Julie Bangerter Beck (born September 29, 1954) was the fifteenth general president of the

Relief Society The Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, United States, and has more than 7 million members in over 18 ...

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...

(LDS Church) from 2007 to 2012. Born in Granger, Utah, to

William Grant Bangerter William Grant Bangerter (June 8, 1918 – April 18, 2010) was a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1975 until his death. Bangerter was born in Granger, Utah. From 1939 to 1941, he served as ...

and Geraldine Hamblin, Beck grew up in Utah and in

São Paulo São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

, where her father served as a

mission president Mission president is a priesthood leadership position in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). A mission president presides over a geographic area known as a mission and the missionaries serving in the mission. Depending on ...

for the LDS Church for five years.

Peggy Fletcher Stack Peggy Fletcher Stack is an American journalist, editor, and author. Stack has been the lead religion writer for '' The Salt Lake Tribune'' since 1991. She and five other journalists at the ''Salt Lake Tribune'' won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Loca ...

"Mormon women's leader turns to the past to build brighter future"
''

Salt Lake Tribune ''The Salt Lake Tribune'' is a newspaper published in the city of Salt Lake City, Utah. The ''Tribune'' is owned by The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc., a non-profit corporation. The newspaper's motto is "Utah's Independent Voice Since 1871." History A ...

'', 2012-03-31. Beck's father would later serve as an LDS Church general authority. Beck is also the niece of Utah's thirteenth governor,

Norman H. Bangerter Norman Howard Bangerter (January 4, 1933 – April 14, 2015) was an American politician and businessman who served as the 13th governor of Utah from 1985 to 1993. He was the first Republican elected to the position since 1960, and the first to h ...

, who held office from 1985 to 1993. Beck attended Dixie College and graduated from

Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU, sometimes referred to colloquially as The Y) is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

with a degree in family science.

LDS Church service

In October 2002, Beck was called as First Counselor to Susan W. Tanner in the Young Women general presidency of the LDS Church. Beck served in this capacity until 2007, when she succeeded Bonnie D. Parkin as the general president of the

. Beck was the fifteenth general president of the Relief Society since its organization in 1842. In that assignment, Beck was an

ex officio An ''ex officio'' member is a member of a body (notably a board, committee, council) who is part of it by virtue of holding another office. The term '' ex officio'' is Latin, meaning literally 'from the office', and the sense intended is 'by right ...

member of the Boards of Trustees/Education of the

Church Educational System The Church Educational System (CES) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) consists of several institutions that provide religious and secular education for both Latter-day Saint and non–Latter-day Saint elementary, sec ...

and was also a member of the executive committee of the Boards of Trustees/Education. Beck's two counselors were Silvia H. Allred and Barbara Thompson. The 2011 publication of the book ''Daughters in My Kingdom'' was described as the "crowning achievement" of Beck's five-year tenure. Beck was succeeded by Linda K. Burton.

Key addresses

At the church's October 2007 general conference, Beck delivered a

sermon A sermon is a religious discourse or oration by a preacher, usually a member of clergy. Sermons address a scriptural, theological, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present contexts. El ...

that caused controversy among some members of the church.

"Conference address by LDS relief society president sparks furious debate"
, ''

'', 2007-10-11. 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". A report issued a few days after Beck's speech stated that "she has caused a stir among Mormon women not seen since 1987, when President Ezra Taft Benson said unequivocally that mothers should not work outside the home except in emergencies." 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.Jessica Ravitz
"This year, LDS women's leader steers clear of storm"
''

The Salt Lake Tribune ''The Salt Lake Tribune'' is a newspaper published in the city of Salt Lake City, Utah. The ''Tribune'' is owned by The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc., a non-profit corporation. The newspaper's motto is "Utah's Independent Voice Since 1871." History ...

'', 2008-09-28. During her time at the Church, Beck delivered 15 talks and estimated she spends between 100 and 150 hours preparing each talk. She writes that her Presidency focused on "three simple concepts: faith, family and providing relief".

Personal life

On December 28, 1973, she married Ramon P. Beck in the

Salt Lake Temple The Salt Lake Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. At , it is the largest Latter-day Saint temple by floor area. Dedicated in 1893, it is the sixth temple ...

and they are the parents of three children. In 2017 she was included in an article in ''

The Atlantic ''The Atlantic'' is an American magazine and multi-platform publisher. It features articles in the fields of politics, foreign affairs, business and the economy, culture and the arts, technology, and science. It was founded in 1857 in Boston, ...

'' about people with the name Julie Beck.Beck, Julie
"All the Other Julie Becks and Me"
''

'', 15 May 2017. Retrieved on 13 March 2020.

Bibliography

*''Joy in the Covenant'' (Deseret Book, 29 October 2018)

References

External links

General Authorities and General Officers: Sister Julie B. Beck“Julie Bangerter Beck First Counselor, Young Women General Presidency”
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beck, Julie B. 1954 births American leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young University alumni Counselors in the General Presidency of the Young Women (organization) General Presidents of the Relief Society Living people People from West Valley City, Utah Latter Day Saints from Utah