Skip to main content

Mutual Improvement Associations

 Organization

Administrative History

The Mutual Improvement Associations (1869 and 1975-approximately 1970), or MIA, were organized by the Church to benefit young men and women.

The Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were organized in the 19th century. The Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association was established in 1869 as the Young Ladies' Cooperative Retrenchment Association, and the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association in 1875. The organizations provided recreational and faith-promoting activities for youth. Beginning in the 1930s, the Mutual Improvement Associations included a number of dance activities and training. Both organizations were reorganized in the early 1970s, removing the terms Mutual Improvement Association from their names.

Citation:
Speech directors' guide, 1960-61:t.p. (Mutual Improvement Associations, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) cover (MIA)

M.I.A. music supplement, 1954-55.

Manual de oficiales ejecutivos de la AMM, mid- or late 20th century, [not before 1959]:title page (AAM; Asociaciones de Mejoramiento Mutuo de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Días; Salt Lake City, Utah)

UPB files, April 26, 2010 (organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 19th century; Young Women's MIA established 1869; Young Ladies' Cooperative Entrenchment Association; Young Men's MIA established 1875; recreational and faith-promoting activities; dance and training in 1930s; reorganized in 1970s; names changed and no longer included MIA)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

J. Warren Johnson papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2275
Abstract

The collection contains the journals of J. Warren Johnson before and after his mission to the Southern States during the years 1895-1899. It also contains the journals while he was serving as a Mutual Improvement Missionary in Wasatch County, Utah. The Journals are organized chronologically. The collection contains material on the Southern States Mission during the years 1895-1899 and of the Mutual Improvement Program along the Wasatch front from 1901-1902.

Dates: 1895-1902