Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman was born on Dec. 31, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Sandy, Utah, as the oldest of six children. She was sustained as Young Women general president in April 2023 general conference and began serving on Aug. 1, 2023.
President Freeman was 17 years old when her parents were called as mission leaders in California. She attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, meeting again Gregory Garth Freeman, who was one of the young full-time missionaries in her parents’ mission. They were married in December 1989 in the Los Angeles California Temple and have five children.
Before her call, President Freeman was an author, speaker, podcaster and teacher. She has served as a seminary teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, ward Young Women president and ward Relief Society president.
In honor of President Freeman’s birthday today, here are nine of her quotes from the past year.
1. Faith and prayers of the youth
“I love that that boy learned in the midst of that huge trial that his prayers were answered, and that the one place that he knew would bring him strength in Christ — the temple — was the most important thing he could be praying for. What a remarkable experience as we get to go all over the world and learn from these youth.”
— “From Hawaii to Pakistan: Church leaders witness the faith of youth while ministering worldwide,” Dec. 26
2. The Lord will show up
“The Lord will show up and stand by you, and He will bless you where you are standing. He will meet you where you are, but He won’t leave you there. He will bring you to a better place, a place of happiness and joy.”
— Young single adult devotional in Nigeria, Nov. 12
3. Make space for joy
“Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. To feel joy. And sometimes that means taking a minute to recharge. Listening to your favorite playlist. Making your favorite snack. Taking time to write in a journal. Connecting with a friend. ... Do what you love. Make space for joy.”
— Young Women Worldwide Facebook post, Nov. 7
4. ‘Jesus Christ will come to us’
“I have a firm testimony that Jesus Christ will come to us, that He will not forsake us, no matter what our story looks like. ...
“I know He lives because I have seen Him in my stories, and I have felt His love. I love Him. He is my greatest friend.”
— Worldwide Day of Testimony broadcast, Oct. 22
5. The gift of the Holy Ghost
“It is our privilege to have a member of the Godhead within whispering distance every day of our life. … I would invite you to come to know the Holy Ghost as well as you know the Father and as well as you know the Son. Let Him be your friend. Live in a way that He will be your constant companion.”
— Provo Missionary Training Center devotional, Oct. 4
6. Covenantal relationship
“Learn more of [Christ]. Invest in the relationship by entering into covenant with Him. It doesn’t matter your age or your condition, you can walk with Him.”
— “Walking in Covenant Relationship With Christ,” Oct. 1
7. The most important work
“The most important work I have ever done has been within the four walls of my home and with my own children, and there’s nothing more powerful in my life or that brings me greater joy in my life. There is no accomplishment that I’ve ever received that has had greater fulfillment than what has happened in my own home with my own kids, and the conversations that take place there.”
— Church News podcast, Aug. 8
8. 3 things for every young woman to know
“First, you are a beloved child of Heavenly Father. Second, Jesus Christ will be your greatest strength in your lifetime. And third, the Holy Ghost will never fail you and learn to listen to his words. If every young woman could leave the program, knowing those three truths, then I just imagine the remarkable force for good she will be in the building up of the kingdom of God.”
— “3 things President Freeman wishes for the young women of the Church,” Aug. 6
9. Lifelong companionship with God
“It is through personal experiences with Him that I have come to know Heavenly Father and I’ve come to experience revelation through the Spirit. That has been the defining factor in my life — that lifelong companionship with Him.”
— “President Emily Belle Freeman’s deep and abiding belief in Jesus Christ,” June 3
