Spafford, Belle S. (Belle Smith), 1895-1982

Belle S. Spafford served as general president of the Relief Society from 1945-1974, longer than any other president in the history of the organization.

From the guide to the AV 3628 Belle S. Spafford dictations circa 1950s (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Church History Library)

General president of the Relief Society.

From the guide to the MS 8622 Belle Spafford addresses and writings 1939-1974 (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Church History Library)

Belle S. Spafford was born on October 8, 1895, in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1935, she was called to the Relief Society General Board and eight years later became a counselor in the general presidency. In April of 1945, she became the General Relief Society President serving in this capacity for 29 years. Under her leadership, the Relief Society grew at a tremendous rate. Also during this time, she was named a member of the board of trustees of the Church School System, the first woman ever appointed to that board. Outside of her religious duties, she served on the National Council of Women for 52 years, where she held many positions including that of president during the years of 1968-1969. She died at age 86 on February 2, 1982 as a result of a lingering illness. Belle S. Spafford was well known and respected by prominent religious and civic leaders alike.

From the description of Belle S. Spafford Paris Relief Society talk, 1964. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367866352

General president of Relief Society (1945-1974).

From the guide to the MS 5007 Belle Spafford papers 1973-1982 (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Church History Library)

From the guide to the PH 7918 Spafford photographs 1888-1975 (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Church History Library)

From the guide to the MS 20299 Belle S. Spafford papers 1888-1975 (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Church History Library)

Civic and Mormon Church leader. For the Mormon Church, she served on the Relief Society General Board for eight years starting in 1935, as the general Relief Society president for twenty-nine years starting in 1945, and as a member of the board of trustees of the Church School System. She seved on the National Council of Women for fifty-two years, where she held many positions including that of president during the years of 1968-9.

From the description of Belle S. Spafford letters, 1937-1980. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122535920

From the guide to the Belle S. Spafford letters, 1937-1980, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)