One of a kind: Former Utah governor serves in Primary
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BLOOMINGTON, UTAH
Five minutes after the end of sacrament meeting, Olene Walker ambles down a long meetinghouse hall. Wearing a loose-fitting turquoise sweater over a black long-sleeved shirt and matching black skirt, she intermittently pauses to open classroom doors and peek inside.
"The first thing I do is make sure every class has a teacher," she whispers in a confidential tone.
Sister Walker intercepts a young kindergarten-aged girl wandering solo through the meetinghouse halls. Taking hold of the girls' hand with grandmotherly tenderness, she leans down as much as her 79-year-old body permits. A brief exchange ascertains the child's name and age while bringing a smile to the small face. Sister Walker ushers the girl to the pertinent class.
"It keeps you young," she smilingly quips.
Barely five years removed from her time as the only female governor in Utah's history, Sister Walker now serves a decidedly shorter constituency as Primary president of the Bloomington 7th Ward near St. George, Utah.
Called to serve
When Bishop John Goldhardt visited the Walker home in September 2009, Sister Walker felt comfortable in her calling as a gospel doctrine teacher. But that was about to change — and in a big way.
The bishop sat down with Sister Walker and her husband Myron. Bishop Goldhardt asked Sister Walker if she would accept the call to be president of the ward's Primary. Initially stunned, the eloquent politician with graduate degrees from Stanford and the University of Utah found herself at a loss for words.
"She was a bit shocked, " Bishop Goldhardt remembers. "She said, 'I think I'm too old for this.' "
Recalling the exchange, Sister Walker said, "The only thing that would've surprised me more is if I would've been called as Scoutmaster."
But with Brother Walker by her side offering his encouragement, Sister Walker quickly expressed her heartfelt willingness to serve in Primary — despite having last served in Primary 42 years ago and a self-professed inability to sing. The only serious doubt she voiced to Bishop Goldhardt arose from a travel schedule that likely wouldn't permit her to always be present for Primary activities. Despite being a retiree, she still travels frequently in conjunction with her service on several task forces, advisory boards and national committees.
"That's what counselors in the Church are for," the bishop assured Sister Walker.
Her cause for concern assuaged, Sister Walker called two capable counselors — Annie Green and Gentry Wright — whose combined age is less than her own. She subsequently proceeded to immerse herself in the Bloomington 7th Ward Primary.
"My belief has been strengthened that a strong foundation of the gospel begins with Primary," Sister Walker said. "Future growth in the gospel is built on that foundation."
Prepared for Primary
While politics prepped Sister Walker for Primary — she served four terms in the state legislature, 10 years as lieutenant governor and 14 months in Utah's highest political post after then-Gov. Mike Leavitt resigned to head the Environmental Protection Agency — she counts the experiences within the walls of her own home as the best preparation for her current calling. To wit, Brother and Sister Walker have seven children, 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
"Being a mother and grandmother, that's where you learn to deal with young kids," she said. "My time in the Legislature helped as well, because that involved working with people and learning how to compromise."
According to Bishop Goldhardt, Sister Walker's considerable influence encompasses not only the children she serves but also the adults with whom she serves.
"She brings to the calling her perspective as a mother and a grandmother, and an understanding of the importance of children knowing the gospel," the bishop said. "Another thing she brings is an ability to help build people, to promote the teachers and her counselors and those that she works with to develop their talents and to be the best they can be."
The largest Primary class in the Bloomington 7th Ward consists of 12 children. Generally, though, Sister Walker tries to keep class sizes between six and eight.
"I really love kids," she said. "We have a wonderful group of children where no one is excluded."
Leaving a legacy
Every day during her time as governor, Sister Walker wrestled with the idea that her performance would shape the future perception of women in Utah politics.
"I felt that the future of women officeholders depended on how I did, so I worked really hard on accomplishing a lot," she said. "It was my motivation to get a lot done. I didn't want to just be a caretaker."
The hallmarks of her administration include a reading program for elementary-aged children and advancements in public land policy.
Sister Walker hopes to see more women running for political office. Don't get her wrong — she gives supreme deference to the importance of family. But she envisions a future where perhaps more women follow a path to public office similar to hers: an educator by trade, Sister Walker first ran for the state Legislature at age 49, by which time her youngest child was already in junior high school.
"Family and home are most important," she said. "But it can be really rewarding to be involved (in civic service). I encourage more women to be involved and participate in politics. Empty nesters, especially, have the time and the ability to be great legislators."
At home behind the podium
During Primary sharing time, Sister Walker proves to be a natural behind the microphone. She alternately clasps hands together while resting an elbow on the podium or stands erect with her right hand gently gripping the microphone.
She welcomes visitors, acknowledges birthdays and introduces Bishop Goldhardt to the children when he arrives to teach a brief lesson about Joseph Smith.
The Primary president's words come easily and fluidly. Her ability to clearly communicate to dozens of assembled Primary children seems almost effortless — no surprise, really, given that it's the 15th governor of Utah doing the talking.
