Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson was born Sept. 12, 1963, in Pocatello, Idaho. She was sustained during the April 2022 general conference. She married Douglas R. Johnson on July 31, 1987, in the Salt Lake Temple. They have three sons.
After graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in English in 1985, President Johnson earned a law degree in 1989. She practiced law for nearly 30 years as a partner in the Salt Lake law firm Snow, Christensen & Martineau, where she was firm president at the time of her call to the Primary general presidency.
President Johnson served as the Primary general president for a year before becoming Relief Society general president on Aug. 1. She and her husband also served as mission leaders of the Perú Arequipa Mission from 2016 to 2019.
In honor of President Johnson’s birthday today, here are nine quotes from the past year.
1. Change is good
“Perhaps there is a bit of discomfort in all this change. But sisters and elders, I want you to know that change is good. ... Change is like loosening the roots because the Lord doesn’t want us to be root-bound.”
— Devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center, Aug. 30, 2022
2. Divine nature and purpose
“I hope that our Relief Societies are safe places where sisters can share their life experiences. It’s that diversity and life experience that’s going to help us get home. We’ve got to draw upon one another’s strengths. And sometimes strengths are born of weakness. The weaknesses that we’ve overcome become our strengths, and then we can help others work through their challenges.”
— The incoming Relief Society general president’s message to women of the Church, July 25, 2022
3. Step forward in faith
“I think sometimes we’re feeling the Spirit and we don’t recognize that that’s what it is. We expect some sort of grand manifestation of the Spirit, and instead it’s just simple assurance that we feel day to day.”
— Church News podcast, July 26, 2022
4. Hear Him through the words of others
“I believe the Lord wants to give us opportunities to be instruments in His hands. That is one reason He lets other people do the talking sometimes, so that we can all participate in helping one another return to Him.”
— #HearHim video, June 15, 2022
5. Covenant women
“As covenant women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we share an objective — to return to our heavenly home. Relief Society sisters draw upon their diversity in age, talent, culture and experience to help one another return to God’s presence. What unites us is our common objective and divine purpose as covenant daughters of God and disciples of Jesus Christ. Our discipleship is manifest in the relief we provide as we help one another progress along the covenant path.”
— Meet incoming Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson, June 11, 2022
6. Religious liberty
“Religion motivates sacrifice and service because there is transformative power in religion. Religion is more than just a preference, choice, value or identity, although at times it can be all of those things. Religion connects us with God, and the sacred, in ways that transform individuals, who then bless and lift society.”
— Freedom To Serve Symposium at Iowa’s Drake University, April 19, 2022
7. Eyes on the prize
“Brothers and sisters,” President Johnson said, “keep your eyes on the prize of eternal relationships — an eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father and the Savior and the opportunity to return to your heavenly home to be with the people who are most dear to you. That focus on your ultimate objective will help you avoid unhealthy distractions.”
— BYU devotional, Jan. 11, 2022
8. The Holy Ghost is the best study companion
“Seeking learning by faith is the process by which we engage the Holy Ghost in our learning so we aren’t just learning facts. We are understanding truth.”
— BYU-Pathway Devotional, Oct. 19. 2021
9. The Savior as the author and finisher
“Why do we want the Savior to be the author and the finisher of our stories? Because He knows our potential perfectly, He will take us to places we never imagined ourselves. He may make us a David or an Esther. He will stretch us and refine us to be more like Him. The things we will achieve as we act with more faith will increase our faith in Jesus Christ.”
— “Invite Christ To Author Your Story,” October 2021 general conference
