Louise W. Madsen
Born: 1909
Called as Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency: 11 August 1958
Released: October 1974
Died: 1987
Called as Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency: 11 August 1958
Released: October 1974
Died: 1987
Biographical Articles
Relief Society Magazine, February 1948, Elen Louise Wallace Madsen Called to the General Board
Relief Society Magazine, October 1958, Elen Louise Wallace Madsen Appointed Second Counselor in the General Presidency of the Relief Society
Relief Society Magazine, October 1958, Elen Louise Wallace Madsen Appointed Second Counselor in the General Presidency of the Relief Society
Adams, Lillie C. "Elen Louise Wallace Madsen Called to the General Board." Relief Society Magazine. February 1948. pg. 81, 126.
Elen Louise Wallace Madsen Called to the General Board
Lillie C. Adams
Member, General Board of Relief Society
“The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth” (D. & C. 93:36).
SISTER Louise Madsen has been conscious of the truthfulness of these words. She has constantly pursued a study of not only the gospel of Jesus Christ, but of literature, the sciences, and history. Since her graduation from the L.D.S. University and attendance at the University of Utah, she has had extension courses in English, literature, history, and law.
Louise started her studying and teaching with work in the Sunday School. She has, since her marriage, been a member of the Mt. Ogden Stake Primary board, a teacher in Junior Seminary', leader of the Twelfth Ward (Salt Lake City) Gleaner Girls, when her husband was bishop of that ward, Relief Society literature class leader, and Emigration Stake Relief Society theology class leader.
Persistent, positive, and perfect performance in the gospel brings forth goodly fruits. Again she was called to assume a position of responsibility as president of Emigration Stake Relief Society. As stake president she gave to the members of the stake a feeling of sisterhood, understanding, and mutual interest, giving life and vitality to the organization. She manifests devotion to all her Church duties, realizing that the gospel “enlighteneth the mind, and quickeneth the understanding, openeth the heart to charity, and prepareth the hand in the execution of good deeds.”
Truly, she seeks to keep the two great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy Cod with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”
Iler faith and fortitude are her strongholds, and she does not allow disaster or defeat to dampen her enthusiasm for the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith and works have paved the way for her successful career as a splendid teacher of the gospel.
With all her Church activities, she has maintained a high degree of efficiency in her home, not permitting anything to mar or divert her from the highest of all callings, that of wife and mother. She has the rare gift of companionship with her husband and children. She manifests at home love, loyalty, gentleness, meekness, patience, and practically all womanly virtues.
The Book of Mormon speaks of being born of goodly parents. This great gift was bequeathed to Louise, for surely she has a noble heritage. Her father was Ashley Harper Wallace, youngest son of Patriarch Henry Wallace. Her mother, Claribel Louise Woods, was a granddaughter of Parley P. Pratt. On June 1, 1928, in the Salt Lake Temple she was married to Francis Armstrong Madsen, son of Richard W. Madsen and Mary Armstrong Madsen, and grandson of one of the most prominent early pioneers, Francis Armstrong. Her four lovely children are Francis A. Jr., sixteen, Mary Louise, fourteen, Robert Ashley, twelve, and Richard Harper, eight.
Sister Madsen’s untiring service fits her into the pattern of service, as expressed by Micah in one of the most exquisite definitions of religion: "lie hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).
Sister Madsen truly tries to exemplify these wonderful virtues in her life.
Elen Louise Wallace Madsen Called to the General Board
Lillie C. Adams
Member, General Board of Relief Society
“The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth” (D. & C. 93:36).
SISTER Louise Madsen has been conscious of the truthfulness of these words. She has constantly pursued a study of not only the gospel of Jesus Christ, but of literature, the sciences, and history. Since her graduation from the L.D.S. University and attendance at the University of Utah, she has had extension courses in English, literature, history, and law.
Louise started her studying and teaching with work in the Sunday School. She has, since her marriage, been a member of the Mt. Ogden Stake Primary board, a teacher in Junior Seminary', leader of the Twelfth Ward (Salt Lake City) Gleaner Girls, when her husband was bishop of that ward, Relief Society literature class leader, and Emigration Stake Relief Society theology class leader.
Persistent, positive, and perfect performance in the gospel brings forth goodly fruits. Again she was called to assume a position of responsibility as president of Emigration Stake Relief Society. As stake president she gave to the members of the stake a feeling of sisterhood, understanding, and mutual interest, giving life and vitality to the organization. She manifests devotion to all her Church duties, realizing that the gospel “enlighteneth the mind, and quickeneth the understanding, openeth the heart to charity, and prepareth the hand in the execution of good deeds.”
Truly, she seeks to keep the two great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy Cod with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”
Iler faith and fortitude are her strongholds, and she does not allow disaster or defeat to dampen her enthusiasm for the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith and works have paved the way for her successful career as a splendid teacher of the gospel.
With all her Church activities, she has maintained a high degree of efficiency in her home, not permitting anything to mar or divert her from the highest of all callings, that of wife and mother. She has the rare gift of companionship with her husband and children. She manifests at home love, loyalty, gentleness, meekness, patience, and practically all womanly virtues.
The Book of Mormon speaks of being born of goodly parents. This great gift was bequeathed to Louise, for surely she has a noble heritage. Her father was Ashley Harper Wallace, youngest son of Patriarch Henry Wallace. Her mother, Claribel Louise Woods, was a granddaughter of Parley P. Pratt. On June 1, 1928, in the Salt Lake Temple she was married to Francis Armstrong Madsen, son of Richard W. Madsen and Mary Armstrong Madsen, and grandson of one of the most prominent early pioneers, Francis Armstrong. Her four lovely children are Francis A. Jr., sixteen, Mary Louise, fourteen, Robert Ashley, twelve, and Richard Harper, eight.
Sister Madsen’s untiring service fits her into the pattern of service, as expressed by Micah in one of the most exquisite definitions of religion: "lie hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).
Sister Madsen truly tries to exemplify these wonderful virtues in her life.
Sharp, Marianne C. "Elen Louise Wallace Madsen Appointed Second Counselor in the General Presidency of the Relief Society." Relief Society Magazine. October 1958. pg. 651-652.
Elen Louise Wallace Madsen Appointed Second Counselor in the General Presidency of Relief Society
Marianne C. Sharp
Counselor, General Presidency of Relief Society
ON August 11, 1958, Elen Louise Wallace Madsen was called to be Second Counselor in the General Presidency of Relief Society to fill the vacancy occasioned by Helen Woodruff Anderson being called to serve a mission with her husband, Alexander P. Anderson, who was named president of the New Zealand South Mission.
Louise Madsen is well trained and qualified to accept the heavy responsibilities of her new position. She has served on the General Board since December 1947. Throughout those past eleven years she has had the wholehearted support and cooperative help of her husband, Francis Armstrong Madsen (President of the Madsen Furniture Company of Salt Lake and Ogden, Utah) and of her five children—Francis A. Jr., Mary Louise (Mrs. Ben E. Rawlings), Robert Ashley, Richard Harper, and Peter William. At the present time three of the sons are in the Armed Forces. There are six grandchildren in this closely knit family. The spirit of the gospel radiates from it as it guides and directs the family living.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Madsen have rich pioneer heritages. Mrs. Madsen’s father was Ashley Harper Wallace, youngest son of Patriarch Henry Wallace. Her mother, Claribel Louise Woods, was a granddaughter of Parley P. Pratt. Her grandfather, Francis Charles Woods, assisted Brother Joseph Ridges in building the Salt Lake Tabernacle organ. Mr. Madsen’s paternal grandfather was Peter William Madsen, and his maternal grandfather was the well known early day business leader, Francis Armstrong.
Mrs. Madsen has manifested integrity, ability, and devotion to the Church throughout her life. She is of a studious nature, and after graduating from the Latter-day Saints College continued her studies at the University of Utah. In her earlier years she served on the Mt. Ogden Stake Primary Board, as a teacher in Junior Seminary, and a leader of the Gleaner Girls of the Twelfth Ward, Emigration Stake, when her husband was the bishop. Louise was president of the Emigration Stake Relief Society at the time she was called to the General Board.
Previously she had served in both the literature and theology departments of Relief Society. Her work on the General Board has been marked by untiring application to every assignment which has been given her. She has served on nearly every General Board committee and has magnified her office.
Louise Madsen has endeared herself not only to the General Board members with whom she has worked so closely; but her sweet, gracious personality, her humility, and testimony have brought her close to the sisters in the stakes whom she has visited on conventions and special assignments. The happiness and humility with which she has accepted this new calling are evidence of her own strength and her acceptance and reliance on the inspired words of Nephi, “For I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”
Louise Madsen will accomplish this latest assignment with distinction to herself and to her beloved Relief Society.
Elen Louise Wallace Madsen Appointed Second Counselor in the General Presidency of Relief Society
Marianne C. Sharp
Counselor, General Presidency of Relief Society
ON August 11, 1958, Elen Louise Wallace Madsen was called to be Second Counselor in the General Presidency of Relief Society to fill the vacancy occasioned by Helen Woodruff Anderson being called to serve a mission with her husband, Alexander P. Anderson, who was named president of the New Zealand South Mission.
Louise Madsen is well trained and qualified to accept the heavy responsibilities of her new position. She has served on the General Board since December 1947. Throughout those past eleven years she has had the wholehearted support and cooperative help of her husband, Francis Armstrong Madsen (President of the Madsen Furniture Company of Salt Lake and Ogden, Utah) and of her five children—Francis A. Jr., Mary Louise (Mrs. Ben E. Rawlings), Robert Ashley, Richard Harper, and Peter William. At the present time three of the sons are in the Armed Forces. There are six grandchildren in this closely knit family. The spirit of the gospel radiates from it as it guides and directs the family living.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Madsen have rich pioneer heritages. Mrs. Madsen’s father was Ashley Harper Wallace, youngest son of Patriarch Henry Wallace. Her mother, Claribel Louise Woods, was a granddaughter of Parley P. Pratt. Her grandfather, Francis Charles Woods, assisted Brother Joseph Ridges in building the Salt Lake Tabernacle organ. Mr. Madsen’s paternal grandfather was Peter William Madsen, and his maternal grandfather was the well known early day business leader, Francis Armstrong.
Mrs. Madsen has manifested integrity, ability, and devotion to the Church throughout her life. She is of a studious nature, and after graduating from the Latter-day Saints College continued her studies at the University of Utah. In her earlier years she served on the Mt. Ogden Stake Primary Board, as a teacher in Junior Seminary, and a leader of the Gleaner Girls of the Twelfth Ward, Emigration Stake, when her husband was the bishop. Louise was president of the Emigration Stake Relief Society at the time she was called to the General Board.
Previously she had served in both the literature and theology departments of Relief Society. Her work on the General Board has been marked by untiring application to every assignment which has been given her. She has served on nearly every General Board committee and has magnified her office.
Louise Madsen has endeared herself not only to the General Board members with whom she has worked so closely; but her sweet, gracious personality, her humility, and testimony have brought her close to the sisters in the stakes whom she has visited on conventions and special assignments. The happiness and humility with which she has accepted this new calling are evidence of her own strength and her acceptance and reliance on the inspired words of Nephi, “For I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”
Louise Madsen will accomplish this latest assignment with distinction to herself and to her beloved Relief Society.