Bonnie D. Parkin of Salt Lake City was sustained Saturday, April 6, as Relief Society general president. Sister Parkin of the Parleys 3rd Ward, Salt Lake Parleys Stake, was serving as a ward missionary and Laurel adviser at the time of her call.
Sustained as first and second counselors, respectively, were Kathleen H. Hughes of Midway, Utah; and Anne C. Pingree of Salt Lake City.
Released as Relief Society general president was Mary Ellen W. Smoot, along with her counselors, Virginia U. Jensen and Sheri L. Dew. They had served together as the Relief Society general presidency since April 5, 1997.
Moments after the afternoon session during which they were sustained, the newly called Relief Society general presidency met members of the media in a photo opportunity at the Relief Society Building. Sister Parkin told those gathered: "We're gratified to have this blessing in our lives and work with women who are good. We love them. We are overwhelmed, but we rejoice in the opportunity to serve our Heavenly Father. We love Him and know He loves us."
Bonnie Dansie Parkin recently served with her husband, James L. Parkin, when he presided over the England London South Mission. Her previous Church callings include second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, member of the Relief Society general board, ward Relief Society president, stake Young Women president, Young Women adviser and ward Primary president. Sister Parkin and her husband are the parents of four sons and have 14 grandchildren.
Kathleen Hurst Hughes previously served as Young Women president in the Midway (Utah) 5th Ward. Her previous Church assignments include member of Young Women general board, multi-stake public affairs co-director, Primary teacher, and counselor in ward Relief Society presidency. She has worked for 14 years for the Provo Utah School District as a personnel director, assistant superintendent and director of special education. She and her husband, Dean T. Hughes, are parents of three children and have five grandchildren.
Anne Clark Pingree of the Wasatch 5th Ward, Salt Lake Wasatch Stake, was serving as stake Relief Society president. Previous callings include serving with her husband, George C. Pingree, when he presided over the Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission, and as a member of the Relief Society general board, stake Young Women counselor, ward Primary president and ward Relief Society president. Also, she has also been a literacy volunteer for at-risk elementary school children and a tutor for Laotians for Literacy Volunteers of America. She and her husband have five children and are grandparents of four.
Feature articles about the new Relief Society general presidency will be published in future issues of the Church News.
