New Primary general presidency for the Church of Jesus Christ announced

A new Primary general presidency was installed on Saturday by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, announced the change of leadership in the Saturday afternoon session of the 191st Annual General Conference.

New members of the Primary general presidency include:

• President Camille N. Johnson, President
• Sister Susan H. Porter, first counselor
• Sister Amy Wright, second counselor

The previous primary general presidency of Joy D. Jones, president; Lisa L. Harkness, first counselor; and Cristina B. Franco, second counselor; was launched after five years of service.

What does the Primary general presidency do?

The Primary general presidency is the church organization that oversees and teaches children aged 18 months to 11 years worldwide. They serve under the direction of the First Presidency and travel frequently to support, guide and train children and their local leaders.

Learn about the new Primary general presidency

The following biographies are provided by Church Newsroom.

President Camille N. Johnson, President

“Sister Johnson ended a mission with her husband in 2019 (he was president of the mission; she was his companion) in the Peru Arequipa Mission. When the service ended, Sister Johnson returned to work as a lawyer at the Snow, Christensen & Martineau law firm. She served in various teaching and leadership assignments in her local congregation. Sister Johnson graduated in English and in law from the University of Utah. She and her husband have three children. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho. “

Sister Susan H. Porter, first counselor

“Sister Porter has served on the Relief Society general advisory board since 2017. She has also served in various teaching and leadership assignments in her local congregation. She and her late husband, Elder Bruce D. Porter of the Seventy (1952–2016), raised their two sons and two daughters in the eastern United States, Germany and Utah and fulfilled Church assignments in Russia and the Middle East. Sister Porter attended Brigham Young University and majored in chemistry. She worked as a lab assistant and part-time math teacher. She was born in Oklahoma and raised in New York. “

Sister Amy Wright, second counselor

“Sister Wright has served on the Young Women general advisory board since 2018. She was born in Salt Lake City and majored in human development and family studies at the University of Utah. Sister Wright worked at Marquette University at Diederich College of Communications, where she helped facilitate an urban journalism camp for downtown youth. She and her husband, James, have three children. She has been involved in various teaching and leadership assignments in her local congregation and in service opportunities in the community. ”

‘What a wonderful journey’

Shortly after the Saturday afternoon session, President Jones and his counselors used social media to express their gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Primary general presidency.

President Jones said that she served with several “incredible women”. She expressed her support for the new Primary general presidency and will maintain sincere feelings for children around the world.

“What a wonderful journey the last five years have been!” she wrote in a post on Facebook. “Throughout my service, I have continually felt the Lord’s deep and unending love for our children.”

Sister Harkness followed suit with her own Facebook post.

“My heart is overflowing with gratitude, joy and peace today,” she wrote. “I testify that our Lord and Savior is very aware of us. He continually strengthened me during my service. I know that your faith and mine can be strengthened when we remember that we are children of God and that He loves us. “

Sister Franco also added her closing remarks.

“What an experience these past four years have been. My heart is so full! ”Sister Franco wrote. “I testify that God loves all of His children. Each one is precious to him. He and the Savior were with me at every step of that call. How I love them! “