Dwan J. Young

Dwan Jacobsen Young (born May 1, 1931) was the seventh general president of the Primary organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1980 to 1988.

Dwan J. Young
7th Primary General President
April 5, 1980 (1980-04-05) – 1988
Called by	Spencer W. Kimball
Predecessor	Naomi M. Shumway
Successor	Michaelene P. Grassli
Personal details
Born	Dwan Jacobsen (1931-05-01) May 1, 1931 Salt Lake City, Utah
Education	Bachelor of Education
Alma mater	University of Utah
Spouse(s)	Thomas Young, Jr
Children	5
Awards	Silver Buffalo

Biography

Dwan Jacobsen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from South High School (Salt Lake City) in 1948 and later graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Education. She married Thomas Young, Jr. and they are the parents of five children.

Young became a member of the Primary general board 1970. Ten years later, she was selected to succeed Naomi M. Shumway as the organization's general president. Young served in this capacity until 1988, when her second counselor, Michaelene P. Grassli, was chosen to succeed her. During Young's tenure, Primary changed from a weekday activity to one that was incorporated into the LDS Church's three-hour consolidated worship services.

Upon her release, Young accompanied her husband to Canada, where he served as president of the church's Canada Calgary Mission.

In 1990, Young was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award from the Boy Scouts of America for her work to incorporate Cub Scouting into the LDS Church's Primary program.

Dwan is a board member and matriarch of Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO).

See also

• List of recipients of the Silver Buffalo Award
• In 2023, Young was inducted into the Guinness World Records as the oldest female water skier.

References

• Arnold K. Garr, Donald Q. Cannon & Richard O. Cowan (eds.) (2000). Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book)
• “New Primary Presidency Sustained,” Ensign, May 1980, p. 106