The first Relief Society president from outside of the United States, Elaine L. Jack was born March 22, 1928 in Cardston, Alberta, Canada only a quarter of a block away from the Alberta Temple. Elaine graduated high school as valedictorian, and went on to attend the University of Utah. During her first year of college, she met her future husband, Joseph E. Jack, although they didn’t become engaged until he graduated medical school.
Married in the Alberta Temple on September 16, 1948, the young couple moved immediately to New York, where Joe completed his internship and residency. Two years later, Elaine was eligible to become an American citizen. They went on to have four children.
After finishing his first year of residency, Joe completed his military obligation by serving in the medical corps for the Coast Guard. Soon after the birth of their first child, Elaine was asked to serve as a counselor in her branch Relief Society. Once her second son was born, she was called to serve in the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association (today Young Women), and a year later, she was called to serve in the New York Stake Relief Society presidency. She served both callings at the same time for a short while. In 1958, the family moved to Salt Lake City, and in September of 1972, Elaine was called to serve on the Relief Society general board under President Belle S. Spafford. She was called again to the board two years later by the new president, Barbara B. Smith, and served there until April 1984. She served as second counselor in the Young Women’s general presidency for three years.
On March 31, 1990, Elaine Jack was called as the twelfth general Relief Society president. Her background in Young Women’s gave her the ability to further include those transitioning from the youth program into Relief Society, and made that a special point of focus in her presidency.
As Relief Society President, Elaine urged sisters throughout the world to make “Charity Never Faileth” more than a Relief Society motto. Indeed, she encouraged them to make a personal motto. To commemorate the 150th birthday of the Relief Society in 1992, sisters around the world served filled service projects within their communities. She also worked to expand the gospel literacy effort, helping sisters throughout the world gain the basic reading skills necessary to read the scriptures and encourage lifelong gospel study.
Elaine Jack was released in April of 1997. She has gone on to serve as temple matron in the Alberta, Canada temple.
Related Articles:
Relief Society Presidents: An Introduction
Relief Society Presidents: Emma Hale Smith
Relief Society Presidents: Eliza Roxy Snow
Relief Society Presidents: Zina D. H. Young
Relief Society Presidents: Bathsheba W. Smith