Bonnie D. Parkin

Bonnie D. Parkin

Bonnie Dansie Parkin was the fourteenth general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2002 to 2007.

The third of five children, Bonnie Rae Dansie was born August 4, 1940, in Murray, Utah, to Jesse Homer and Ruth Martha Butikofer Dansie. In 1962 Sister Parkin graduated from Utah State University in Logan, Utah, with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and early childhood development. Afterward, she taught third grade. In 1963 she met James L. Parkin, who was in his first year of medical school. They married July 1, 1963, in the Salt Lake Temple. They have four boys. Before serving as general president of the Relief Society, Bonnie served on the Relief Society general board under Elaine L. Jack, chairing a committee dedicated to helping young women transition into Relief Society. This calling carried over into her own Relief Society administration as she worked tirelessly to help young sisters feel comfortable and of value in Relief Society. In 1994 Bonnie was called to serve as second counselor to Janette C. Hales in the Young Women general presidency. In 1997 the Parkins moved to England so that James could preside over the London South Mission. As general president of the Relief Society, Sister Parkin and the Young Women general president, Susan W. Tanner, instituted a monthly combined opening exercises for Relief Society and Young Women.

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