WE BELIEVE IN CHANGE

Shannon Christiansen, who served on what was then called the Young Women general board from 1994-1997, was moved by the displays at the luncheon from the Church History Department, including letters from Joseph Smith that the Church acquired with the acquisition of properties in Kirtland, Ohio, and Nauvoo in 2024.

“All of my life, I have felt deeply about Joseph Smith,” she said. Her birthday, June 27, is the same date he was martyred in 1844. “Here it is again in my heart, something that I’m witnessing again and to see it in his own handwriting.”

Daryl Hoole, who served on the Primary general board from 1988-1989, said callings and assignments come and go, but friendships last forever.

“There’s something about serving together that changes things or deepens friendship,” she said. “You have to equalize the playing ground and rely on the Lord to make it work.”

Daryl Hoole visits with others at the annual Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society emeritus luncheon at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Monday, May 12, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

When she was called, she didn’t know many Primary songs, so she listened in the car on the way to meetings. Ever since then, she has loved Primary music and calls the Primary chorister the gospel doctrine teacher for children.

She is now 91 years old and said, “It’s fun to be an emeritus. It’s better than saying ‘put out to pasture.’ Now we can be a ‘Christian at large.’”

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