Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary general president; Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president; and Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, were recently invited to serve on three of the LDS Church’s executive councils. (Mormon Newsroom)
In a historic step for the LDS Church, three of its female leaders have been invited to serve on three of the church’s priesthood leadership councils headed by members of the Quorum of the Twelve, according to a series of Facebook posts Tuesday evening.
Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, who has served as Young Women General President since 2013, was first to break the news when she said she was honored to receive the invitation to participate as a member of the Missionary Executive Council, calling it a “significant moment.”
“What a great time to be a woman in the Church where our voices are needed and valued more than ever,” she said in her Facebook post. “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 posted in response to Oscarson’s post, saying her appointment to the committee comes at a time with an unprecedented number of missionaries, many of them sisters.
“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,” he said. “We need their wisdom and participation! It is sensible that their assignments line up with their current responsibilities.”
Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President since 2012, was invited to serve on the Priesthood and Family Executive Council, which was recently renamed from the Priesthood Executive Council. Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President since 2010, will serve on the Temple and Family History Executive Council.
“It is with a thankful heart that I have been appointed to serve on the Priesthood and Family Executive Council,” Burton posted on her Facebook page later that evening. “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.”
Mormon Newsroom posted an excerpt from a letter to the general authorities and general auxiliary presidencies from the First Presidency. “We are confident that the wisdom and judgment of these general auxiliary presidents will provide a valuable dimension to the important work accomplished by these councils,” the letter said.
