New Young Women Presidency Announced

Elaine A. Cannon of Salt Lake City, Utah, has been called as general president of the Young Women. The First Presidency announced the change July 12.

Called as her counselors were Arlene B. Darger of Salt Lake City, first counselor; and Norma B. Smith of Ogden, Utah, second counselor.

Ruth H. Funk, former general president, and counselors Hortense Child Smith and Ardeth G. Kapp were released after serving for nearly six years.

Sister Cannon, a writer and lecturer, said she hopes the Young Women can help youth in the Church by giving answers “in a way that will be understandable to today’s generation.”

A graduate of the University of Utah, she has worked with Church publications, newspapers, television, and freelance writing. She has taught continuing education courses for. Utah State University, the University of Utah, and Brigham Young University. She recently has served on the Church Activities Committee and has been the staff coordinator for the 1980 sesquicentennial observance of the Church.

She has served on the general board of the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association, on the Youth Correlation Committee, the LDS Student Association, and Church writing committees.

She and her husband, D. James Cannon, are parents of six children and grandparents of eleven.

Sister Darger, also a Salt Lake City native, has been involved with the Civic Music Association of Salt Lake City and has sung with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for nine years. She graduated from the University of Utah. Her Church service includes Church music festivals and leading and teaching in the Young Women organization, the Relief Society, the Sunday School, and the Primary. She has also been a ward organist. She and her husband, Stanford P. Darger, have five children and three grandchildren.

Sister Smith, a native of Heber City, Utah, also has been active in music. She has performed with singing groups in Idaho and Utah for twenty years. A graduate of the University of Utah, she serves on the advisory board of the University of Utah School of Nursing and the Primary Children’s Medical Center Development Fund. Her Church service includes youth, Relief Society, and Primary work on ward and stake levels. She has helped write instructional manuals for the Church. She and her husband, Lowell D. Smith, are parents of eight children and have eleven grandchildren.

The Young Women presidency, announced in July, is Elaine Cannon, center, president; Arlene Darger, left, first counselor; and Norma B. Smith, second counselor.