'Y' Education Week Hear Belle Spafford". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. 12 June 1970. p. 3. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- 1 2 "Contented Housewives Set at Ease". Idaho Free Press. Nampa, Idaho. 25 July 1974. p. 12. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- ↑ Pauley, Gay (5 July 1973). "The Ballot's the Thing, Women's Leader Says". The Bridgeport Post. Bridgeport, Connecticut. p. 40. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- 1 2 Cornell, George W. (25 November 1972). "Steadying Hand Needed in Lib Movement". Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. p. 13. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- 1 2 "New Relief Society Presidency Named; Spafford Released". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. 4 October 1974. p. 5. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ↑ "6 U. Alumni Honered at Banquet". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1 March 1967. p. 27. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- 1 2 "BYU Emeritus Club to Honor 4 Utahns". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. 18 April 1973. p. 6. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Belle Spafford Honored in BYU Ceremonies". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. 5 March 1970. p. 2. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- ↑ "Value Role as Mothers, LDS Relief Society Told". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. 30 September 1965. p. 12. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- 1 2 "Especially for the Ladies (and those who love them)". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. 30 September 1971. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- 1 2 "Deseret Books Best Seller List". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. 3 April 1975. p. 61. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ↑ "A Centenary of Relief Society, 1842–1942". books.google.com. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
Further reading
- Janet Peterson and Connie Lewis, "Making a Difference for Women: Belle S. Spafford," Ensign, March 2006, pp. 44–50.
- "Belle Smith Spafford, Mormon Relief Official" (obituary), New York Times, February 4, 1982
- Gayle Morby Chandler, Belle S. Spafford: Leader of Women, 1983.
- Russel D. Tolley, Register of the Belle S. Spafford Collection, 1998, Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, L. Tom Perry Special Collections.
External links
- Nola Redd, Relief Society Presidents: Belle S. Spafford
- University of Utah bio connected with the establishment of the Belle Smith Spafford Chair
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