A new general Primary presidency was installed Saturday by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, announced the leadership change in the Saturday afternoon session of the 191st Annual General Conference.
The 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 released after five years of service.
What does the Primary general presidency do?
The Primary general presidency is the church’s organization that oversees and teaches children ages 18 months to 11 years old worldwide. They serve under the direction of the First Presidency and travel frequently to support, guide and train the children and their local leaders.
Learn more about the new Primary general presidency
The following biographies are provided by Church Newsroom.
President Camille N. Johnson, president
Sister Camille N. Johnson, Primary general president.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sister Johnson finished a mission with her husband in 2019 (he was mission president; she was his companion) in the Perú Arequipa Mission. When their service ended, Sister Johnson returned to work as a lawyer at the Snow, Christensen & Martineau law firm. She has served in several teaching and leadership assignments in her local congregation. Sister Johnson received English and law degrees from the University of Utah. She and her husband have three sons. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho.
Sister Susan H. Porter, first counselor
Sister Susan H. Porter, first counselor in the Primary general presidency.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sister Porter has been serving on the Relief Society general advisory council since 2017. She has also served in several 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 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She has 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 Amy Wright, second counselor in the Primary general presidency.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sister Wright has been serving on the Young Women general advisory council since 2018. She was born in Salt Lake City and received a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from the University of Utah. Sister Wright worked at Marquette University in the Diederich College of Communications, where she helped facilitate an urban journalism camp for inner-city youth. She and her husband, James, have three sons. She has been involved in several teaching and leadership assignments in her local congregation and service opportunities in the community.
‘What a wonderful journey’
Shortly following the Saturday afternoon session, President Jones and her counselors used social media to express their gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Primary general presidency.
President Jones said she served with several “amazing women.” She voiced her support for the new Primary general presidency and will carry on heartfelt feelings for children worldwide.
“What a wonderful journey the last five years have been!” she wrote in a Facebook post. “Throughout my service, I have continually felt of 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 keenly aware of us. He has strengthened me over and over 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 added her final thoughts as well.
“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 have been with me every step of the way in this calling. How I love them!”
What an experience these past four years have been. My heart is so full! It has been an honor to serve in the Primary...
Posted by Cristina B. Franco on Saturday, April 3, 2021