[1] It includes messages from church leaders, stories, crafts, recipes, and artwork and poetry submitted by readers.

have traced the precedent for The Friend to George Q. Cannon's establishment of the Juvenile Instructor as a "first-class child's paper" in January 1866.

[2] Over time though this periodical shifted to being under the organization of the Deseret Sunday School Union and became more aimed at teachers than children.

Funded by taxpayers, LDS Church doctrine could not be taught in the public schools, which concerned the Primary General President, Louie B.

[5] In the first issue, Felt wrote, "With feelings of intense joy, deep devotion and profound gratitude we introduce this little book.

Hope and fear alternately plead for supremacy and we humbly ask that you will exercise charity and assist us by your faith and prayers.

Contents included "illustrated stories, quotes and messages from church general authorities, recipes, games, activities, suggestions for Family Home Evening, gospel art, and so on.

[2] Gordon B. Hinckley, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, explained in an article in the December Improvement Era some of the reasoning behind the name change.

[19] As part of a panel at the UNICEF Humanitarian Action for Children in December 2019, Joy D. Jones mentioned that The Friend would publish articles for children about "safe health practice, including hand washing, mosquito nets, removal of standing water, immunizations, exercise, and nutrition" the following year.