Givens was born in
Nairobi, Kenya as the oldest of three children. She grew up in Nairobi,
Tanzania, and the
Seychelles and was educated in British convent schools. She converted to the LDS Church while in
Frankfurt, Germany. She obtained
bachelor's degrees in French and German from the
University of Richmond and a
master's degree in European history. She was director of the French Language program at
Patrick Henry High School in
Ashland, Virginia. She also worked in translation services, as a lobbyist, and as communications director of a non-profit organization. In the past decade, she and her husband have conducted meetings with Mormons questioning their faith. She described a talk given by
Dieter F. Uchtdorf on this topic as "the balm of Gilead for many people who are struggling with questions to which they cannot find answers.” In 2019, Givens gave a keynote speech at a conference "Women and Mormonism" where she urged the LDS Church “to tap more deeply the potential of a theological framework that has dared to challenge the model of unequivocal patriarchy, both on earth and in heaven.” In March 2021, Givens gave a fireside chat and spoke about Heavenly Mother, suggesting that she was present at
Joseph Smith's
First Vision. As of May 2021, Givens amicably parted ways with the
Maxwell Institute. ==Writing==