Meet the New Primary President

Olene Walker has been a wife, mother, educational administrator, state legislator, Utah’s Lieutenant Governor and the first woman to hold the office of Governor in the 113-year history of the Beehive State. In the church she served for many years in the Young Women’s program in Salt Lake City; as a fulltime Public Affairs missionary in New York City alongside her husband Myron with the assignment to "make friends and build bridges with United Nations Ambassadors;" and, most recently in St. George she has taught the Gospel Doctrine class. Now she can add "Primary president" to her list of accomplishments.

The focus of Utah's 15th governor has always been on children - her own and the state’s - throughout her lengthy public service career. Still she notes "the only thing more shocking than this calling would have been to be asked to be a scoutmaster!" Sister Walker also jokes she "may well be the church’s oldest Primary president and my daughter says to remind you I can’t sing!"

Sister Walker assumes responsibility for the 35+ children of the Bloomington 7th Ward Primary from Pat Chappell who, with her husband Matt, has been called to shepherd the ward’s young single adults. Sister Walker will be assisted in her duties and responsibilities by Annie Green (left) as 1st Counselor; Gentry Wright (center) as 2nd Counselor and Shar Simkins (right) as Secretary.