When Primary general president Susan H. Porter attended the first meeting of the Temple and Family History Executive Council, she thought she would be so new that she would not say anything. Rather, she was just going to listen and learn for a while.
She shared her plans with Sister Christine M. Yee, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency and a member of the council.
But during the first discussion, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles turned to President Porter and asked for his thoughts.
“What a great teaching moment,” President Porter said.
She learned that church councils do not ask for professional experience, but rather to come humbly before the Lord.
“I have been taught by the apostles and prophets in the best way what it means to be on council and how to prayerfully prepare by studying the issues and seeking the help of our Heavenly Father, not because we have great backgrounds or skills in the field, but because we know that the Lord will reveal His will and will to us,” she said.
Members of the Primary presidency, Young Women presidency, and Relief Society general presidency serve on the Church’s executive councils and committees.
“Given the Savior’s great call to take His message to all the world, it is wonderful that our sisters can serve in these councils with members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,” President Porter said on this week’s Church News podcast with members of the Primary general presidency. “Councils are very important in the church.”
Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, had a similar experience to President Porter on the first day of the Missionary Executive Council, serving first with then-Young Women general president Bonnie H. Cordon and now with Emily Bell Freeman, Young Women general president. Important items came to the forefront, and the Wright sisters were the first to be asked for their insight.
“First and foremost, our brethren want and need to hear women’s voices,” Sister Wright said.
Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president, serves on the Priesthood Family Executive Council.
“We are involved in all sorts of things other than missionary work and temple and family history work, and it is a great blessing to be on those councils,” she told Church News in a previous interview.
The Relief Society general presidency also serves on several committees responsible for caring for those in need.
“Regularly, we have the privilege of participating in meetings where we present to the First Presidency and the Twelve about our efforts to bless the lives of our brothers and sisters. It has been a particularly wonderful experience,” President Johnson said.
Through her service on the council, Sister J. Annette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, demonstrated the commitment of general officers and authorities to study, work, and strive together.
Sister Dennis said in a previous interview that “it was an amazing experience just to see how revelation is given,” adding that the process is often “gathering together the revelations that are scattered within us.”
She has also experienced revelation from the Lord.
“I now realize how important each of us is in councils and committees, whether it be at the general level or at the stake or ward level,” Sister Dennis said. “Each of us is needed. We bring perspective, we bring context, and God will help us find out what His will is through all of us.”
Sister Dennis said women have a voice and that voice is heard. “Our First Presidency listens to women leaders, and all of the Twelve Apostles and all those we work with on these councils are very sensitive to women’s opinions and insights and feel that our recommendations and contributions to the councils are extremely valuable.”
Sister Wright knows that this is the work of Jesus Christ, and He is inviting people to be a part of it. She said serving on the council involves “advising, seeking revelation, and learning together to discern God’s will.”
She said some of the greatest opportunities for growth came through the invitations extended by the apostles to serve, serve and teach in various capacities. “That was probably one of the greatest blessings of my service as an officer.”
Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, said her assignment from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has given her the opportunity to “stretch in ways previously unimaginable under the leadership of prophets and apostles.”
General advisory committee
The Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary general presidencies each have a general advisory committee of at least 10 women. Women also serve on the Sunday School General Advisory Committee.
Members of the advisory council assist the general presidency in a variety of ways, including serving on committees at church headquarters and providing direction to the U.S. stakes as needed. Women have different missions and focuses and bring additional information and insight to the general presidency.
However, in regions outside of the United States and Canada, regional organization advisors are called upon. Since March 2021, these women leaders have been mentoring and mentoring. This position, added to the Church’s organizational structure on behalf of Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary, includes mentoring stake and ward women leaders and participating in leadership councils.
President Johnson said of the members of the advisory committee, “They are a great resource to consult with us about where we should go. … They are a great support for us.”
