Ardeth Greene Kapp: Mormon Leader
Ardeth Greene Kapp was an author, speaker, and leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the ninth general president of the Young Women Organization (1984–1992) and counselor in the general presidency of the Young Women (1972–1978).
She died on Saturday, March 30, 2014, days after her 93rd birthday.
Kapp was born on March 19, 1931, in Glenwood, Alberta, Canada. She attended Brigham Young High School in Provo, Utah, during her senior year and graduated in 1949. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in curriculum development from Brigham Young University.
She was an instructor for Mountain States Telephone Company, a teacher in the Davis County school system. She also wrote and instructed in a series of television programs created by the Utah Education Network.
Kapp taught in BYU’s College of Education. She was coordinator of student leadership development and chaired the Advisory Committee on Women’s Concerns. She received the Honored Alumni Award from the BYU College of Education.
She was a member of the board of trustees for Southern Virginia College. She was a member of the board of directors for Utah Youth Village and Deseret Book Company.
Kapp authored of more than twenty books, including Miracles in Pinafores & Bluejeans, The Gentle Touch, I Walk by Faith, The Little Book of Big Ideas About Friendship, Doing What We Came to Do: Living a Life of Love, and The Joy of Believing.
She married Heber B. Kapp. She met him when he served a full-time mission in her hometown. They married on June 28, 1950, but were not able to bear children. She frequently shared how the gospel of Jesus Christ helped her overcome that heartache. She is Aunt Ardie to many beloved nieces and nephews.
She served with her husband as he presided over the Canada British Columbia Vancouver Mission from 1992 to 1995. From 2000 to 2003, they served as president and matron of the Cardston Alberta Temple.
Her biography, Stand As a Witness, was written by Anita Thompson and published in 2005.
Her younger sister, Sharon G. Larsen, served as a second counselor in the Young Women general presidency from 1997 to 2002.
