Mortensen Award

Laurie Lee Hall 2023 Mortensen Award Winner
Laurie Lee Hall, 2023 Mortensen Award Winner

The Affirmation Mortensen Award is the highest honor Affirmation can bestow on an individual member. It is named in honor of Paul Mortensen, one of the founders of Affirmation and the first to receive the award.

Presented annually at the annual conference of Affirmation, the Mortensen Award recognizes members of Affirmation whose leadership and commitment to service in Affirmation have made a real difference in the lives of those within the LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint community and contributed significantly toward Affirmation’s mission.

Potential award winners are nominated each year by Affirmation community members. We invite all to nominate deserving candidates for the 2024 Affirmation Mortensen Award. Nominations must be submitted by September 1, 2024.

Who Should Be Nominated

The criteria for selecting a nominee should be:

  1. Someone who has demonstrated outstanding leadership & service,
  2. A member of Affirmation dedicated to its goals and working to achieve those goals,
  3. A person making a difference in the lives of others,
  4. An individual who is a self-starter and a motivator of others.

If there is a member of Affirmation who has impressed or inspired you and meets the criteria above, please nominate them to be considered for this year’s Mortensen Award.

How to Submit a Nomination

Nominations must be submitted by September 1, 2024. Only on-time nominations will be considered. To submit a nomination:

  1. Write a letter describing in your own words what is unique about the nominee and what they have done that makes them deserving of your nomination. Your letter must be as detailed as possible, as the award committee may not know your nominee. Specifically, your letter should include:
    • Stories that demonstrate the character of your nominee.
    • How your nominee has demonstrated leadership.
    • How long has your nominee been involved in Affirmation?
      Affirmation chapters of affinity groups your nominee has been active in.
    • What service has your nominee performed for Affirmation or the greater LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint community?
    • How your nominee has made a difference in the lives of others.
    • Submit your letter using this form. In addition to your letter, you may upload news articles, photos, or other documentation supporting your nomination. Also, please ensure that your contact information is correct, as the award committee may reach out with questions or request additional information.
  2. Do not share or publish your letter. Nominees should not know that they have been nominated. A winner will only be selected based on the letter and supporting documents you submit.

Selection of a Winner and Announcements

All nominations of individuals currently members of Affirmation and submitted by the deadline will be reviewed and considered by the Mortensen Award Committee. This committee is comprised of past Mortensen Award recipients. The current chairperson of the committee is Olin Thomas.

All Mortensen Award nominees and the winner will be announced during the 2024 Affirmation International Conference in October in Ogden, Utah.