First Presidency letter: "Where military regulations require the wearing of two-piece underwear, such underwear should be properly marked as if the articles were of the normal [temple garment] pattern." Drafted originally for Korean War, this instruction is reissued during Vietnam War on Aug. 31, 1964 and Mar. 17, 1969. (1)
-- Oct 20, 1950
Regulations on calling of missionaries of draft age-- Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Regulations on calling of missionaries in relation to age and draft status.
October 20, 1950 To Stake and Mission Presidents and Ward Bishops
Dear Brethren,
This letter supersedes a letter dated September 27, 1950 concerning the calling of missionaries (Please note that the minimum age for young men has been changed from twenty to nineteen years.):
Age: Young men should be nineteen years of age before they depart for their missions unless they have had two years of college or military service, in which event the age requirement is waived. Young women should be twenty-three before they are recommended for missionary service. However, because of special requests from mission presidents for more experienced help, the age limit has temporarily been lowered to twenty-one.
Selective Service: After further consideration with officials of the Selective Service it is deemed advisable to make the following changes:
1st: That young men of draft age who have received their Notice of Pre-Induction Physical Examination should not be recommended for missionary service. If young men who have been called by the Church to serve as missionaries receive their Notice of Pre-Induction Physical Examination before they enter the Mission Home, the Church will excuse these young men from ministerial service, but if they enter the Mission Home before the above notice is received they will be deferred from military service for the duration of their mission terms.
2nd: That young men who have reached their twenty-first birthday and are desirous of being recommended for missionary service should first discuss the matter of their being called for military service with their Selective Service Draft Boards and secure assurance in writing that they will not be called for military service before they are recommended for missionary service.
3rd: If a young man who has received his Notice of Pre-Induction Physical Examination be not inducted within a period of five months, he may be recommended for missionary service. At the conclusion of a missionary's mission he will be expected to report to his Selective Service Draft Board within five days after he returns home, and failure to do this makes him delinquent and subject to immediate induction.
4th: These changes become effective November 1, 1950. Military Reserves: Young men holding commissions in any of the military reserves should not be recommended for missionary service Young men who are members of the enlisted reserves should first discuss with their commanding officers the possibility of being released and secure permission to be released before they are recommended for missionary service. Such young men now serving as ministers for the Church already in the mission field have been deferred from military service for the duration of their mission terms and will be expected to report to their reserve units within five days after their return home.
National Guards: Young men holding commissions in the National Guard and belonging to units that have been activated should not be recommended for missionary service. Young men who are members of the National Guard, but on the inactive listing should first discuss with their commanding officers the possibility of their being discharged and permission assured before they are recommended for ministerial service.
We believe the foregoing will be helpful to you in the selection of young men and women to assist in carrying forward the program of the Church.
With best wishes, we are Sincerely your brethren, GEO. ALBERT SMITH, J. REUBEN CLARK, JR., DAVID O. MCKAY, First Presidency. {1950-October 20-Original circular letter, L.D.S. Church} (2)
-- Oct 24, 1950
[President George Albert Smith Journal] "After giving the matter consideration asked Arthur to tell my counselors, President Clark and President McKay, that it was quite all right with me for them to sign letters of the First Presidency with two signatures on most routine matters, saving only the more important and policy matters for the signature of three, thus husbanding my strength." (3)
-- Nov 15, 1950
Only members of record in a ward or branch of the Church should be called as officers-- Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Not only should membership of record in the Church be in the ward where the person resides, but only members of record of a ward should be made officers of a ward. (2)
Footnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)
3 - Journals of George Albert Smith
LDS History Chronology: George Albert Smith
Mormon History Timeline: The life of George Albert Smith
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
