75 years ago
A letter from the First Presidency published in the Sept. 19, 1931, Church Section of the Deseret News opened the way for 12- and 13-year-old girls to attend MIA. Boys in that age group were already members of the MIA as Boy Scouts.
With the approval of Church President Heber J. Grant and his counselors, President Anthony W. Ivins and President Charles W. Nibley, parents could decide whether to keep their 12- and 13-year-old daughters in Primary or let them join the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association.
The First Presidency letter advised ward Primary and YLMIA officers, under the direction of stake leaders, to "ascertain at once how many girls there are in each ward who are not attending either organization and that where such girls are found, their parents consulted as to which organization they desire them to attend."
It was encouraged that young women of the ages mentioned who were attending Primary continue to do so.
"YLMIA officers should not solicit the attendance of girls already enrolled in the Primary. But it is understood that wherever girls are eager to join the Mutual and the parents are willing, they be allowed to do so."
The letter continued: "Work for girls of these ages will be provided in both the Primary association and the YLMIA."