Mormon Handicraft was organized in 1937 by Louise Y. Robison, general president of the Relief Society, a women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the depression of the thirties, her heart was moved to compassion by the condition in which many women found themselves. A committee was formed to study the possibilities of a consignment shop to serve as an outlet for handwork done by women in the home to supplement the family income.

Mormon Handicraft began as a nonprofit organization under the direction of the Relief Society. The store encouraged home industry and allowed women to earn money while still tending to the home and family. It also fulfilled its founding statement, "to preserve the skills of our pioneer ancestors and the skills and crafts of their various countries."

Mormon Handicraft was not entirely a new idea. For years, many wards (the local congregations of the Church) operated co-op stores in their Relief Society halls. In 1876, President Brigham Young, the well-known colonizer, recommended that a central Relief Society women's store be opened. The Women's Commission House provided to the local community everything from shawls to butter.

A second women's store,the Women's Co-operative Mercantile and Manufacturing Institution, operated from 1890 to 1912. Founded to promote home industry and help "forward the cause of equal rights", this store sold dress goods, family articles, and burial suits "kept on hand or made to order."

The first shop was set up in the old Bureau of Information and museum located on Temple Square where the South Visitors' Center now stands.

Over the years as contributors increased, the shop needed to expand and eventually was moved to 21 West South Temple. This new location attracted many tourists and shoppers. Popular items for sale included quilts, dolls, baby clothes, rugs, quiet books, and embroidered linens#151;many of the same items that are most popular today.

In 1960 the homemaking department was established and allowed Relief Societies to buy supplies for work day and compassionate service projects. Weekly classes in quilting, applique, and embroidery were started.

In 1977 Mormon Handicraft moved again, this time to the old Eagle Gate apartment building at 107 E. South Temple. The homemaking department expanded and opened to the public. After a few years at the Eagle Gate location, Mormon Handicraft moved to 105 North Main Street in 1982. The building was remodeled and beautifully decorated; Mormon Handicraft expected to stay at its new location for many years to come.

In January 1986, the Relief Society announced plans to close Mormon Handicraft. They felt that the store no longer met the needs of the worldwide Church. As newspapers reported the closure of the landmark, hundreds of customers sent up an outcry. Their appeals were heard, and just one week before the scheduled closure, Mormon Handicraft became a division of Deseret Book Company.

Though saved from closing, the store has faced more moves and transitions throughout the last ten years. Most recently, in 2007 to better serve our customers across the state of Utah, Deseret Book Company made the decision to divide the one location into three full Mormon Handicraft sections within existing Deseret Book retail stores.

We continue on with the tradition of offering a variety of handmade gifts, home décor, quilting fabrics, and other supplies. In addition to the heartwarming retail items we sell, Mormon Handicraft is also well known for its extensive quilting classes. You can view the current class schedules under events and classes on the home page: http://deseretbook.com/mormonhandicraft/events

The new Mormon Handicraft sections are located within the following three Deseret Book stores.

MORMON HANDICRAFT * SALT LAKE

Fort Union Deseret Book * 1110 East Fort Union Blvd. * Midvale, Utah 84047 * 801-561-8777

MORMON HANDICRAFT * UTAH COUNTY

University Mall Deseret Book * 575 East University Parkway * Orem, Utah 84097 * 801-224-0055

MORMON HANDICRAFT * ST. GEORGE

St. George Deseret Book * 735 South Bluff * St. George, Utah 84770 * 435-628-4495