SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – August 18, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) –
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a landmark decision giving women an official voice in the LDS Church’s leadership.
The decision, announced in Facebook postings by high-ranking church members, reveals women will now be admitted to three important committees, giving them significant sway in church policy decisions.
According to the Facebook postings, Sister Linda K. Burton, current President of the Relief General Society, will be named the newly formed Priesthood and Family Executive Council. It was formerly known as the Priesthood Executive Council.
General Young Women’s President, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, will become a member of the Missionary Executive Council, while General Primary President, Rosemary Wixom, joins the Temple and Family Executive Council.
It was Oscarson who first announced the news by way of Facebook.
“I still vividly remember President Thomas S. Monson announcing the lowered missionary age for young women,” she said. “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.”
LDS Quorum of Twelve Apostle member Dallin Oaks also spoke out 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,” Oaks said. “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.”
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