Young Women General Presidency

General Young Women Presidency Sustained April 5, 2008

Three well-qualified, divinely appointed women have been newly called to lead the worldwide organization of Young Women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elaine S. Dalton, formerly the first counselor in the Young Women's general presidency. Mary N. Cook and Ann Dibb were called as first and second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, respectively.

These women, under the direction of the Lord and the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will guide, inspire and oversee the 554,600 young women between the ages of 12 and 18 in 170 countries in the world.

Elaine S. Dalton

Elaine was born and raised in Ogden, Utah, is the wife of Stephen E. Dalton. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University. She and her husband are the parents of five sons and one daughter.

As Elaine Dalton walked into the press room, she mentioned that as she had passed the Hall of the Presidents of the Young Women's organization, she felt them share the thought that they had laid the foundation of the Church and now it was time to move it forward. She is excited and confident in moving forward the work of the Young Women in the kingdom of God. They will, as a Young Women Presidency, she declared, "unfurl a banner" to the world, of standing for truth and righteousness.

Mary N. Cook

Mary N. Cook spoke of Ann Dibb's "uncanny insight and ability" into what young women need, and shared her appreciation of how passionate Elaine Dalton is about the youth, and how much love she has exemplified toward the young women of the world. Mary Cook, as well, brings her own divinely nurtured skill set and spiritual orientation for this important call from the Lord. Having traveled the world in her previous capacities in the general Young Women Presidency--from Mongolia to Sri Lanka to Hong Kong--understands their common struggles and need to understand their divine identity and individual power through a relationship with the Savior. She sees, in part through her own "little lab of 12 granddaughters" as well as those she has met, what the youth "are up against" and is looking forward to this call to serve.

Ann M. Dibb

Ann M. Dibb, second counselor in the Young Women Presidency, has been serving on the Young Women general board, an organization that supports the general presidency in their calling and service. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education, is the mother of 4 children, and has enjoyed the privilege of being a full-time homemaker. She is the daughter of Thomas S. Monson and Frances Johnson Monson.

Sister Dibb shares Sister Dalton's vision of the ability of the young women to strengthen individual families now and their coming families eternally. She indicated that the young women would be required to step up and do their part to be a beacon to those in the world who desire to find a better way. She expressed appreciation for her own mother's legacy of concentration on motherhood and example of love, service, and teaching to her family.