New Young Women common presidency

A new Young Women general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started service Tuesday, Aug. 1. Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman and her counselors, Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor, and Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, second counselor, were sustained through the April 2023 general convention.

The release of President Bonnie H. Cordon and her counselors, Sister Michelle D. Craig and Sister Rebecca L. Craven, who were sustained in April 2018 basic conference, was announced April 1, with an acknowledgement of appreciation. They completed their service because the Young Women common presidency on July 31.

President Emily Belle Freeman

Many people have come to know President Freeman by way of her work as a well-liked speaker, creator, podcaster and teacher.

“Now all of that will take slightly bit of a pause,” President Freeman said for an upcoming episode of the Church News podcast.

Sharing her witness and testimony on social media, in talking engagements and through writing books has been the sector that she consecrated to sharing her witness of the gospel. Now, “I get to move into sharing that same witness simply in a special venue, which I’m actually actually excited about.”

Some things she’ll be succesful of maintain doing, however others won’t be potential, she defined, as she spends her time on this new position.

President Freeman hopes those that don’t know her but and those who do understand she has a deep and abiding perception in Jesus Christ. She thinks one of the things that’s most necessary for the youth at present is to help them realize at a younger age that they can obtain personal revelation, study to wish, read the scriptures and hear the Lord speak to them.

“The Spirit of the Lord is not going to fail them. It won’t fail them,” she mentioned.

President Freeman mentioned she didn’t know her counselors earlier than they were known as, but each time she is with them, “I am reminded of the power of prayer and revelation and the way God can orchestrate the events of our lives to bring about miracles.”

Sister Tamara W. Runia

Sister Runia, first counselor within the Young Women common presidency, has held quite a lot of callings in the Church — stake scripture class instructor, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, Australia Sydney Mission chief — but most of her service has been with younger ladies.

“I’ve loved every calling that I’ve served in … however I have to say I really feel at home with the younger ladies,” she informed the Church News earlier this yr. “I hope to provide every single one of them an enormous hug.”

She has been to Young Women camp greater than 20 occasions. One year, she was even asked to attend because the “camp cheerleader.”

Sister Runia stated there are such a lot of necessary gospel principles to teach young girls, however earlier than the rest, the young ladies have to connect with their Savior, who’s waiting with open arms.

“If we can help this rising technology learn that He won’t ever leave [them], even when [they] fall, then that would be the thing that tethers them,” she said. “And that is what covenants do.”

Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus

Sister Spannaus, second counselor in the Young Women basic presidency, was born in Argentina and raised Catholic until missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ taught her family and he or she was baptized.

Sister Spannaus has had many alternatives to serve in youth management callings all over the world because of moving for her husband’s career. In Lyon, France, she was referred to as to be the Young Women president for the ward with out figuring out French.

She had a duplicate of the guide in English and a counselor who knew Spanish — she learn from the English manual, taught in Spanish, and her counselor translated to French.

She stated: “The Lord made it all work out, and it was a beautiful expertise. I think the Lord was already educating me that language isn’t that important.” 

Regarding her new calling to the Young Women basic presidency, she mentioned: “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and please God on this calling. That has been my best desire since I was slightly woman in a Catholic faculty.” 

The former Young Women common presidency says goodbye

President Cordon wrote on Facebook on July 29 that “it looks like yesterday” when President Russell M. Nelson extended the call for her to serve.

“My heart exploded with love for you ― the Lord’s love for you. With each young lady I met, that wave of affection has washed over me repeatedly. You are unimaginable,” she wrote.

She stated she hopes the youth always remember they are liked and to belief within the Lord — they are succesful and have the facility to make a difference in the Lord’s work.

“How I love you, my pals — the wonderful youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am better due to my interactions with you.”

Sister Craig, who served as first counselor, wrote how troublesome it was to place into phrases her emotions in regards to the past 5 years.

“I know that our youth are so capable. I know that we are ready to belief in the Lord. And I know that that is God’s work. I love every of you, and I am grateful for you.”

Sister Craven, who served as second counselor, said on Facebook that one of the sweetest blessings of serving within the Church is to assemble new associates to love.

“I am grateful for all the model new friends I truly have gathered all through the world over the past 5 years! … The testimonies you’ve shared and the services you might have offered have enlarged my heart!”