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Camille Fronk Olson

Camille Fronk Olson is a professor emeritus of ancient scripture and former department chair at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. She holds an MA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies and a PhD in the sociology of the Middle East from BYU. She has served on the Young Women General Board and on the Church's Teacher Development Curriculum Committee. She is a popular speaker and writer whose published books include Women of the Old Testament; In the Hands of the Potter; Mary, Martha and Me; and Too Much to Carry Alone. She loves to travel, garden, and research stories about her ancestors. She is married to Paul Olson, which includes the blessing of two children and four grandchildren.

March 11, 2020 12:00 PM MDT
Camille Fronk Olson is a professor emeritus of ancient scripture and former department chair at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Her research and publications have focused on women in the Bible and Palestinian families. She loves to travel, garden, and research stories about her ancestors. She scored when she married Paul Olson, a decision that included the blessing of two children and four grandchildren.
10 Min Read
December 19, 2019 09:08 AM MST
The following story originally ran on LDS Living in 2016.
3 Min Read
March 02, 2019 04:40 PM MST
In a bold disregard for male superiority, the Savior was not ashamed to describe Himself by using feminine images. He is the mother hen yearning to protect her own under her ample wings if they will come to Him in faith (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:37), and the woman who searched her house until she found the lost coin (Luke 15:8–10). He invited all who were thirsty to come to Him and drink from His koilia (John 7:37–38), an interesting but debated image. The term refers to a “hollow of the body” and is typically translated as “belly” or “womb.”
8 Min Read
February 12, 2019 05:15 PM MST
In every aspect of Christ's ministry on earth and in heaven, women have held a prominent role as witnesses and receivers of His divinity and grace. Eve knew, worshipped, and offered sacrifices for the premortal Christ. Mary brought the Son of God into this world. The Samaritan woman witnessed Christ's first recorded declaration that He was the Messiah of the world. Mary and other women witnessed our Savior at the tomb after His resurrection. The angel Moroni showed Mary Whitmer the gold plates, allowing her to be a witness of their truth. Clearly, women hold a significant and sacred role in the eyes of our Savior and in His ministry. Camille Fronk Olson speaks of this role in her book Women of the New Testament.
3 Min Read
February 22, 2018 03:00 PM MST
Between the time the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness and the Savior's birth, the Bible refers to several women as prophetesses, a term that can be troubling to those who restrict the meaning of prophet to a man whom God authorizes to declare doctrine, relay His will to His people, and lead them back to Him.
3 Min Read
October 06, 2017 02:21 PM MDT
Although her appearance in the New Testament is brief (only 38 words) and she is unnamed there, Pontius Pilate’s wife is known for her attempt to prevent her husband’s involvement in the death of Jesus of Nazareth. As a Roman, she lived in Caesarea but seems to have accompanied her husband to Jerusalem and may have become acquainted there with aspects of Jewish culture. Later histories record her name as Procla, or perhaps Claudia Procla, and suggest she was a God-fearer or perhaps even a proselyte to Judaism. Subsequent Christian myths magnify and embellish her support for Christians. The scriptural text, however, highlights her sensitivity to spiritual promptings through dreams and her courage to speak out against unjust punishment.
6 Min Read