LaVern W. Parmley
Born: 1 January 1900
Called as Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency: 1942
Called as First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency: 1943
Called as Primary General President: 1951
Released: 1974
Died: 27 January 1980
Called as Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency: 1942
Called as First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency: 1943
Called as Primary General President: 1951
Released: 1974
Died: 27 January 1980
Image source: Relief Society Magazine, July 1951
|
Image source: Church Website, fair use
Image source: Improvement Era, November 1956
|
Biographical Articles
Relief Society Magazine, July 1951, Relief Society Congratulates Newly Appointed Primary Association Presidency
Improvement Era, November 1956, From a Little Rock Church to the World - The Growth of the Primary Association
Church News, 21 June 2019, Looking Back: LaVern Parmley’s Prophetic Counsel for Parents and Children
Improvement Era, November 1956, From a Little Rock Church to the World - The Growth of the Primary Association
Church News, 21 June 2019, Looking Back: LaVern Parmley’s Prophetic Counsel for Parents and Children
"Relief Society Congratulates Newly Appointed Primary Association Presidency." Relief Society Magazine. July 1951. pg. 457-459.
Relief Society Congratulates Newly Appointed Primary Association Presidency
RELIEF SOCIETY members throughout the Church extend congratulations and best wishes to the new officers of the Primary Association, appointed May 16, 1951. Sister LaVern W. Parmley, the new president, has selected as her counselors two former board members, Arta M. Hale, as her first counselor, and Florence H. Richards to be her second counselor. These women are experienced, capable, and outstanding leaders, who will direct the Primary Association with enthusiasm, spiritual insight, and a sympathetic understanding of the boys and girls of the Church.
Sister Parmley, wife of Dr. Thomas J. Parmley of the University of Utah faculty, and daughter of Eugene and Gertrude Park Watts, of Murray, Utah, is the mother of a daughter and two sons. She has held many positions of responsibility in the Church, including service on the Bonneville Stake Primary Board, and has been a member of the general board of the Primary Association since 1941. In 1943 Sister Parmley was made second counselor to General President May Green Hinckley and was first counselor to Sister Adele Cannon Howells at the time of Sister Howell’s death, April 14, 1951. Sister Parmley, a beloved leader, is much appreciated for her executive ability, for her warm friendliness, and her faith and sincerity.
Sister Hale, who was born in Oakley, Idaho, a daughter of Harrison R. and Sarah Ann Williams Matthews, is the wife of C. Dewey Hale, dean of boys at South High School, Salt Lake City. She is the mother of two children, a daughter and a son. After her graduation from the University of Utah, Sister Hale taught school in Oakley, Idaho, and later, during World War II, resumed her profession as a teacher in the Granite District, Salt Lake City. She filled a mission to the Eastern States before her marriage in 1928, and she has served with devotion and ability in all the women's auxiliary organizations of the Church. Sister Hale has personal charm, a happy and enthusiastic disposition, and much well-directed energy, qualities which will be of great value to her in her new position. She was appointed to the general board of the Primary in 1945.
Florence H. Richards, a lovable and gracious woman, is the wife of Dr. Lorin L. Richards, a Salt Lake City dentist. She was born in Logan, Utah, the daughter of Heber A. and Martha Sweeten Holbrook. She is a graduate of the L.D.S. High School and has had much experience as an officer in the Y.W.M.I.A. and in the Primary Association. She was appointed to the Primary general board in 1946. Her friendly manner, her humble faith, and her love and understanding of children are attributes which qualify her as a competent and inspirational leader of youth. Sister Richards is the mother of a son and two daughters.
Sister Dessie Grant Boyle, who was the second counselor to Sister Adele C. Howells, remains as a member of the general board, and will continue her devoted service on the editorial board of The Children's Friend and the board of the Primary Children's Hospital.
The general board congratulates the sisters who have been called to preside over the Primary at this time and extends love, confidence, and best wishes to them.
Relief Society Congratulates Newly Appointed Primary Association Presidency
RELIEF SOCIETY members throughout the Church extend congratulations and best wishes to the new officers of the Primary Association, appointed May 16, 1951. Sister LaVern W. Parmley, the new president, has selected as her counselors two former board members, Arta M. Hale, as her first counselor, and Florence H. Richards to be her second counselor. These women are experienced, capable, and outstanding leaders, who will direct the Primary Association with enthusiasm, spiritual insight, and a sympathetic understanding of the boys and girls of the Church.
Sister Parmley, wife of Dr. Thomas J. Parmley of the University of Utah faculty, and daughter of Eugene and Gertrude Park Watts, of Murray, Utah, is the mother of a daughter and two sons. She has held many positions of responsibility in the Church, including service on the Bonneville Stake Primary Board, and has been a member of the general board of the Primary Association since 1941. In 1943 Sister Parmley was made second counselor to General President May Green Hinckley and was first counselor to Sister Adele Cannon Howells at the time of Sister Howell’s death, April 14, 1951. Sister Parmley, a beloved leader, is much appreciated for her executive ability, for her warm friendliness, and her faith and sincerity.
Sister Hale, who was born in Oakley, Idaho, a daughter of Harrison R. and Sarah Ann Williams Matthews, is the wife of C. Dewey Hale, dean of boys at South High School, Salt Lake City. She is the mother of two children, a daughter and a son. After her graduation from the University of Utah, Sister Hale taught school in Oakley, Idaho, and later, during World War II, resumed her profession as a teacher in the Granite District, Salt Lake City. She filled a mission to the Eastern States before her marriage in 1928, and she has served with devotion and ability in all the women's auxiliary organizations of the Church. Sister Hale has personal charm, a happy and enthusiastic disposition, and much well-directed energy, qualities which will be of great value to her in her new position. She was appointed to the general board of the Primary in 1945.
Florence H. Richards, a lovable and gracious woman, is the wife of Dr. Lorin L. Richards, a Salt Lake City dentist. She was born in Logan, Utah, the daughter of Heber A. and Martha Sweeten Holbrook. She is a graduate of the L.D.S. High School and has had much experience as an officer in the Y.W.M.I.A. and in the Primary Association. She was appointed to the Primary general board in 1946. Her friendly manner, her humble faith, and her love and understanding of children are attributes which qualify her as a competent and inspirational leader of youth. Sister Richards is the mother of a son and two daughters.
Sister Dessie Grant Boyle, who was the second counselor to Sister Adele C. Howells, remains as a member of the general board, and will continue her devoted service on the editorial board of The Children's Friend and the board of the Primary Children's Hospital.
The general board congratulates the sisters who have been called to preside over the Primary at this time and extends love, confidence, and best wishes to them.
"From a Little Rock Church to the World - The Growth of the Primary Association." Improvement Era. November 1956. pg. 806-807, 842.
From a Little Rock Church to the World THE GROWTH OF THE PRIMARY ASSOCIATION by LaVern W. Parmley In March 1878, Sister Aurelia Spencer Rogers felt the need for an organization where young Latter-day Saint boys could be taught "everything good and how to behave." She noticed that many of them were allowed to be out on the streets at night and were learning things that little boys should never learn. Some of them were growing up to be "hoodlums" rather than good Latter-day Saints and gentlemen. Then Sister Rogers had an idea. It was inspiration from our Heavenly Father, who is always concerned about his children. Sister Rogers asked Sister Eliza R. Snow, "Could there not be an organization for little boys and have them trained to make better men?" Sister Snow consulted President John Taylor and members of the Council of the Twelve who approved such an organization. A letter was written to Bishop John Hess of Farmington, Utah, who then asked Sister Rogers to preside over the first Primary in the Church. Up to this point the girls had not been mentioned, but Sister Rogers felt a meeting would not be complete without them. Singing was necessary, and it needed the voices of girls as well as of boys. A letter was sent to Sister Snow asking her opinion, and in her answer she wrote: "I feel assured that the inspiration of heaven is directing you, and that a great and very important movement is being inaugurated for the future Zion. We must have the girls as well as the boys. They must be trained together." Sister Snow suggested the organization be called "Primary." On August 11, 1878, Sister Rogers was set apart to preside over the first Primary. The children, 115 boys and 100 girls, were called together in the little rock church for the first time on August 25, 1878. On June 19, 1880, Sister Louie B. Felt was appointed the first general president of the Primary Association. A sound foundation was laid for teaching lessons in faith, obedience, and devotion to the ways of righteousness. Sister May Anderson followed as general president. Under her supervision the Primary was divided into ten groups according to ages and given names such as Home Builders, Trail Builders, etc. In 1952, the name for the seven- and eight-year-old groups was changed from Zion's Boys and Girls to the Pilot groups. In 1956 the four-, five-, and six-year-old groups were named Sunbeams, Stars, and Rainbows. Sister May Green Hinckley was appointed president in January 1940. During her administration the official seal, theme, and colors were adopted. The seal denotes faith and service. The theme reads, "And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord." Red, yellow, and blue are the colors of the Primary. These colors are the foundation colors from which all others are made. In a similar way the Primary lays a foundation for a testimony of the restored gospel. Sister Adele Cannon Howells was the fourth general president. Many projects were instigated under her direction. Primary workers and children contributed funds for the mural decoration of the baptismal font room in the Idaho Falls Temple. A weekly quiz show now called Junior Council was inaugurated. This program is still being televised and is one of the oldest television programs in Salt Lake City. Various assignments have been given to the Primary Association by the First Presidency. 1. "We approve the recommendation that the Primary Association shall have charge of the conducting or directing of the leisure and recreational activities of the children of the Church from four to eleven years inclusive. 2. "We assign to the Primary Association the responsibility of carrying on a weekday religious program for the children of the Church. 3. "We have assigned to the Primary Association of the Church the duty of establishing the Cub Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America among the boys in the Church of eligible age, wherever conditions are regarded as suitable for this purpose. The Primary Association will also take from the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association the responsibility for and supervision of the Boy Scout program for eleven-year-olds." The following excerpts are from a letter written to Primary leaders by President David O. McKay in regard to the scouting assignment: "May I take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation to Primary leaders for the work accomplished in preparing boys to receive the priesthood. "With the addition of scouting we add strength and interest and reach out to include every eleven-year-old boy. I am convinced that participation in this combined program is one of the most helpful experiences a boy can have. "Most careful attention should be given to the selection of leaders who are spiritually qualified and capable to direct the activities of scouting. "The instruction of the Church has been, and still is, that scouting for the eleven-year-old boys is a daytime program. Overnight camping trips should not be planned for these boys." From a humble beginning in the little rock church in Farmington, Utah, the Primary now reaches all parts of the world. There are 1,988 organized Primaries in the stakes and 1,233 in the missions. The lives of 213,769 children were touched by Primary last year. There is an average weekly attendance of sixty-nine percent of the boys and girls enrolled. There are 8,159 non-member children attending Primary in the stakes and 5,567 in the missions. Serving as teachers are 42,071 devoted women. One hundred forty-nine stakes and seven missions have Cub packs. Of the 12,741 eleven-year-old boys in the Church, eighty -eight percent are taking their first year of scouting in the Guide patrols. The objectives of the Primary are: 1. To teach the children to pray. 2. To prepare children for baptism and membership in the Church. 3. To teach the gospel effectively and in an interesting way. 4. To prepare girls for home building. 5. To prepare boys to receive the priesthood. The Primary has always considered the responsibility of preparing the boys to receive the Aaronic Priesthood one of its most sacred trusts. Speaking at a Primary conference, Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin said: "I bring you the heartfelt appreciation of the Presiding Bishopric, and all the bishoprics of the Church, for the excellent work you are doing in preparing boys to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. This is the only auxiliary in the Church that has the specific assignment to prepare young men to receive the restored priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ." The Primary program is a logical development of the gospel plan on a level that a child can understand. During the first years of his life the seed of faith in God is planted in his heart. He is taught to pray. Then he is taught the importance of baptism and the story of the restoration. He studies the life of Christ, which is presented as an example for him to follow. Through a study of the Articles of Faith the boys and girls are given a foundation of what the Church believes. Officers and teachers need the cooperation of parents if the Primary is to fulfil its purposes successfully. Parent-Primary partnership is essential. The Primary can only supplement the teachings of the home. To strengthen the Primary-parent A relationship and to provide recreation for the boys and girls, various activities have been included in the program. In January, the "Daddy Date" is a high light in the lives of 842 the girls and their fathers. During national Scout week in February, Guides have a fun night with their dads. The Home Builder Holiday in June affords a get-together for the Larks, Bluebirds, Seagulls, and their mothers. July is the anniversary month of the Trail Builder program. To celebrate, a Fun-da-lay is held. The parents join in the frolic and get better acquainted with their sons. To answer a long-felt need, the Primary has instigated a program to promote reverence. Throughout the year standards are introduced, and the children are encouraged to make them a part of their daily lives. They are taught to honor their Heavenly Father, to respect the house of the Lord, to obey their parents and leaders, and to be kind to their friends. Each standard is emphasized with a verse of scripture which the children memorize; for example, the standard for September and October 1956, was: Reverence for our Heavenly Father. The scripture was: "The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey." (Joshua 24:24.) Elder Hugh B. Brown says: "Reverence is an attitude of heart and mind expressed in conduct." The Primary wants all children to get this attitude. True reverence entails communion with our Heavenly Father, feeling his nearness, having his Spirit. The Children's Friend is published by the Primary Association and is the voice of the Church to the children. This magazine has grown from a few hundred subscriptions to a circulation of over 105,000. Today it is given a top rating among children's magazines. One of the most important projects sponsored by the Primary Association is the Primary Children's Hospital. The first hospital was opened and dedicated by President Heber J. Grant in 1922. The beautiful, modern structure used today was occupied by the patients February 12 and dedicated March 2, 1952, by President McKay. The objective of the hospital is to help children who can be cured or rehabilitated to become normal, useful citizens. The hospital serves any eligible child under twelve years of age without regard to race, color, or creed. Children come from all parts of the United States, Canada, Hawaii, and Mexico. At the present time there is a young patient from Tonga. The Primary Children's Hospital admitted seven hundred thirty-three patients in 1955, and there were 2,456 outpatient visits. During the first seven months of this year, 506 children have been admitted, and there have been 1,690 outpatient visits. Although the Primary program has undergone many phases of development in its seventy-eight years of growth, never have the ideals and purposes for which it was organized been forgotten. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to boys and girls has always been the motivating force, and those who have inaugurated changes have done so confident that the change would be a means of better achieving the Primary objectives. |
Arta M. Hale
LaVern W. Parmley
Leone W. Doxey
GENERAL BOARD OF PRIMARY
First row, left to right: Thelma B. de Jong, Thelma J. Ryser, Delsa P. Stevens, Arta M. Hale, first counselor; LaVern W. Parmley, president; Leone W. Doxey, second counselor; Helen Beth Henrichsen, secretary; Norma F. Knight, Eileen R. Dunyon, Mary P. Parrish. Second row, left to right: Hermana F. Lyon, Lucy C. Dutson, Alta Miller, Lue Groesbeck, Lucelle R. Taylor, Myrl W. Hamilton, Amy M. Casto, Bertha B. Proctor, Vauna S. Jacobsen, Phyllis H. Shorten, Naomi W. Randall, Norma O. Nichols. Third row, left to right: Lucille A. Douglas, Sarah L. Johnson, Regena J. Anderson, Tessie G. Post, Fern F. Whipple, Kathryn S. Gilbert, Edna M. Faux, Minnie B. Sorensen, Bernice Einzinger, Catharine A. Rich, June Carlisle. Fourth row, left to right: Helen B. Evans, Ada B. Maxfield, Beth S. Davey, Ada S. Van Dam, Blanch D. Sundberg, Edith S. Patrick, Olga C. Brown, Clara W. McMaster, Sybil W. Hansen, Johanna V. Sharnborg, Ardella R. Lowry, Zina C. Brockbank, Orpha S. Boyden. |