Stake Young Women Presidency

When we arrived, we discovered we weren’t just in the same mission but the same district. His first companion was the brother of my second companion, so our paths constantly crossed. Over time—and many P-days—we became friends. After a year, I was transferred to San Diego, California to finish my mission. I was heartbroken to leave the Deaf Saints in Phoenix, who had become my family, but I quickly fell in love with the Deaf community in San Diego as well. Jason stayed in Phoenix a little longer before transferring to San Jose, California to complete his mission. We didn’t see each other again, but we stayed in touch.

After returning home, I was called back into the Young Women’s program, where I felt I belonged. I had always sworn I’d never marry anyone from my mission... but Jason made me reconsider. I’d watched him serve with honor, keep his covenants, love the people, honor his priesthood, and deeply love the Savior. Suddenly, he wasn’t so annoying anymore. In fact, I even tried to set him up with my sister! I helped him find a job and a place to live, invited him over so he could get to know her—and then he went and asked me out on a date. Naturally, I laughed. The rest is a longer, sweeter (and slightly sillier) story—ask me sometime, and I’ll happily share the details. But over time, Jason changed my heart, and on July 25, 1998, we were sealed in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple.

We moved to Illinois so Jason could finish his degree, and I became a certified ASL interpreter, working in high schools until Jared was born. Wanting to stay home with my children, I opened a daycare. Soon after, Jaina arrived, and following medical complications, we adopted Tabatha and Lizzie. A short time later, we were blessed with Jordin. Our children have been our greatest joy, and helping them grow in faith and understanding and build their own relationships with the Savior has been my deepest privilege.

After Jordin’s birth, an unexpected call from Central Michigan University opened the door to teaching evening classes while finishing my degree. I went on to earn a Master’s in Educational Technology and now serve as ASL Division Director at CMU, also teaching part-time at two community colleges. Three of our five children have served full-time missions—Jared (Farmington, NM), Lizzie (Portland.OR Deaf program), and Jaina (New York City,NY Deaf program, just returned home last month)—and Jordin is preparing for her turn, trusting the Lord’s timing. Through every twist and turn, Heavenly Father has lovingly guided each step of my journey.

I often look back on that pivotal moment in my life—the moment I was sure my place was with the Young Women, not out in the mission field. I thought I knew where I belonged. But the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, had something far greater in store. My mission didn’t just prepare me to serve—it transformed me. It shaped my character in ways I didn’t know I needed. It opened my eyes to the needs of God’s children, both near and far. It knit my heart to a people and a language I had once known nothing about. It deepened and solidified my relationship with the Savior until He became not just the center of my testimony, but the anchor of my soul. And when my mission was complete, I came home different—not perfect, but changed. I returned with new eyes to see, a stronger back to carry burdens, and a softer heart to love more deeply. I didn’t just come back more prepared to serve the Young Women—I came back more prepared to serve the Lord. And now, as I stand here, humbled and deeply honored to serve as Stake Young Women’s President, I feel the weight and the wonder of this sacred calling. Many spiritual giants have stood here before me, and many will stand here after me. Titles will change, faces will change—but the mission remains the same: to point every one of you to Jesus Christ. We are merely placeholders in His work, connecting you to the One who never leaves.

As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland so beautifully testified: “However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”

I know these words are true because I have lived them. I have felt the Savior’s love reach me in my lowest moments. I have seen His light pierce through darkness so thick I thought it would never lift. And I have watched Him lift and transform others in ways that can only be called miraculous. I testify with all my heart that our Savior knows you. He loves you with a love that will never dim, diminish, or disappear. Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are ever ready to guide you, to strengthen you, to lift you when you cannot lift yourself. You are never too far gone. You are never disqualified from His love. And no matter how many steps you have taken away from Him, it only takes one step to begin coming back.

My love for Him—and for each of you—is deep, real, and abiding. I pray that you feel it every time we meet. And more importantly, I pray that through me, you will feel His love for you.

Hi, I’m Sister Emily Burkinshaw! (see above picture)

I’ve been married for 20 years and I’m a mom to five amazing kids. Over the years I’ve lived in Oklahoma, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, and now Michigan (for the last 3 years) and I’ve loved experiencing each place we’ve called home. I studied Marriage, Family, and Human Development in college and later earned a degree in Graphic Design. These days, I’m starting a photography business and love having creative projects to work on. I enjoy being outdoors, going hiking, and soaking up the beauty of fall—it’s my favorite season.

I feel closest to my Savior when I am outside.  I can feel how much He loves me because of all the beauty I see in the world- the sites, the smells, the sounds.  I have learned a lot over the last couple of years about how our Heavenly Father loves us.  It is my testimony that He understands us better than anyone else, and is more forgiving than we could ever comprehend.  I truly believe that we are expected to make mistakes and grow from them.  The stumbles we experience on a daily basis are what makes us more like Him...if we choose to learn from them.  He loves us.  He wants us to return to Him again, and has made it possible through His Son, Jesus Christ.  I hope this year you will be able to gain this testimony of a loving, kind and forgiving Heavenly Father and come to appreciate the gift we have been given through the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Stake Young Men Presidency