LaVern Watts Parmley

Primary President - 1951–1974

Sister Parmley was the second–longest–serving president of the Primary. During these years every Primary program was scrutinized and the curriculum of every age–group was reworked. Cub Scouts, Blazer Scouts, and the Guide Patrol became important parts of the boys' program. Primary was also becoming ever more gospel focused. The new Home Builder program focused on the New Testament and the girls were encouraged to bring their own copies of a special Home Builder edition of the New Testament to Primary with them. Before Sister Parmley was released, all Primary children ages eight and older were being encouraged to bring their own special large print copies of the Bible to Primary. Two new children's songbooks, "The Children Sing" (published in cooperation with the Sunday School), and "Sing With Me," also appeared during these years. The favorite "I Am A Child of God" was first introduced as part of the Primary Sacrament Meeting program for 1957. Sister Parmley oversaw the completion of the new Primary Children's hospital in the avenues of Salt Lake. In 1971 the "Friend" magazine replaced "The Children's Friend" as the Church magazine for children.