Florence S. Jacobsen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Florence S. Jacobsen |
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Jacobsen in 1962
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| 6th Young Women General President | |
| 1961 – 1972 | |
| Called by | David O. McKay |
| Predecessor | Bertha S. Reeder |
| Successor | Ruth H. Funk |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Florence Smith April 7, 1913 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 2017 (aged 103) Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Resting place | Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Utah |
| Spouse(s) | Ted Jacobsen |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents | Willard Richards Smith Florance Grant |
| Relatives | Joseph F. Smith (grandfather) Heber J. Grant (grandfather) |
| Awards | Junius F. Wells Award |
Florence Smith Jacobsen (April 7, 1913 – March 5, 2017) was an important leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as the sixth General President of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association (YWMIA) from 1961 to 1972. She also played a big role in preserving the Church's history and buildings.
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Early Life and Family
Florence Smith was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 7, 1913. Her parents were Willard Richards Smith and Florence Grant Smith. She had a unique family background, as both of her grandfathers were past presidents of the LDS Church. Her grandfathers were Joseph F. Smith and Heber J. Grant.
Florence attended the University of Utah and finished her studies in 1934. In 1935, she married Ted Jacobsen in the Salt Lake Temple.
Church Service and Leadership
In 1955, Florence and her family moved to New York City. This was because her husband, Ted Jacobsen, was asked to be a Mission president for the Church.
Leading the Young Women
In October 1961, Florence Jacobsen became the general president of the Church's Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association (YWMIA). This organization helps young women in the Church grow and learn. Her aunt, Lucy Grant Cannon, had also held this same position years earlier. Florence Jacobsen served in this role until 1972.
During her time as Young Women president, two important historic buildings, the Beehive House and the Lion House, were restored. These buildings were then opened for people to visit. In 1969, the YWMIA celebrated its 100th birthday. In 1971, Florence Jacobsen helped launch the New Era, a new magazine especially for young people in the Church.
Preserving Church History
In 1973, the Church president, Harold B. Lee, asked Florence Jacobsen to become the Church's curator. A curator is someone who takes care of a museum's collections and historical items. Florence accepted this important job. She became a key person in building the Museum of Church History and Art.
As a Church curator, Florence Jacobsen helped restore many historic Church buildings. These included the Promised Valley Playhouse in Salt Lake City and the E. B. Grandin building in Palmyra, New York. She also oversaw the restoration of homes belonging to early Church leaders like Brigham Young in St. George, Utah and Jacob Hamblin in Santa Clara, Utah. She also helped restore the Newell K. Whitney store in Kirtland, Ohio, and the inside of the Manti Utah Temple.
Awards and Recognition
On April 21, 2010, Florence Jacobsen received the Junius F. Wells Award. This award recognized her great work in preserving historical sites for the Church. Church President Thomas S. Monson and Boyd K. Packer spoke about her leadership. President Monson said she helped young women achieve great things. Florence Jacobsen was also named an Honorary Life Member of the Utah State Historical Society.
Later Life
Florence Jacobsen and her husband, Ted, had three sons. She lived a long life, turning 100 years old in April 2013. She passed away in March 2017 at the age of 103.
The Jacobsen family created the Florence Smith Jacobsen Scholarship at the University of Utah. This scholarship helps students who work to strengthen families and help women in their communities.
See also
- Janet Peterson and LaRene Gaunt (1993). Keepers of the Flame: General Presidents of the Young Women (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book)
- Lavina Fielding, "Florence Smith Jacobsen: In Love with Excellence," Ensign, June 1977, pp. 25–26
