Bonnie D. Parkin
Early Life
Parkin was born in Murrary, Utah, and spent much of her young life on her family's farm in Herriman, Utah. Bonnie earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and early childhood development from Utah State University in Logan, Utah.
In 1963 she married Jim Parkin and later moved to Seattle for Jim's medical residency at the University of Washington.
Church Experience
Parkin was serving as a ward missionary and Laurel adviser in her home ward in Salt Lake City prior to receiving the call to direct the Church's women's service organization. Other Church service includes callings as Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, member of the Relief Society General Board, ward Relief Society President, stake Young Women President, Young Women Adviser and ward Primary President. She served with her husband, Dr. James L. Parkin, during his assignment as president of the England London South Mission.
Stories from the Life of Bonnie Parkin
When Bonnie was about 10 years old, her mother had an infection around the lining of her heart. Bonnie and her four siblings knew that Mother was very sick. The family lived a long distance from the hospital, and in those days children were not allowed to go into hospitals to visit patients, so when the children visited their mother, they stood outside the building so she could look out the window and see them. When the family returned home, Parkin's father gathered the children together and the group knelt and prayed. Of the experience, Parkin said, "That had not always been done in our home, but my father needed a mother for his children and a wife for himself." (Peggy Fletcher Stack, Salt Lake Tribune, LDS Leader to Foster 'Global Sisterhood', October 5, 2002)
After being in the hospital for a month, Bonnie's mother got well. Bonnie learned that "our Father in Heaven hears and answers our prayers." (Friend to Friend: Working for Jesus," Friend, June 2004, page 8)
During her missionary service in England, a three-year-old grandson asked Bonnie, "Grandmother, do you work for Jesus?" Bonnie says, "It was wonderful to say to him, 'Yes, we work for Jesus.' When we serve in the Church, we’re working for the Savior. I love Him, and I'm happy to serve Him wherever I am." (Friend to Friend: Working for Jesus," Friend, June 2004, page 8)
Sources
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Press Release, "New General Authorities and General Relief Society Leaders Called", 6 April 2002
- Monica Weeks and Bonnie D. Parkin, "Friend to Friend: Working for Jesus," Friend, June 2004, page 8
- Peggy Fletcher Stack, Salt Lake Tribune, LDS Leader to Foster 'Global Sisterhood', October 5, 2002
