Pure religion: Huge impact
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When Presiding Bishop H. David Burton delivered his sermon on "Tender Hearts and Helping Hands" at April 2006 general conference, Lenna Jacobsen of the Logan Utah South Stake reported that the impact of what he said "hit her in the chest so intensely" she actually felt it physically and sensed he was talking directly to her.
She instantaneously made a decision to be a humanitarian volunteer. Bishop Burton's words that millions in the Church have responded to the sorrow of others with their means, tender hearts, and helping hands, and his reference to the "not-so-nimble fingers of our more senior sisters who have crafted much-needed quilts" made a huge impact.
Sister Jacobsen, 90, has donated to the humanitarian cause hundreds of quilts since April of 2006.
Soon after her undertaking the project, a local fabric store presented her with a brand new sewing machine; recently it stopped working and she said she felt as though her world had come to an end. When she took it to the shop to be fixed, the repairman told her she had literally worn it out. But he put new ball bearings in and she carried on.
Sister Jacobsen was raised in a log cabin in the Uintah Basin and has been widowed twice, the first time when she was a young mother of six. She now has 65 grand- and great-grandchildren. When she puts a quilt on her frames, she immediately phones friends and neighbors to come and help. She taught the Primary achievement day girls to quilt, and when they attended a stake humanitarian day they told everyone that Sister Jacobsen had already taught them how to make a quilt. Recently, she invited all the young women of her ward to come to her home where they put together 150 hygiene kits.
Sister Jacobsen receives many donations from ward members to buy the fabric, batting and other supplies for her quilts.
"I've never been so happy in my life," she said. — LeAnn Walton
