Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, General President of the Young Women’s organization, announced a significant change in three Church councils today via social media. On her official Facebook page, Sister Oscarson wrote:
I still vividly remember President Thomas S. Monson announcing the lowered missionary age for young women. Today I witnessed another significant moment – I received an invitation to participate as a member of the Missionary Executive Council. I am honored. This is one of three key councils of the Church, each led by members of the Twelve. Sister Linda Burton will now serve on the Priesthood and Family Executive Council and Sister Rosemary Wixom will be on the Temple and Family History Executive Council.
What a great time to be a woman in the Church where our voices are needed and valued more than ever. I am grateful for the opportunity to add my perspective and experience to this council as we work together to spread the message of the restored Gospel.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared Sister Oscarson’s post with the following statement:
I was very pleased to read Sister Bonnie Oscarson’s Facebook post about the new assignments of our women officers to the three general priesthood councils. We need their wisdom and participation! It is sensible that their assignments line up with their current responsibilities.
Sister Oscarson will serve on the Missionary Executive Council at a time when the Church has an unprecedented number of missionaries, a great number of whom are young women. Sister Wixom’s appointment to the Temple and Family History Executive Council will help us teach our young people to learn about their ancestors.
I was also very pleased to learn that the First Presidency has approved renaming the Priesthood Executive Council to the “Priesthood and Family Executive Council.” We know Sister Burton will give valuable insight in this new position as she represents women of the Church around the world.
More information will be provided as it develops.
UPDATE 7:57PM MDT: Sister Linda K. Burton, General Relief Society President, has shared the following post via social media:
It is with a thankful heart that I have been appointed to serve on the Priesthood and Family Executive Council. Good men and women of the Church throughout history have worked together to build a strong foundation for Christ’s restored Gospel to flourish and give hope to a world that is so often without light. It is now more important than ever that we stand together and follow Heavenly Father’s plan to bring his children home.
UPDATE 8:37AM MDT: An official recap of the news has been posted on Mormon Newsroom’s blog, including another statement by Rosemary M. Wixom, General Primary President. You can view it here.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
