The Merrie Miss Memorandum, a special meeting held to explain the Merrie Miss program to parents, helps 10- and 11-year-old girls see themselves as substantive, contributing members of the Church, reported Michaelene P. Grassli, Primary general president.
"I really think that the Memorandum can help the girls feel they are significant and important members of the Church," Pres. Grassli explained. "They participate in the Memorandum by instructing, informing or orienting their parents to the Merrie Miss program. What a great self-esteem builder."The Memorandum is held early in the year, usually in February, after the Merrie Miss girls have had a chance to learn about the program themselves. The girls and their teacher plan and participate in the program together to give parents an overview of the Merrie Miss class.
"The program helps the girls understand themselves much better than if the teacher said, `this is what we are going to be doing this year,' " Pres. Grassli added.
"The girls also need the support and involvement with their parents in their lives, and this is a way of helping parents understand and anticipate what their daughters will be doing and how they can help."
One of the goals of Primary is to support and reinforce the principles in the home, she said. Both the parents and Primary leaders can accomplish their objectives more fully when they understand what each is trying to do.
The girls participate in the Merrie Miss Memorandum by helping their parents understand such things as the role the Articles of Faith will play in their lessons and activities, Achievement Days (activity days) and the Gospel in Action program (a goal-setting program in living gospel principles).
"With parents participating in the program, they become involved in helping their daughters set goals for the Gospel in Action and Achievement Days," Pres. Grassli remarked.
During the Memorandum, the girls also share the topics from lessons they will study such as the restoration of the Church and the priesthood, prayer, proper decisions, the importance of families in God's plan, scriptures, the role of women in the Church, the importance of being virtuous, and loyalty to the prophet and local priesthood authorities.
A talk by the bishop or branch president concludes the Memorandum as he encourages each girl to live worthily so she can follow God's plan for her.
If the program is not held on a Sunday, games can also be played.
Part of the Memorandum includes teaching the girls how to be good hostesses by showing courtesy and respect to all the parents, especially their own. They are encouraged to open doors for their parents, introduce them to others and serve them refreshments.
"The Merrie Miss girls are the oldest girls in Primary, and by this time they have developed some understanding of gospel principles and of who they are, what life is about and what it is that they will be doing with their lives," Pres. Grassli said.
"It's a time for them to be role models for the younger children. This class helps them to refine the good qualities that they are developing as they radiate the light of the gospel.
She continued: "It's critically important that they understand at a young age what it means to have the Holy Ghost to guide them in decisions. The evil influences of the world are so predominant now and so visible. Immorality is out there in full view everyday. There are drugs in elementary schools.
"With the world like it is, these girls have to be tougher than ever before and hold tenaciously to the principles that will bring them true happiness. While they are 10 and 11, they are still very receptive to truth and correct teachings."
