“He Will Magnify Your Efforts” | An Interview with Bonnie Oscarson

Bonnie Oscarson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah but her family
moved and lived in several different states as she was growing up.
She attended Brigham Young University and majored in commercial
art. Bonnie met her husband, Paul Oscarson, when her family lived
in St. Louis, Missouri. They are the parents of seven children and
have 29 fascinating grandchildren. Paul and Bonnie served as
mission president and companion in the Sweden Gothenburg Mission as
a young couple and then returned to Sweden in 2009 to serve as
president and matron of the Stockholm Sweden Temple. She finally
finished her bachelor’s degree from BYU in British and American
Literature 41 years after she first began. (She is glad she did it
but doesn’t recommend that educational plan.) Bonnie was called to
serve as the Young Women general president in April 2013 and
released in April 2018. Since her release she is enjoying spending
time with those grandchildren and catching up on her reading.
Bonnie and Paul recently moved to Provo where they serve as
ordinance workers in the Provo Temple and as ecclesiastical leaders
in the Provo Missionary Training Center. Highlights 02:15 Kurt
introduces Bonnie Oscarson. 03:00 Bonnie talks about her upbringing
and background. 8:45 Leadership opportunities. When Bonnie was 25
and her husband was 29 years old, they were called to serve as
mission leaders in Sweden. 12:20 Stepping up to a big calling at a
young age 18:30 Preparation for her calling as the general young
women’s president 18:50 The Lord knows what's coming. Bonnie talks
about how leadership callings and going back to school prepared her
for what was to come. 23:10 Being called as matron to the Stockholm
temple 25:40 Her biggest takeaway from serving at the temple was,
“To see the hand of the Lord so clearly.” The daily miracles. 27:30
Getting called to be the general young women's president and
choosing counselors 33:00 Feeling inadequate in her new calling and
how God pulled her through 34:20 Starting out as the Young Women
general president. Do I change things? 40:00 Speaking in conference
isn’t hard. Writing the talk is hard. 43:20 What Bonnie learned in
her time traveling and visiting other places 45:00 Bonnie’s advice
to a new Young Women presidency. Learn how to follow the Spirit.
48:20 Issues and things they focused on when Bonnie was Young Women
general president. 54:00 Speaking up in ward council; Women
struggling to feel heard in councils 58:15 What Bonnie’s up to
today: Serving in the temple and MTC. 59:10 Bonnie’s final thoughts
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