Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints served as grand marshal of Utah's 2026 Days of 47 Parade on Friday, July 24, in Salt Lake City. Johnson, accompanied by her husband Doug, participated in the annual Pioneer Day tradition to honor ancestors who migrated to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
Honoring Pioneer Ancestors
The parade, which is held annually to commemorate the arrival of Latter-day Saint pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley, featured Johnson and her husband dressed in Western apparel, including cowboy boots and hats. President Johnson received the invitation to lead the procession from Church President Dallin H. Oaks, who made a surprise appearance in the parade with his wife, Kristen.
A Legacy of Faith
During the event, President Johnson reflected on her own lineage, noting she has ancestors who made their way to Salt Lake City in September of 1847. She noted that many of her ancestors migrated from European countries, with some traveling through Canada before settling in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.
President Johnson remarked that the pioneers were motivated by a devotion to the gospel and a desire to build a temple. She stated that she is touched by the determination of those who left relatively comfortable lives to follow the call of prophets to assemble to Zion.
Breaking Gender Barriers
As the second woman to serve as grand marshal, President Johnson joins a long line of leaders who have held the honor, including Apostles and members of the First Presidency. The first woman to hold the position was Jean B. Bingham, the former Relief Society general president, in 2022.
Temple Celebration Context
The festivities this year preceded the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, a follow-up to the more than six-year renovation of the historic structure. Several parade floats featured the Salt Lake Temple, which is scheduled to be open to the public from April 5 to October 1, 2027.
Community Parade Entries
One notable entry in the parade was an award-winning float from the Herriman Utah South Stake, which featured 350 dolls. Jeremy Moser of the stake helped create the display, noting that the dolls represent the ancestors of members within the congregation. The project encouraged members to research their pioneer history and decorate the dolls with memorable stories.
Leadership and Background
President Johnson's role in the parade follows her long tenure in Church leadership. She was called as Relief Society General President in April 2022, after serving as the Primary General President for 16 months. Prior to her current assignment, she and Doug led the Peru Arequipa Mission from 2016 to 2019.
A University of Utah graduate, Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in English and a law degree. She practiced law for nearly 30 years before her current leadership roles.
Historical Significance
The Days of '47 Parade honors the 60,000 to 70,000 Church members who migrated across the North American Great Plains to Utah and the surrounding area between 1847 and 1868. This migration occurred during a period when the transcontinental railroad was nearing completion.
