Bonnie D. Parkin

Bonnie D. Parkin
14th Relief Society General President
April 6, 2002 (2002-04-06) – March 31, 2007 (2007-03-31)
Called byGordon B. Hinckley
PredecessorMary Ellen W. Smoot
SuccessorJulie B. Beck
Personal details
BornBonnie Dansie
(1940-08-04) August 4, 1940 (age 84)
Murray, Utah, United States
ResidenceSalt Lake City, Utah, United States
Alma materUtah State University
Spouse(s)
James L. Parkin
​
(m. 1963)​
Children4

Bonnie D. Parkin (born August 4, 1940) is an American religious leader, teacher, and speaker. She served as the fourteenth Relief Society General President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 2002 to 2007.[1]

Early life and education

Parkin was born in Murray, Utah and grew up with four siblings in Herriman, Utah.[2]: 269–270  In 1963, she married James L. Parkin. She earned a degree in elementary education and early childhood development from Utah State University (USU) in Logan, Utah.[3] Parkin and her husband moved to Seattle, Washington as he finished his residency. The couple returned to Utah when he took a position in the division of otolaryngology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She taught elementary school for three years. Parkin’s community service included work as PTA board president, docent for Utah Symphony, and page on Utah Senate floor. She was also a public speaker and at community and religious events.[4][5] In 2008, she received USU's Giving Heart Award.[6]

LDS Church service

Parkin served in various capacities in the LDS Church, including stake Young Women president, ward Primary president, and ward Relief Society president.[7] In September 1990, Parkin served as chairman of a transition committee which helped young women transition to membership in Relief Society. In 1994, she was called to serve as second counselor to Janette C. Hales in the Young Women General Presidency. She then served with husband when he was president of the church's England London South Mission from 1997 to 2000. While in London, she suffered from an inner ear blood clot and lost hearing in one ear.[8][2]: 280–283 

In 2002, Parkin was called as the church's Relief Society General President.[9] Kathleen H. Hughes and Anne C. Pingree served as her counselors; both have professional backgrounds in education.[10][11] Parkin’s twelve addresses in the church's general Relief Society Meeting or general conference included How Has Relief Society Blessed Your Life?, Fat-Free Feasting, and Gratitude: A Path to Happiness.[12] Her address in the 2003 general Relief Society meeting warned against criticizing and gossiping.[13] She also gave the keynote address at Brigham Young University's annual Women's Conference in the same year.[14] In an open letter to the Federal Communications Commission, Parkin and the other members of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary presidencies asked for strict guidelines on children's television content, including asking that family relationships, schools, and religions not be ridiculed.[15] Her speech at the 2006 general Relief Society meeting emphasized that feeling God's love would help comfort women in the church.[16]

Personal life

Parkin and her husband have four children and they live in Utah.

References

  1. ^ Groutage, Hillary (2004-09-26). "Relief Society women should 'belong'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. p. 17. Retrieved 2022-10-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Peterson, Janet; Guant, LaRene (2008). Faith, Hope, and Charity: Inspiration from the Lives of General Relief Society Presidents. Covenant Communications. ISBN 978-1598115208.
  3. ^ "Utah State University honors Sister Parkin", Church News, Utah, 27 October 2005. Retrieved on 2 August 2019.
  4. ^ Hancock, Jacob. "MCAP conference defends faith in ministry", Deseret News, Utah, 2 April 2010. Retrieved on 2 August 2019.
  5. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "LDS women told to find joy in journey", Salt Lake Tribune, London, 27 September 2005. Retrieved on 2 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Parkin earns USU's Giving Heart Award". The Salt Lake Tribune. May 30, 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  7. ^ Babbitt, Christi (2004-05-01). "Panel: Families can find protection, safeguards despite life's challenges". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. p. 27. Retrieved 2022-10-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher (October 5, 2002). "LDS' Parkin Wants 'Global Sisterhood'". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. A1. ProQuest 281300703. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  9. ^ Westenskow, Rosalie. "'How's your heart?' an LDS leader asks", Deseret News, Utah, 14 February 2007. Retrieved on 2 August 2019.
  10. ^ Hoag, Karen (2002-05-03). "Relief Society leaders speak at conference". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-10-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Smith, Hilary Groutage (April 7, 2002). "Parkin to Head Relief Society". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. A9. ProQuest 281159346. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  12. ^ Jones, Morgan. "'Attitude of gratitude': 25 quotes from LDS leaders on being thankful", Deseret News, Utah, 19 November 2014. Retrieved on 2 August 2019.
  13. ^ Baker, Celia R. (2003-09-28). "LDS Relief Society asks women to choose well". Salt Lake Tribune. p. B4. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  14. ^ Stewart, Amy K. (May 2, 2003). "Women's Conference highlights sisterhood, acts of selflessness". Provo Daily Herald. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  15. ^ "LDS women leaders want TV cleaned up". David County Clipper. 1995-09-22.
  16. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher (September 24, 2006). "Relief Society assured of God's love in meeting". The Salt Lake Tribune. ProQuest 281993173. Retrieved 14 October 2022.