Emily Belle Freeman
{{Short description|American church leader}}
{{Infobox Latter Day Saint biography
| name = Emily Belle Freeman
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| birth_name = Emily Belle Oswald
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|12|31|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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| education = student
| alma_mater = Brigham Young University, University of Utah
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| spouse = {{marriage|Gregory Garth Freeman|1989}}
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| parents = McKinley McVichie Oswald and Leslie James Oswald
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| website = [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/emily-belle-freeman?lang=eng Emily Belle Freeman]
| portals = LDS
| position_or_quorum1 = 16th Young Women General President
| called_by1 = Russell M. Nelson
| ordination_reason1 =
| predecessor1 = Bonnie H. Cordon
| successor1 =
| start_date1 = {{start date|2023|08|01|}}
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Emily Belle Freeman (born December 31, 1969) has been the sixteenth Young Women general president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since August 2023.
Early life and career
Freeman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to McKinley McVichie Oswald and Leslie James Oswald and grew up in Sandy, Utah. She attended Brigham Young University, and later the University of Utah.
Freeman is the author of over twenty published books, including the bestselling "The Ten Virgins." She has also spoken at a variety of conferences, workshops and gatherings. She taught for many years in the Church Educational System.{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Mary |date=3 June 2023 |title=President Emily Belle Freeman’s deep and abiding belief in Jesus Christ |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/6/3/23738767/young-women-general-president-emily-belle-freeman-bio-2023-abiding-belief-in-jesus-christ/ |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=Church News}}{{Cite web |last=Rappleye |first=Christine |date=31 December 2016 |title=Utah author Emily Belle Freeman shares 12 principles in 'The Christ-Centered Home: Inviting Jesus In' |url=https://www.deseret.com/2016/12/31/20603197/utah-author-emily-belle-freeman-shares-12-principles-in-the-christ-centered-home-inviting-jesus-in/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}
In 2022, Utah Valley Magazine named Freeman "Person of the Year" for her approach to connection amidst challenges.{{Cite magazine |last=Bennet |first=Jeanette |date=January 2022 |title=Inklings of Solutions |url=https://utahvalleymag.com/product/january-february-2022/ |access-date=14 February 2025 |page=14 |website=Utah Valley Magazine |language=en}}
LDS Church service
Freeman previously served as the president of both the Young Women and Relief Society organizations in her local ward.
A new Young Women general presidency was announced on April 1, 2023, during the church's general conference. On August 1, Freeman, along with her counselors, Tamara W. Runia and Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, replaced Bonnie H. Cordon, Michelle D. Craig, and Becky Craven.{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Mary |date=1 August 2023 |title=New Young Women general presidency begins service |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/8/1/23814361/new-young-women-general-presidency-begins-service-emily-belle-freeman |access-date=14 February 2025 |work=Church News}}
As of December 2024, Freeman has spoken twice in general conference. An October 2023 address was entitled "Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ"{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Emily Belle |date=1 October 2023 |title=Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/42freeman?lang=eng |access-date=14 February 2025 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org}} and her October 2024 talk was entitled "Live Up to Your Privileges."{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Emily Belle |date=5 October 2024 |title=Live Up to Your Privileges |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/13freeman?lang=eng |access-date=14 February 2025 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org}}
Personal life
Freeman married Gregory Garth Freeman in the Los Angeles California Temple on December 19, 1989. They are the parents of five children, including taking in and unofficially adopting one of Greg's high school lacrosse players, Garett Bolles, who has lived as one of the family since that time. Bolles has played professional football for the Denver Broncos since 2017.{{cite news |last1=Frei |first1=Terry |title=Garett Bolles joins Broncos family, nearly six years after the Freeman family gave him another chance |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2017/04/28/garett-bolles-family-that-gave-him-a-second-chance/ |access-date=15 January 2025 |work=The Denver Post |date=July 13, 2017}} Bolles compares his experience to the film, The Blind Side.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Morgan |title=Former Ute Garett Bolles' road to the NFL shows 'the remarkable things God can do,' says Emily Freeman |url=https://www.deseret.com/2017/5/8/20611826/former-ute-garett-bolles-road-to-the-nfl-shows-the-remarkable-things-god-can-do-says-emily-freeman/ |access-date=15 January 2025 |work=The Deseret News |date=May 8, 2017}}
Publications
- Emily Belle Freeman (2020). Grace Where You Are (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book) {{ISBN|9781629727271}}
- —— (2017). Even This: Getting to the Place Where You Can Trust God With Anything (Salt Lake City, Utah: Shadow Mountain Publishing) {{ISBN|9781629723389}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/emily-belle-freeman?lang=eng Emily Belle Freeman Official profile]
- [https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/6/3/23738767/young-women-general-president-emily-belle-freeman-bio-2023-abiding-belief-in-jesus-christ/ President Emily Belle Freeman]
- [https://www.deseret.com/2016/12/31/20603197/utah-author-emily-belle-freeman-shares-12-principles-in-the-christ-centered-home-inviting-jesus-in/ Inviting Jesus In]
- [https://www.emilybellefreeman.com/ Personal blog and other projects]
- [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/april-2023-general-conference-new-leaders Meet the New Leaders Called at the April 2023 General Conference]
{{S-start}}
{{s-rel|mo}}
{{s-bef|before= Bonnie H. Cordon }}
{{s-ttl | title = Young Women General President | years = August 1, 2023 - Current }}
{{s-aft | after = Current }}
{{s-end}}
{{LDSyoungwomen}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Freeman, Emily Belle}}
Category:21st-century American women writers
Category:American Latter Day Saint writers
Category:American leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Category:American women non-fiction writers
Category:Brigham Young University alumni
Category:General Presidents of the Young Women (organization)
Category:Latter Day Saints from Massachusetts
Category:Latter Day Saints from Utah