The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has added women to three major committees namely, the renamed Priesthood and Family Executive Council (formerly known as the Priesthood Executive Council), the Missionary Executive Council and the Temple and Family History Executive Council.
Sitting in these councils will be the General Young Women’s President, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, the General Primary President, Sister Rosemary Wixom and Sister Linda K. Burton who is the Relief Society General President. They will be permanent fixtures in the Missionary Executive Council, the Temple and Family History Executive Council and the Priesthood and Family Executive Council respectively.
This is a historic development that gives women significant official voices in church leadership.
On Tuesday, Bonnie L. Oscarson who is the Young Women General President stated the following on her Facebook page.
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 ….
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 church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles responded on Facebook.
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.
This is exciting news for the church and we have no doubt that their talent and wisdom will edify and uplift these councils.
