Lambda Delta Sigma (LDS Church)
{{Short description|American college sorority (1936–2000)}}
{{Distinguish|text=the sorority of the same name at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.}}
{{Infobox Sorority
|name = Lambda Delta Sigma
|letters = {{lang|grc|ΛΔΣ}}
|crest = The_pin_of_Lambda_Delta_Sigma_(LDS_Church).jpg
|image_size = 190px
|founded = {{Start date and age|1936}}
|birthplace = University of Utah
|affiliation = Independent
|status = Merged
|successor = LDS Student Association
|type = Religious
|emphasis = Latter-day Saints
|scope = Local
|motto =
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|publication =
|chapters = 1 ?
|members =
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|country = United States
|homepage =
}}
Lambda Delta Sigma ({{lang|grc|ΛΔΣ}}) was a college sorority, although originally it was co-educational, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The Greek letters in its name match LDS, the common initialization of Latter-day Saints.{{cite news | author=Carrie Moore | title=Roots of LDS Sorority Date Back to 1936 | date=September 14, 1996 | work=Deseret News | url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/513122/ROOTS-OF-LDS-SORORITY-DATE-BACK-TO-1936.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906235253/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/513122/ROOTS-OF-LDS-SORORITY-DATE-BACK-TO-1936.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 6, 2018 | accessdate=2018-09-06}}
History
In the early years of the Institute of Religion at the University of Utah, attendance was growing and some male students wanted a way to build their brotherhood with fellow Latter-day Saints. Lowell L. Bennion, the institute director, helped them prepare a constitution and organized them as "Alpha House" in October 1936, followed by "Omega House" for women in December. Shortly afterward, these houses were collectively named Lambda Delta Sigma, which would be a co-educational Greek society open to anyone willing to uphold Latter-day Saint ideals.{{cite book | author=Bradford, Mary Lythgoe | year=1995 | title=Lowell L. Bennion: Teacher, Counselor, Humanitarian | page=73 | publisher=Dialogue Foundation | isbn=9781560850816 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=34wagn75d-oC }}
In 1966 following a study by Paul H. Dunn, the LDSSA was formed and Lambda Delta Sigma was dissolved.[https://www.the-exponent.com/upon-one-strength-another-is-built/comment-page-1/ Upon one strength another is built]
Elaine Cannon, Winnifred Jardine, Frank Bradshaw and Alfred Nielsen were called by the general authorities to make plans for a new LDS sorority and divided the organization, making Lambda Delta Sigma a sorority and creating Sigma Gamma Chi as its fraternity.{{cite book | author=Doxey, Cynthia | chapter=Lambda Delta Sigma | title=Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History | editor=Arnold K. Garr | editor-link=Arnold K. Garr |editor2=Donald Q. Cannon |editor2-link=Donald Q. Cannon |editor3=Richard O. Cowan |editor3-link=Richard O. Cowan | publisher=Deseret Book | location=Salt Lake City, Utah}} Elaine Cannon was called as the new national advisor, and wrote the Pledge Ceremony, Initiation Ceremony and selected other symbols for the group.
In November 1967, this new Lambda Delta Sigma was approved at the first National Convention of the LDSSA. In 1977, the sorority was transferred to the leadership of the Relief Society General Presidency and the national LDS President served on the General Relief Society Board and by 1982, all Lambda Delta Sigma officers gained National Board positions.
In June 2000 it was announced that in September, the sorority was to absorbed by the Institute Women's Association, a church organization for all female Young Single Adults.[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/06/news-of-the-church/new-institute-associations-will-reach-more-young-adults?lang=eng New Institute Associations Will Reach More Young Adults]
See also
Notes
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{{Authority control}}
Category:1936 establishments in Utah
Category:Organizational subdivisions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Category:Young people and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Category:The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah
Category:Latter Day Saint fraternities and sororities in the United States
Category:Student organizations established in 1936