Julie Bangerter Beck

Background

Born in Granger, Utah, to William Grant Bangerter and Geraldine Hamblin, Beck grew up in Utah and in São Paulo Paulo, Brazil, where her father served as a mission president for the Latter- Day Saints (Mormons) Church for five years.

Education

Beck attended Dixie College and graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in family science.

Career

Beck is also the niece of Utah"s thirteenth governor, Norman H. Bangerter, who held office from 1985 to 1993. Beck served in this capacity until 2007, when she succeeded Bonnie Doctorate. Parkin as the general president of the Relief Society. Beck was the fifteenth general president of the Relief Society since its organization in 1842.

Beck"s two counselors were Silvia H. Allred and Barbara Thompson.

Beck was succeeded by Linda K. Burton. Key addresses

In her sermon, Beck equated "nurturing" with "homemaking"—which Beck said "includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home"—and stated that "Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world".

Beck"s second annual address to the church"s women in September 2008 focused on strengthening the role of the Relief Society in each congregation throughout the world. The address was viewed as being more inclusive of single and childless women and was more enthusiastically received in the United States than previous addresses.

Achievements

• The 2011 publication of the book Daughters in My Kingdom was described as the "crowning achievement" of Beck"s five-year tenure.

Membership

In that assignment, Beck was an ex officio member of the Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System and was also a member of the executive committee of the Boards of Trustees/Education. At the church"s October 2007 general conference, Beck delivered a sermon that caused controversy among some members of the church.